The Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card is a card issued by the Illinois State Police to residents of Illinois who wish to own or possess firearms. The FOID card serves as a form of identification for firearms owners and is required to legally purchase or possess firearms or ammunition in the state of Illinois.
In order to obtain a FOID card, an individual must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be a resident of Illinois or a member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Illinois
- Not be prohibited by law from owning or possessing a firearm
- Not have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors
- Not be addicted to drugs or alcohol
- Not be mentally disabled or have been a patient in a mental health facility in the past 5 years
- Not be subject to an order of protection
- Not have been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
- Not be the subject of any pending arrest warrants
- Not have any outstanding judgments for unpaid fines or fees
Once the application process is completed, the Illinois State Police will conduct a background check and if the applicant meets all the requirements, the FOID card will be issued. The FOID card is valid for 10 years and must be renewed before its expiration date.
It’s important to note that the FOID card is separate from the Concealed Carry License (CCL), and while having a FOID card is a requirement to have a CCL, having a CCL does not necessarily mean you have a FOID card. Please note, possession of a FOID card does not necessarily authorize a person to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois.
