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CCW Orange County CCW

It took almost 5 months for my renewal. This is with submitting my renewal 3 months before my license expired. Sending emails to the CCW unit did not help much. I had to call and request that they pull up my app to see if there were any issues. Within 1 day after my call, my app was to assigned to a processor. 2 weeks later I had my renewed license. I believe the excessive delay in my renewal was due to upgrade to the new system (CCW Pro System). Something went sideways during the conversion that caused my delay.

My advise would be to submit your renewal 4 months in advance and call them 1 month before your license expires to get some traction on your app. That’s what I am doing next time.
 
TimSwim said:
OC recommends starting your renewal on the 120th day before you license expires! (Can not start any sooner). Also currently adding a pistol is low on the priority due to the system switch back in Nov. the Dept. is still playing catch up in a sense and the priority goes to Initial and renewals as adding a pistol will be looked at you already have something.
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I waited for over 6 months for a firearm add. Never got an approval. I ended up cancelling the add a firearm application and submitted my renewal application. Literally took 3 weeks from application to approval.
 
For renewals, how do you enter in character references? I see its blank when I do the final review of my renewal app but when I go step by step to fill out the app, I don't see where I can fill it in.
 
Bruce3 said:
For renewals, how do you enter in character references? I see its blank when I do the final review of my renewal app but when I go step by step to fill out the app, I don't see where I can fill it in.
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Renewals do not require character references. I did not supply any character references back in September when I submitted my renewal application.
 
You do realize that things do change and the character reference was still a new thing back around July/August. If it ask for you it you better list it as the dept will call.. SURVAK giving bad advice!
 
My renewal application was submitted in January of this year. No character reference was required.

This is not legal or procedural advice, it is just sharing of personal experience.
 
TimSwim said:
You do realize that things do change and the character reference was still a new thing back around July/August. If it ask for you it you better list it as the dept will call.. SURVAK giving bad advice!
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Mr. TimSwim: Please read Bruce3ʻs post, again.
Heʻs entering the reference material in the application but it isnʻt showing up on review.
References for renewals are not mandatory and the IA can choose to forgo them. The agency then has Permitium block the entries from being recorded on the application. The Sac Sheriff has done this, so we know it is available.

Things do change over time, but the information being given by Survac appears to be valid.

Best.
 
I had emailed OCSD and got a response. Confirmed character references are not required for renewals.
 
@Dvrjon
"Renewals do not require character references. I did not supply any character references back in September when I submitted my renewal application." is exactly what SURVAK stated so my comment was in regards to that statement! Also, each issuing agency does things a little differently so statement was regarding Orange County as they sometimes do and don't check references, so if they happen to pick "person x" and "person x" does not have it then they will ask the person to provide it (as this thread is regarding OC and not SAC)!
 
TimSwim said:
@Dvrjon
"Renewals do not require character references. I did not supply any character references back in September when I submitted my renewal application." is exactly what SURVAK stated so my comment was in regards to that statement!
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True. And in light of Survakʻs statement about September processes, you alluded to processes prior to that. Remember?
TimSwim said:
You do realize that things do change and the character reference was still a new thing back around July/August. If it ask for you it you better list it (sic) as the dept will call.. SURVAK giving bad advice!
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Turns out that Survakʻs input regarding the later policy has been validated by Bruce3 and BunnySloper.
///////////
TimSwim said:
Also, each issuing agency does things a little differently so statement was regarding Orange County as they sometimes do and don't check references, so if they happen to pick "person x" and "person x" does not have it then they will ask the person to provide it (as this thread is regarding OC and not SAC)!
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The reference to Sac Sheriff was only to illustrate how the masking of data can be done in Permitium; It wasnʻt a statement that "Sac does this, so OC must be doing, too". All I said was it was available.

And now we know two things about the OC system:
1. They donʻt require references for renewals, (the agency would be at significant risk if it imposed reference requirements on some renewal applicants and not on other renewal applicants), and
2. The Permitium System allows the IA to mask that data for renewals (because it is the same system as used by Sac).
Cool, huh?

Best.
 
Here's my renewal timeline:

CCW Expires 07/28/25

02/04/25 Successfully migrates to CCW PRO
04/05/25 Submit application without training cert
04/10/25 Uploaded training cert
04/22/25 Received renewal approval email notification
04/23/25 Provided payment info over the phone
4/26/25 Received license in mail
 
Is there been any challenge to the good character reference requirement? I'm literally a transplant with no references outside of work. Do they need to be local? And no relation? Even then I've been here for 20 years now, so I'd be depending on folks from Sac or abroad, who I've barely seen in that time. Oh well.
 
DrewN said:
Is there been any challenge to the good character reference requirement? I'm literally a transplant with no references outside of work. Do they need to be local? And no relation? Even then I've been here for 20 years now, so I'd be depending on folks from Sac or abroad, who I've barely seen in that time. Oh well.
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I don't believe there's a requirement for character reference anymore after Bruen. I certainly did not put down any for my renewal.
 
I spoke to a couple range officers at my local shooting range and they recommended completing the CCW training ASAP and said that even though the training certificate expires 6 months after completion, the OC sheriff will bump up the appointment date for the interview because they will see that you have completed the training already. Is there any confirmation of that?
 
JackRydden224 said:
I don't believe there's a requirement for character reference anymore after Bruen. I certainly did not put down any for my renewal.
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SB 2, which was passed after Bruen, requires reference checks for initial issue and leaves checks for renewal to the discretion of the IA.
Ca Pen 26175:
(c) (1) The standard application form for licenses described in subdivision (a) shall require information from the applicant, including, but not limited to, […] the names and contact information of three persons willing to serve as references for the applicant, at least one of whom must be a person described in subdivision (b) of Section 273.5, if applicable, and at least one of whom must be the applicant’s cohabitant, if applicable, and other information sufficient to make a determination of whether the applicant is a disqualified person pursuant to Section 26202.
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What's the range qualification portion look like for renewals and additional firearms? Are both the same qualification standards?
 
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