That's a pretty bad excuse, it would be nice to know what's going on with yours. Hopefully nothing bad. I did read somewhere that one guys was held up cause of a Dog at Large warrant... Is it possible they found something like that from a long time ago? Who knows eh
Shorten PAL Approval Times
- Thread starter calalta
- Start date
That's a pretty bad excuse, it would be nice to know what's going on with yours. Hopefully nothing bad. I did read somewhere that one guys was held up cause of a Dog at Large warrant... Is it possible they found something like that from a long time ago? Who knows eh
My timeline for a first time RPAL application in Toronto.
March 16, 2016 - Application received by RCMP
April 05, 2016 - Card charged (you can see the amount deducted from your remaining balance, but the charge does not appear on your statement yet)
April 05, 2016 - Appeared online
April 07, 2016 - Charge appeared on online statement
April 11, 2016 - Called in and asked if my reference can call as he is going on vacation soon. Person said after he calls in, my file would be transferred to CFO.
April 11, 2016 - Reference called in (call was 3 minutes)
April 13, 2016 - Status changed to issued
The one tip that I can offer is to download the PDF version of the application. The form has a date at the bottom left corner. The version that our course instructor gave us was like 2 years old. The latest version is Jan 29, 2016. I used that version and filled in all fields electronically and printed it. The only fields that I left blank were the signature and date sections. Those have to be in ink. If you do this, it limits the chance of them reading something wrong and you are alweays using the latest application. If they scan your application in, it will help with character recognition and eliminate errors as well.
They didn't interview my second reference, me or my partner, who is also my photo guarantor. My photo was taken at the course and I used the one picture of the 4 where I was actually laughing. My resting b!tch face, typically looks like an angry "gangster" lol. The photo was the old size, which was bigger than what the application asks for. But I had the (old) official sticker which barely fits on the back of the photo. Our instructor said they would honor those. I assume they have enough tools to shrink the picture on their end.
I used my passport number as ID and I'm over 30.
I'm only aware of 2 other people in North America with my first and last name. And the chances of them having the same middle name is basically NIL.
I would imagine that anyone who is waiting more than 45 days is waiting due to some error, their age or their name and DOB is too similar to someone with a record.
March 16, 2016 - Application received by RCMP
April 05, 2016 - Card charged (you can see the amount deducted from your remaining balance, but the charge does not appear on your statement yet)
April 05, 2016 - Appeared online
April 07, 2016 - Charge appeared on online statement
April 11, 2016 - Called in and asked if my reference can call as he is going on vacation soon. Person said after he calls in, my file would be transferred to CFO.
April 11, 2016 - Reference called in (call was 3 minutes)
April 13, 2016 - Status changed to issued
The one tip that I can offer is to download the PDF version of the application. The form has a date at the bottom left corner. The version that our course instructor gave us was like 2 years old. The latest version is Jan 29, 2016. I used that version and filled in all fields electronically and printed it. The only fields that I left blank were the signature and date sections. Those have to be in ink. If you do this, it limits the chance of them reading something wrong and you are alweays using the latest application. If they scan your application in, it will help with character recognition and eliminate errors as well.
They didn't interview my second reference, me or my partner, who is also my photo guarantor. My photo was taken at the course and I used the one picture of the 4 where I was actually laughing. My resting b!tch face, typically looks like an angry "gangster" lol. The photo was the old size, which was bigger than what the application asks for. But I had the (old) official sticker which barely fits on the back of the photo. Our instructor said they would honor those. I assume they have enough tools to shrink the picture on their end.
I used my passport number as ID and I'm over 30.
I'm only aware of 2 other people in North America with my first and last name. And the chances of them having the same middle name is basically NIL.
I would imagine that anyone who is waiting more than 45 days is waiting due to some error, their age or their name and DOB is too similar to someone with a record.
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It does indeed seem that the major issues are here with the Alberta CFO specifically (not the prior process), and filing for RPAL, Ontario seems to be on the ball, from all of our commenters here. As stated on the first post, here in Alberta it seems to be practice to delay the application as long as possible if you go the RPAL route. Having known this i would have sent in for normal PAL first and waited to get the RPAL filed after i got the normal one, but Trudeau had just gotten in and I was very afraid that the bleeding heart left would try to make it even harder to get RPAL, combine that with our NDP.... really tried to push both through as fast as possible before they change the law and make it harder, or restrict even more firearms. Apparently I was not the only one thinking this way because the Alberta office according to all of the agents I have spoken with is in their own worlds is "flooded with applications and heavily backlogged".
Would definatley suggest to anybody in Alberta to file for your PAL first, once its approved THEN file for your RPAL. It will cost you a second processing fee but at least you wont miss a full hunting season this way, once the normal PAL is issued it might even save some paperwork and delay with the RPAL (don't bet on it though as it will end up on the same CFO's desk); that is of course unless these delays are literally intentional in the sense that they delay it as long as possible hoping the law will change to prevent more legal citizens from owning a firearm in the mean time.
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I think you are right. There's probably a bit of politics going on along with a backlog due to the "gun grabber" fear in Alberta. Mandi_S did exactly what you suggested (get RPAL first in Alberta) and hers was approved in 28 days (same timeline as mine.)
You would think that RPAL applications from Toronto would take the longest of all due to the higher population, gangs, etc, but I feel as though our background checks start when we submit our course results before we send in our applications. It's what I would do if I were the CFO.
I think that politics are an issue also, I firmly believe that the NDP Gov will do all it can so that it is difficult for legal citizens to own firearms. I applied for my PAL not RPAL, not sure it that matters, I have a clean record, I did not check off any of the boxes on the application. But I do know there is a criminal in Ontario with the same name as me, I would think it should be pretty easy to find out I am not him with DOB, I have tried to find out if this is the reason for my delay but they won't give me a straight answer, one time they tell me this is a normal delay, another time they tell me the 28 day waiting period starts when it gets to the CFO and another time they just tell me I'm unlucky. It does sound like at the Alberta CFO if your name is flagged in anyway, you are in for a long wait. If there are no issues the process can be done quite quickly.
I live in Burlington, Ontario and received my approval from the time they received it to approval notification in just 4 weeks.
Here are the steps I took.
Step 1: Mailed my application via Canada ExpressPost (Signature Required)
Step 2: Registered Online to watch my application process
Step 3: I monitored my application progress online until the notes indicated my application had moved to the next phase
Step 4: Once it had been acknowledged as received and moved to the next phase I called the CFC line 1-800-731-4000 and asked if my application was missing anything that I needed to address. At that point the RCMP officer said if I want to expedite my application have one of my references call in for a short interview along with my application ID.
Step 5: I contacted my first reference and asked if he would call in and he did.
The good news is after my reference called in, I logged into my online account and saw that my application was approved
Once important point. I would do these steps in order and not try and circumvent them, otherwise it may seem presumptive to the officer handling the call.
I hope that helps.
Here are the steps I took.
Step 1: Mailed my application via Canada ExpressPost (Signature Required)
Step 2: Registered Online to watch my application process
Step 3: I monitored my application progress online until the notes indicated my application had moved to the next phase
Step 4: Once it had been acknowledged as received and moved to the next phase I called the CFC line 1-800-731-4000 and asked if my application was missing anything that I needed to address. At that point the RCMP officer said if I want to expedite my application have one of my references call in for a short interview along with my application ID.
Step 5: I contacted my first reference and asked if he would call in and he did.
The good news is after my reference called in, I logged into my online account and saw that my application was approved
Once important point. I would do these steps in order and not try and circumvent them, otherwise it may seem presumptive to the officer handling the call.
I hope that helps.
I figured I would check in here from Ontario...
03/30: Express posted PAL and RPAL application to Miramichi, NB
04/01: Received and signed for in Miramichi, NB
04/15: Still not searchable online, phoned RCMP, was told it could take between 4-5 weeks for anything to appear online.
03/30: Express posted PAL and RPAL application to Miramichi, NB
04/01: Received and signed for in Miramichi, NB
04/15: Still not searchable online, phoned RCMP, was told it could take between 4-5 weeks for anything to appear online.
It usually appears online 3 weeks after they receive it. Mine was online on day 20.
They will process your payment the day that they enter your information into the system. So, you will probably see it online the same day that you notice the $60 or $80 deducted from the balance on your credit card (if you used that payment method.)
You won't actually see the charge on your statement until 2 days later though.
MikeyScuba
CGN Regular
- Location
- GTA, Ontario
So far so good.
Received March 22
Billed $80 April 12
Reference called April 13, 2nd reference on the 14th but told thank you we have all we need.
Looks good.
Our 14 year old son got his minor PAL Friday.
Received March 22
Billed $80 April 12
Reference called April 13, 2nd reference on the 14th but told thank you we have all we need.
Looks good.
Our 14 year old son got his minor PAL Friday.
My experience in Ontario:
Course 02/13/16 - 02/14/16
Test paperwork returned from CFO: 03/15/16
RPAL application mailed in: 03/15/16
Application Received in Mirimachi: 03/21/16
Online status change: 04/08/16
Credit card charged: 04/08/16
License Issued: 04/18/16
I never called in to push the process along, it just happened like clockwork. No interview nor were any references contacted.
Course 02/13/16 - 02/14/16
Test paperwork returned from CFO: 03/15/16
RPAL application mailed in: 03/15/16
Application Received in Mirimachi: 03/21/16
Online status change: 04/08/16
Credit card charged: 04/08/16
License Issued: 04/18/16
I never called in to push the process along, it just happened like clockwork. No interview nor were any references contacted.
Update (Ontario):
03/30: Express posted PAL and RPAL application to Miramichi, NB
03/31: Received and signed for in Miramichi, NB
04/15: Still not searchable online, phoned RCMP, was told it could take between 4-5 weeks for anything to appear online.
04/18: Became searchable online, card charged. I called and asked if I had missed anything, was told no and that a reference could call in. Reference called in and was interviewed. More waiting.
03/30: Express posted PAL and RPAL application to Miramichi, NB
03/31: Received and signed for in Miramichi, NB
04/15: Still not searchable online, phoned RCMP, was told it could take between 4-5 weeks for anything to appear online.
04/18: Became searchable online, card charged. I called and asked if I had missed anything, was told no and that a reference could call in. Reference called in and was interviewed. More waiting.
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MikeyScuba
CGN Regular
- Location
- GTA, Ontario
Our licenses have been issued but when we called we were both got told that there isn't a license # yet and you'll get the # when you get the card. Plus we got a whole lot of attitude to boot. My wife has a deposit on a handgun and I'd like to give them the # so that the paperwork can get started.
Some people have managed to get their PAL number when asking for the purposes of joining a range. I think they just give you the number, but not the expiry date. You need both for purchases.
I haven't bothered to try to get the number from them as I can wait for the card in the mail. I can (kind of) see how they could get pissed because from their perspective, their job is done, your card is issued and you will have the number soon. They are probably swamped with other people who are still going through the processing phases of the process and annoyed that someone who is already taken care of, is still bothering them.
Also, if yours was issued today, it most likely doesn't have a number until it is printed (on Friday)
Now, if your card still hasn't arrived after 2 weeks, well, that's a different story.
I'm not sure about the experiences of others, but I have never had to provide an RPAL expiry date for a firearms purchase, restricted or non restricted.
If you call and politely explain that your local gun club has a membership spot available, and could they please give the number to you so that you can firm up a membership, or something like that, then maybe you will get the number.
AND....I do not know if this information is up to date, or correct, or if they will take kindly to you calling....so that being said, here is the number:
Call the RCMP # 1-800-731-4000
And the Ontario CFO's extension is/was ext. 2533
If you call and politely explain that your local gun club has a membership spot available, and could they please give the number to you so that you can firm up a membership, or something like that, then maybe you will get the number.
AND....I do not know if this information is up to date, or correct, or if they will take kindly to you calling....so that being said, here is the number:
Call the RCMP # 1-800-731-4000
And the Ontario CFO's extension is/was ext. 2533
I've been nothing but polite with them and have received about the same in return. They're there to answer our questions, as applicants and citizens. So far I'm pleased with the process (knock on wood). The Ontario CFO's extension still is 2533.
Day 70 today for Non Restricted Pal in BC, I had to check a box and know i will be waiting much longer, I have read that it can take in excess of 120 day to get a CPIC done, I am guessing that time frame is for people who have lived all over Canada and may have records all over Canada and in my case I do have a record in BC and Ontario. I don't have a problem waiting as long as it takes as long as the laws don't change while my application is in a pile.
Quick q, does the following message mean that the forms have been correctly filled in and is just been processed as per their schedule?
Licence Application Status Results
Application Received on: 2016/04/01
Current Status: Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date.
Licence Application Status Results
Application Received on: 2016/04/01
Current Status: Your application has completed initial processing. It is now in progress. Please check the status again at a later date.
