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Permit to Carry

​​Applications for Permit to Carry are accepted at:

​Hours

Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed holidays)

​Age requirements

Permit to Carry applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Residence requirements

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office processes Permit to Carry applications for all Dakota County residents and any non-Minnesota residents.

Please provide one of the following:

  • A valid Minnesota driver's license (Dakota County residents) or out-of-state driver's license (non-Minnesota residents) with your current address.
  • A valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services
  • A passport along with one of the following residency documents with your name and current address dated from the last 30 days:
    • ​Water bill
    • Gas bill
    • Garbage/trash bill
    • Electric bill
    • Cable bill (streaming services not applicable)
    • Property tax statement
    • Utility hookup statement
    • Employee pay stub
    • Unemployment pay stub​

Cost

Payment accepted in cash, check, credit card or money order. Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted. Any credit card transaction is subject to a 2.49-percent service fee.

  • New application: $75 (starting July 1, 2025 - $100)
  • Renewal application: $50  (starting July 1, 2025 - $75)​
    Renewal applications can be made no earlier than 90 days prior to the expiration date on the permit or within 30 days after expiration date.)
  • Replacement card or change of address: $10

Steps to complete a new or renewal application

  1. Complete the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol, signed and dated by the applicant. You may complete the application prior to your arrival. Forms are also available at the Gun Permit Counters for completion.
  2. All applications must be submitted in person.
  3. Provide evidence of training in the safe use of a pistol that meets the requirements of Minnesota Statute 624.714 from a certified instructor. This training must have been completed within 12 months prior to the date of application. For a list of approved certified firearms instructors, visit the Burea​u​ of Criminal Apprehension. 
  4. Provide a current driver's license, state identification card or passport. See residence requirements for details.​
  5. Pay the required fee as outlined above.
  6. Successfully pass the required background check. An applicant who is otherwise ineligible for a permit due to a criminal conviction, but who has obtained a federal pardon or state restoration of civil rights, must submit a copy of the relevant order.

A Permit to Carry is valid for five years throughout Minnesota and acts as a Permit to Purchase. A Permit to Carry becomes void when the holder becomes prohibited by law.

Certain states offer reciprocity for Minnesota Permit to Carry holders. For an updated list of states with Permit to Carry reciprocity, go to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.

Updating address or personal information

Address and personal data changes are processed through the county who issued your permit until the permit expires. Once the permit expires, you will renew in your current county of residence.

State law requires that Permit to Carry holders notify the issuing Sheriff's Office within 30 days of any address change.

Permit cards are not required to be reprinted with new address. However, dealers require an address matching your current ID when using it as a Permit to Purchase. Name changes, address changes from one state to another, or ID type changes require new cards to be printed.

In person

  1. Complete, sign, and date page 1 of the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol.
  2. Provide a driver's license with new address or driver's license with old address and copy of state issued  change receipt.
  3. Provide a current Permit to Carry.
  4. If you are requesting an updated card be printed, there is a $10 fee. Payable by cash or check. Make checks payable to: Dakota County Sheriff's Office.

By mail

  1. Complete, sign, and date page 1 of the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol.
  2. Provide a color photocopy of your valid driver's license with new address or a valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services.
  3. Provide a color photocopy of current Permit to Carry.
  4. If you are requesting an updated card be printed, there is a $10 fee. Payable by check only. Make checks payable to: Dakota County Sheriff's Office.​
  5. Mail to:
    Dakota County Sheriff's Office
    ATTN: Gun Permits
    1580 Highway 55
    Hastings, MN 55033

Replacing lost or stolen permits

Lost or stolen requests are processed through the county who issued your permit until the permit expires.  Once the permit expires, you will reapply in your current county of residence.

In pe​​rson

  1. Complete, sign and date page 1 of the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol
  2. Provide a color photocopy of your valid driver's license or valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services. ​
  3. Complete and notarize a Request for Replacement Permit to Carry
  4. There is a $10 fee for a new card. Payable by cash or check.  Make checks payable to: Dakota County Sheriff's Office.  ​

By m​​ail

  1. Complete, sign and date page 1 of the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol
  2. Provide a color photocopy of your valid driver's license or valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services. ​
  3. Complete and notarize a Request for Replacement Permit to Carry
  4. There is a $10 fee for a new card. Payable by cash or check.  Make checks payable to: Dakota County Sheriff's Office.  ​​
  5. Mail to:
    Dakota County Sheriff's Office
    ATTN: Gun Permits
    1580 Highway 55
    Hastings, MN 55033​

Emergency Permit to Carry

Permit may be issued if the sheriff determines that the applicant is in an emergency situation that may constitute an immediate risk to the safety of the applicant or to someone residing in the applicant's household.   An Emergency Permit is only valid for 30 days.  There is no fee required for an emergency permit.  An Emergency Permit can be revoked without a hearing. 

  • ​Submit an affidavit describing the emergency situation.
  • Submit a completed Minnesota Uniform ​Fi​rearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol in person.
  • Provide one of the following for residency requirement:
    • A valid, current Minnesota driver's license with current address
    • A valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services
    • A passport along with one of the following residency documents with your name and current address dated from the last 30 days:
      • Water bill
      • Gas bill
      • Garbage/trash bill
      • Electric bill
      • Cable bill (streaming services not applicable)
      • Property tax statement
      • Utility hookup statement
      • Employee pay stub
      • Unemployment pay stub.

  • An applicant who is otherwise ineligible for a permit due to a criminal conviction, but who has obtained a pardon or expungement setting aside the conviction, sealing the conviction, or otherwise restoring applicable rights, must submit a copy of the relevant order.

For additional information, visit:

Any questions? Please call 651-438-4743.

Last updated: 4/29/2025 10:40 AM