Gun Rights
Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Program: 2026 Dates, Fees and Application Windows
The phrase “federal firearm rights restoration program” suddenly matters again. For decades, most people could point to 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) in the statute book but had no practical administrative process available to submit an ordinary application. In August 2026, the Department of Justice finalized a new rule and published a staged implementation plan.
Direct answerThe federal firearm rights restoration program is now being implemented under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). DOJ announced a staged rollout beginning September 25, 2026 for invited candidates, a November 4, 2026 public opening for the first 5,000 candidates, and a January 4, 2027 opening for 500 more candidates. DOJ has set a $30 application fee and says the fee begins with the January 2027 phase.
What § 925(c) authorizes
Section 925(c) allows a person prohibited by federal firearm law to apply to the Attorney General for relief. The statute directs the Attorney General to consider the circumstances of the disability and the applicant’s record and reputation, including whether the applicant is likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and whether granting relief would be contrary to the public interest.
The new DOJ rule supplies the procedures and presumptive-disqualification framework for making those individualized decisions.
Key program dates announced by DOJ
- September 25, 2026: applications open to invited candidates.
- November 4, 2026: applications open to the public for the first 5,000 candidates.
- January 4, 2027: applications open to another 500 public candidates and DOJ says the application fee will begin.
These dates come from DOJ’s current FFRR program page. Because implementation is new, applicants should recheck the official page close to the filing date.
How much does the application cost?
DOJ has set a non-refundable application fee of $30. Its fee page says payment will be handled electronically through Pay.gov after submission. DOJ also says an applicant may request a waiver or reduction and that economic hardship can be a reason for a waiver or reduction.
The $30 fee is not the only possible cost. Applicants may also incur charges for criminal-history records, certified court documents, and USPS fingerprinting.
Who can use the federal program?
DOJ’s eligibility page says individuals prohibited under one or more categories of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) may apply, including people prohibited because of felony convictions, certain mental-health statuses, certain immigration statuses, dishonorable discharge, renunciation of citizenship, qualifying domestic-violence orders, or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.
Applying and receiving relief are different questions. The program contains strong presumptions against relief for specified conduct and statuses.
The five categories of presumptive disqualification
DOJ groups presumptions into five categories: current status, permanent, ten-year, five-year, and reapplication. A person with a presumption can still submit an application, but DOJ says the application will be denied absent extraordinary circumstances that overcome the presumption.
For many nonviolent felonies that do not fall within the more serious categories, the relevant presumption is five years from conviction or service of any part of the sentence. The definition of sentence includes incarceration, supervision and unsatisfied court-imposed penalties.
Federal relief does not erase state law
A successful § 925(c) application removes applicable federal firearm disabilities covered by the grant. DOJ repeatedly warns that the federal program does not automatically remove independent state or tribal firearm restrictions. Review your state gun-rights guide as a separate part of the analysis.
Frequently asked questions
DOJ currently says the first broader public window opens November 4, 2026 for the first 5,000 public candidates.
DOJ has set a $30 non-refundable application fee, with waiver or reduction requests available in some circumstances.
Yes. DOJ says people federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) can apply, although presumptive disqualifiers may make approval difficult.
No. A federal grant does not automatically remove an independent state or tribal prohibition.
No. The waiting periods relate to presumptions. DOJ still makes an individualized public-safety and public-interest determination.
Verify before acting. Federal firearm law is highly fact-specific. A restoration application, state-law change, pardon, qualifying restoration order, or completed sentence is not by itself permission to possess or purchase a firearm unless every applicable federal and state prohibition has been removed.
General information only. This article is not legal advice and is not permission to possess, receive, transport or purchase a firearm. Verify the current law and the legal effect of your actual court orders.
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