NFA WAIT TIME / FORM 3 & 4 APPROVAL TIME FRAMES

 

The dates provided on this page are an accurate representation of the approval time frame based on our 38 FFL locations across the nation. 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 6/1/21 - 9/12/22
Paper Form 4 Individual 8/1/21 - 9/5/22
Electronic Form 4

5/20/22 - 12/6/22

 

Last updated on 6/7/2023. 


eFORMS UPDATE

There is a large misconception about 90-day approvals using the new ATF eForms system. To receive fast approvals with the eForms system, your background (and any co-trustee) must come back with an instant approval from the FBI. Capitol Armory has submitted over ten thousand electronic Form 4s, and while some were approved in the 90-day time frame, most are pending approval. The ATF will notify you via email when your form is approved. Shortly after the ATF email notification, Capitol Armory will send an email on how to have the items shipped or picked up at our TX location.

 

HOW DO I RECEIVE A QUICK APPROVAL?

On 12/23/21, the ATF released a new and improved eForms website to submit electronic Form 4s. Remember that each responsible party (co-trustee or individual) must undergo a background check at the FBI. If your background check is instantly approved (your background is squeaky clean), there is a chance the ATF will approve your Form 4 quickly. We understand that if you do not receive a quick background check or have multiple responsible parties (more than one trustee on your trust), your Form 4 will take longer to approve. 

 

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 notify you of your approved Form 4 via email. Shortly after the ATF notification, you'll receive an email from Capitol Armory with the approvals and further instructions.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Forms are not considered "late" until the submission date (the date we notified you it was submitted) falls a few weeks outside of the dates posted above. We monitor the progress of all ATF forms to ensure forms are not misplaced at the ATF/NFA branch. Recently, we've seen 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 as each assigned examiner works at a different pace.
  • Orders with multiple Form 4s submitted to the ATF at the same time 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 the dates the forms were mailed/submitted to the ATF.