Question COE Timelines

[prestige_worldwide3]

Are COE application approval timelines just a crapshoot? The majority of threads I have seen people are getting their approvals in a day or 2. I am going on week 3 now with it being "in progress" and even received my FFL-03 already( applied at the same time)

Also emailed them to check if it was the FFL-03 holding it up but can confirm its no longer needed see below the response from COE unit: "Possessing an FFL-03 is no longer a requirement to apply as a collector for a COE".

Any insight or similar experiences would be helpful. Thanks

 

[Shellbackitup]

DOJ can’t demand you provide your FFL-03 information to them. They can’t withhold issuance of the COE if you don’t provide the FFL-03 info.

But the FFL03 is still required to have ammo shipped to you, correct?

 

[SJQ5248]

But the FFL03 is still required to have ammo shipped to you, correct?

Correct. The FFL 03 and the COE together create the exemption.

 

[SJQ5248]

Are COE application approval timelines just a crapshoot? The majority of threads I have seen people are getting their approvals in a day or 2. I am going on week 3 now with it being "in progress" and even received my FFL-03 already( applied at the same time)

Also emailed them to check if it was the FFL-03 holding it up but can confirm its no longer needed see below the response from COE unit: "Possessing an FFL-03 is no longer a requirement to apply as a collector for a COE".

Any insight or similar experiences would be helpful. Thanks

Same here. Applied for both on the 26th June. FFL came yesterday.

 

[Dvrjon]

But the FFL03 is still required to have ammo shipped to you, correct?

For reference: CA Pen 30312.

(a)(1) Commencing January 1, 2018, the sale of ammunition by any party shall be conducted by or processed through a licensed ammunition vendor.
(b) Commencing January 1, 2018, the sale, delivery, or transfer of ownership of ammunition by any party may only occur in a face-to-face transaction with the seller, deliverer, or transferor, provided, however, that ammunition may be purchased or acquired over the Internet or through other means of remote ordering if a licensed ammunition vendor initially receives the ammunition and processes the transaction in compliance with this section and Article 3

(c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) shall not apply to the sale, delivery, or transfer of ammunition to any of the following: [...]
(6) A person who is licensed as a collector of firearms pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, whose licensed premises are within this state, and who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 26710.

 

[watitdoo_]

Firearms portion in Livescan got approved and COE is active now!

 

[SJQ5248]

COE came today. Applied 26th of July.

 

[evohog]

FFL 03 + COE Timeline​

9/2/2026 FFL03 Application mailed via UPS (big mistake, ONLY MAIL USPS!!!!!)

9/4 – 9/9/2026 UPS farting around with envelop

9/10/2026 Return to sender (package refused and will be returned to sender)

9/15/2026 Package received from UPS, mailed USPS

9/22/2026 Check cleared the bank

9/22/2026 Live scan + COE submitted

10/2/2026 Received FFL03 in the mail

10/8/2026 Emailed COE requesting to add FFL03 to my application.

Received email back right away. FFL03 no longer required. Processing time can take up to 8 weeks

10/9/2026 COE was issued when I woke up.

 

[ditchundertook]

I had FFL-03 + COE come in recently. About 1 week for the FFL center to cash the check, 2 weeks for the license to show up. COE showed up the same time (~3 weeks) and CA didn't ask about my FFL number.

 

[sjx916]

I got live scan done on 9/21, submitted COE app same day and was issued 10/6. FFL03 done same day and received this week 10/12.

 

[teammaxpower]

For those of you who received your initial COE recently, did they notify you via email once it was approved or did you just check compulsively every day until it appeared in your CFARS online dashboard?

 

[mcnaugcl]

For those of you who received your initial COE recently, did they notify you via email once it was approved or did you just check compulsively every day until it appeared in your CFARS online dashboard?

I randomly checked around 24 hours after I filed and it was complete. I had already placed my first order before I got notified.

 

[sjx916]

For those of you who received your initial COE recently, did they notify you via email once it was approved or did you just check compulsively every day until it appeared in your CFARS online dashboard?

I received an email that there was an update to my application

 

[teammaxpower]

In case anyone is interested in the timeline, I applied for the initial COE on 10/2, the same day I completed the LiveScan. I have not received any email notification, but I have been logging in to the CFARS every day to check status. It was finally updated today (10/22) confirming that COE was issued and available for download. Twenty days from start to finish, better than I expected based on the 4-8 weeks projected according to DOJ's website.

 

[Dvrjon]

Just a reminder for those of you new to this and to those not thinking about it.....

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for 60 days prior to the expiration date. On the 59th day, you will be able to initiate your renewal (If you try on the 60th day, it will block the action). By renewing early, you don't lose any time on your COE. The renewed COE will bear the same expiry date one year after your current expiration. But, if you look at the CFARS system, you will see that the system records your expiration date as an add-on to the current duration, exceeding 365 days. Although you can't use it until the issuance date on the COE, you don't lose any time on the current COE.

Example:

 

[teammaxpower]

Just a reminder for those of you new to this and to those not thinking about it.....

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for 60 days prior to the expiration date. On the 59th day, you will be able to initiate your renewal (If you try on the 60th day, it will block the action). By renewing early, you don't lose any time on your COE. The renewed COE will bear the same expiry date one year after your current expiration. But, if you look at the CFARS system, you will see that the system records your expiration date as an add-on to the current duration, exceeding 365 days. Although you can't use it until the issuance date on the COE, you don't lose any time on the current COE.

Example:

View attachment 268998

Thank you for that insight, I appreciate it very much. I will calendar a reminder for myself on -59 days from expiration.