Every time you buy a firearm from a licensed dealer, you fill out ATF Form 4473. This federal document is required for all FFL transfers and determines whether you can legally purchase a gun. Understanding the form beforehand helps you avoid mistakes and complete your transfer without delays.
What Is ATF Form 4473?
ATF Form 4473, officially called the "Firearms Transaction Record," is a federal form that every buyer must complete when purchasing a firearm from a licensed FFL dealer. The form collects your personal information and asks eligibility questions to determine if you are legally permitted to possess firearms under federal law.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) created this form to:
- Verify the buyer's identity
- Confirm the buyer is not a "prohibited person" under federal law
- Create a record of the transaction for the dealer's files
- Provide information for the NICS background check
The current version of Form 4473 was revised in August 2023, reorganizing questions and updating language to improve clarity.
When Is Form 4473 Required?
You must complete Form 4473 for:
- Any firearm purchase from a licensed dealer (gun store, sporting goods store, pawn shop)
- Online firearm purchases transferred through an FFL
- Private sales that go through an FFL (required in some states)
- Any interstate firearm transfer
Form 4473 is not required for private sales between residents of the same state where state law permits such sales without an FFL.
What's on Form 4473?
The form is divided into sections. You complete Sections A and B; the dealer completes the rest.
Section A: Buyer Information
This section collects your personal information:
- Full legal name (must match your ID exactly)
- Current residential address (P.O. boxes not accepted)
- Place and date of birth
- Height, weight, sex
- Social Security Number (optional but recommended for faster background checks)
- Ethnicity and race (required by ATF for statistical purposes)
- State of residence and citizenship status
Section B: Eligibility Questions (Question 21)
Section B contains the critical eligibility questions that determine whether you can legally purchase a firearm. These are the yes/no questions in Question 21 that the dealer uses to verify you are not a "prohibited person."
Question 21.a: Are You the Actual Buyer?
The first question asks if you are the "actual transferee/buyer" of the firearm. This is designed to prevent "straw purchases," where someone buys a gun on behalf of another person who cannot legally purchase it themselves.
You should answer "Yes" if:
- You are buying the firearm for yourself
- You are buying it as a legitimate gift (you are still the actual buyer)
You should answer "No" if:
- Someone gave you money to buy a gun for them
- You are purchasing for someone who cannot pass a background check
Answering "No" to this question stops the transaction. Lying is a federal felony.
Questions 21.b through 21.n: Prohibited Person Categories
The remaining questions determine if you fall into any category that prohibits you from possessing firearms under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Answering "Yes" to any of these (except where noted) disqualifies you from purchasing.
| Question | What It Asks | Disqualifying Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 21.c | Convicted of a felony or crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment | Yes |
| 21.d | Fugitive from justice | Yes |
| 21.e | Unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances (including marijuana) | Yes |
| 21.f | Adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution | Yes |
| 21.g | Discharged from Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions | Yes |
| 21.h | Convicted of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence | Yes |
| 21.i | Subject to a qualifying domestic violence restraining order | Yes |
| 21.j | Renounced United States citizenship | Yes |
| 21.k | Alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States | Yes |
| 21.m | Nonimmigrant visa holder (with exceptions) | Yes (unless exception applies) |
Important Note on Question 21.e (Drug Use)
This question asks about controlled substance use, including marijuana. Even if marijuana is legal in your state, it remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. Answering "Yes" disqualifies you. Answering "No" when you are a current user is a federal crime.
The ATF defines "unlawful user" as someone who has used controlled substances recently enough to indicate ongoing use. There is no bright-line rule, but recent or regular use qualifies.
Section C: Your Certification and Signature
After completing Sections A and B, you sign and date the form, certifying that all answers are true and correct. Your signature acknowledges that you understand the questions and that false answers are a federal crime.
Sections D and E: Dealer Information
The FFL dealer completes the remaining sections after verifying your ID, recording the firearm information (make, model, serial number), and conducting the background check.
Common Form 4473 Mistakes
The ATF reports that certain questions cause the most errors. Avoiding these mistakes prevents delays in your transfer.
Top Errors That Delay Transfers
- Address mismatch: The address on your ID must match what you write on the form. If your ID shows an old address, bring proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, bank statement).
- Race/ethnicity questions (10.a and 10.b): These are two separate questions. Ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino or not) is different from race. Both must be completed.
- Actual buyer question (21.a): People buying legitimate gifts sometimes incorrectly answer "No." If you are purchasing and you decide who gets the gun, you are the actual buyer, even if it is a gift.
- Missing fields: Leaving any required field blank makes the form incomplete. The dealer cannot proceed until everything is filled in.
- Illegible handwriting: Print clearly. If the dealer or NICS cannot read your information, it causes delays.
How Dealers Correct Errors
If you make a mistake, the proper correction method is to draw a single line through the error, write the correct information nearby, and initial and date the correction. Dealers are not allowed to use correction fluid or erasers.
What Happens After You Complete the Form?
After you sign Form 4473, the dealer:
- Verifies your government-issued photo ID
- Records the firearm information on the form
- Submits your information to the NICS background check system
- Receives a response: Proceed, Delay, or Denied
- Completes the transfer if approved (subject to any state waiting period)
Learn more about what happens next in our FFL transfer process guide.
How Long Are Form 4473 Records Kept?
FFLs must retain all Form 4473 records for the life of their business. This rule changed in 2022 when the ATF extended the retention period from 20 years to permanent retention.
Key points about record retention:
- All 4473s are kept permanently: Approved, denied, and cancelled transactions
- Storage location: Forms must be kept at the business premises and accessible for ATF inspection
- Electronic storage: FFLs may store forms electronically if they meet ATF requirements (ATF Ruling 2022-01)
- When a dealer closes: All records transfer to the ATF
This means a record of your firearm purchase exists permanently at the dealer who transferred it to you (or at the ATF if that dealer closes).
Penalties for Lying on Form 4473
Making false statements on Form 4473 is a serious federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6).
Penalties include:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison
- Fines up to $250,000
- Permanent loss of firearm rights (becoming a prohibited person)
- Potential state charges depending on jurisdiction
Even if you would have passed the background check, lying on the form is still a federal felony. If you are unsure how to answer a question, ask the dealer for clarification or consult an attorney before completing the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my Social Security card?
No. You need to know your Social Security Number, but providing it on Form 4473 is optional. However, including it speeds up the background check process and reduces delays caused by common names.
What if my ID address does not match my current address?
Bring a second document showing your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, bank statement, or vehicle registration. The dealer will note this on the form.
Can I take the form home to fill out?
No. Form 4473 must be completed at the FFL's premises in the dealer's presence. The dealer needs to verify your ID and witness your signature.
What if I have an old arrest that was dismissed?
Dismissed charges generally do not make you a prohibited person, but the records may still appear in NICS and cause a delay. If you are unsure about your eligibility, consult an attorney before attempting a purchase.
How long does filling out Form 4473 take?
The form itself takes 5-10 minutes for most people. The entire transfer process, including the background check, typically takes 15-30 minutes if everything goes smoothly.
Is Form 4473 the same in every state?
Yes. Form 4473 is a federal form that is identical nationwide. However, some states have additional forms or requirements on top of the federal form. Your local FFL dealer will guide you through any state-specific requirements.
Ready to Complete Your Purchase?
Now that you understand Form 4473, find an FFL dealer to complete your transfer. Our directory lists licensed dealers across all 50 states with contact information and addresses.