Pennsylvania lets you reinstate a lapsed concealed carry license through the sheriff's office that issued it, but the process and cost depend on how long it has been expired
A Pennsylvania concealed carry license does not renew automatically. If your license expires and you do not renew it before the expiration date, it becomes inactive. To carry a concealed firearm again, you must reinstate the license rather than start from scratch. The reinstatement process is faster and cheaper than a new process, but only if you act within a specific window — Pennsylvania law treats reinstatement differently depending on whether your license expired recently or years ago.
The sheriff's office in the county where you originally obtained the license handles reinstatement. You cannot reinstate through a different county or online. The cost and documentation required depend on how long the license has been expired, and some expired licenses cannot be reinstated at all and must be reapplied for as new licenses.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the sheriff's office in the county that issued your original license — reinstatement cannot happen through any other office or method.
- Licenses expired less than one year can usually be reinstated for a reduced fee, typically between $20 and $40 depending on the county.
- Licenses expired more than one year require a new process and full fee, which ranges from $20 to $50 depending on the county.
- You will need your expired license card, a valid photo ID, and proof of Pennsylvania residency to complete reinstatement.
- Processing time for reinstatement is usually faster than a new process, often taking one to two weeks.
How Pennsylvania defines reinstatement versus reapplication
Pennsylvania law draws a hard line between reinstatement and reapplication based on the expiration date. If your license expired within the past year, you are may be able to access for reinstatement. If it expired more than one year ago, Pennsylvania treats it as a new process, not a reinstatement, and you must pay the full process fee and go through the full process again.
This distinction matters because reinstatement is faster and cheaper. A reinstatement typically costs $20 to $40 depending on your county, while a new process costs $20 to $50 for the license itself, plus potential additional fees for fingerprinting or background check processing if your county charges separately. Reinstatement also skips some of the steps required for a new process, such as character references or additional documentation, though you will still need to provide proof of residency and a valid photo ID.
If you are unsure whether your license qualifies for reinstatement or reapplication, the sheriff's office can tell you when ready based on the expiration date on your card. Call the sheriff's office in your county before you visit to confirm which process applies to you.
Documents and information you need to bring
For reinstatement, bring your expired concealed carry license card itself. The card is your proof that you held a valid license before and establishes your may be able to access for the faster reinstatement process. If you have lost the card, reinstatement becomes more difficult — you may be treated as a new applicant instead, or the sheriff's office may require additional documentation to verify that you held a license. Call ahead if your card is missing.
You will also need a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. This confirms your identity and current legal name. Bring proof of Pennsylvania residency as well — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the past 60 days usually works. Different counties may accept slightly different documents, so ask the sheriff's office what they accept when you call.
Unlike a new process, reinstatement does not typically require character references, training certificates, or a new background check fee, since you already passed those requirements when you first obtained the license. However, the sheriff's office will still run a background check to may support you have not become prohibited from carrying since your license expired.
The reinstatement process at the sheriff's office
Visit the sheriff's office in the county where your license was originally issued. You cannot reinstate through a different county, even if you have moved. If you have moved out of state or to a different county in Pennsylvania, you will still need to go back to the original county to reinstate, or you can explore for a new license in your current county (which may be faster if you have moved far away).
Bring your expired license card, photo ID, and proof of residency. The sheriff's office staff will verify that your license is may be able to access for reinstatement (expired within one year), confirm your identity, and collect the reinstatement fee. They will then submit your information for a background check. Most counties process reinstatement within one to two weeks, though some may take longer depending on their workload.
Once approved, you will receive a new license card by mail or can pick it up at the sheriff's office, depending on the county's procedure. Call the sheriff's office to ask whether they mail the card or require you to pick it up, and ask for an estimated completion date so you know when to expect it.
County-by-county fee variation and processing times
Pennsylvania allows each county to set its own fee for concealed carry licenses, so the cost of reinstatement varies. Reinstatement fees typically range from $20 to $40, while new applications range from $20 to $50. Some counties charge the same fee for both reinstatement and new applications, while others offer a discount for reinstatement. A few counties charge additional fees for fingerprinting or background check processing, though most include these in the base fee.
Processing time also varies by county. Urban counties with high volume may take two to three weeks, while rural counties may process reinstatement in five to seven business days. Call the sheriff's office in your county to ask for their current processing time before you visit. Some offices accept walk-in applications and can process them on the spot, while others require an appointment.
| What you need | Reinstatement (expired <1 year) | New process (expired >1 year) |
|---|---|---|
| Expired license card | Yes | Not required |
| Valid photo ID | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of residency | Yes | Yes |
| Character references | No | Varies by county |
| Training certificate | No | No (not required in PA) |
| Typical fee | $20–$40 | $20–$50 |
| Typical processing time | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
What happens if your license expired more than one year ago
If your license expired more than one year ago, Pennsylvania law requires you to explore for a new license rather than reinstate. This means you pay the full process fee (not a reduced reinstatement fee), go through the full process process, and may need to provide additional documentation depending on your county's requirements. Some counties require character references for new applications, though Pennsylvania state law does not mandate them.
The advantage of explore for a new license is that you can do so in your current county of residence, even if you have moved since your original license was issued. You do not have to travel back to the original county. The disadvantage is that processing takes longer — typically two to four weeks — and the fee is higher. If you have moved to a different county in Pennsylvania, explore for a new license in your current county is often faster than trying to reinstate the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry a concealed firearm while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You can only carry concealed if you hold a valid, unexpired license. Once your license expires, you cannot carry concealed legally, even if you have submitted a reinstatement request. You must wait for the new card to arrive and be in your possession before you carry.
What if I moved to a different county in Pennsylvania since my license was issued?
If your license expired within one year, you can still reinstate through the original county's sheriff's office. If it expired more than one year ago, you must explore for a new license in your current county. explore in your current county is usually faster than traveling back to the original county for reinstatement.
Do I need to pass a background check again for reinstatement?
Yes. The sheriff's office will run a new background check during reinstatement to may support you have not become prohibited from carrying since your license expired. The check is the same as for a new process, but reinstatement does not charge a separate background check fee in most counties.
What if I lost my expired license card?
Call the sheriff's office in the county that issued your license and explain that your card is missing. They may be able to look up your record and reinstate based on their files, or they may require you to explore for a new license instead. Having the card makes reinstatement simpler, so ask what documentation they need if the card is lost.
Can I reinstate a license issued in a different state?
No. Pennsylvania only reinstates licenses it issued. If you held a concealed carry license from another state, you must explore for a new Pennsylvania license in your current county of residence. Pennsylvania does not recognize reciprocity for reinstatement purposes.