If this is your first time going through the ATF’s eForms process, please make sure you have read this entire page. Then, click here to go back to the NFA page: Link
First Steps
The initial step is to decide on the exact NFA item you want, and place the order. An ATF Form 3 will have to be filed by the FFL who is shipping it, for approval to transfer the item to Detroit Armament. Once the Form 3 is approved (can take 1-3 weeks depending on ATF processing volume at the time) it will be shipped, and the eForm 4 can be submitted once it has arrived.
The next two steps to get ready for your eForm 4 submission are easy:
- Make an account on the ATF’s eForms website (if you don’t already have one). The website will auto-generate the username for you, you’ll have to specify a 4-digit PIN number. Write both of these down and bring them when you come to do the form. The form can’t be submitted if you don’t know what they are. Don’t plan on being able to go back in your email and find it, everyone who tries that manages to not be able to find it.
- A “passport-style” photo of you has to be submitted with each eForm 4. Stand in front of any white background (a white wall works great) with good lighting and no hat or other head covering. Take a selfie from the shoulders up, and email it to james@detroitarmament.com or text it to 313-434-4306.
These two just need to be done before you come to fill out the eForm 4, so don’t rush.
Fingerprints
Fingerprints have to be submitted with every single tax stamp application. It doesn’t matter how many other times the government has fingerprinted you.
For fingerprint format, you’ve got two options. You can mail in physical fingerprint cards, or you can get them done electronically by a service that will give you the digital file, which is a “.eft” file type. Just because a fingerprinting service uses an electronic scanner does not mean they will give you the file! Ask beforehand. A breakdown of these options:
- Physical cards can be cheaper up-front, but having to re-do them every single time can be a hassle and add to the expense. You can also buy an inkpad and blank fingerprint cards to do them yourself, which is cheaper and less hassle than getting them done professionally. Physical cards can’t be mailed until after the eForm is submitted, but they must arrive within 10 days of submission. If the envelope is lost in the mail, or misplaced in the shuffle after being received, the form will be kicked back and you’ll have to re-submit both the eForm AND the fingerprints.
- Getting your EFT file can be more expensive up-front, but once you have the file, you can save it, and re-use that file for every single submission. If you give permission for Detroit Armament, LLC to keep your EFT on file, you won’t have to send that file again. EFT fingerprints attach directly to the eForm, so there is no chance they get lost. The same file can be re-used over and over for any future Form 4s, and you can also re-use it for any future Form 1s you might want to do.
If you’ve decided to do EFT fingerprints, PrintScan is the recommended service. They have kiosks at a handful of UPS stores in the metro area. PrintScan’s website has a location finder. If you’ve found a convenient location, you can save money by purchasing PrintScan’s EFT service through Detroit Armament rather than through the PrintScan website.
One other option for obtaining an EFT, if there’s not a PrintScan location convenient to you, is to have a physical fingerprint card converted into an EFT via mail-order. This is also available through PrintScan and you can once again purchase through Detroit Armament to save money.
A Word on Trusts
There are a lot of myths that have been perpetuated about NFA Trusts. Unfortunately, some companies that sell NFA trust services use misleading marketing to convince people who don’t have all the facts. Using a trust has some disadvantages, including additional paperwork, a longer wait time (ATF has admitted they process tax stamps for trusts slower than individuals), and having multiple people on the trust means each of them have to be fingerprinted and photographed for every submission.
Generally, trusts are advantageous for the following situations:
- Allowing other people to be in possession of your NFA items WITHOUT you present. If you are present, you can allow anyone to use your NFA items. Keep in mind this: if you live with someone who will have unrestricted access to the location where you store your NFA items, they are considered “in possession” if they are home and you aren’t. If you don’t use a trust, your NFA items need to be stored in a location that they are not able to access, such as a safe that they don’t have the key/combination to open.
- If you plan to do extensive estate planning for everything else you own, to have your entire estate skip probate completely
- If you plan on making Form 1 NFA items, in which case using a trust means you can make up whatever name for the trust, which is also the name required to be engraved on the item. Some people use this so that the engraving is more attractive, interesting, or funny, rather than engraving their name.
- If you plan on eventually selling the NFA item in question, in which case having a separate trust for that NFA item can facilicate a faster sale.
If you fit any of these use cases, then you should absolutely use a trust. Otherwise, you may be spending additional money and creating additional headache needlessly.