Up until about a week ago if you wanted a firearm license, you had to travel to Tifton or Albany for fingerprinting. Worth County Probate Judge Virginia Acord has worked since her election to acquire Sylvester, Worth County a Cogent LiveScan machine and offer that same service locally.
Not all probate courts have one but Judge Accord thought it would be a convenience to our citizens so they wouldn’t have to travel outside the county for fingerprints and it was no cost to the county.
To obtain a firearm license, you must be 21 years old and a resident of Worth County. Licenses are valid for five years and now feature a photograph of the licensee.
When you arrive at probate court, you’ll need an official form of identification, your payment of $87.75 ($35 of that must be paid in cash) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Within five days, the county probate judge will request a criminal history records check and a background check on you. Law enforcement will then conduct a background check and determine whether you can receive a license.
The application usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Available hours to apply are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. An appointment is not necessary, but is encouraged and could decrease your wait time. It takes approximately three to five weeks for the license to be issued. If the application is declined, the fees are not refundable.
For more information, you may contact the Worth County Probate Office at 229.776.8207.
