NFA WAIT TIME / FORM 3 & 4 APPROVAL TIME FRAMES

 

The dates on this page accurately represent the approval time frame based on our 41 FFL locations nationwide. Understanding these dates can help Capitol Armory customers gauge the arrival of each NFA approval based on the date the NFA form was submitted to the ATF. The dates on this page may not reflect the actual approval date nor guarantee when each NFA form will be approved. Upon approval, Capitol Armory will notify each customer on how to proceed with receiving their NFA transfer. Please read this page in its entirety before contacting Capitol Armory.

We are currently receiving approvals for forms submitted on the following dates:

 

 Currently Receiving Approvals From:
Form 3 7-12 days from submission
Paper Form 4 Trust/Corp 10/1/22 - 11/13/23
Paper Form 4 Individual 10/1/22 - 12/29/23
Electronic Form 4

2/25/23 - 3/20/20/24

Individual transfers with a clean/quick background check may receive approvals in less than 30 days and in many cases, just a few days.

 

Last updated on 3/21/2024. 


SHOCKINGLY FAST FORM 4 APPROVALS

Capitol Armory is the only national dealer that can have your Form 4 electronically certified within days. With a purchase through Capitol Armory, no third-party or dealer transfer is required to get your paperwork started. If your prints are already on file with us, we'll have you electronically submitted in days, not weeks, in comparison to our competition. With the recent quick approvals, many customers receive their approved Form 4s within several days of purchasing. 

We've seen thousands of quick approvals, most within a few days of submittal, but there is no guarantee yours will return quickly. As of March 2024, the ATF has stated that they are no longer processing forms in a "first-in, first-out" fashion but approving them when the background check is approved. For additional information,  please read our blog regarding the new fast approvals.

 

HOW DO I RECEIVE A QUICK APPROVAL?

As of March 2024, you can file electronically as an individual, and if you have a squeaky-clean background check, you may get lucky! This fast processing time will be coming to Trust transfers soon, but only for people who utilize a standard Trust, like the Trust offered by Capitol Armory, and there is only one responsible party on the Trust. 

 

WHY THE LARGE TIME FRAME?

Each responsible party (co-trustee or individual) must undergo a background check at the FBI. Your background check may be instantly approved, denied, or delayed. A delay at the FBI differs from a delay at your local gun store. A delay at the FBI requires a manual review performed by an FBI employee. We've seen delays take up to eight months to complete. Further, the system between the ATF and FBI is not updated frequently. If your form is on the latter end of the time frame, we see for approvals that either you or a responsible party likely received a delay at the FBI. 

 

HOW TO CHECK YOUR STATUS?

Capitol Armory will notify you via email when we receive your approved form. We suggest you safelist our domain (capitolarmory.com) to ensure you receive our emails correctly. You may log into your account using the email address and password established when you ordered. Each order will show Processing, eForm4 Certified/Submitted, Form 4 mailed, Form 4 approved, etc. If the status of your order is eForm4 Certified/Submitted or Form 4 mailed, it simply means we are waiting on the ATF to approve your paperwork. If the status of your order is Form 4 approved, you have been notified via email, and you can pick up your items at our shop (TX residents only) or prepare the paperwork to have the suppressor shipped directly to your residence.  

If you filed electronically, the ATF will email you your approved Form 4. Shortly after the ATF notification, you'll receive an email from Capitol Armory with the approvals and further instructions. At this time, the Form 4 will not show in your eForms account.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Forms are not considered "late" until the submission date (the date we notified you it was submitted) falls a few weeks outside the dates posted above. We monitor the progress of all ATF forms to ensure they are not misplaced at the ATF/NFA branch. Recently, a small percentage of forms exceed the current average wait time. In every case, a responsible party of the transfer has had their background check at the FBI delayed. Details are not provided to Capitol Armory, but if you believe your background check may have been delayed, please contact the NFA Branch (304-616-4500) and ask to speak with the examiner for your form. You will need your serial number available when you call. The serial number can be found on your order confirmation email or in your account order details.
  • The NFA branch may take up to 30 days to mail your approved form to us. Capitol Armory will notify you as soon as we receive your approval.
  • If your Form 4 was submitted on or around the date range listed above and you have not been notified of approval, please be patient. Each assigned examiner works at a different pace.
  • Orders with multiple Form 4s submitted to the ATF simultaneously may be assigned to different examiners, and approvals may return to us a few weeks apart. We will notify you via email when each form is approved and when your entire order is approved.
  • The dates above are when the forms were mailed/submitted to the ATF. 
  • Electronically filed forms are not visible in the customer's eForms account; when each eForm4 is approved, the ATF will email Capitol Armory and the customer.