What does this even mean? If my status is not "revoked" anymore, does that mean I can legally possess a firearm in Illinois as a non-resident? What could have happened on 12/08/2025? My FOID was revoked 2/10/2021, and I moved to Nevada October 2021. I didn't submit my "Request for FOID Investigation, Relief and Reinstatement of Firearms Rights" form until this month. Why does the ISP need to be as cryptic as possible?

Can I print myself a certificate from my last 16 hour class I taught, or do I need to take the class again from someone else? 

I'm so aggrivated with myself..

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/civil-liberty-lawsuit-illinois-state-police-foid-gun-law

Admins: If you like, please move it to a more appropriate forum if you think there is a better place for it. 

Some shops say it isnt valid if taped/glued/laminated which is freaking stupid. Yet using my "E-Card" is fine 

This was not put through the washer or abused in any way. It shared the same wallet pocket as my Illinois Driver's License which is in very good shape and does not exhibit any similar issues.

I have been unable to get through the phone switchboard.

If I email I get sent a FAQ, no reply from an actual person for over a week.

Do they seriously expect me to pay $75 because ISP went with the lowest bidder on card stock!?

Kinda annoyed with how bad this program is run despite the ridiculous application fees we pay.

Shot in the dark here.

Anyone have a connection or contact with an actual ISP employee who could assist?

CCL submitted  1/18/26, printed 4/2/26 !!!

And the rebel yell was heard 'round the block!!!

I still object strongly to jumping through hoops and paying fees to exercise a God given right.  Thankful that all went well.  The Mrs. got good news as well !!!

C'mon US Mail !

Colonel...

Judge Dobbs Decision Order March 30, 2026.pdf

                                                                                                                                                Michael R. Donahue

                                                                                                                                                Attorney at Law

                                                                                                                                               (708) 691-0457

Start by referencing this page on the ISP FOID/CCL website.  It lists the different reasons for a Denied/Revoked/Suspended FOID Card and the appeal options for each.
https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/Firearms/AppealOptions.aspx

Some appeals must be submitted to the ISP, others to the FOID Card Review Board, and then some require a restoration of rights in circuit court. To begin the process of obtaining relief from firearm prohibitions, you must first contact the Illinois State Police to determine which venue has jurisdiction over your denial or revocation.

Please contact the ISP at ISP.FRCU@illinois.gov to start the process. They will review your FOID Card Account to determine who has jurisdiction to assist you.

If the FOID Card Review Board has jurisdiction over your petition, a member of the Board’s staff will contact you to explain what documentation is needed.

What am I required to do if my FOID Card was revoked?

The FOID Act (430 ILCS 65/9.5) requires within 48 hours of receiving notification of the revocation or suspension of your FOID Card, that you:

1. Surrender your Firearm Owner's Identification Card to the local law enforcement agency where you reside;
2. Transfer all firearms in your possession or control; and

3. Complete a Firearm Disposition Record, which can be found here.

   Instructions are included on the form; failure to comply with this statute constitutes a Class A misdemeanor.

4. If your FOID Card was revoked because you no longer reside in Illinois, please destroy your FOID card and ensure you are in compliance with the laws of the state in which your reside.
5. If you are the sponsor of a minor(s) who has a FOID card, the minor's FOID card has also been revoked and must be immediately surrendered; please have the minor complete a Firearm Disposition Record as well.

1.  What do I do if I think there has been a mistake, and my FOID Card or CCL was incorrectly revoked or my application was incorrectly denied?

If you believe our records have inaccurately identified you as prohibited from possessing a FOID Card, you do not need to appeal to the Director for relief. Rather, you will need to utilize the "Other Types of Firearms Rights Restorations Tab" and select I Inadvertently Answered Yes or Need to Challenge My Record.

2.  My FOID Card was revoked or my application was denied. How do I appeal this decision?

• Section 10 of the FOID Act provides that when a FOID card is revoked or an application is denied, the aggrieved party may appeal to the FCRB for relief unless the revocation or denial was based upon certain felony convictions.

3.  If you were a patient in a Mental Health Facility more than five years ago, you do not need to appeal to the FCRB for relief. To restore your firearms rights, you must receive a mental health evaluation by an Illinois licensed physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner as those terms are defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code (405 ILCS 5/1-122), and a certification that you are not a clear and present danger to yourself or others.

If your physician or clinical psychologist reviews the documentation regarding your hospitalization, assesses your current mental health status, and agrees you meet the conditions set forth in the form, they can complete the Mental Health Certification form, which is available at:

Mental Health Certification form  Please note, this form must be returned directly to the Illinois State Police by the examiner and may not be sent by you.

Upon receipt of a properly completed Mental Health Certification form, your application will be reviewed. Unfortunately, the Department is unable to provide a time frame for when the review will be complete and the card issued; however, you will be notified once the decision has been made or if additional information is needed.

Relevant Checklists and Forms

• Firearms Prohibitor – Mental Health Admission More Than 5 Years Requirements Checklist
• Firearm Disposition Record Form
• Mental Health Certification form (Attention: the current form dated 1/13/21 on the ISP website has the wrong email address listed on it. The email address should be ISP.FRCU@illinois.gov )

4.   “Clear and present danger” as provided in Section 1.1 of the FOID Act (430 ILCS 65/1.1) you are not permitted to obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification Card unless you receive relief from the FOID Review Board. The information required for relief is listed on the attached checklists. Please use one of these to ensure all paperwork required is provided because the appeal process will not begin until the Department receives all necessary documentation.
 

If the Clear and Present finding was made more than five years ago use this checklist.

Upon receipt of a properly completed Mental Health Certification form, your application will be actioned. Unfortunately, the Department is unable to provide a time frame for when the review will be complete and the card issued; however, you will be notified once the decision has been made or if additional information is needed.

Relevant Checklist and Forms:

• Clear and Present Danger More Than 5 Years Requirements Checklist
• Mental Health Certification Form   (Attention: the current form dated 1/13/21 on the ISP website has the wrong email address listed on it. The email address should be ISP.FRCU@illinois.gov )

If the Clear and Present finding was made less than five years ago, use this checklist.

Upon receipt of all of the documents listed above, your application will be actioned. Submission of the required documents does not guarantee the granting of an appeal or relief; however, it is required to begin the review process. Unfortunately, the Department is unable to provide a time frame for when the review will be complete and the card issued; nevertheless, you will be notified once the decision has been made or if additional information is needed.

Relevant Checklist and Forms:

• Clear and Present Danger Less Than 5 Years Requirements Checklist
• Firearm Disposition Record Form
• Request for FOID Investigation, Relief and Reinstatement of Firearms Rights Form
• Forensic Evaluation Form
• Employment Requirement Certification Form
• (Attention: The current forms for C&P less than 5 years appeal on the ISP website have the wrong email address listed on it. The email address should be FCRB.ReliefRequest@illinois.gov

   

5.  If you were convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence, you cannot appeal to the FCRB for relief.  You must first petition for relief in the circuit court in your county of residence.

•  The information required for relief is listed on the attached checklist. Please use this to ensure all paperwork required is provided because the appeal process will not begin until the Department receives all necessary documentation.

  Upon receipt of the required documentation, your application will be actioned. Unfortunately, the Department is unable to provide a time frame for when the review will be complete and the card issued; nevertheless, you will be notified once the decision has been made or if additional information is needed. Submission of the required documents does not guarantee the granting of an appeal or relief; however, it is required to begin the review process.

• Please Note: If you obtain relief from a court, a pardon and expungement, or your conviction vacated or set aside; please send a copy of your court documents. No action will be taken without a certified copy from the court.
  Documentation must contain your full name and date of birth and be sent to:

Illinois State Police

Office of Firearms Safety
801 South Seventh Street, Suite 600-S
Springfield, Illinois 62703-2487
Or by email at:
ISP.FOID.Appeals@illinois.go

6.  If you were convicted of

• Forcible felonies,
• Stalking,
• Aggravate stalking,
• Domestic battery,
• Any violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or the Cannabis Control Act that is classified as a Class 2 or greater felony,
• Any felony conviction of Article 24 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, or
• Any adjudication as delinquent minor for the commission of an offense that if committed by an adult would be a felony.

You must first petition for relief in the circuit court in your county of residence. You cannot appeal to the FCRB for relief.

• You are required to file your appeal with the circuit court in writing in the county of your residence for a hearing upon such denial, revocation, or seizure. Please refer to 430 ILCS 65/10(a) for additional information. For additional information regarding filing such an appeal, please contact the circuit clerk’s office for the county of your residence.

 The ISP has been known to successfully motion a case be dismissed because the petitioner had not exhausted all other options prior to filing a petition in circuit court - filing for a pardon is the option they argue must be exercised prior to filing a court petition.  More info about filing for a pardon can be found here.

Please Note: If the circuit court grants your appeal, please provide a certified copy of the court record or court order so that your FOID can be reinstated. No action will be taken without a certified copy from the court.

Sample Court Petition: Felony Relief - Circuit Court

Circuit Court Petition for Relief from Felony Denial of FOID.doc

7.  If you were the subject of an Order of Protection.

Below is a list of the required document(s) needed to reactivate a FOID card after an order of protection has expired or been cancelled. Please note some of the form(s) may contain multiple pages. 

1. Certified copy of the disposition of the Order of Protection.

2. Completed FOID Card & Firearm Disposition Record form – ISP 2-636 form, it MUST be signed by a Law Enforcement Official or Notary.

Email these documents to this email address ISP.FRCU@Illinois.gov attaching the completed forms, and add “ATTN TRIAGE” in the subject field. 

You may also MAIL completed form(s) to:

Illinois State Police Firearm Record Challenge Unit

ATTN: Triage

801 South 7th Street

Suite 400 N

Springfield, IL 62703

8.  What do I do if I don’t understand why my FOID Card was revoked or my FOID Application was denied or otherwise cannot find what I need on this webpage?

Please contact the ISP at ISP.FRCU@illinois.gov to start the process. They will review your FOID Card Account to determine who has jurisdiction to assist you.

Disclaimer - information posted here is not to be considered legal advice.  The information and links to forms are from the Illinois State Police Firearm Safety Bureau website. Sample petitions are shared and adapted from members who have successfully petitioned to have their rights restored.

Domestic - Circuit Court Petition for Relief from Denial of FOID.doc

I guess they don't check much....

Hello all. I’ve been lurking for a bit and decided to register. This whole FOID process is a tangle of red tape and can be overwhelming to handle and understand.
 

Has anyone had personal experience going before the FCRB for a hearing? I applied for relief from a FOID revocation (applied November 2025), and the FCRB reviewed my appeal on paper (January 2026). They stated: “During its meeting the FCRB considered all information provided by you regarding your petition for review, as well as the Illinois State Police file regarding the denial of your FOID Card application. Unfortunately, the FCRB is not satisfied there is sufficient evidence to consider whether you have met your burden of proof under Section 10(c) of the FOID Act; accordingly, this letter shall serve as notice that you may request a hearing before a quorum of the FCRB.

“You must complete the attached Request for Hearing within 30 days of receipt of this notice.”

I completed everything they requested when I filed for relief, including the psychological evaluation. I’m listed as a Clear and Present Danger due to an arrest (2024) for domestic violence that I was acquitted of (2025). I have an attorney (very experienced in these cases) handling the case, so we’re proceeding with a hearing before the board.

For those who’ve gone before the board in similar situations, do you have any insight on how the process works and what to expect? I’ve been a lawful firearms owner for over 20 years with a clean criminal history otherwise—no other issues.

What concerns me is the lack of transparency with the process and that it seems there isn’t a clear formula they follow. To me, it seems arbitrary, which is worrisome. 

A few months back I posted about getting hit with a NICS denial when trying to buy guns in Florida, even though I had a valid FOID and CCL from Illinois at the time.

For background: Back in 2008 I had a Class 4 felony charge for non-violent possession of a controlled substance in Iroquois County, Illinois. I was given probation but failed the terms (no other details—just a dumb mistake from my younger days). Interestingly, all background checks after that showed no conviction entered, so when I asked ISP if I could get a FOID, they confirmed yes and issued it without issue.

Fast forward to the NICS denial in Florida (where I live now), I contacted ISP about it, and they realized there was a records error. They ended up revoking my FOID and CCL. This is my only criminal charge ever—clean record otherwise for the past 17 years.

From what I’ve researched, I believe I can appeal to the ISP FOID Card Review Board for reinstatement of my firearm rights since it’s a qualifying non-violent felony. The goal is to clear the Illinois prohibition, which should help federally and potentially in Florida (though I think I’d still need separate clemency there).

Has anyone gone through this process recently? How long did it take? What kind of evidence or references did you submit? Did you handle it yourself, or is a lawyer really necessary? I got quoted $3,500 from a big firm in Chicago, which feels steep—wondering if that’s typical or if there are more affordable options (or free consults).

As always, super appreciative of the community here. God bless

Thanks,

Rich

@Molly B. , you're my best guess on this one. 

                                                                                                                                                                  Michael R. Donahue

                                                                                                                                                                  Attorney at Law

Court Order June 27, 2025.pdf Court Order June 27, 2025.pdf

I see several CCL company websites that say a student has up to 6 months before they have to take the 16 hour class...other sites say up to 1 year before they have to take it, but where did the information come from.  I definitely could not be seeing it on the website or missed an email - but I have looked several times.  Any Help?  Thanks in advance.

Looks like isp has this screed up a well. 

Says you have to give your foid to police or a valid foid card holder but then tells you to fill out the revolk form where it says it must be destroyed. 

So which is it? 

I obtained his required info, went onto the ISP website and submitted the info. There was about a 24 hour delay and then the approval number was generated.

I told him the approval number is good for 30 days and he would need to take the paperwork to an FFL within 10 days after we completed the transfer.

Here’s where it got interesting ( for me at least)

He called a LGS to see if they would do the paperwork (whatever it is the state is telling them to do) and here’s the answers he received;

LGS #1: Told him he doesn’t have to do anything because we did the transfer on the ISP website. (Pretty large shop that does a lot of business)

LGS #2: Told him I (the seller) would have to bring the rifle to them and it would have to remain at the shop for 3 days then he could pick it up.

(Apparently attempting to enforce the 3 day waiting period. I understand private transfer has to abide by this, I’m pretty good at counting 3 days by myself and as long as we abide by this we are within the law near as I can tell) I’m not a fan of this local shop and have never done business with them. Awhile back my buddy tried to purchase some cleaning supplies from them and they told him they needed to see his FOID card. 

I’m usually pretty good at deciphering these things but I’m stumped. What I understand regarding this garbage is:

1. I have to validate his FOID and obtain an approval number from ISP in order to conduct the transfer. 
2. After getting the approval number we wait 3 days then conduct the transfer.

3. After the transfer occurs he (the buyer) has to go to an FFL to have the transfer recorded.

Have I missed something ? Have I misread the law as written?  My understanding is that submitting for, and obtaining the approval number, is only verifying his FOID and granting permission for the transfer to occur. 
 

A quote from the ISP website:

TO DETERMINE THE VALIDITY OF A FOID CARD FOR A TRANSFER AND TO RECEIVE A TRANSFER APPROVAL NUMBER, please enter the requested information. Approved transfers will be issued an approval number. Records for approved firearm transfers must be maintained in accordance with 430 ILCS 65/3(b). The transferee must provide a copy of the Record of Firearm Transfer to an Illinois FFL within 10 days or to the ISP. 430 ILCS 65/3

Can he directly report the transfer to the ISP ? Have we already reported the transfer by obtaining the approval number from ISP ? 
Can the transfer be reported to ISP through the portal?

Sorry for the lengthy questions. Am hoping someone has actual experience with this or some of our resident FFL’s can chime in.

Thanks for any insight y’all can provide.

Hello my name is Al, I just got my FOID card restored. I had a UUW charge which was a Class 4 felony back in 1996 and of course my gun card was suspended. I had decided that is was over 20 years ago that I was going to try and get my rights restored. Let me tell this it is crazy process and very time consuming if you do not know which departments to go too. They have changed a lot of their policies on who has the decision to restore your rights. I finally hired an attorney Michael Donahue in which he new exactly how the process works and who to go to. I was so glad to have Mike as my Lawyer as he was able to get my gun rights restored. I will put his info below if anyone is looking for a good attorney.

Law Office Of

Michael Donahue

708.873.1340

At this point I believe his only option is to petition the court. I have been told I need to gather all of his records from the DOC, and I did send a message through their website (hopefully the correct site), I've also been told I'll need all of the police reports pertaining to his record - I'm assuming I request them from whatever department he was charged in? We did get his fingerprinting done a few years ago, so that can easily be uploaded. 

And then finally I've read that I'll need at least 3 letters from separate people/employers speaking on his positive character and good standing within the community after his release when he was a juvenile. 

If there's anything I'm missing, or if you're comfortable sharing the petition process that has been successful for you, please feel free to let me know or PM me. I'll be attempting to start this process myself and it seems quite daunting! I certainly don't want to miss anything. 

Thank you for reading, 

Kate