FAQ - Concealed Handguns

A. Oregon law states that a sheriff may waive the residency requirement for a resident of a contiguous state that has a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. Washington County would consider your application if you live in a contiguous state, meet all the requirements, and write a letter stating a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need that exhibits a correlation to Washington County. Your statement must be submitted with your completed application.

A. No. Please bring a personal check made payable to Washington County, a money order, or cash to your appointment. Payments must be made in the Criminal Records office (on the first floor) prior to your appointment. You will receive a receipt for your payment which you must present to the Concealed Handgun Licensing Unit. This payment is non-refundable.

A. Oregon law provides very few limits on where a person with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) can carry a firearm, and federal laws contain a few more prohibitions. Even if you have a Concealed Handgun License, you cannot carry a firearm on any of the following properties:

Federal facilities - federal courthouses, social security offices, in secured areas of airports, and on airplanes
National forests marked or posted by signs prohibiting all firearms
Indian reservations or Indian property - you may not carry a firearm concealed without the written permission of the tribal judge; this may also apply to certain casinos on Indian lands
Courts - in a courtroom, jury room, judge's chambers or adjacent areas that the presiding judge determines should be free of firearms to ensure the safety of the litigants, court personnel, witnesses and others
Private property where the owner prohibits firearms possession
If you violate these conditions you could, under certain circumstances, be subject to arrest under Oregon trespass laws, in which case your concealed handgun license would be seized and/or revoked. Learn more, read ORS 166.370.

No person may bring a firearm or weapon into that portion of this building occupied by the Washington County Circuit Court, except for a peace officer or federal officer on official duty. Violating these provisions may result in your arrest for a Class C felony, and could also result in your being found in contempt of court. ORS 166.370 and Uniform Trial Court Rule 6.180.

No person may bring a firearm, weapon or other contraband into the secured perimeter of the Washington County Jail, and all visitors to the jail must go through a security screening and metal detector. Knowingly introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C felony. ORS 162.185.

All persons entering these premises may be subject to audio or visual surveillance.

A. Applications are available: 1) Online using the link below, 2) In person at the Sheriff's Office in Hillsboro or at East Precinct in Beaverton - see locations link below, or 3) By mail - you may call (503) 846-2761 to request an application be mailed to you.

Your first step in this process is to meet the handgun competency requirement, see Frequently Asked Question #2 below. Next, review the disqualifications listed Question #3 below. Finally, mail your completed application to the Concealed Handgun License Unit. You can expect to receive an appointment notice within two weeks.

Scheduled appointments are required for all new applicants. You must pay your license fee at your scheduled appointment.

Please do not send payment with your application. Payment must be in the form of a check, money order, or cash only.
See also:

• Main CHL web page
• Sheriff's Office locations
• Downloadable CHL application

A. You may apply for a Washington County-issued Oregon concealed handgun license by meeting the residency requirements as stated in ORS 166.291(9):

Possess a Current Oregon driver’s license showing a residence in the county.
Be registered to vote in Washington County and have a precinct memorandum card showing a residence address in the county.
Provide documentation that you currently own or lease real property in the county.
Provide documentation that you filed an Oregon tax return for the most recent tax year with a residence address in the county.

A. Please do not apply until you have met the competency requirement in one of the following ways:

Complete a handgun safety class taught by an NRA certified instructor. Certification or card issued must be presented at the time of your scheduled appointment. Contact local gun dealers for class referrals.
Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety offered for security guards or other law enforcement officers. Certification must be presented at your scheduled appointment.
Obtain a copy of your DD214 if it indicates you are competent with a handgun, sidearm or pistol. If your DD214 does not indicate competency, we will be unable to accept this as proof of your competency, even if used while in the Armed Forces.

A. Call this office at (503) 846-2761 to schedule an appointment to transfer your license to Washington County. You must meet one of the residency requirements list under Question #16.

During your appointment, we will check your concealed handgun license and Oregon driver's license and take your picture. Plan to spend about 15 minutes to be processed.

A. Your concealed handgun license is valid for four years from date of issue. However, an arrest or involvement in criminal activity is cause for revocation.

A. New license - $65.00
(Valid for four years from the date of issue)
Renewal license within Washington County - $50.00
(Valid for four years from the date of issue)
Address change or replacement within Washington County- $15.00
(Expiration date is the same as the original)

A. If we deny your application or revoke your license, we will send you a certified letter stating the reason(s).

A. Yes. You are required to come to the Concealed Handgun Unit and complete a change of address form. The change of address fee is $15.

A. Reminder letters are sent to the current mailing addresses on file. However, it is still your responsibility to make sure your license is current and valid when you carry a concealed handgun.

A. No. There are no penalties for letting your license expire. However, without a license, you have no authority to carry concealed. If you wish to renew your license, please call (503)846-2761 to schedule an appointment.

Other sources of Information:

Concealed Handgun Unit
www.co.washington.or.us/sheriff/service/ccw.htm

A. For new licenses, renewals, and transfers, the CHL unit is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last appointment offered at 4:30. Please call ahead to schedule your appointment (503) 846-2761.

License holders wishing to get a replacement card or have their address changed may drop in during business hours. We are open during the lunch hour.

A. Oregon law prohibits the issuance of a concealed handgun license to anyone convicted of a felony or convicted of a misdemeanor within the last four years, or anyone that is the respondent of a current restraining order or stalking order.

Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a domestic violence-related crime, misdemeanor or felony, from possessing a firearm. Also prohibited is anyone with more than one drug-related conviction and registered sex offenders.

If you feel you are eligible for a license, please submit appropriate documentation to include dates and explanation of circumstances, including court orders surrounding your circumstances for further consideration. Include this information with your application.

You are also ineligible for a concealed handgun license if you are not a U.S. citizen, unless you are a legal resident alien. You must be able to document continuous residency in the country for at least six months, and you must have declared in writing to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services the intent to acquire citizenship. You must be able to provide proof of the written declaration.

A. We schedule appointments every 15 minutes. Please allow time to pay your fee in the Criminal Records office (on the first floor) before coming to the Concealed Handgun Unit.

A. The law is available at ORS 166.370. Scroll through the index and then down to the section you want to review.

A. Contact your local gun dealer and let them know you are interested in obtaining a handgun safety course for a concealed handgun license.

A. The Washington County Sheriff's Office is located at 215 SW Adams in Hillsboro.

No person may bring a firearm or weapon into that portion of this building occupied by the Washington County Circuit Court, except for a peace officer or federal officer on official duty. Violating these provisions may result in your arrest for a Class C Felony, and could also result in your being found in contempt of court. ORS 166.370 and Uniform Trial Court Rule 6.180.

No person may bring a firearm, weapon or other contraband into the secured perimeter of the Washington County Jail, and all visitors to the jail must go through a security screening and metal detector. Knowingly introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C Felony. ORS 162.185.

All persons entering these premises may be subject to audio or visual surveillance.