Derbyshire Police Firearms Licensing
Derbyshire Police Firearms Licensing
Firearms licensing information, waiting times, inspection guidance and application resources
Looking for current Derbyshire Police firearms licensing waiting times, contact details or application guidance? This page combines official licensing information with Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained directly from Derbyshire Constabulary to help shotgun and firearm certificate applicants understand current processing times, application requirements and what to expect during the licensing process.
Contact Details & General Info
GP Medical Assessments
Recent Comments & Feedback
Current Waiting Times
FAQ's
Derbyshire Firearms Licensing Information
Derbyshire Constabulary Firearms Licensing is responsible for administering shotgun certificate and firearm certificate applications, renewals and variations for residents living within the Derbyshire police force area. Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online shows the force was responsible for approximately 10,541 shotgun certificate holders and 3,224 firearm certificate holders as of June 2026. Derbyshire is home to a strong shooting community, with applicants ranging from gamekeepers and pest controllers to clay shooters and target shooters. The force area covers Derby, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Swadlincote, Buxton and much of the Peak District National Park, with popular shooting destinations including the well-known Doveridge Clay Sports Centre and numerous driven pheasant, partridge and mixed game shoots found throughout the Derbyshire countryside.
- 10,541 current shotgun certificate holders
- 3,224 current Firearm certificate holders
General Applicant Information
Derbyshire Constabulary accepts both online and postal applications for shotgun certificates, firearm certificates, renewals and certificate variations. However, applicants are encouraged to use the online application system wherever possible, as payment is taken during the application process and a confirmation receipt is issued immediately for your records. This can be particularly useful when tracking an application or referring back to submission details at a later date. While postal applications remain available, applicants should ensure the correct forms and payment methods are used before submitting any paperwork. Derbyshire also publishes a dedicated firearms licensing telephone number for enquiries, although specific opening hours are not currently advertised. Firearms licensing services within Derbyshire are delivered through a collaborative arrangement with West Midlands Police, with both forces working together to administer applications, renewals, variations and licensing enquiries across their respective force areas.
- Online application system in use
- Postal applications are accepted but may be processed slower
- Telephone number available but no published times of opening
GP Medical Assessments
Derbyshire Police requires medical information as part of both new applications and certificate renewals. Applicants must disclose any relevant medical conditions and, in some cases, conditions such as depression, anxiety, neurological disorders, alcohol dependency or other health concerns may require further assessment before a decision can be made. As the medical proforma is often one of the slower parts of the firearms licensing process, applicants are encouraged to arrange this as early as possible to help avoid unnecessary delays. To assist Derbyshire applicants, we’ve compiled a list of known firearms medical providers that may be able to help obtain the necessary medical information required by the licensing department.
- MedCert
Tel: 020 8063 4503 / medcert.co.uk - ShootCert
Tel: none-provided / shootcert.co.uk - Firearms Medicals
Tel: 0333 0153 611 / firearmsmedicals.co.uk
Previous and Current Applicant Reports
Derbyshire applicants generally report positive experiences with the firearms licensing team, with many describing staff as helpful, professional and approachable when dealing with applications, renewals and enquiries. Publicly available feedback suggests communication is often viewed favourably, particularly when applicants need advice or clarification during the licensing process. As with most police forces, some applicants report delays during periods of high demand, particularly where medical information or additional checks are required. Overall, recent feedback indicates that Derbyshire Police Firearms Licensing is regarded positively by many certificate holders, although individual experiences may vary depending on application type and workload at the time of submission.
“Always Been Really Good To Deal With”
Firearm Certificate Holder
The Stalking Directory (2023)
“Helpful Staff And Clear Communication”
Shotgun Certificate Holder
Pigeon Watch Forum (2024)
“Processing Times Can Vary By Application Type”
Renewal Applicant
The Stalking Directory (2024)
Current Waiting Times
One of the most common questions applicants ask is how long Derbyshire Police takes to process shotgun certificate and firearm certificate applications. The figures below show the latest waiting times for new applications, renewals and variations based on information provided directly by Derbyshire Constabulary in response to our Freedom of Information request. With new shotgun certificate applications currently taking around 32 days and new firearm certificate applications around 38 days, Derbyshire is processing many applications significantly faster than applicants may expect. While individual applications can take longer or shorter depending on circumstances, these figures provide a useful indication of current firearms licensing processing times within the Derbyshire police force area.
| Application Type | Response | Average Time to Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun Certificate (New Grant) | June 2026 | 32 days |
| Firearm Certificate FAC – (New Grant) | June 2026 | 38 days |
| Shotgun Certificate (Renewal) | June 2026 | 51 days |
| Firearm Certificate FAC (Renewal) | June 2026 | 51 days |
| Variation | June 2026 | 7 days |
National Licensing Context
Firearms licensing departments nationally are responsible for more than 627,000 firearm and shotgun certificates. During the year ending March 2025, police forces processed more than 23,000 new applications and over 66,000 renewals, highlighting the significant workload managed by firearms licensing teams nationally.
How does Derbyshire Police compare with other firearms licensing departments across England and Wales? With more than 13,700 shotgun and firearm certificate holders across the force area, Derbyshire Police oversees one of the larger firearms licensing communities in England and Wales. The figures below combine official Home Office firearms licensing statistics with Freedom of Information data obtained by Gun Cabinets Online to compare local processing times against national averages and police force rankings.
84 days
Shotgun Grant
(National Average)
Xth of 45
National Ranking
Shotgun Grant Time
84 days
Firearm Grant
(National Average)
Xth of 45
National Ranking
Firearm Grant Time
Inspection Coming Up? Get Ready Before the Visit
Having suitable firearm security in place before your inspection can help the process go smoothly. Whether you’re applying for a shotgun certificate or firearm certificate, having a compliant gun cabinet installed and ready for inspection can help avoid unnecessary delays. Below are some of our most popular police-approved gun cabinets and fixing kits chosen by applicants preparing for a firearms security inspection.
-
10+ Gun Capacity Gun Cabinets, Electronic Gun Cabinets, Gun Cabinets, HuntGuard Gun Cabinets
HuntGuard Highlander 10 Gun
Original price was: £829.99.£629.99Current price is: £629.99.There is no AI review summary. -
1-3 Gun Capacity Gun Cabinets, Budget Gun Cabinets, Gun Cabinets, HuntGuard Gun Cabinets, Key Access Gun Cabinets
HuntGuard Rangemore 3 Gun
£189.99There is no AI review summary. -
4-9 Gun Capacity Gun Cabinets, Budget Gun Cabinets, Gun Cabinets, HuntGuard Gun Cabinets, Key Access Gun Cabinets
HuntGuard Rangemore 5 Gun
£299.99There is no AI review summary. -
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Derbyshire Police accepts both online and postal applications for shotgun certificates, firearm certificates, renewals and certificate variations. However, applicants are encouraged to use the online application system wherever possible, as payment is made during the application process and a confirmation receipt is issued immediately for your records. Applicants choosing to apply by post should ensure they use the correct forms and payment method before submitting their application.
According to information provided directly by Derbyshire Police in response to our Freedom of Information request, new shotgun certificate applications are currently taking approximately 32 days to process. Individual applications can take longer or shorter depending on circumstances, but this provides a useful indication of current processing times within the Derbyshire police force area.
The waiting times shown on this page are averages and some applications will inevitably take longer than others. Delays can occur where medical information is outstanding, additional enquiries are required or demand temporarily increases. If you have not received an update for some time, contacting the licensing team may help clarify the current status of your application. If you submitted your application through the online portal, you should also be able to track the current status.
Applicants should ensure suitable firearm security is purchased, installed and ready before an inspection is arranged. Having a compliant gun cabinet securely fixed to the fabric of the building can help avoid delays and allows the firearms enquiry officer to assess your security arrangements during the visit.
Possibly, but applicants should ensure any cabinet they purchase meets at least BS 7558:1992, the recognised British Standard for gun cabinets. With very low-cost cabinets, it is not always possible to verify build quality, security features or compliance until the cabinet arrives and is inspected. If a cabinet is found to be unsuitable, it will need to be replaced before a certificate can be granted. At Gun Cabinets Online, all of our gun cabinets meet BS 7558:1992, with many models significantly exceeding the standard. You’re also covered by our Police Approved Guarantee, providing additional peace of mind when preparing for a firearms security inspection.
The waiting times shown on this page were provided directly by Derbyshire Constabulary in response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Gun Cabinets Online. As part of a nationwide firearms licensing research project, our team has spent hundreds of hours submitting FOI requests, reviewing responses and compiling a standardised dataset to help applicants better understand waiting times, processing performance and licensing trends nationally.
Helpful Guides for Applicants
Practical guides to help you prepare for your application, wait times, and inspections.
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