ATF's eZ Check: No More Paper Chasing for Gun Transfers
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting August 4, 2026, federal firearms licensees (FFLs) can use the free and easy online “eZ Check” system to verify other FFLs’ licenses when transferring firearms—no more waiting for certified paper copies! This change makes transfers faster and simpler, and it removes the old rule letting multi-licensed groups rely on 45-day certified lists. If no big complaints come in by June 5, this smoother process kicks in on time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
eZ Check allowed instead of certified copy
Starting August 4, 2026, federal firearms licensees (FFLs) may verify another FFL's license using ATF's free online FFL eZ Check system instead of obtaining a certified paper copy. To use eZ Check, the transferor needs only the transferee's FFL number and must confirm the license is active.
Estimated time and cost savings
ATF estimates that, under an illustrative assumption of 22,803 affected FFLs each doing one transfer per year, licensees will save about $1 in postage/paper plus roughly one hour of staff time per transfer. ATF's estimate values the loaded hourly time savings at about $26 per hour, producing an illustrative industry-wide savings of $615,681 per year.
Intra‑organization transfers need no verification
The rule removes the requirement to rely on certified lists for multi-licensed organizations and provides that licensees that are part of a multi-licensed business organization are not required to verify each other's licenses when transferring firearms between licensees operated by that organization. This change applies for transfers between such affiliated licensees.
Match license details when using eZ Check
When using eZ Check to verify a transferee's license, the transferor must ensure the transferee's license number, expiration date, and business premises address in eZ Check match the information the transferee provides at the time of the transfer. Licensees may still choose to obtain a certified copy instead of using eZ Check.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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