Allen County
Sheriff's Office
(419) 227-3535

Allen County
Sheriff's Office

(419) 227-3535 • Sheriff Matthew B. Treglia
333 N. Main St. Lima, Ohio 45802

CCW & Fingerprinting

The Allen County Sheriff’s Office performs fingerprinting and accepts completed Ohio Concealed Carry applications from 8:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. No appointment is required, walk-in only.

Business checks are accepted forms of payment for fingerprinting and CCWs. Credit and debit cards are also accepted with an additional 2% convenience fee will be added. **Effective September 2, 2024, no cash or personal checks will be accepted.**

Completed CCW applications must be submitted in person at the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, CCW Section, 333 North Main St., Lima, Ohio 45801.

Electronic Fingerprint Checks (WebCheck)

The Allen County Sheriff’s Office conducts civilian electronic fingerprint background checks (WebCheck) for employment and licensing. All WebChecks will be done through the Concealed Carry Office (419) 993-1412 on Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. Inked and rolled fingerprint card background checks can only be done if an electronic impression cannot be made and will require an additional waiver form with the Identification Bureau.

The fee schedule for the costs of this service is:

  • BCI Ohio check only: $37.00
  • FBI national check only: $30.00
  • BCI and FBI national check: $67.00

We accept credit cards and business checks made out to Allen County Sheriff’s Office. There is an additional $2.00 charge for each credit card transaction, if the total exceeds $80.00 the charge is 2% of the total. All services must be paid for in full at the time of service.

Required Form and codes.
The Request for a Background Check via WebCheck form can be accessed here. The list of BCI reason codes can be found here and the list of FBI reason codes can be found here.
 
It is recommended that employees or potential employees come with the form already completed by the employer. It can fill out at our office but the individual being fingerprinted is responsible for knowing the required reason code(s), the Allen County Sheriff’s Office will not choose reason codes. A reprint will be considered a new transaction and must be paid for should an employee/prospective employee choose the wrong code(s).
 

Concealed Carry 

Carrying a concealed weapon is a large responsibility.

The Allen County Sheriff’s Office will ensure that each application is thoroughly checked, fingerprints are completed, and the required background investigations are completed within the 45 days allowed by law.

Ensure that you have everything required in order for the application process to run as smoothly as possible. You are required by law to read through the Concealed Carry Booklet prior to signing the application. After reading through the booklet, please be sure that you qualify as an applicant. Many criminal offenses will bar an applicant from obtaining a license. If you do not qualify as an applicant, and you continue with the application process, not only will you lose your non-refundable application fee, but you may also be subject to prosecution for Falsification to Obtain a Concealed Carry Handgun License, a 4th degree felony.

Additional information about concealed carry may be found on the State of Ohio Attorney General’s website by clicking on the link below. You can also download the applications and booklet from this site: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/Concealed-Carry

Standard Application Process

Before your application can be processed, you must have the following items:

  1. You must be at least 21 years of age, be a legal resident of the United States, be an Ohio resident for at least 45 days, and a resident of Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam or Van Wert County for 30 days.
  2. The application fee (listed below) is non-refundable, even if you stop the application process for any reason.
  3. You must have your completed application. Do not sign the application until you present it to the office.
  4. You must have the original or photocopy of your firearms training certificate that shows that you have had the required training in the past 3 years. Veterans honorably discharged from the military must bring DD214.
  5. If you were found at one time to be mentally incompetent or were involuntarily hospitalized or institutionalized for other than observation, you must have a certificate of remission.
  6. You must provide a color photograph (head and shoulders- passport type) taken within the past 30 days. If you do not have a photo, we can take one for an additional $5.00.
  7. You must have your fingerprints electronically scanned through the WebCheck system, or a 10 print fingerprint card if WebCheck is unavailable.
  8. In the interest of efficient fingerprinting, staff safety and reduction of infection, we ask that your hands not be overly dry, blistered or have cuts. Please moisturize your hands prior to arrival, but do not come in with an excessive amount of lotion on your hands
  9. You must also provide a valid picture identification card (driver’s license, state identification card, retired law enforcement or corrections identification card or military identification card only). No school identification cards accepted.
  10. If you know you have a disqualifying offense, please do not submit the application.

Before your license can be renewed, you must have the following items:

  1. You must be at least 21 years of age, be a legal resident of the United States, be an Ohio resident for at least 45 days, and a resident of Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam or Van Wert County for 30 days prior to filing your renewal application.
  2. Application fee (listed below). This fee is non-refundable, even if you stop the application process for any reason. (If you are a retired peace officer, federal law enforcement officer or natural resources officer [ORC 109.77(B)(1)(b)], the fee requirement is waived. However, you must have documentation to show your date of retirement.)
  3. If your prior license was issued from a county other than Allen County, you must provide a color photograph (head and shoulders passport type) taken within the past 30 days. If you do not have a photo, we can take one for an additional $5.00.
  4. You must have your completed application. Do not sign the application until you present it to the office.
  5. You must have a valid original license.
  6. If you were found at one time to be mentally incompetent or were involuntarily hospitalized or institutionalized for other than observation, you must have a certificate of remission.
  7. You must have your fingerprints electronically scanned through the WebCheck system, or a 10 print fingerprint card if WebCheck is unavailable.
  8. You must also provide a valid picture identification card (driver’s license, state identification card, retired law enforcement or corrections identification card or military identification card only). No school identification cards accepted.
  9. If you know you have a disqualifying offense, please do not submit the application.

(License valid for only 90 days)

Before your temporary emergency application can be processed, you must have the following items:

1. You must be at least 21 years of age, a legal resident of the United States, and an Allen County resident.

2. You must not have applied for or received a Temporary Emergency Concealed Carry Handgun License within the past four years.

3. You must not be a fugitive from justice or subject to any of the same disqualifiers as for the standard concealed carry license.

4. You must present “evidence of imminent danger” by either of the following:

  • A sworn statement under threat of perjury, that:
    • You have reasonable cause to fear a criminal attack on you or a family member, and
    • Such cause would justify a prudent person in going armed
  • A written document prepared by a government entity or public official describing the facts that establish reasonable the cause to fear, for example:
    • TPO or CPO
    • Court order with report
    • A report made to or by a law enforcement agency or prosecutor

5. Application fee (listed below). This fee is non-refundable, even if you stop the application process for any reason. (If you are a retired peace officer, federal law enforcement officer or natural resources officer [ORC 109.77(B)(1)(b)], the fee requirement is waived. However, you must have documentation to show your date of retirement.)

6. You must have your completed application. Do not sign the application until you present it to the office. You will sign it there in the presence of an Allen County Sheriff’s Office Notary. This is also an affidavit of imminent danger.

7. You must provide a color photograph (head and shoulders passport type) taken within the past 30 days. If you do not have a photo, we can take one for an additional $5.00.

8. You must have your fingerprints electronically scanned through the WebCheck system, or a 10 print fingerprint card if WebCheck is unavailable.

  • In the interest of efficient fingerprinting, staff safety and reduction of infection, we ask that your hands not be overly dry, blistered or have cuts. Please moisturize your hands prior to arrival, but do not come in with an excessive amount of lotion on your hands.

9. You do not have to have to have a Firearms Training Certificate. This allows you to obtain the required training prior to applying for the standard license.

10. If you know you have a disqualifying offense, please do not submit the application.

Upon submission of the completed application, the Sheriff shall immediately conduct a background check. When all of the background check results are submitted, the Sheriff shall immediately review results. If approved, the license information will be entered into LEADS and the license will immediately be issued. This process can take several days due to the required background checks. Do not expect to have your license the same day that you apply for it.


Other things to know about the Ohio CCW application process and licenses:

  • The denial and challenge process is the same as for the standard applications.
  • The temporary emergency license is valid for 90 days only. It may not be renewed.
  • It issued only one time in 4 years.
  • It must be carried at all times, along with your state issued identification, while carrying a concealed handgun.
  • The same rights and restrictions apply as for the standard concealed carry license.
  • The Sheriff may revoke or suspend a license, using same procedure.
  • The Sheriff may revoke the license, and charges may be filed, if information is discovered that the person is not eligible to possess a firearm under State or Federal Law.

 Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Business checks and credit/debit cards are accepted forms of payment. Credit and debit cards will have an additional 2% convenience fee will be added.

Fee for Standard Concealed Carry License:

  • An applicant who has resided in Ohio for five years or more: $67.00
  • An applicant who has resided in Ohio for less than five years: $67.00 + $10.00 FBI fingerprint charge. Total $77.00.
  • A renewal applicant who has resided in Ohio for five years or more: $50.00
  • A renewal applicant who has resided in Ohio for less than five years: $50.00 + $10.00 FBI fingerprint charge. Total $60.00
  • A replacement license: $ 15.00
  • Fees are waived for all honorably discharged Veterans and all Active Duty military.
    • Ohio sheriffs must waive license and renewal fees for active and honorably discharged members of the armed forces. The waiver is subject to a statewide cap. If the cap is reached, the fee waiver will end for that year.

Fee for Temporary Emergency Concealed Carry License:

  • An applicant who has resided in Ohio for five years or more: $37.00
  • An applicant who has resided in Ohio for less than five years: $37.00 + $10.00 FBI fingerprint charge. Total $47.00
  • A replacement temporary license: $15.00

Fee for Application Photo

  • $5.00

The training requirements for obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit are very strict and mandated by the Ohio Revised Code. A list of the necessary training can be found in the Concealed Carry Booklet.

Felonies, drug convictions, offenses of violence (including Domestic Violence), protection orders, and mental incompetence will disqualify you from obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit. These disqualifiers are more fully explained in the Concealed Carry Booklet.

Various places may be posted with a sign prohibiting concealed weapons. A valid Concealed Carry Permit does NOT allow a licensee to carry into those establishments. The Concealed Carry Licensee is prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon in any of the places listed in the Concealed Carry Booklet even if the places are not posted with signs.

The State of Ohio has entered into reciprocity agreements with other states that provides for the recognition in this state of a license to carry a concealed handgun issued on a temporary or emergency basis by the other license-issuing state. This reciprocity is based upon whether the concealed carry eligibility requirements imposed by that license-issuing state are substantially comparable to the eligibility requirements for a concealed carry license issued in this state and whether that license-issuing state recognizes the Ohio concealed carry license.

Before entering into any other states with which we have reciprocity, or which recognizes Ohio’s permit without reciprocity, it is highly advisable that you check with that state to determine the exact requirements of carrying concealed in that state.

Ohio CCW map