Shotgun and Firearms Certificate Renewal in 2026: Fees, Timing and What Happens If You Are Late

Every shotgun and firearms certificate in Great Britain lasts five years, and the three questions certificate holders ask most are always the same: how much is the renewal, how early can I apply, and what happens if I leave it too late? Here is where things stand in 2026.

How much does renewal cost in 2026?

Fees rose by 3 percent from 4 June 2026 under the Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2026. Applications received by the police on or after that date pay the new rates:

• Shotgun certificate renewal: £130 (grant: £200)

• Firearm certificate renewal: £135 (grant: £204)

• Both renewed together on one coterminous date: £160 (grant: £208)

• Variation of a firearm certificate: £48

• Replacement of a lost or destroyed certificate: £9

Do not try to dodge a fee rise by applying extra early. The Home Office has warned that forces may return applications submitted outside the usual timescale and ask for the higher fee anyway.

How early should I apply?

The key number is eight weeks. In England and Wales, if your renewal reaches the police at least eight weeks before expiry and they cannot decide it in time, your certificate is automatically extended by up to eight weeks, or until they decide, with the same conditions still applying. Miss that window and you lose the safety net.

There is also an upper limit. Forces differ, with some refusing renewals more than around 16 weeks before expiry and others about three months, and applications sent too early can be rejected or returned. Check your own force's website for its window, and do not wait for a reminder letter, because not every force sends one. Put the date in your diary.

What if my certificate has already expired?

• Applying after expiry means paying the grant fee rather than the cheaper renewal fee.

• Possessing firearms or shotguns on an expired certificate can be an offence of unlicensed possession.

• If the police cannot finish in time, they may issue a Section 7 temporary permit. If you applied on time and are left without cover, ask your force about one.

• If you do not intend to renew, dispose of or lodge your guns with a registered dealer or another certificate holder before the expiry date and tell the force.

A simple renewal checklist

• Note your expiry date and set a diary reminder for at least ten to twelve weeks before it.

• Check your force's renewal window and whether it applies online.

• Arrange your GP report early, as the applicant is responsible for making sure it reaches the licensing team.

• Pay the correct fee at the time of application.

• Do not send in your original certificate unless the force specifically asks for it.

• Gather your evidence of good reason: dated records of clay shoots, game days or pest control.

That last point is where most people struggle at renewal time, trying to remember what they shot, where and when, five years back. Set & Shot, from RP Digital Studio Ltd, lets you log your shooting as you go, so the evidence is already organised when your renewal comes round. It works offline in the field, is a one-off purchase with lifetime updates, and tracks none of your data. Search for Set & Shot on the App Store or Google Play. We also cover what licensing departments want to see in our post on keeping evidence for your shotgun licence renewal.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures vary by force and can change, so always confirm the details with your own police firearms licensing department. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements.