What happens when your Pennsylvania concealed carry license expires or is suspended
Pennsylvania concealed carry licenses (also called License to Carry Firearms
If your license was suspended or revoked, reinstatement is not automatic. You must petition the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live, and the court will decide whether to restore your rights. The process depends on why your license was suspended and whether the condition that caused the suspension still applies. Pennsylvania does not have a formal "reinstatement" process through the sheriff's office the way some states do. Instead, you work directly with the court system in your county. Pennsylvania law suspends or revokes a License to Carry Firearms if you become subject to a disqualifying condition. The most common reasons include a conviction for a felony, a misdemeanor involving violence or drugs, a domestic violence conviction, or a domestic violence protection order (also called a Protection from Abuse order or PFA). A federal firearms prohibition — such as a felony conviction in another state or a federal drug offense — also triggers revocation. Failure to report a change of address to the sheriff within 30 days is a separate ground for suspension. This is administrative rather than criminal, and reinstatement after an address-related suspension is usually straightforward once you notify the sheriff of your current residence. A license can also be suspended if you are subject to a mental health commitment or a court order finding you mentally ill and dangerous. Reinstatement in these cases requires court approval and often involves medical or psychiatric documentation showing the condition no longer applies. Step 1: Determine your county Court of Common Pleas. You must file your petition in the county where you currently live. If you have moved since your license was suspended, file in your new county. Contact the Prothonotary's Office (the court clerk) in that county to learn the correct filing procedures and fees. Step 2: Gather evidence that the disqualifying condition no longer applies. This is the core of your petition. If your suspension was based on a conviction, you will need documentation showing the conviction has been expunged, pardoned, or that your rights have been restored under state or federal law. If it was based on a Protection from Abuse order, you will need proof the order has been terminated or expired. If it was based on a mental health commitment, you will need a letter from a mental health professional or court documentation showing you are no longer subject to the commitment. Step 3: Prepare your petition. You can file the petition yourself (called pro se) or hire an attorney. The petition should state your name, your current address, the date your license was suspended or revoked, the reason for the suspension, and why you believe the disqualifying condition no longer applies. Attach copies of all supporting documentation. There is no official state form; format follows general civil petition rules in Pennsylvania. Step 4: File with the Prothonotary's Office. Submit your petition and supporting documents to the Prothonotary's Office in your county. Pay the filing fee, which varies by county. Keep a copy for your records and ask for a receipt and case number. Step 5: Serve the district attorney. You must send a copy of your petition to the district attorney's office in your county. This is called service. The Prothonotary's Office can tell you how to serve documents in your county — usually by certified mail or in person. Step 6: Wait for the court's decision. The district attorney may file a response opposing your petition. The judge will review both your petition and any response, and will issue a written order granting or denying reinstatement. There is no set timeline; decisions typically come within 30 to 90 days, but this varies by county. Once the judge signs an order granting reinstatement, your License to Carry Firearms is restored. You do not need to reapply to the sheriff or pay a new fee — the court order itself restores your rights. However, you should obtain a certified copy of the court order and keep it with your license. If you lost your physical license card or it expired during the suspension period, contact the sheriff's office in your county to request a replacement. Some counties will issue a new card at no charge once reinstatement is approved; others charge a small replacement fee. Bring your certified court order and a photo ID. If you moved to a different county after your suspension, notify the sheriff in your new county that your license has been reinstated. Pennsylvania law requires you to report any change of address within 30 days, so do this promptly to avoid another suspension. If the judge denies your reinstatement petition, you have the right to appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. An appeal must be filed within 30 days of the denial. This is a complex legal process, and most people hire an attorney to handle an appeal. You can also petition the court again after a reasonable time has passed if circumstances have changed — for example, if additional time has passed since your conviction or if new evidence shows the disqualifying condition no longer applies. Some disqualifications are permanent under Pennsylvania or federal law. For example, a felony conviction can never be removed from your record unless it is expunged or pardoned. If your disqualification is permanent and cannot be expunged, reinstatement will not be possible unless you obtain a pardon from the Governor or the President (for federal convictions). Do not assume your license will be automatically reinstated once time passes or a condition changes. Pennsylvania does not have an automatic reinstatement process. You must actively petition the court. Do not file your petition in the wrong county. File in the county where you currently live, not where you originally obtained the license or where the suspension occurred. Do not submit incomplete documentation. The court will not grant reinstatement based on your word alone that a disqualifying condition no longer applies. Bring official documents: court orders, expungement certificates, medical letters, or termination notices. Do not miss the 30-day important date to report an address change to the sheriff. If you move, notify the sheriff when ready to avoid an additional suspension on top of any existing one. There is no set state timeline. Most counties issue a decision within 30 to 90 days, but some take longer depending on the court's schedule and the complexity of your case. Contact the Prothonotary's Office in your county to ask about typical wait times in your area. No, you can file the petition yourself. However, if your case is complex — for example, if you are appealing a denial or if the disqualifying condition is unclear — an attorney can improve your chances. Many county bar associations offer referrals to attorneys who handle firearms cases. You must still petition the Pennsylvania court in the county where you last lived in Pennsylvania. If you have moved out of state permanently, you can file the petition by mail or hire a Pennsylvania attorney to file on your behalf. Once reinstated, your Pennsylvania license is valid, though you should check the laws of your new state regarding reciprocity. No. Your license remains suspended until the court issues a written order granting reinstatement. Carrying a firearm while suspended is a crime in Pennsylvania. Wait for the court's approval before carrying. Bring a certified copy of the court order showing the Protection from Abuse order has been terminated or has expired. The court will review this and typically grant reinstatement if no other disqualifying condition applies. File your petition promptly after the order expires to restore your rights as soon as possible.Key Takeaways
Reasons your Pennsylvania concealed carry license can be suspended or revoked
Steps to petition the court for reinstatement
What documents you need to bring or submit
Document Type When You Need It Where to Get It Proof of expungement or pardon If suspended due to a conviction Court Clerk's Office (Prothonotary) in the county where you were convicted, or Pennsylvania Board of Pardons Proof that PFA order is terminated If suspended due to a Protection from Abuse order Court Clerk's Office in the county that issued the order Mental health clearance letter If suspended due to mental health commitment Your treating psychiatrist or mental health provider, or the hospital/facility that held the commitment Proof of address change If suspended for failure to report address change Utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement in your name Copy of original suspension or revocation notice Always helpful Your personal records, or request from the sheriff's office in the county where you originally obtained the license After the court approves your reinstatement petition
If the court denies your petition
Common mistakes to avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a decision on my reinstatement petition?
Do I need a lawyer to file a reinstatement petition?
What if I moved to a different state after my license was suspended?
Can I carry a firearm while my reinstatement petition is pending?
What if my suspension was due to a domestic violence order that has now expired?