PAL Renewal in Canada: How to Renew Your Firearms Licence
Quick Answer: A Canadian Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) is valid for five years and must be renewed before it expires. The RCMP sends a reminder notice ahead of your expiry date. If your PAL lapses, you must legally dispose of any firearms you own until you hold a valid licence again.
PAL timelines usually stretch when CFSC proof, references, or CFO follow-up are incomplete — not because of the 28-day waiting period alone. Submit a complete application and answer CFO requests promptly.
Across Canada, there are 2,352,504 valid firearms licences as of 2023, according to Canadian Firearms Program records. Every one of them expires in five years. PAL renewal is not automatic — you must act before the expiry date printed on your card.
Here is what official Canadian Firearms Program documentation confirms about PAL renewal in Canada. Pour les informations en français, consultez notre guide sur le renouvellement du permis d’armes à feu au Canada.
When Does a PAL Expire?
A Possession and Acquisition Licence is valid for five years from the date of issue. Your expiry date appears on the front of your licence card.
The RCMP sends a reminder notice before your PAL expires. That notice is a prompt, not a guarantee. Track your own expiry date and start the renewal process well in advance of it.
What Happens If Your PAL Expires?
If your PAL lapses before you renew it, you must legally dispose of any firearms in your possession. That is a direct requirement under Canadian firearms law, according to Canadian Firearms Program documentation.
The Alberta Chief Firearms Office notes a 6-month grace period that applies to certain owners of OIC-prohibited firearms under amnesty orders. This does not apply to general PAL renewals. The safest approach is to renew before your licence expires, not after.
A PAL can also be revoked if you are convicted of certain offences, according to the Canadian Firearms Program. The same disposal requirement applies in that case.
PAL Renewal Fees
The renewal fee matches the initial application fee:
- Non-restricted PAL renewal: $60
- Restricted PAL (RPAL) renewal: $80
Fees adjust each year. Confirm current amounts at rcmp.ca/en/firearms/licensing before submitting your renewal.
How to Renew Your PAL Online
The Canadian Firearms Program offers online services through the MyCFP portal. You sign in using GCKey or a bank sign-in partner — accepted partners include RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, Tangerine, and others.
For questions about your specific renewal or to confirm what documents you need, contact the Canadian Firearms Program contact centre at 1-800-731-4000. Licence-related issues including address changes and authorizations are handled by the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) in your province or territory.
How Long Does PAL Renewal Take?
Processing times vary. Build in extra time and submit your renewal well before your expiry date to avoid any gap in your licence.
PAL Renewal vs. a First-Time Application
A renewal does not require you to retake the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). Your existing certificate stays valid. Paper renewals use our RCMP 5614 renewal form walkthrough when you submit Form RCMP 5614. The renewal updates your licence — it is not a new application from scratch.
If you are applying for the first time, see our guide on how to get a gun license in Ontario for the full step-by-step process. For the full PAL walkthrough, see our Canada firearms licence guide.
PAL renewal applications that get delayed almost always stall on documentation gaps, not because the applicant missed the window. Renewals submitted six to eight weeks before expiry with complete referees, current address history, and any required follow-up documents consistently clear faster than last-minute submissions. The system isn’t slow by default — it’s slow when it has to chase information.
The RCMP sends a reminder notice as a courtesy, but it is your legal responsibility to renew before expiry. If that notice arrives late or goes to an old address, a lapsed PAL means you must legally dispose of any firearms in your possession until a new licence is issued. Start the renewal process at least three months before your card expires.
PAL renewal does not require a new CFSC. Your original certificate remains valid. The renewal process updates the licence on file. The only circumstance in which additional documentation might be required is if your licence lapsed for an extended period and the Chief Firearms Officer in your province requested fresh materials as part of a reinstatement process — which is not a standard renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Five years from the date of issue. The expiry date is printed on the front of your licence card.
You must legally dispose of any firearms in your possession until your licence is renewed.
$60 for a non-restricted PAL and $80 for a restricted PAL. Fees adjust annually — confirm current amounts before submitting.
Yes, through the MyCFP portal using GCKey or a bank sign-in partner such as RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, or CIBC.
Sources:
Canadian Firearms Program | RCMP
