Permit guides › Virginia
Virginia concealed carry permit guide
Permit required Last verified November 1, 2026
Not legal advice. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Carry laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every requirement with the issuing agency before you apply or carry.
Permitless (constitutional) carry
No. A permit is required for concealed handgun carry.
Permit types
- Resident concealed handgun permit
- Non-resident concealed handgun permit
Issuing agency and how to apply
Circuit court (residents); Virginia State Police (non-residents)
Residents apply to their circuit court; non-residents apply to Virginia State Police.
Eligibility and minimum age
- Minimum age
- 21
- Eligibility
- Check with Circuit court (residents); Virginia State Police (non-residents)
Fees
- Resident (new)
- Up to $50
- Non-resident (new)
- $100
- Renewal
- Check with Circuit court (residents); Virginia State Police (non-residents)
Training requirements
Demonstrated handgun competence (Va. Code 18.2-308.02).
Processing time, validity and renewal
- Processing time
- Circuit court decides within 45 days
- Valid for
- 5 years
Non-resident permits
Available to non-residents. Issued by Virginia State Police.
Reciprocity
Virginia currently recognizes valid out-of-state permits for holders 21+; narrower rules take effect July 1, 2027.
Sources
- vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/resident-concealed-handgun-permits/
- vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/nonresident-concealed-handgun-permits/
- law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter7/section18.2-308.03/
- law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter7/section18.2-308.02/
- vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/reciprocity-and-recognition/
Last verified November 1, 2026. Where a field says "Check with", we couldn't confirm it from an official source.