How to Appeal Revoked or Denied FOID

[Mustardseedfaith]

Good morning Molly B.,

 

I need some help with getting my FOID card back. In 2012, there was a warrant out for my arrest that a friend of mine told me about because he's an officer. My aunt hired an attorney for me and he went with me when I went to turn myself in. I was fingerprinted and photographed and placed in an interrogation room and questioned by police. During the time of my interrogation, the alleged victim was being interviewed as well. The alleged victim kept changing their story constantly during questioning and was also physically examined by a doctor. Long story short, States Attorney along with a medical doctor proved that the alleged attack did not happen. States attorney called the police station and told police to let me go and drop all charges since the alleged victim was lying. I sat in the interrogation room that whole time. On the advice of my attorney we went down to the courthouse and had all those records erased (sealed not sure of the right term) and on that paperwork it said that if I were ever denied anything or if the information is brought up i can sue because I never went to court and was never convicted (sidenote: this paperwork has been misplaced and i have been trying to get another copy of it). After this incident, I moved out and moved in with my mom. Years later, in 2017, I remembered that my FOID should have been about to expire. So, I signed into the website to renew my FOID card only to see that it was revoked. I called ISP to see why it was revoked and the young lady said she could not see why and put me on hold to call another department. When, she came back on the phone she told me about the incident and warrant (not that charges was dropped, etc); and that was the reason why it was revoked. I have been trying to find out the correct process in getting my FOID card back. A number of people, police officers and Illinos State Police (who are friends and family members) said that it gets revoked when a warrant is issued but once it was cleared/ proving you were innocent and charges were dropped that revocation should have been removed. I'm unsure if something was sent to my old address which is where my ex was living (it was not a good terms breakup) so she wouldn't send me anything ISP would have sent to clear this situation up. 

 

How can I go about getting this revocation removed and my FOID card back?

 

Sidenote: If this was anywhere on my record I would not be a federal government employee (8 years now), I would not have a passport (which I do) and I would not have been approved for global entry (which I have).

 

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[bjjpitbull8]

On 4/10/2024 at 7:48 AM, FredNickl said:

It's not really an appeal anymore. We fought them on these and maybe a year ago (? can't remember) they changed their policy. All you need to do, if you wait 5 years after a qualifying mental health admission or clear and present danger report, is 1. reset your portal and reapply, 2. have a psychologist (preferably) submit the MH certification form at the exact same time, 3. submit the FDR and request for relief at the exact same time. If you do that, you will automatically get your firearm civil rights restored and get a FOID.

 

As to your question about FDR - don't worry about it. I have clients file those 20 years late. Nothing happens.

I did the FDR after they received my appeal. The police department that my weapons were surrendered to signed off on it. The document says to put on line 1 that you do not have weapons in your possession, if you do not. I do not, but the officer had me list the two firearms in their possession on line 1 and 2 and check off the section that says weapons were surrendered or seized by law enforcement. Did I fill this out wrong? Should I add a typed up letter explaining, or put the police station in the section where you can name who the weapons were transferred to? Thanks in advance. 

[Bradster33]

On 10/22/2024 at 4:57 PM, Molly B. said:

If your CCL was revoked because of your FOID, once your FOID is reinstated, you provide the certified court documents to ISP and your CCL should be reinstated.  Let me know and I'll check on the forms you need to do that.

 

[Luis C]

Hey so am I still able to appeal the denial of my application? I originally tried to register for it back at 2021 but was denied due to my voluntary inpatient stays at 2015 and 2019. I heard that I would have to appeal within the 60 days however it’s way past that. If I can what documents exactly would I need?

[Molly B.]

You will need to reapply and answer no to the 5 year mental health question and isp will require a "more than 5 year mental health certificate " signed by your physician. 

[Alfred]

Hello Molly, 

I recently received a denial letter for CCL/FOID application. Letter states “Pursuant to 430-ILCS 66/25(2), your Illinois Concealed Carry application has been denied for the following reason(s) as specified in the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/10): 

The Illinois State Police has determined you are no longer eligible to possess a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) card or your FOID card has expired.” Would like to inquire about the process path to appeal for this denial. 
 

 

Thank you in advance. 

[Molly B.]

Glad to help,  if i can. Have you logged in to see if your foid card has expired?

 

Please email me at vrowe@illinoiscarry.com 

[milkman70]

Happy 2025 everybody! Back to update and get some advice. 

 

This week, I received a letter from ISP saying my appeal for my denied FOID card application has been approved and their files have been updated. They want me to reapply for a card for prompt processing. I know others have received a letter with the exact same thing, even down to the title of the letter in my correspondence tab. But they forgot to reset my portal, so I emailed about every email address they’ve given me asking to have my portal be reset. Hoping it will be soon so I can reapply. 
 

My real question is when I do reapply, am I going to have to answer “no” or “relief granted” for the “developmentally disabled” question? I just want to do whatever ISP will need to finally give me the card. I don’t want to be denied on my new application because I answer the wrong option. 
 

Thank you to everybody here for helping me over the years. 

[John Q Public]

Why don't you ask them about it when you get them on the phone for the portal?

 

Also get their name and ID number when you talk to them. Write the date, time, and person down in case something goes sideways.

Edited January 26, 2025 at 04:10 PM by John Q Public

[Molly B.]

On 1/25/2025 at 5:35 PM, milkman70 said:

Happy 2025 everybody! Back to update and get some advice. 

 

This week, I received a letter from ISP saying my appeal for my denied FOID card application has been approved and their files have been updated. They want me to reapply for a card for prompt processing. I know others have received a letter with the exact same thing, even down to the title of the letter in my correspondence tab. But they forgot to reset my portal, so I emailed about every email address they’ve given me asking to have my portal be reset. Hoping it will be soon so I can reapply. 
 

My real question is when I do reapply, am I going to have to answer “no” or “relief granted” for the “developmentally disabled” question? I just want to do whatever ISP will need to finally give me the card. I don’t want to be denied on my new application because I answer the wrong option. 
 

Thank you to everybody here for helping me over the years. 

If you would send me a private message, I might be able to help.

As for how to respond on the 'relief granted' question - were you actually granted relief or was your record corrected?

[milkman70]

On 1/26/2025 at 10:28 AM, Molly B. said:

If you would send me a private message, I might be able to help.

As for how to respond on the 'relief granted' question - were you actually granted relief or was your record corrected?

Message sent! 

[Loaded&Ready]

FOID Renewal Denied due to AWB.

Friend got a letter saying denied due to AWB registration failure.  Anyone else have this happen?

 

[Molly B.]

This is the first I've heard of this.  Is it possible for him to email a copy of the denial letter to me? 

 

VRowe@IllinoisCarry.com

[FredNickl]

On 3/8/2025 at 9:57 PM, Molly B. said:

This is the first I've heard of this.  Is it possible for him to email a copy of the denial letter to me? 

 

VRowe@IllinoisCarry.com

I've never seen it either.

[Tvandermyde]

On 3/8/2025 at 7:55 PM, Loaded&Ready said:

FOID Renewal Denied due to AWB.

Friend got a letter saying denied due to AWB registration failure.  Anyone else have this happen?

 

If you can get this, get me a copy I want to see how they ascertained that conclusion

[Loaded&Ready]

My friend has contacted Valinda.

[_Ericka_]

My FOID card was revoked about 4 years ago over a misdemeanor for a possession charge. The case was dismissed after I completed a DUI victim impact panel per the SAO. Later on 9 months after I had the case expunged. I contacted the ISP 2 weeks ago through email and was told to fill out a request for FOID investigation, relief, and Reinstatement of firearms rights, and a firearm disposition record I never filled out the proper paperwork when my FOID was revoked I have since filled out the firearms disposition form and had it notorized I have also filled out Request for FOID Investigation, Relief and Reinstatement of Firearms Rights but i over think things and just wanna make sure i have checked correct boxes and maybe seek guidance on what to write on the personal statement.

[Molly B.]

Erika,

 

Please check your private messages for a reply. 

 

Molly B.

[skye]

My foid card was revoked due to a juvenile felony i had on my record. i got it expunged through the county it was in. i sent the court order into the firearms bureau. its past the 60 days they give you to appeal. About how long will it take for my foid card to be reinstated. 

[Molly B.]

On 9/6/2025 at 4:31 PM, skye said:

My foid card was revoked due to a juvenile felony i had on my record. i got it expunged through the county it was in. i sent the court order into the firearms bureau. its past the 60 days they give you to appeal. About how long will it take for my foid card to be reinstated. 

When you sent in the court order, did you include a 'records challenge appeal form with it?

[WhyDoILiveInIL]

Even being proactive, I got denied. My FOID has been expired for a long time. In 2008, I was voluntarily hospitalized for depression. I applied for my FOID card about three months ago and I wasn't even allowed to get through the application process. I called ISP to find out what was going on. I was told that it was instantly denied and that they had to "remove a hold" and that I needed to apply again. I did some research prior to applying a second time and read about the need for evaluation by a professional licensed in IL. Being proactive, I was evaluated by an Illinois licensed psychiatrist. I was deemed appropriate to own a firearm and the form was submitted to the ISP. I still had not applied the second time yet. 

 

Earlier this month, I received an email with the subject "Appeal Inquiry." The email had my name followed by a number (I'm assuming it's a case number even though an appeal has not been filed.) The email stated that,

• "Due to the age of the prohibitor, we have reset your application.  It is now in an ‘Unedited’ status, meaning you must reapply.  Once you reapply, if you are denied, you may reach out to the FRCU again to start a new review.  The Mental Health Certification form will be valid to use if you are denied upon review of the new application process."

I was confused; why was I getting an email regarding an appeal when I hadn't even applied after the first ISP person reset my account? I called and was told that I had to reapply and then file an appeal if I was denied. I told the ISP person that what I understood her saying was that I was going to be automatically denied and I received something from the Illinois State Police Firearms Record Challenge Unit because they were automatically going to deny me. She said that that wasn't the case but I would need to reapply. I reapplied last week. Today, I received a letter denying my application due to the 2008 hospitalization.

 

I know that the process states that I have to file an appeal since I was denied again. That said, I am frustrated and angry with the games they are playing. What they are requiring isn't part of the law (as I read it- not an attorney) and I even gave them a certification so that I wouldn't have any problems. I don't feel that I should have to give the ISP free access to all of my medical files with zero protection for me and my information (you must acknowledge that you give up the right to HIPPA protections and  you must indemnify the ISP for ANYTHING that may happen with your protected health information and waive your right to sue) until my FOID card were to expire. I am also acutely aware that everything I do and say is going to be judged on a different scale, so I have to be very careful how I phrase absolutely everything. Do I have any recourse other than signing away my rights to my protected health information? If I have to go this way, do I then have to let the card expire and apply again in order to end access to my medical information? Your help is appreciated.

[FredNickl]

ISP is just enforcing the deadlines that exist in their administrative rules. First, you apply and get denied. Then, you submit your appeal within the deadline. If you don’t submit within the deadline, you need to reapply for the FOID, get denied, and then supplement your original submission. In your case, ISP needed to reset your portal so that you could reapply. This is normal. Finally, because you were over five years and it is a voluntary admission, you do not need to submit any of the mental health records to the state police. If you’re looking at a checklist that requires it, you’re on the wrong checklist. If ISP is demanding it, they’re wrong. All you need is the one page mental health certification form that any physician, therapist, nurse, almost anyone, can sign off on. Hope this helps. 

[WhyDoILiveInIL]

On 2/26/2026 at 8:25 PM, FredNickl said:

Finally, because you were over five years and it is a voluntary admission, you do not need to submit any of the mental health records to the state police. If you’re looking at a checklist that requires it, you’re on the wrong checklist. If ISP is demanding it, they’re wrong. All you need is the one page mental health certification form that any physician, therapist, nurse, almost anyone, can sign off on.

 

Fred,

Thank you for your reply and my apologies if my post was too long. This is the problem - that form (mental health certification) was submitted PRIOR to me applying the second time and I was still denied. The appeal process for >5 years post-mental health admission requires release of medical records and consent for ISP to have access until the expiration of the FOID card. I am pasting text from the "Request for FOID Investigation, Relief and Reinstatement of Firearms Rights" form that they are requiring that I complete. Please let me know if I am misunderstanding something and thank you again!

 

Quote

I understand that by applying for a FOID card, I have granted my authorization to the Illinois State Police to investigate my eligibility for a FOID card, as well as to any individual, organization, agency, or provider that maintains records relating to me to provide any records relevant to such investigation to any agent of the Illinois State Police upon their request. The intent of this authorization was and continues to be that I give my consent for full and complete disclosure (verbal and documentary) of medical records (including but not limited to mental health & drug/alcohol abuse re cords), criminal and law enforcement records, court records, internal investigation and disciplinary records, military records, employment records, background reports, and complaints regardless of whether said records and information are of a private, public or confidential nature for purposes of investigating my eligibility for a FOID card.

By requesting this appeal, I specifically acknowledge that I have waived my rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as my rights under any state statute governing the confidentiality of medical records, including but not limited to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act (740 ILCS 110/5). I certify that any person or entity that may obtain, furnish or exchange such information concerning me shall be held harmless and not liable for providing this information. I do hereby release from all liability and promise not to sue said persons or entities, the Illinois State Police, its agents and designees on account of or in connection with any claims, causes of action, injuries, damages, costs or expenses arising out of the furnishing or exchanging of information

 

Edited February 27, 2026 at 02:52 AM by WhyDoILiveInIL
clarification

[FredNickl]

You just need to have the MH Certification form re-dated by your psych and resubmit it within the deadline of a new appeal. Then your firearm rights will be restored. You can ignore the waiver you're signing - the only time ISP will demand copies of records is if you are within 5 years OR if you are over 5 years but it was an involuntary admission.

[Molly B.]

 

I believe this is the same 'agreement' we all have to make to get a FOID card.

 

 

 

Quote

I understand that by applying for a FOID card, I have granted my authorization to the Illinois State Police to investigate my eligibility for a FOID card, as well as to any individual, organization, agency, or provider that maintains records relating to me to provide any records relevant to such investigation to any agent of the Illinois State Police upon their request. The intent of this authorization was and continues to be that I give my consent for full and complete disclosure (verbal and documentary) of medical records (including but not limited to mental health & drug/alcohol abuse re cords), criminal and law enforcement records, court records, internal investigation and disciplinary records, military records, employment records, background reports, and complaints regardless of whether said records and information are of a private, public or confidential nature for purposes of investigating my eligibility for a FOID card.