The Illinois State Police now offer a very easy to use ONLINE FOID application process. For your photo, all you do is take a selfie! Now, FOID applications are very easy. Thank you Illinois State Police. Click on the button below to start your process. Let me know how long it takes. Good Luck. John
SOME GOOD TO KNOW FOID CARD FACTS;
Overview of the Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification Card
What is a Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card?
The FOID card was created in 1968, by the FOID Act (430 ILCS 65), as a way to identify those persons eligible to possess and acquire firearms and firearm ammunition as part of a public safety initiative in the State of Illinois. The FOID card is NOT a "conceal and carry" card.
Who needs a FOID Card?
Unless specifically exempted by statute, any Illinois resident who acquires or possesses firearms, firearm ammunition, tasers or stun guns within the State must have in their possession a valid FOID card issued in his or her name. Non-residents are not required to have a FOID card.
Are there exemptions to the requirement of a FOID Card?
Yes, The FOID Act, 430 ILCS 65/2(b) outlines the following exemptions.
- United States Marshals, while engaged in the operation of their official duties.
- Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, while engaged in the operation of their official duties.
- Federal officials required to carry firearms, while engaged in the operation of their official duties.
- Members of bona fide veteran's organizations which receive firearms directly from the armed forces of the United States, while using the firearms for ceremonial purposes with blank ammunition.
- Nonresident hunters during hunting season, with valid nonresident hunting licenses and while in an area where hunting is permitted.
- Nonresident hunters during hunting season, with valid nonresident hunting licenses and while in an area where hunting is permitted; however, at all other times and in all other places these persons must have their firearms unloaded and enclosed in a case.
- Nonresidents while on a firing or shooting range recognized by the Department of State Police.
- Nonresidents while at a firearm showing or display recognized by the Department of State Police.
- Nonresidents whose firearms are unloaded and enclosed in a case.
- Nonresidents who are currently licensed or registered to possess a firearm in their resident state.
- Un-emancipated minors while in the custody and immediate control of their parent or legal guardian and the parent or legal guardian currently has a valid FOID card.
- Color guards of bona fide veteran's organizations or members of bona fide American Legion bands while using firearms for ceremonial purposes with blank ammunition.
- Nonresident hunters whose state of residence does not require them to be licensed or registered to possess a firearm and only during hunting season. The nonresident must have a valid hunting license and be accompanied by and be using a firearm owned by, a person who possesses a valid FOID card. This is allowed only while in an area within a commercial club licensed under the Wildlife Code where hunting is permitted and controlled, but in no instance upon sites owned or managed by the Department of Natural Resources.
- Resident hunters who are properly authorized to hunt and, while accompanied by a person who possesses a valid FOID card, hunt in an area within a commercial club licensed under the Wildlife Code where hunting is permitted and controlled.
- A person who is otherwise eligible to obtain a FOID card under this Act and is under the direct supervision of a FOID card holder who is 21 years of age or older while the person is on a firing or shooting range or is a participant in a firearms safety and training course recognized by a law enforcement agency or a national, statewide shooting sports organization.
- Competitive shooting athletes whose competition firearms are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the International Shooting Sport Federation, or USA Shooting. The use must be in connection with such athletes' training for and participation in shooting competitions at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and sanctioned test events leading up to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Law enforcement officials of this or any other jurisdiction, while engaged in the operation of their official duties.