Illinois has specific rules and regulations on gun possession and purchase. A FOID card is required to own and purchase firearms or ammunition. It is also prohibited to deliberately transfer firearms to someone without FOID. In this passage, we are going to talk about who and how to get a FOID card.
What Is a FOID Card
FOID card is the abbreviation of Firearm Owners Identification Card, also called a gun card. It was born in 1986 and is issued by the Illinois State of Police (ISP). This card carries basic personal information and a head-and-shoulder photo.
Illinois FOID Card Requirements
As a controlled permit, this card is not available to everyone. Let’s see who is eligible for the FOID card application.
- age limit: 21 years old and above. Applicants under 21 must gain written permission from their parents or legal guardians who should also be permitted to get a FOID card.
- Citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
- not enter the United States with non-immigrant visa
- no conviction of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor under the law of Illinois or any other jurisdiction.
- no adjudication of mental defective.
- no treatment history in mental health facilities in the last 5 years.
- not intellectually or developmentally disabled.
- not using or addicted to drugs or narcotics violating federal or state law in the past year.
- not under constrictions of existing No Contact/No Stalking Order or Order of Protection.
- no conviction of battery, assault, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, illegally using or possessing a firearm or similar offenses in the last 5 years.
- no conviction of domestic violence offense or similar.
- not fail drug tests due to drugs without prescriptions in the last 1 year..
- not being discharged from the Armed Forces in dishonorable conditions.
- not fugitives.
FOID Card Exemptions
Applicants under the following conditions can be exempted from the Illinois FOID card requirements.
- Federal Officials and Law Enforcement Officers who are on duty.
- Active-duty military personnel who are on duty.
- Non-residents of Illinois with eligibility to own firearms in their state of residency
- Certain non-resident Hunters.
- Ceremonial activities organized by certain veterans
- Collectors of Antique firearms (must be determined by the state police).
- Please contact Illinois State Police Firearm Services Bureau to further confirm your eligibility and exemptions.
How To Get a FOID Card
There are two ways to apply for a Firearm Owners Identification Card: online or by phone/mail. Here are what you should prepare:
- proof of identity, such as State ID cards or valid driving licenses
- ID photo taken within the last 30 days
- credit card or electronic check (application fee: $10)
FOID Card Application Online
In order to apply for an Illinois FOID card, please follow the instructions below.
- Step 1: Create an account.
You have to sign up for the Illinois State Police website. Note down the user name and password which would be used to track the application status, Concealed Carry License (CCL) application, and FOID/CCL renewal.
- Step 2: Complete the application form.
Then you will be asked to provide personal information and answer questions for the background check, such as name, address, date of birth, history of criminals and drug use and mental health conditions.
- Step 3: Fulfill payment.
Next, enter your credit card information to pay the application fee online. It cost $10 for each person. You can also pay through e-checks, but not cash, check or money orders.
FOID Card Application by Phone/Mail
This is the alternative for applicants who have no access to the Internet or customer service kiosks due to disabilities or religious exemptions. You can call (217) 782-7980 to get a paper application form. Proof of disability must be offered along with proof of ID, FOID card photo and payment receipt.
Examples of proof of disability could be documentation from the following organizations or individuals:
- Social Security Administration
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
- U.S. Department of Defense
- authorized insurance institutions that offer disability insurance
- licensed physician or healthcare providers
FOID Card Renewal
A firearm owner’s identification card is valid for ten years. Since Jan. 1st, 2022, the expiration date will no longer be printed on the FOID card. The state police would notify you of the renewal 180 days (about 6 months) before it expires. Cardholders must take care of it and renew it in time. Additionally, you can visit the state police website and check the expiration date at any time or set an alarm in your digital calendar.
The renewal process is quite simple. If you have a CCL, whenever you update your CCL which has a 5-year validity, your FOID will be also automatically renewed. If not, you can also enjoy auto-renewal by offering fingerprints. In this case, your FOID would be reset and renewed when purchasing firearms or ammunition.
In the event of no access to auto-renewal, you can also renew it manually by visiting the ISP portal or the self-service kiosks at the following 4 locations after receiving the notification.
- Troop 3/District 5, Lockport
- Troop 6/District 9, Springfield
- Troop 8/District 11, Collinsville
- Troop 10/District 13, Du Quoin
Make FOID Card Photos at Home
As the application and renewal process can be done online, people might be reluctant to waste time in a photography studio.
“Can I take my own FOID card photo without leaving my home?”
The answer is yes, but don’t submit a selfie or scan the photo on your driver’s license or ID card.
To make a qualified photo at home, you should get acquainted with the photo requirements and use online photo editors to adjust it.
Photo Requirements for FOID Card
- Size: 1.25 in. (width) × 1.5 in (height)
- Background: white, plain, smooth and non-textured.
- Resolution: 600 dpi or higher.
- Photo quality: clear and sharp.
- The photo must be colored and taken within the last 30 days.
- The whole face must be visible and evenly lit without any obstructions and shadows. That is to say, you should take the photo in a well-lit place and face the light source. Natural light is recommended.
- Keep your head in the center and no tilting.
- Keep a facial expression, don’t smile, laugh or make faces.
- Eyes must be visible, so sunglasses are not allowed. In order to guarantee approval, we highly recommend you take off your eyeglasses. If you do have to wear it, please make sure it has clear lenses and does not cast shadows, or reflect lights.
- Head coverings are not allowed unless for religious reasons. In no case, any part of your face is covered.
How to Get FOID Card Photos Online?
After taking a shot, you can upload it on AiPassportPhotos and let the AI tool do the remaining work, including compliance check, cropping and background replacement. The whole process takes only a few minutes and requires no complex manual editing or parameter setting. It provides digital or printable versions, suitable for either online or paper FOID card applications. This FOID photo generator works 24/7. You no longer need to spare time for a professional photographer’s studios or physical stores during their opening hours. Moreover, compared with the high expense of offline photography services, AiPassportPhotos charges as few as cents for each shot while new users might get free trials.
FAQs: Firearm Owners Identification Card
Q: How long does it take to get my FOID card?
A: It takes up to 30 days to deal with new FOID card applications and 60 business days at most for renewal.
Q: How much does it cost to apply for an Illinois FOID card?
A: $10. If you pay by credit/debit card, you would be charged an extra service fee of 2.25% or min. $1. ISP uses an e-Pay system, so cash checks and money orders are not allowed.
Q: What if my FOID Card is damaged, lost or stolen?
A: Replace it on the ISP Firearms Services Bureau website. You can also report the loss and theft on this website.
Q: How much does it cost to replace my FOID Card?
A: $5 for replacement and $1 for ePay service fee if paid by credit or debit cards.
Q: Can I change my name or address on the FOID Card?
A: Yes. Log into the ISP Firearms Services Bureau website and choose “EDIT NAME/ADDRESS.”
Q: Will name or address change request charge any fee?
A: Yes, it costs $5 and a $1 e-Pay service fee for credit or debit cards.
Q: What if my FOID card application is not approved?
A: You can appeal by mail. Send your appeal request to the Firearms Services Bureau at:
Illinois State Police, Firearms Services Bureau 400-M
Attn: Appeals
801 S. Seventh St.
Springfield, IL 62703
Q: Can I cancel my FOID Card?
A: Yes. Mail your card back to the Firearms Services Bureau at the following address, attached with a note saying the purpose of cancelation and why.
Illinois State Police, Firearms Services Bureau 400-M
Attn: Appeals
801 S. Seventh St.
Springfield, IL 62703
Leave your number on the note so they can contact you.
Summary
Now you have learned detailed information about Firearm Owners Identification Card. In a word, if you want to apply for Illinois FOID card, you should decide whether you are eligible to apply for this gun card, prepare all required documents and submit the application either online or by phone. Pay attention to the validity time and renew it 180 days before expiration. Don’t hesitate to use AiPassportPhotos when taking photos at home. Always remember not to keep firearms without FOID card or with an expired one.
Dolores Xiao