Pistol Permit Applications

Two original applications must be completed. Applications must be two-sides with front and back on one sheet. Fill out the application neatly starting with your last name and working down.

Obtain four (4) reputable charter references that have known you for at least one year. All must be residents of the Capital District or surrounding area and may not be a family member. BOTH copies of the application must be personally signed by the references in the section indicating “signature.” The area indicating last, first, middle initial of the references must be clearly typed or printed. Please include zip codes. Character references must fill out and sign a personal character reference form in front of a Notary. The form must have a Notary stamp.

Have two current passport type photos taken. (Head and shoulder view.) They should be approximately 1 1/2 inches square. Do not staple them to the application.

Obtain a certified copy of your Drivers Abstract of Operating Record from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. It is suggested you visit the DMV website for further information on obtaining the abstract.

A certificate indicating that you have attended and successfully completed the basic pistol safety course must accompany your application. A list of scheduled dates for courses in Albany County are available on the Albany County Sheriff’s Office website.

You will need to be fingerprinted. Identogo are the sole vendor utilized for this purpose. For appointment scheduling, visit www.Identogo.com. A list of available locations can be found on their website.  When setting up an appointment online:

1. Select “NY”
2. Click on “locations” to view the list.  There are several in the Albany area.
3. When promoted, enter the Watervliet Police Department’s “ORI” number which is NY0010300.

Please check with Identogo at the time you make your appointment for cost. When appearing for fingerprinting, you MUST have two forms of ID, one of which must have a photo. You will be given two receipts and one must be turned in to the police department along with all other paperwork listed below. This will show proof that you have been fingerprinted.

In order to be processed by the police department, the following must be submitted:

• (2) Completed application forms notarized (NYSOFormPPB-3)
• (4) Notarized character reference forms
• Proof of pistol safety course completion
• NYS DMV Driver Abstract
• 2 Passport photos
• Receipt from Identogo

Upon competition of all the above, please email Det. Cheban at acheban@watervliet.com to schedule an appointment to drop off the completed packet and complete an oral interview. Following your interview, the application will be sent to the County Clerk’s Office for further processing and assignment to a County Court Magistrate for review and final approval.