National Firearms Act (NFA)

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Answers to some common questions related to what is the Nation Firearms Act (NFA) including the definition, clarification and application of the Act, as well as which form(s) to use in order to apply for a tax stamp.

Who may qualify as a certifying official on an ATF Form 1 or ATF Form 4 for the making or transfer of an NFA firearm?

Do parts or kits that convert firearms into machine guns need to be registered under the NFA?

Does a licensee that engages in both manufacturing and importing need to pay a separate NFA tax for each activity?

Are there any exemptions from the making or transfer tax provisions of the NFA?

May a private citizen register a firearm not previously registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record?

What is the tax on the transfer of an NFA firearm?

Which firearms are regulated under the NFA?

How long does it take to process an NFA paper form or eForm?

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Answers to some common questions related to what is the Nation Firearms Act (NFA) including the definition, clarification and application of the Act, as well as which form(s) to use in order to apply for a tax stamp.

Processing Q&As

Has NFA Division implemented processing changes to reduce the number of pending applications?

Are NFA applications processed in a “first in, first out” basis?

What does NFA Division mean when it says there are application “swim lanes”?

My NFA application is submitted, but my background check has not been sent to FBI-NICS, why?

I submitted my NFA application the same time as my friend/family member/etc. and his or her NFA application was processed before mine, why?

What can I do to make sure my background check is processed timely and accurately?

My background check is currently in a “pending” status with FBI-NICS, can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

My background check is currently in a “delayed” status with FBI-NICS, can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

My background check is currently in an “open” status with FBI-NICS, can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

FBI-NICS responded to my background check with a “proceed,” can NFA Division approve my NFA application?

My background check is pending with FBI-NICS, is there anything I can do to speed up the review process?

If I have more than one application pending, will NFA Division process the applications at the same time?

Is bundling available for trusts?

Why do trust applications take longer to process than individual applications?

What is the 24-month exemption to providing the trust document?

I use a simple trust template with only a single responsible person, will my application be processed as quickly as an individual?

Are there other factors other than the review process that result in longer processing times for trusts?