Sheriff's Office

Gun Permits - Michigan Law Changed February 13, 2024

A criminal background check must be conducted on the purchaser prior to the purchase of any firearm.

All purchasers MUST obtain a License to Purchase RI-010a (LTP) from a Law Enforcement Agency BEFORE purchasing a firearm unless an exception below applies.

Exceptions to LTP Requirement

• Purchasers who hold a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL) may purchase a firearm without an additional background check.
• Purchasers who hold a valid Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) may purchase a firearm without an additional background check. All purchases and registration of handguns is recorded on the Firearm Sales Record form RI-060.
• Purchasers who are currently licensed in Michigan as sworn law enforcement officers may purchase a firearm without an additional background check. All purchases and registration of handguns is recorded on the Firearm Sales Record form RI-060.
• Anyone purchasing a "non-pistol" (shotgun or rifle) from an FFL dealer, does not need an LTP. The FFL will run a NICS check prior to the sale.

For each of these exceptions, all firearm purchases are recorded on the Firearm Sales Record form RI-060. For pistol sales, the SELLER returns the Police Department/Sheriff's Office Copy to the SELLER's local law enforcement agency. The agency uses this copy to register the pistol in the purchaser's name.

If you meet the criteria for the Pistol Sales Record form RI-060, it is available at the Michigan State Police Firearms website. Use ONLY the current version. Transactions recorded on old forms may not meet current legal requirements and may be rejected.

• License to Purchase RI-010a (LTP)

  The License to Purchase (LTP) application is obtained at a law enforcement agency. If you would like to apply for a license to purchase a firearm, you must report in person to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office located at the County of Ottawa Fillmore Street Complex in West Olive between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday-Friday. You may call our office to schedule an appointment to apply (616-738-4025). You will need your valid Michigan Driver's License/or a Michigan State ID, with your current address to apply. We offer notary services for $10.00. The LTP is valid for 30 days.

  Once the notarized LTP application is filed in person at our office, we will start the background check process. We don't process these while you wait. We process all applications in the order they are received. Once completed, we will mail approved LTPs to the applicant.

• Pistol Registration

  The SELLER is required to return the Licensing Authority copy within 10 days of the purchase.

  • Pistol purchases made with an LTP require the SELLER return the Licensing Authority copy of the LTP to the agency that issued the permit.
  • Pistol purchases made on a Firearm Sales Record (RI-060) require the SELLER return the Police Department/Sheriff's Office Copy to the seller's local law enforcement agency.
  • Please mail all registration documents to:
    Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
    Firearm Records
    12220 Fillmore Street
    West Olive, MI 49460

  The purchaser must maintain their copy with the firearm for at least 30 days. We recommend keeping your copy with your other important papers after 30 days have passed.

• Tips for Success
  1. Protect yourself – Seller must return registration copy, but the BUYER can protect themselves to prove registration by keeping the purchaser copy of the form. The purchaser is required to keep their copy with the firearm for 30-days, but we recommend you keep it as long as your own the firearm. Keep it with your other important documents.
  2. There are NEW forms - Use only current forms to ensure timely registration
     • White paper ONLY
     • Complete in INK
     • Writing on forms must be legible.
  3. Plan ahead – the approval process is generally quick, but we do not process these while you wait. We process in the order they are received.

Background Checks

The Michigan State Police offers ICHAT (Internet Criminal History Access Tool) on their website. ICHAT includes criminal convictions anywhere in Michigan.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is offered by the Sheriff’s Office at our Fillmore Street location Monday-Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. The fees for fingerprinting vary depending on the reason you are being fingerprinted. You MUST have government issued photo identification showing your date of birth with you.

• LiveScan – Electronic Submission

  If you need electronic (LiveScan) submission of your fingerprints for a State and/or Federal background check, such as for teaching, you must provide the proper form from the organization requesting prints. This form includes Purpose Code and Requesting Agency Identifier for the organization. This data ensures the proper fee is charged, and the response is directed to the correct organization. We cannot provide these codes for you. Most LiveScan print submissions cost $53.25 depending on the print purpose code. If you need printed cards in addition to the electronic submission, the cost is $10.00 per card. Acceptable methods of payment.

  Go to Scheduling

• Court Ordered

  If you have been ordered by an Ottawa County Court to provide fingerprints for a criminal charge, you must schedule an appointment, and bring the Court order, Government Issued PHOTO ID. (If your Photo ID was seized at the time of the arrest, bring supporting ID documents with you.) There is no fee for court ordered prints.

  Go to Scheduling

• Paper Print Cards

  If you need paper fingerprint cards, our fee is $10.00 per card. We provide State of Michigan (RI-008) and/or FBI applicant (FD-258) cards. If your organization is providing Michigan and/or FBI print cards, do not pre-fill your information. Our system prints your data and our agency data on the cards when we print them. We can only print on Michigan (RI-008) and/or FBI applicant (FD-258) cards. The fee remains the same if you provide the cards or use ours. Acceptable methods of payment.

  Go to Scheduling

• Criminal Justice (CJ) Employment/Vendor:

  If you have been asked to submit fingerprints for employment with a criminal justice agency, or as a vendor providing services to a criminal justice agency, you must schedule an appointment for prints. You must bring government issued PHOTO ID and form provided by the organization requesting the prints. There is no fee for CJ prints.

  Schedule Appointment