Lesson 5.1: Minnesota Permit to Carry Application and Renewal Process
Purpose of This Lesson
A Minnesota Permit to Carry is issued by the sheriff.
Minnesota residents apply through the sheriff in the county where they live. Nonresidents may apply through any Minnesota sheriff.
Training Requirement
Under Minnesota Statute 624.714, subdivision 2a, an applicant must present evidence of training in the safe use of a pistol within one year of an original or renewal application.
After a student completes the required classroom material and live fire qualification, the certified instructor issues a signed training certificate.
Application Packet
Under Minnesota Statute 624.714, subdivision 3, the application packet is submitted to the sheriff and includes:
- A completed application form, signed and dated by the applicant.
- A copy of the training certificate.
- A copy of the applicant’s current driver’s license, state identification card, or photo page of the applicant’s passport.
Applications must be submitted in person.
Permit Eligibility
The sheriff reviews the application and conducts the required background checks.
A permit may be denied if the applicant does not meet statutory criteria, is prohibited from possessing firearms, or presents a substantial likelihood of danger to self or the public if authorized to carry a pistol.
Important Age Note
Minnesota Statute 624.714 still contains age 21 language, but that age restriction is no longer being enforced against otherwise qualified adults ages 18 to 20.
In Worth v. Jacobson, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held that Minnesota’s permit to carry age restriction is unconstitutional as applied to otherwise qualified adults ages 18 to 20. On April 21, 2025, the United States Supreme Court denied review, leaving that ruling in place.
The Minnesota DPS/BCA notified certified firearms training entities that sheriffs will issue permits to carry to otherwise qualified applicants ages 18 to 20, and that certified instructors may conduct training and issue approved training certificates to those students.
Permit Duration and Renewal
A Minnesota Permit to Carry expires five years after the date of issue.
A permit holder may apply for renewal no earlier than 90 days before the expiration date.
A permit holder who applies after expiration, but within 30 days after expiration, may renew by following the renewal process and paying the additional late fee required by law.
Permit Processing and Approval
The training certificate documents completion of training. It does not guarantee permit approval.
Permit approval is handled by the sheriff according to Minnesota law.
Davey Defense Standard
At Davey Defense, students are taught that training and application are separate steps.
Completing this course allows the instructor to issue a training certificate. The student is still responsible for applying through the sheriff, submitting the required documents, paying the required fee, and maintaining legal eligibility.