NFA WAIT TIME / FORM 3 & 4 APPROVAL TIME FRAMES

 

The approval dates on this page accurately reflect time frames based on data from our 42 FFL locations nationwide. Understanding these dates can help Capitol Armory customers estimate the arrival of their NFA approvals, based on when their NFA forms were submitted to the ATF. Please be aware that these dates may not correspond to your actual approval date and do not guarantee when your specific NFA form will be approved. Upon approval, Capitol Armory will notify you with instructions on how to proceed with receiving your NFA transfer. We kindly ask that you read this page in its entirety before contacting Capitol Armory.

Individual transfers with a clean or quick background check may receive approvals in less than 30 days, and in many cases, as quickly as one or two days. Recently, we've also seen Capitol Armory Trusts approved in as little as 1 day! We are currently receiving approvals for forms submitted on the following dates:

 

	Currently Receiving Approvals From:
Form 3	2-6 days from submission
Paper Form 4 Trust/Corp	1/1/23 - 8/11/24
Paper Form 4 Individual	1/1/23 - 9/21/24
Electronic Form 4 Trust/Corp	5/1/23 - 12/15/2024
Electronic Form 4 Individual	5/1/23 - 12/15/2024

Last updated on 12/17/2024. 

SHOCKINGLY FAST FORM 4 APPROVALS

Capitol Armory is the only national dealer that can have your Form 4 electronically certified within days. With a purchase through Capitol Armory, no third-party or dealer transfer is required to get your paperwork started. If your prints are already on file with us, we'll have you electronically submitted in days, not weeks, in comparison to our competition. No form 3 transfers are needed! With the recent quick approvals, many customers receive their approved Form 4s within several days of purchasing. 

We've seen thousands of quick approvals, most within a few days of submittal, but there is no guarantee yours will return quickly. As of March 2024, the ATF has stated that they are no longer processing forms in a "first-in, first-out" fashion but approving them when the background check is approved. For additional information,  please read our blog regarding the new fast approvals.

 

HOW DO I RECEIVE A QUICK APPROVAL?

As of March 2024, the ATF is approving Form 4s for individual transfers as soon as the FBI approves the background check. This expedited process applies to individuals whose background checks can be automatically determined by the computer system. If the system cannot make an automatic determination and a human reviewer needs to assess your background check, you will likely experience the standard NFA wait times.

September 2024 Update: We're excited to share that trust approvals have significantly improved for trusts with only one responsible party or trustee. Forms submitted under a standard trust—like the one offered by Capitol Armory—with a single responsible person are now being approved in as little as one day, provided the trustee receives an instant background check approval. This fast processing time for trusts is quickly becoming a reality.

 

WHY THE LARGE TIME FRAME?

Each responsible party (co-trustee or individual) must undergo a background check at the FBI. Your background check may be instantly approved, denied, or delayed. A delay at the FBI differs from a delay at your local gun store. A delay at the FBI requires a manual review performed by an FBI employee. We've seen delays take up to eight months to complete. Further, the system between the ATF and FBI is not updated frequently. If your form is on the latter end of the time frame, we see for approvals that either you or a responsible party likely received a delay at the FBI. 

 

HOW TO CHECK YOUR STATUS?

Capitol Armory will notify you via email when we receive your approved Form 4. To ensure you receive our emails, please safelist our domain (capitolarmory.com). You can also log into your account using the email address and password you established when placing your order. Your order status will display one of the following: Processing, eForm4 Certified/Submitted, Form 4 Mailed or Form 4 Approved.

If your order status is eForm4 Certified/Submitted or Form 4 Mailed, it means we are awaiting ATF approval of your paperwork. Once your status updates to Form 4 Approved, you will have been notified via email. At that point:

• Texas residents can pick up their items at our shop.
• Out-of-state customers can prepare the necessary paperwork to have the suppressor shipped directly to their residence.

For electronic filings, the ATF will email your approved Form 4 directly to you. Shortly after the ATF notification, you'll also receive an email from Capitol Armory with your approvals and further instructions. Please note that at this time, the Form 4 will not appear in your eForms account.

 

UNDERSTANDING DELAYS

We monitor the progress of all ATF forms to ensure they are not misplaced at the ATF/NFA branch. In general, a small percentage of forms will exceed the current average wait time. In every case, a responsible party of the transfer has had their background check delayed by the FBI. While details are not provided to Capitol Armory, if you believe your background check may have been delayed, please contact the NFA Branch at (304) 616-4500 and ask to speak with the examiner handling your form. You'll need your serial number when you call, which can be found on your order confirmation email or in your account order details.

WHAT IF MY BACKGROUND CHECK IS TAKING LONGER THAN THE AVERAGE?

Many of our customers have found success by contacting their state representative or senator to address delays in their background checks. Additionally, you can email [email protected] to request a status update on the background check for your ATF NFA Form 4. Please note that neither of these options are guarantees and are only suggested if your approval is taking longer than the average wait time.

When writing to the NICS Liaison, be sure to include your full name, SSN, DOB, state of residence, submission date, serial number, manufacturer, model name, item type (silencer, SBR, SBS, machine gun), and transferor (Capitol Armory). You can find the manufacturer, model name, and serial number on your order receipt, customer profile, and the submission email from the ATF. Additionally, remember to include Form ID: ATF Form 4 (5320.4) in your correspondence with the NICS Liaison.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES: