SAPS Firearm Competency Certificate and Licence Status

SAPS Firearm Competency Certificate and Licence Status

Discover the South Africa Police Service, SAPS Online Application Portal via saps.gov.za and learn how to apply for a firearm certificate, gun, licence approvals and check firearm competency status.

About SAPS Firearm Competency Certificate and Licence

  • Licence to possess a firearm for business purposes in South Africa is valid for five (5) years unless it is canceled or terminated in terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000.
  • Getting a firearm competency certificate and license in South Africa takes approximately and normally 12-15 weeks for the competence certificate and another 3-6 weeks for the license.
  • Applicants must renew competencies at least 90 days before the expiry date of a specific competency. Each firearm type has its competency, albeit all your competencies might be printed on one document. Competency for Section 13 firearms [self-defense] expires after 5 years.

Document Required to Renew your Licence

The following documents are needed for your firearm renewal.

  • Certified copy of your current competency certificate (front and back)
  • Two passport-size colour photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months.
  • Certified proof of residence.
  • Two testimonials attesting your character with the signature of the deponent.

Requirements to Own a Gun in South Africa

To apply and own a gun in South Africa, applicants must:

  • Be a South African citizen or permanent resident and at least 21 years old;
  • Be mentally stable and fit
  • Have to pass a background check
  • Have a criminal record
  • Not be addicted to drugs or alcohol.

How to Check SAPS Firearm Status Online

Here’s how to check the status of your firearm licence and competency application on the SAPS website

  1. Explore https://www.saps.gov.za/
  2. Navigate to Flash (centre of 7 blocks on the middle of the page)
  3. Tap on Enquiry on firearm application status (top blue block)
  4. Complete die information is required in at least two of the black spaces. One of the following combinations is possible:
  • Reference number of licence application and ID number
  • Serial number of firearm and reference number licence application
  • ID number and serial number of firearm
  1. Tap on the Submit button

If the information has been completed correctly and the licence application data has been entered, the system provides prompt feedback on the stage of the application process. The following information is provided:

  • Type of application
  • Application number
  • ID number
  • Caliber of firearm
  • Make of firearm
  • Serial number of firearm
  • Date (the last date on which the application has been attended to)
  • Status (Last step of the application process)
  • Status description (describing the last work done on the application)
  • Next step (Description of the next step to be dealt with)

The system does not provide feedback on the status of competency

SAPSFirearms Contact

Head Office: +27 (0) 12 393 1000

SAPS Head Office

Wachthuis Building

231 Pretorius Street

Pretoria

Private Bag X94

Pretoria

0001

GPS Coordinates: S25.74790 E28.18901