Firearm licence renewal
Whether you hold one licence or several, for self-defence, hunting or sport shooting, we prepare your complete renewal application so it is handed in on time and right the first time.
99% of rejected applications are due to mistakes. Not with us. We prepare your full application and you receive a ready-to-print, ready-to-submit application with further instructions.
Free to ask. You get the right application and your price before you pay anything.
Cathy van der Westhuizen
For 27 years Cathy was the officer who received and checked firearm applications at the station. She knows exactly what the DFO looks for and why renewals come back. She checks every application before it reaches you.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 27 years SAPS · Not SAPS, no guarantees
1 Your renewal must be handed in at least 90 days before the expiry date on your licence card. That is the law. SAPS does not send reminders.
2 Your competency certificate must be valid for that type of firearm. It usually expires with the licence, so we check it and renew both together if needed.
Expiry date already passed? That is a different application. Message us anyway and we will tell you the correct route.
How it works
Our process and what it includes
- Everything runs via email. The final product you receive from us is ready to print and submit, with further instructions.
- Each application is 100% correct, without the mistakes that delay the process.
- Includes the renewal motivation and the supporting SAPS documentation completed in advance on behalf of the DFO, to save you time at the police station.
- You simply go to the station by appointment to take fingerprints, pay and sign. The rest is completed and ready for submission, without the risk of delays due to application faults.
- Several licences? We prepare each renewal and tell you which are due when. Ask us for a combined price.
Getting started
WhatsApp us your licence expiry date and what you want to renew. We confirm the right application and send you an estimate.
If you accept the estimate, we send you the invoice. As soon as payment is received, you receive an email with the list of documents we need to complete your renewal.
What you get
- The SAPS renewal application typed and complete, with its annexure and all the attached SAPS forms
- Your renewal motivation, written for your situation and the reason you still need the firearm
- A check of your competency certificate date, and the competency renewal prepared too if it is due
- Your supporting documents in the order the DFO expects, with a checklist on top
- Every page checked by Cathy before it goes to you
- Exact hand-in instructions, including keeping the stamped proof that you applied in time
Basic document needs
Phone photos are fine. You bring the originals to the station. Your checklist after payment lists exactly what your case needs.
- A copy of your ID
- Your current firearm licence (front and back)
- Your competency certificate
- Proof of where you live, not older than three months
- Proof of your safe
- Hunters and sport shooters: current association membership and dedicated status certificate
Cost. One fixed price, told to you on WhatsApp before you pay. The SAPS fee is paid separately in cash at the station; your checklist gives the exact amount.
Firearm licence renewal: frequently asked questions
South Africa, Firearms Control Act, through your local SAPS Designated Firearms Officer.
At least 90 days before the expiry date printed on your licence card. That is a legal deadline, not a recommendation. SAPS does not send reminders, so diarise the date a year ahead and start gathering documents four months out. Hand in on time and your licence stays valid while SAPS decides.
Your licence is treated as expired and cannot be renewed. It becomes a new licence application with an explanation of the expiry, which we also prepare. Do not carry or use the firearm until the position is resolved, and message us for the correct route.
Yes, if the renewal was handed in at least 90 days before expiry. The licence remains valid until SAPS decides. Keep the stamped proof of hand-in with your licence; it is what shows you applied in time.
The SAPS 518(a) renewal application with its annexure, handed in at your local DFO. It is a different form from the new-licence application and the competency forms. We complete it for you.
Your ID, your current licence, your competency certificate, proof of residence not older than three months, proof of your safe and, for hunters and sport shooters, current association membership or dedicated status. The exact list comes with your checklist.
Usually. A competency certificate runs with the licence it relates to, so the two normally expire together, and a licence cannot be renewed without a valid competency for that type of firearm. We check the date and prepare the competency renewal with the licence renewal if it is due. One hand-in instead of two.
SAPS’s own target is 120 working days. Three to six months is common, and longer is not unusual. If you handed in on time, your licence stays valid for the whole wait. A renewal sent back for corrections starts the clock again.
No. A licence renewal does not require new proficiency training. If your competency certificate has expired, a competency renewal application is needed, which we also prepare; that does not require retraining either.
One fixed price for our work, told to you on WhatsApp before you pay anything. SAPS charges its own renewal fee, paid in cash at the station when you hand in; your checklist gives the exact amount.
No. You hand in your own renewal at your police station; nobody may do that for you. We are an independent private company, not SAPS, and we cannot guarantee a decision. We make sure your renewal is complete, correct and on time. SAPS decides.
What clients say
Google reviews ★★★★★ 5.0 on Google
“Exceptional service from start to finish!”
Bernadette Richter
“Wow, what an absolute pleasant experience I’ve had working with you.”
Brendon
“Our family had a unique scenario with an estate firearm application and Cathy gave us the proper advice over a consultation call. Her expertise is above and beyond.”
Combrinck Associates
Facebook page reviews Recommended on Facebook · 6 000 followers · See our Facebook page
“Fast, efficient and friendly! Cathy is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with! Highly recommended!”
Chris Kriel · Facebook recommendation
“Best in the business and thoroughly knowledgeable. Quick responses. Most definitely recommend and wish them all the best in their business.”
Ashley Clint Newton · Facebook recommendation
“I have received excellent assistance from Cathy for many years as a firearm owner.”
Alivia Brown · Facebook recommendation
Contact us
Send us your licence expiry date and what you want to renew, on WhatsApp or by email. We reply during office hours, Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00, with the right application and your price.
Firearm Licensing Assistance SA is an independent private consultancy. We are not part of SAPS and cannot approve, speed up or guarantee any application. You hand in your own application; we prepare and check it. We do not sell firearms or ammunition.