The Los Altos Police Department is dedicated to the safety of residents. A Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) license authorizes a private person to carry a concealed firearm in public. Learning the laws regulating the use of firearms is a must for responsible ownership. Local regulations differ and laws vary from state to state. Citizens must check with the jurisdiction where the firearm is to be carried.
Note, partially completed CCW license applications are not able to be saved, as applicants MUST provide and upload all required information & documents at the time of applying for a license. Once completed, the CCW license application may be printed and/or downloaded in PDF format; however, editing a submitted application is not permissible.
Applicants are encouraged to utilize the information contained within the Los Altos Police Dept. CCW License webpage for specifics regarding the requirements for a CCW License which are divided into two (2) phases. Reviewing this information will highlight specifics within the phases, as unwavering details are provided relating to the completion of each condition.
Pricing:
Type of Permit | Standard 2 Year | Judicial 3 Year | Reserve/Custodial 4 Year |
New CCW Fee: | |||
Initial Fee |
$50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 |
Issuance Fee Paid upon the approval of the application |
$200.00 | $200.00 | $200.00 |
Renewal Fee Paid upon the submission of your application |
$25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
Modification/Duplicate Fee Paid upon the submission of your application |
$10.00 |
$10.00 |
$10.00 |
You can download the full Los Altos Police Department CCW Policy here - CCW Policy
Authority
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a Sheriff of a county or the Chief or other head of municipal police department of any city, or city and county, shall issue or renew a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (Concealed Carry Weapon license).
Who Shall be Issued a License
The licensing authority specified in Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 shall issue a license to persons who are not a disqualified person to receive such a license, as determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Penal Code 26202, meet residential requirements, and have completed a course of training. All applicants for a Concealed Carry Weapon license will be fingerprinted and state and federal records will be checked to determine if they are eligible to possess firearms. Click here to view all categories that would prohibit a person from possessing firearms and being granted a Concealed Carry Weapon license.
Completing the Application
California Penal Code sections 26150 and 26155 provide that a sheriff of a county or the chief or other head of a municipal police department of any city or city and county shall issue a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person (CCW license). Penal Code section 26175 requires the Attorney General to prescribe a statewide standard application form for a CCW license. Answering all the questions on the Application does not guarantee the issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. The determination whether to issue the license is at the discretion of the licensing authority. Pursuant to California Penal Code section 26160, each licensing authority will have a written policy summarizing their requirements for issuance of a Concealed Weapon Permit. In addition, prior to issuing a Concealed Weapon Permit, the California State Statutes require proof that:
Character References
You will need to provide the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references. One of the three must be a person described in Penal Code section 273.5, subdivision (b) (your spouse, or former spouse, your cohabitant or former cohabitant, your fiancée, or someone with whom you have, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, or the mother or father of your child), if applicable. At least one of the three must be your cohabitant if applicable.
INITIAL CCW License Application
Prior to Filling Out This Application
Fingerprint/Live Scan
All initial (new) applicants are to be fingerprinted (Live Scan) using the Request for LiveScan Service form that you print off once you submit your application, regardless of the venue who provides the Live Scan service.
A background check will be conducted through the Department of Justice to assure the applicant does not have history which prohibits them by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm (see “Firearms Prohibiting Categories” (DOJ BOF 4012, pgs. 1-3).
DENIAL of a CCW license
If your CCW Application is denied, you will receive an email to advise you of this action. Note, denied CCW License applicants are not to reapply for a CCW License until one (1) year has passed from the date of this “denial notification.”
Included in the denial letter will be information should you want to appeal the denial, noting the following:
RENEWAL of a current CCW license
Applying for a renewal is to occur no earlier than six months prior to the expiration date of the current CCW license; however, in no instance shall a renewal application be submitted after the expiration date of the current CCW license. CCW licensees who neglect to submit a CCW license renewal application prior to their license expiration date MUST apply for a NEW CCW license if intending to carry a concealed weapon. As follows, applicants will be subjected to all requirements associated with a NEW CCW license application including submitting three (3) reference letters, psychological testing, and 16-hours of firearms training, safety, and shooting proficiency.
Please consider the following regarding the renewal of a CCW license:
Prior to completing a RENEWAL Application, please be prepared to upload the following:
Note: Renewal applicants must answer all questions on the application truthfully and honestly, even if the information has previously been disclosed.
MODIFYING an existing CCW license
Current CCW licensees may request to modify/amend their CCW license for the following:
Modification to a CCW License fee ($10) is collected at the time of submitting the modification application.
If approved, a new CCW licensee is printed reflecting the modification(s), noting amending or modifying a CCW license has no relevance regarding the expiration date of the license.
Prior to Completing a MODIFICATION Application, be prepared to upload the following:
IF ADDING A NEW FIREARM: Be prepared to upload your training certificate proving you qualified with your firearm with one of the Los Altos Police Dept. approved instructors.
DUPLICATE CCW license
A duplicate CCW License may be issued if an active CCW license is lost or stolen; however, the licensee must file a police report in the jurisdiction where the loss or theft occurred.
The licensee is to apply for a DUPLICATE license through the PermitDirector system, using the DUPLICATE CCW LICENSE APPLICATION.
Training Required
If applying for a NEW Concealed Carry Weapon license a course approved by the Los Altos Police Department must be completed prior to permit issuance. This course will be 16 hours for new applicants.
If applying for a RENEWAL Concealed Carry Weapon license, a 8-hour course approved by the Los Altos Police Department must be completed prior to permit issuance.
If applying for a MODIFICATION to your current Concealed Carry Weapon license that includes a firearm change, you will need to submit training certifications from a training vendor approved by the Los Altos Police Department.
The Los Altos Police Department recognizes only select training facilities to satisfy your qualification certification. Training from any other facility will not be accepted.
Note: Firearms training certificates identifying passing/completion must be dated subsequent to receiving notification that you are “approved” to proceed to the training requirement, as we want to assure you are receiving the most current training relating to best practices and are in compliance with the law. In this manner, it may take several months for your CCW application to proceed through the approval process which may ultimately carry over to a law change through a senate or assembly bill, some of which may be declared as an urgency measure or clause which takes effect upon the Governor’s signature.
Approved training facilities are listed Training Instructor List
Los Altos Police Department
1 N. San Antonio Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94022
Telephone: 650-947-2770
Fax: 650-947-2704
Email: ccw@losaltosca.gov
Permitium Software
Email: help@permitium.com