A Concealed Carry Permit
Ala. Code § 13A-11-75 — a permit from the county sheriff at 19, for one year, five years or life, decided within 30 days
An Alabama resident 19 or older, or 18 or older and a service member or veteran, may apply to the sheriff of the county of residence for a concealed carry permit good for one year or five years. A permit holder may apply for a lifetime permit, and the sheriff may first want a valid permit held for up to five consecutive years.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
- The sheriff runs a background check and approves or denies within 30 days of a completed application.
- A denial comes at once in writing, with the specific reasons, and a denial for public safety explains the reasoning.
- A denial, a revocation or a listing in the state's prohibited person database can be appealed to the district court of the county of residence, where the sheriff has to prove the case by clear and convincing evidence, and the court rules in writing within 30 days.
| Permit | Fee where no local law sets one |
|---|---|
| PermitOne year | Fee where no local law sets one$25 |
| PermitFive years | Fee where no local law sets one$125 |
| PermitLifetime | Fee where no local law sets one$300, or $150 at 60 or older |
| PermitService members, veterans and law enforcement | Fee where no local law sets oneNo fee |
The permit covers a pistol in a motor vehicle or concealed on the holder's person anywhere in the state unless a law says otherwise, and the section places no condition on carrying a pistol that is not in a vehicle or not concealed. A holder who moves reports the new address to the sheriff within 30 days.
Sources for this section (1)
- Ala. Code § 13A-11-75 — Permit to Carry Pistol in Vehicle or Concealed on Person - Issuance; Fee; Revocation; Release of Information
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.