The Concealed Handgun Unit administers and manages all aspects of applying for and the issuance of concealed carry licenses. The Unit is responsible for investigating applicants and issuing concealed handgun licenses to those who meet the legal standards set by the ORS. The Unit monitors existing licenses and, when necessary, revokes licenses for reasons consistent with the law.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some services have been modified. Click here to learn more.
The Concealed Handgun Unit processes renewal notifications on a monthly basis and responds to questions from the public regarding the application process and other concealed carry related issues. A secondary function of the Concealed Handgun Unit is the issuance of Expedited Court Access ID cards. These ID Cards are issued as a courtesy to people who regularly need access to the Multnomah County Courthouse for their employment.
Click Here For Frequently Asked Questions
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office offers an online option for those who want to apply for their CHL and still need to meet the handgun training requirement set by ORS 166.291(1)(f). Completion of this training satisfies the Oregon educational requirement for handgun safety training to obtain your concealed handgun license. This course is only required for those individuals applying for a concealed handgun permit for the first time with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, this course is not required if you are transferring your CHL from one Oregon County to another and have already met the training requirement. Our CHL Prep course provides the relevant and practical information you need to not only satisfy the education requirements necessary to get your license, but also to help you determine if carrying a concealed handgun is right for you!!
It's easy to start this process. Go to Oregon CHL Prep, create an account, register for the class and pay electronically.
The course covers:
- CHL requirements
- Weapons safety and storage
- Methods of concealment
- Use of force
Test questions ensure that you understand the material before moving on to the next section.
After completing the course, you can print your certificate immediately!
Once you have your certificate, the process for getting a concealed handgun license will vary by the county that you live in.
Requirements for Obtaining a Concealed Handgun License in Multnomah County
You must apply for a CHL within the county in which you reside. However, if you own property in two different counties, it is your choice which county you apply to; but you can only have one CHL issued by one county (an OR CHL is good throughout the entire state).
- You must be a U.S. Citizen, or a legal alien who can document continuous residency in the United States for at least six months and have declared, in writing, to the INS your intent to acquire citizenship (e.g. Form N300)
- You must be 21 years of age.
- You must be a resident of Multnomah County or the State of Washington. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office may issue a license to residents of the State of Washington provided that a compelling reason for having an Oregon Concealed Handgun License is provided.
- Have no legal condition that would prohibit you from possessing a firearm under either Oregon or Federal law.
- Have no outstanding warrant(s) for your arrest.
- If you served in the Armed Forces and were not dishonorably discharged.
- Not be an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance.
- Not be on any form of pre-trial release.
- Not be required to register as a sex offender in any state.
- No convictions of a misdemeanor, or found guilty of a misdemeanor within four years prior to application, except under ORS 161.295.
- Not been ever convicted of a felony or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295, of a felony.
- Not be subject to a citation issued under ORS 163.735 or an order issued under ORS 30.866, 107.700 to 107.723, or 163.738 (e.g. Stalking or Restraining Order).
- Demonstrate competency with a handgun by any of the following:
- Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife or a similar agency of another state if handgun safety was a component of the course;
- Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course if handgun safety was a component of the course;
- Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by law enforcement, community college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or a law enforcement agency if handgun safety was a component of the course. Go to Oregon CHL Prep to access a course offered by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. This course meets the training requirements needed for obtaining a concealed handgun permit for the State of Oregon;
- Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, reserve law enforcement officers or any other law enforcement officers if handgun safety was a component of the course;
- Presents evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competition or military service;
- Is licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm in this state, unless the license has been revoked; or
- Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association if handgun safety was a component of the course.
(For complete details and other statutory conditions for issuance of a CHL, see ORS 166.291 Issuance of concealed handgun license; application; fees; liability)
Frequently Asked Questions
Expedited Court Access cards are available for Multnomah County and District Attorney Staff, legal associates, attorneys in good standing with the Oregon State Bar, and independent court vendors. The following documents provide necessary application details, forms and fees:
return to top
New Application - $115.00
Renewal License - $75.00
Transfer Fee - $30.00
Transfer and Renewal - $90.00
Address Change and Replacement - $15.00
Fees are non-refundable. Only exact cash, check, money order, VISA/MASTERCARD, Debit/Credit.
return to top
- Complete the application in its entirety. All fields marked with a red star are mandatory. Incomplete applications will be subject to withdrawal, and fees paid will not be refunded.
- Be sure to include a valid cell phone number in the Cell field of the Telephone Number section and click the “Yes” in response to Updates via text message? if you would like text notifications.
- Be sure the email address and contact numbers used on the application are accurate. This is where notifications from Permitium about your application will be sent.
- Applicants are responsible for the information they submit. You will not be able to change information on the original application once it has been submitted.
- Upload all requested, required documents as stipulated.
- For NEW CHL applications, follow the link for completing a New CHL Application
- For RENEWING CHL applications, follow the link for Renewing CHL Application
- For TRANSFERING CHL applications, follow the link for Transfering CHL Application
- For DUPLICATE/CHANGE OF NAME/CHANGE OF ADDRESS CHL applications, follow link for Duplicate / change of name/change of address applications
return to top
- No, you must complete an online application in its entirety, which includes providing all requested, required documents dependent on your type of application (e.g., valid government issued photo identification with current address; proof of citizenship; current/expired CHL, etc.).
- If you have all your documentation accessible before you start, the application process takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
return to top
- We are receiving many calls and emails asking for updates on the status of individual applications, which takes our staff away from their work and causes additional delay.
- Instead of calling or emailing, please utilize the online tool to check on the status of your application at any time; simply go online to the OrderTracker link which is provided in your application confirmation email.
- For a list of what your status means, please refer to Status Definitions
return to top
- You can check the status of your application at any time by logging in via the OrderTracker link, which is provided in your application confirmation email.
- Below is the list of possible statuses your application can have and what they mean:
- Appointment Completed – Your fingerprints have been completed and your application will be assigned to a staff member soon for review.
- Approved – Your application has been approved by a supervisor and will be finalized soon.
- Contingently Approved – Your application review has been completed and it has been approved and routed to a supervisor.
- Contingently Denied – Your application review has been forwarded to a supervisor due to information that may not meet Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) requirements.
- Delivered – Good news! Your CHL has been approved, printed, and is on its way to you via USPS. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.
- Denied – Unfortunately, your CHL application has been denied. Per ORS 166.293, you will be receiving a certified letter documenting the reason(s) for the denial and your rights under ORS for appeal.
- Payment Received - Your application has been received by the system and is being reviewed for completion by Sheriff’s Office staff.
- Pending – Your application is complete (all documents received and fingerprints completed if applicable) and has been assigned for staff review.
- Pending Documentation - Your application requires additional documentation. Please check your email for specific documents and click the Order Tracker link to upload your documents. NOTE: We cannot proceed with processing your application until we receive the requested documents.
- Pending Other – Your application has been reviewed for completeness; pending fingerprinting by the Sheriff’s Office.
- Please refrain from calling or emailing to check the status; the more time staff spend responding to status inquiries, the less time they have to process applications.
return to top
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office offers an online option for those who want to apply for their CHL and still needs to meet the handgun training requirement set by ORS 166.291(1)(f). This course is only required for those individuals applying for a concealed handgun permit for the first time with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. Additionally, this course is not required if you are transferring your CHL from one Oregon county to another and have already met the training requirement. Our CHL Prep course provides the relevant and practical information you need to not only satisfy the education requirements necessary to get your license, but also to help you determine if carrying a concealed handgun is right for you!! It's easy to start this process. Go to Oregon CHL Prep, create an account, register for the class and pay electronically.
The course covers:
- CHL requirements
- Weapons safety and storage
- Methods of concealment
- Use of force
Test questions ensure that you understand the material before moving on to the next section. After completing the course, you can print your certificate immediately. Once you have your certificate, the process for getting a concealed handgun license will vary by the county that you live in.
return to top
How do I renew my concealed handgun license?
- If you have a current CHL from Multnomah County, even if your CHL is expired, and it is no more than thirty (30) days before your current CHL expires OR
- if you have been issued a CHL in Oregon in a county other than Multnomah and it is due for renewal, even if it is expired, THEN
- you will need to select the RENEW Concealed Handgun License OR TRANSFERRING from Another County and RENEWING link
return to top
Do I have to take another handgun safety class to renew my license?
No. Your valid or expired concealed handgun license is proof that you attended a handgun safety course.
return to top
Do I make an appointment to renew my license?
No. You can renew your application online following the instructions provided on this link.
return to top
NEW CHL APPLICATIONS
If you've never had a CHL in Oregon, you will need to select the NEW Concealed Handgun License Application link from here . You will need the following documentation to submit a complete application:
- One government issued photo identification with current address residing in Multnomah County or the State of Washington (e.g., DMV issued driver license or ID card, US Passport, etc.).
- One other piece of identification (i.e., voter’s precinct card, medical insurance card, employee identification card, etc.), or for transfers, your current/expired CHL from another county (must be turned in with application).
- Proof of US citizenship using a birth certificate, US passport, or naturalization documents.
- Handgun safety course certificate.
- If your government-issued photo ID does not include a Multnomah County address, you must show proof of residency. Acceptable documents include:
- Show proof of voter registration in Multnomah County and have a precinct memorandum card showing a residence address in Multnomah County.
- Provide documentation that you currently own or lease real property in Multnomah County.
- Provide documentation that you filed an Oregon tax return for the most recent tax year with a residence address in Multnomah County.
Your fingerprinting appointment is scheduled through the online application. There will be no walk-ins permitted.
The NON-REFUNDABLE cost for a NEW CHL is $115.00. All major credit cards are accepted through the online CHL application program.
If you do not have the ability to complete the process electronically, you may schedule an appointment to visit our Business Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for assistance with your online application using our handheld tablet. Call 503 988-0517 to schedule. PLEASE NOTE: This service is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions
return to top
RENEWING CHL APPLICATIONS
If you have a current CHL from Multnomah County and you have had no changes (name and address are the exact same), even if your CHL is expired, and it is no more than thirty (30) days before your current CHL expires then you will need to select the RENEW Concealed Handgun License OR TRANSFERRING from Another County and RENEWING link from here. You will need the following documentation to submit a complete application:
- One government issued photo identification (e.g., DMV issued driver license or ID card, US Passport, etc.).
- Your current/expired CHL.
The NON-REFUNDABLE cost for a RENEWAL CHL is $75.00. All major credit cards are accepted through the online CHL application program.
Per ORS 166.295, an otherwise expired concealed handgun license continues to be valid for up to 45 days after the licensee applies for renewal if:
- The licensee applies for renewal before the original license expires;
- The licensee has proof of the application for renewal; and
- The application for renewal has not been denied.
If you do not have the ability to complete the process electronically, you may schedule an appointment to visit our Business Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for assistance with your online application using our handheld tablet. Call 503 988-0517 to schedule. PLEASE NOTE: This service is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions
return to top
TRANSFER CHL APPLICATIONS
If you have been issued a CHL in Oregon in a county other than Multnomah and it is due for renewal, even if it is expired, then you will need to select the RENEW Concealed Handgun License OR TRANSFERRING from Another County and RENEWING link from here.
OR
If you have a current unexpired CHL issued in an Oregon county other than Multnomah, then you will need to select the REQUEST A CHANGE OF NAME or CHANGE OF ADDRESS within Multnomah County on an existing Concealed Handgun License OR TRANSFERRING from Another County. link from here.
Depending on the type of application, the following forms of identification are required:
- One government issued photo identification with current address residing in Multnomah County (e.g., DMV issued driver license or ID card, US Passport, etc.).
- One other piece of identification (i.e., voter’s precinct card, medical insurance card, employee identification card, etc.)
- Your current/expired CHL from another county (must be turned in at time of fingerprinting appointment).
- If your government-issued photo ID does not include a Multnoma County address, you must show proof of residency. Acceptable documents include:
- Show proof of voter registration in Multnomah County and have a precinct memorandum card showing a residence address in Multnomah County.
- Provide documentation that you currently own or lease real property in Multnomah County.
- Provide documentation that you filed an Oregon tax return for the most recent tax year with a residence address in Multnomah County.
Your fingerprinting appointment is scheduled through the online application. There will be no walk-ins permitted.
The NON-REFUNDABLE cost for a TRANSFER (RENEWAL) CHL is $90.00. The NON-REFUNDABLE cost for a TRANSFER (CURRENT/VALID) CHL is $30.00.
All major credit cards are accepted through the online CHL application program.
If you do not have the ability to complete the process electronically, you may schedule an appointment to visit our Business Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for assistance with your online application using our handheld tablet. Call 503 988-0517 to schedule. PLEASE NOTE: This service is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions
return to top
If you have a current CHL from Multnomah County or the State of Washington, but you have either mislaid your CHL card, have legally changed your name, or have moved but are still within Multnomah County or the State of Washington, then you will need to select the REQUEST A CHANGE OF NAME or CHANGE OF ADDRESS within Multnomah County on an existing Concealed Handgun License OR TRANSFERRING from Another County. Link from here. Depending on the type of application, the following forms of identification are required:
- One government issued photo identification (e.g., DMV issued driver license or ID card, US Passport, etc.).
- Pursuant to ORS 166.295(C)(2), your address must be updated with the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles BEFORE submitting your application
- Court certified true copy of your legal name change if applicable.
- Current CHL if applicable.
The NON-REFUNDABLE cost for a DUPLICATE or CHANGE NAME/ADDRESS CHL is $15.00. All major credit cards are accepted through the online CHL application program.
If you do not have the ability to complete the process electronically, you may schedule an appointment to visit our Business Office Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for assistance with your online application using our handheld tablet. Call 503 988-0517 to schedule. PLEASE NOTE: This service is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions
return to top
How do I obtain an Alarm permit?
Installing or activating an alarm system in your home or business is a very important step in crime prevention and protecting your home and family. The next step is to comply with local ordinances by obtaining an alarm permit to operate your system. Below is a list of resources to help you locate the appropriate ordinances, along with an alarm application and fee schedule. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by calling 503-988-0511.
Multnomah County
Serving alarm users in Fairview, Gresham, Maywood Park, Troutdale, Wood Village and Unincorporated Multnomah County.
City of Portland
For alarm users within the Portland city limits: City of Portland Alarm Information
return to top
Obtaining the proper permits for manufacturing, selling, importing or distributing alcohol in Oregon and Multnomah County is a multi-step process and the following materials and links are available to assist you:
return to top
ATF paperwork can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or dropped off / mailed to 4735 E Burnside, St., Portland, OR 97215
return to top
.jpg)