Firearm Applications

Website Information

Initial Firearms ID Card Applicants:

  • Visit this website: www.njportal.com/NJSP/fars and complete the Application for Firearms Purchaser Identification Card and/or Handgun Purchase Permit.  This can be completed using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer.
  • You will need the Hopewell Township Police Department ORI Number which is NJ0110600. You will not be able to complete the application without the correct ORI number.
  • You will need information for two reputable references, including a good e-mail address for each reference. The FARS system will e-mail your references the questions that must be answered for successful completion of the application process. Your references can complete these questions using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer. Please advise your references to complete the questions immediately upon receipt so that the process may progress. Note: references can be family members.
  • Please thoroughly review all of the information you entered in the “Review” tab. If the information provided in the other tabs is incorrect, your application may not be processed and you will have to submit another application.
  • You will need to be fingerprinted. After completing the “Review” tab, follow the prompts and print out the Universal Fingerprinting form which will be generated by the online system.
  • Please Print the Application and Confirmation Page at the end of the online application submission. Keep these documents until process is complete.
  • Note: The FARS system is applicant driven. Please ensure that you have entered the best phone numbers and e-mail addresses for yourself and references.
  • You will need to complete the Consent for Mental Health Records Search Form (SP 066) if you have lived outside the State of New Jersey within the last 10 years. You can find the form at this link Form 66 Consent for Mental Health Records Search. Complete the form and print it out, as it will need to be hand delivered to HTPD once you are contacted by a detective.
  • Non-refundable payment is required prior to the completion of the background investigation, as per NJAC 13:54-1.4. The fee for an initial Firearms ID Card is $50.00 and the fee for each Handgun Purchaser Permit is $25.00 per permit. Payment is available via check or cash. Please bring valid proof of residence at the time of payment (i.e. NJ Driver’s License).
  • Once the online application is submitted, you will receive automated e-mail’s as the background process moves along. At completion, you will receive an e-mail advising that your application has been “Approved”. Please do not come to police headquarters until you receive a phone call advising that your Firearms ID Card or Handgun Purchaser Permits are ready. All ID cards and handgun permits are now electronic. No paper copies are available. The only reason to come to the Police Department is to pay for your documents. There is a drop box located on the exterior wall of the Police Department entrance for sealed payments left in envelopes.

Returning Applicants (i.e. Those with current / valid Firearms ID Cards, Change of Address, Replace Lost / Stolen ID Card, Change of Name, Change of Sex, Handgun Purchaser Permits)

  • Visit this website: http://www.njportal.com/NJSP/fars and complete the Application for Firearms Purchaser Identification Card and/or Handgun Purchase Permit. Upon completion of the online application, you would have completed what was the S.T.S. 33 and 212A forms. This can be completed using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer.
  • You will need the Hopewell Township Police Department ORI Number which is NJ0110600. You will not be able to complete the application without the correct ORI number.
  • You will need information for two reputable references, including a good e-mail address for each reference. The FARS system will e-mail your references the questions that must be answered for successful completion of the application process. Your references can complete these questions using a smartphone, mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer. Please advise your references to complete the questions immediately upon receipt so that the process may progress. Note: references can be family members.
  • Please thoroughly review all of the information you entered in the “Review” tab. If the information provided in the other tabs is incorrect, your application may not be processed and you will have to submit another application.
  • You do NOT need to be fingerprinted.
  • Please print the Application and Confirmation Page at the end of the online application submission. Keep these documents until process is complete.
  • Note: The FARS system is applicant driven. Please ensure that you have entered the best phone numbers and e-mail addresses for yourself and references.
  • You will need to complete the Consent for Mental Health Records Search Form (SP 066) if you have lived outside the State of New Jersey within the last 10 years. You can find the form at this link Form 66 Consent for Mental Health Records Search. Complete the form and print it out, as it will need to be hand delivered to HTPD.
  • Non-refundable payment is required prior to the completion of the background investigation, as per NJAC 13:54-1.4. There is no fee for a change of address, or lost/stolen Firearms ID Card. The fee for each Handgun Purchaser Permit is $25.00 per permit. Payment is available via check or cash. Please bring valid proof of residence at the time of payment (i.e. NJ Driver’s License).
  • Once the online application is submitted, you will receive automated e-mail’s as the background process moves along. At completion, you will receive an e-mail advising that your application has been “Approved”. Please do not come to police headquarters until you receive a phone call advising that your Firearms ID Card or Handgun Purchaser Permits are ready for pickup. All ID cards and handgun permits are now electronic. No paper copies are available. The only reason to come to the Police Department is to pay for your documents. There is a drop box located on the exterior wall of the Police Department entrance for sealed payments left in envelopes. 

Permits to Carry:

  • Applicants seeking permits to carry must still submit their applications in person. Applications for permits to carry are not permitted via the FARS online system.
  • APPLYING FOR A PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN

    The following instructions are the same for the initial and renewal application

    ****YOU MUST APPLY IN PERSON***

  • Out of State Residents- apply at a non-toll road State Police Barracks closest to your residence. 

  • In State Residents- apply to your local police department.

    • PLEASE CALL THE DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO APPLYING - DO NOT JUST SHOW UP 609-737-3100 then press 6
    • PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING AT TIME OF APPLICATION:




    1. Driver License, Birth Certificate and Firearms Purchaser ID OR Driver License, Naturalization Paperwork/Green Card and Firearms Purchaser ID.
    2. One (1) State of New Jersey Application for Permit to Carry a Handgun, (Form S.P. 642).  MUST  be double sided and notarized. ORI is NJ0110600. Use a second copy of back page for 4th reference.
    3. Two (2) color, passport size photographs
    4. Consent for Mental Health Search, (Form S.P. 066) -                             MUST BE SIGNED AT PD WITNESSED BY INVESTIGATING OFFICER
    5. Written proof of ownership and qualification with the handgun(s) you intend on carrying.
      1. Proof of ownership can be a purchase receipt or purchase permit or a notarized letter of ownership listing make, model, and serial number of handgun(s).
      2. Written qualification must be within six (6) months of application and MUST include instructors Name and Certification Number, make, model, caliber and serial number of handgun(s) you intend to carry.
    6.  Money order in the amount of $50.00 payable to: "Treasurer, State of NJ"
    7. Cash or Check to be issued to the Township of Hopewell in the amount of $150.00 for the application fee. 

    ** IF ANY OF THE PRECEDING IS NOT COMPLETE OR INCORRECT, THE APPLICATION WILL BE RETURNED AND YOU WILL HAVE TO RE-APPLY.

    **THE REQUIRED WRITTEN FIREARMS QUALIFICATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.A.C. 13:54-2.4(B), CAN BE OBTAINED AT MOST FIREARM RANGES THROUGH OUT THE STATE. A LIST IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE NJSP WEBSITE.

    **ALL APPLICANTS (INITIAL AND RENEWAL) FOR PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN MUST BE FINGERPRINTED.  

  • VISIT WWW.IDENTOGO.COM 

    • Click “fingerprinting” , It will ask for a Service Code. Everyone will enter the same code: 2F164B
    • Fill out your personal information. Then it will ask you for an optional Case#. If you did get a case number enter it here. If you did not get a case number enter your agencies ORI# NJ0110600.


**A NEW JERSEY PERMIT TO CARRY IS VALID FOR TWO (2) YEARS FROM TIME OF APPROVAL.



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