How long does the ATF keep Form 4473?

Form 4473 is kept by the Federal Firearms Licensee, not by the ATF. The FFL is generally required to retain the form for as long as they remain in business, in accordance with federal recordkeeping regulation.

What questions are asked on Form 4473?

Form 4473 asks for the purchaser’s name, address, date of birth, government-issued photo ID details, and answers to a series of eligibility questions that help determine whether the person is legally allowed to purchase or receive a firearm.

How long are Forms 4473 kept?

Under current federal regulations, Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must keep all Federal Forms 4473 — for completed, denied, and canceled transactions — until the business or licensed activity is discontinued. When an FFL goes out of business, every retained Form 4473 (including those for non‑transfers) must be sent to the ATF Out‑of‑Business Records Center.

What happens if you make a mistake on Form 4473?

Small clerical errors are often fixable, but intentionally giving false information is a federal crime and can lead to fines, jail time, or other legal trouble. Not every mistake is criminal, but deliberate false statements can stop the sale and have serious consequences.

What are the common mistakes on Form 4473?

Common mistakes on ATF 4473 form include leaving part of the ethnicity or race questions unanswered, marking the wrong response when buying a firearm as a gift, and misunderstanding who qualifies as the actual buyer. These errors can delay or prevent the firearm transfer and often require the form to be corrected.

Is the gun purchase form the same in every state?

The federal gun purchase form (ATF Form 4473) is the same nationwide, but some states require additional state-level forms or background checks.

Can I use a printable 4473 form to buy a firearm?

No, the form must be completed and processed through a Federal Firearms Licensee at the time of purchase for the transfer to be legal.

Fill ATF Form 4473 2025-2026 - Firearms Transaction Record

What is Form 4473?

Form 4473 is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)’s Firearms Transaction Record that must be completed for every firearm purchase from a federally licensed dealer in the United States. It records the buyer’s identity, collects eligibility information, and is used by the dealer to run the required background check, helping ensure that only individuals legally allowed to possess firearms receive them and that the dealer complies with federal law.

What is Form 4473 used for?

ATF Form 4473 is essential for firearm transactions in the United States. Here's what it's used for:

To record the transfer of a firearm from a federally licensed dealer to an unlicensed buyer as an official transaction record.
To collect and document the buyer’s information and eligibility so the dealer can run and record the required background check and comply with federal law.

How to properly fill out 4473 forms

Section A – Dealer only

Dealer fills in firearm details and FFL information.
No buyer entries; no signature here.

Section B – Buyer info & questions

Buyer fills in name, current residence address, DOB, physical details, and other requested identifying info.
Buyer answers all eligibility questions “Yes/No” as printed.
Buyer signs and dates Section B (first buyer signature).

Section C – Background check (dealer)

Dealer records ID used, runs NICS/POC/state check, and notes result and dates.
Dealer signs the background‑check certification line in this section (wording/placement depends on revision).

Section D – Buyer recertification (if transfer is later)

Used only if the firearm is transferred on a different day than the Section B signature.
Buyer signs and dates again in Section D to confirm Section B answers are still true.

Section E – Final dealer certification

Dealer or individual transferring the firearm enters the FFL name, address, and license number, and prints their own name.
That individual signs and dates Section E as final certification that the transfer is lawful and correctly documented.

Who is required to fill out Form 4473?

The eForm 4473 or its printed version must be completed whenever a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) sells or transfers a firearm to a non-licensed person, including an individual or, in certain cases, a business entity represented by an authorized officer.

The buyer completes the required sections with personal information and eligibility responses, while the FFL completes the dealer sections, including firearm details, background check information, and required certifications.

When is Form 4473 not required?

Form 4473 is not required under federal law when no Federal Firearms Licensee is involved in the transfer, such as in a purely private sale between two unlicensed individuals, subject to any stricter state laws.

It is also not required in certain limited FFL-related situations, including returning a firearm to the same person after repair or customization, transfers between licensees (FFL to FFL), and specific government or law enforcement acquisitions where alternative regulatory requirements and certifications apply instead of Form 4473.

When is Form 4473 due?

Federal Firearms Form 4473 does not have a fixed calendar “due date” like a tax return. Instead, it must be completed as part of the firearm transfer process from a Federal Firearms Licensee to a non-licensee. The buyer must complete and sign the buyer section, and the dealer must complete the dealer sections, before the firearm can legally be transferred.

The background check information and final dealer certification are completed at or before the time of delivery, subject to any applicable waiting periods, delays, and the 30-day validity period of an approved NICS check.

How to get a blank Form 4473?

To get a blank electronic 4473 form, visit our platform, where the template is available in our editor and ready to fill out. Our website makes it easy to complete and download the form for your use, although we do not assist with filing or submitting it.

How long does a 4473 take to complete?

Filling out Form 4473 usually takes just a few minutes, whether it’s completed as an eForm online or on a printed paper version. However, the total time depends on how quickly the required background check is processed. In many cases, the check is completed almost instantly, but it can be delayed for several days or longer if additional review is needed or a hold is placed.

How to sign Form 4473?

The ATF background check form 4473 is signed either on paper or on a screen, depending on how the dealer does their paperwork. If it’s a paper form, the buyer and the dealer each sign their own signature line in ink after everything is filled out.

If the dealer uses an electronic system, you’ll usually sign on a tablet, signature pad, or similar device, or they may print the form and have you sign it by hand.

Where to file Form 4473?

Form 4473 is not submitted to the ATF or mailed anywhere by the buyer. It is completed during the firearm transfer and kept on file by the licensed dealer, as part of their compliance with federal recordkeeping rules.