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General information

In Canada, a firearm may only be transferred to

• an adult (18 or older) with a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) that is valid for that class of firearm
• a business, museum, or other organization with a firearms business licence
• a public service agency (e.g., a police force, a police academy or certain government departments or agencies)

Transferring a firearm

1. Non-restricted Firearms You do not need to register non-restricted firearms, but the transferor (seller) must obtain confirmation of the validity of the transferee’s (buyer’s) firearms licence, prior to the transfer of a non-restricted firearm. The transfer of a non-restricted firearm may take place only after a reference number has been issued. The reference number is valid for a period of ninety (90) days or for the remaining period of validity of the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence. If a reference number expires before the physical transfer of the firearm, a new reference number must be requested.
   1. Online: The licence verification process can be initiated online by the transferor (seller) through the Individual Web Services or Business Web Services portals.
      1. The transferor (seller) will be required to provide the following information:
         1. the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address
         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request
         The transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment. The transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.
      2. If a reference number can be issued, both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will receive a message in the portal message centre. In addition, the reference number and expiry date will appear on the screen moments after the completed request is submitted.
      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information. In addition, a message will be sent to both the transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) through the portal message centre identifying that the reference number cannot be issued.
   2. Telephone: Contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000;(within Canada and the United States) and at 1-506-624-6626;(outside of Canada and the United States).
      1. The transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the CFP:
         1. the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address
         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request the transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment. The transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.
      2. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, if a reference number is issued.
      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.
      1. The transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the CFP:
         1. the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address
         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request the transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment. The transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.
      2. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, if a reference number is issued.
      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.
      1. The transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the CFP:
         1. the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address
         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request the transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment. The transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.
      2. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, if a reference number is issued.
      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.
      1. The transferor (seller) must provide the following information to the CFP:
         1. the transferee’s (buyer’s) licence number, date of birth, and email address
         2. declaration that the transferor (seller) has taken reasonable steps to verify that the transferee (buyer) is the holder of the licence that is the subject of the reference number request the transferor (seller) will need to ensure that the transferee (buyer) who presents themselves for a transaction looks the same as the photograph on the firearms licence presented. This may be more difficult in the online environment. The transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to engage in a video call or other means that would allow the transferor (seller) to have confidence that the persons presenting themselves as the transferee (buyer) and the licence the transferee (buyer) presents are the same. Alternatively, if a visual comparison is not possible, the transferor (seller) may ask the buyer to present a second photo ID that is issued at the federal, provincial, or municipal level.
      2. Both the transferor (seller) and the transferee (buyer) will be notified, either by email or mail, if a reference number is issued.
      3. In the event a reference number cannot be issued, the transferor (seller) will be advised to have the transferee (buyer) contact the CFP to obtain more information.

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