First Time Applicant Requirements

• The entire original completed application (all pages) 
• Copy of your certificate of competence with a handgun - See How to Provide Competency Information below. 
• One valid form of photo identification issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department, i.e. passport.
• Must be filed in person in the Civil Division or submitted via the online application system
• Filing fee of $40 payable by cash, check, money order or credit card. All credit card transactions will include a 4% surcharge. Checks can be made payable to Clerk of Court. 

Renewal Applicant Requirements

Application for permit renewal should be submitted at least 90 days but no more than 180 days prior to the expiration of your existing permit. 

• The entire original completed application (all pages)
• Copy of your certificate of competence with a handgun. A copy of your previously issued concealed handgun permit from any Virginia circuit court is acceptable. 
• One valid form of photo identification issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department, i.e. passport. 
• Can be filed in person in the Civil Division, submitted via the online application system, or by mail:
  • Send completed application, copy of your certificate of competence, copy of photo ID and payment to:
    • Rockingham County Circuit Court
       Attn: CHP 
       80 Court Square
       Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Competence with a Handgun

Pursuant to §18.2-308.02(B), the court shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the following shown below, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence expire.  

A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization, or group that conducted or taught such course or class attesting to the completion of the course or class by the applicant or a copy of any document which shows completion of the course or class or evidence of participation in firearms competition shall constitute evidence of qualification under this subsection.

How to Provide Competency Information

Effective January 1, 2021, the court shall require proof that the applicant has demonstrated competence with a handgun in person and the applicant may demonstrate such competence by one of the following, but no applicant shall be required to submit to any additional demonstration of competence, nor shall any proof of demonstrated competence expire:
 

• Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Wildlife Resources or a similar agency of another state;
• Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;
• Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, institution of higher education, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services;
• Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;
• Presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services;
• Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;
• Completing any in-person firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor; 
• Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or
• Completing any other firearms training which the court deems adequate.

Background Check

After an application is filed at the Rockingham County Circuit Court, the Rockingham County Sheriff or Harrisonburg Police Department will conduct a background check on each applicant. As part of the background check, an applicant may be asked to undergo a voluntary interview with the police if the background check indicates a potential reason to disqualify the applicant. The Commonwealth’s Attorney will also review each application and background check prior to making a recommendation to the Circuit Court judges.

Processing the Concealed Handgun Permit

• The clerk will make two photocopies of the concealed handgun permit: one copy for the case file, the other copy for the Virginia State Police for further processing.
• The State Police will enter the permit holder’s name and description in the Virginia Criminal Information Network so that the permit’s existence and current status will be made known to law-enforcement personnel accessing the network for investigative purposes.

Granting or Denying the Application

After the Rockingham County Sheriff or Harrisonburg Police Department has completed its investigation, the application and background information is sent to a Circuit Court judge. The judge will enter an order in court either granting or denying the Concealed Handgun Permit application.

Receiving the Concealed Handgun Permit

• The permit will be mailed to the applicant once the order has been entered granting the concealed handgun permit.
• The applicant must immediately sign the permit.

Denial of Application

The most common reasons for denial of a concealed handgun permit, other than a criminal offense, is the failure of applicants to completely fill out question number two regarding length of residence on the application and/or the failure to answer all questions. Failure to provide necessary information and failure to answer all questions results in an incomplete application.

Residency

• If you have lived in your current home less than five years, you must provide a separate listing of all addresses where you have lived within the last five years.
• The Sheriff's Office or Police Department must be able to verify your residence.
• Provide the information and documentation as listed in the “Notice to Concealed Handgun Applicant.”

Incomplete Application

• Failure to answer any question on the application may result in a denial of your permit.
• Any question that does not apply to your situation needs to have an answer either of “N/A” or “not applicable”, if appropriate.

Criteria for Waiver of Fees 

If you are filing a Concealed Handgun Permit application and are requesting that fees be waived in accordance with § 18.2-308.03(B) of the Code of Virginia as amended, you will need to include with your application documentation to show proof of retirement or service in accordance with this code section. 

No fee shall be charged for the issuance of such permit to a person who has retired from service:

•  (i) as a magistrate in the Commonwealth; 
• (ii) as a special agent with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority or as a law-enforcement officer with the Department of State Police, the Department of Wildlife Resources, or a sheriff or police department, bureau, or force of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55; 
• (iii) as a law-enforcement officer with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Marshals Service, or Naval Criminal Investigative Service, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55; 
• (iv) as a law-enforcement officer with any police or sheriff's department within the United States, the District of Columbia, or any of the territories of the United States, after completing 15 years of service; 
• (v) as a law-enforcement officer with any combination of the agencies listed in clauses (ii) through (iv), after completing 15 years of service; 
• (vi) as a designated boarding team member or boarding officer of the United States Coast Guard, after completing 15 years of service or after reaching age 55; 
• (vii) as a correctional officer as defined in § 53.1-1, after completing 15 years of service; or (viii) as a probation and parole officer authorized pursuant to § 53.1-143, after completing 15 years of service.

Criteria

Under § 18.2-308.011, in instances of change of address, change of name or a lost or destroyed permit, a replacement concealed handgun permit can be issued. The original concealed handgun permit must be current and valid and issued by Rockingham County Circuit Court. Expiration date for permit will not change when re-issued. 

Forms and Fees

• Change of Address form: old permit will need to be surrendered prior to or upon issuance of replacement permit.  
  • There is a $10 fee; we accept cash, checks, money orders and credit cards. All credit card transactions will include a 4% surcharge. Checks can be made payable to Clerk of Court.
• Request for Replacement Permit (Lost or destroyed or change of name): if replacement is due to name change, permit will need to be surrendered prior to issuance of replacement permit; proof of name change must be provided. 
  • There is a $5 fee; we accept cash, checks, money orders and credit cards. All credit card transactions will include a 4% surcharge. Checks can be made payable to Clerk of Court.
      

Mailing Address

• Rockingham County Circuit Court
   Attn: CHP Clerk
   80 Court Square
   Harrisonburg, VA 22802