First Time with ATF eForms
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
There’s so much conflicting information and I can’t figure out what to do! It’s so overwhelming, there’s no way this will be worth it in the end.
The NFA process can be daunting at first, but it’s absolutely worth it. And don’t worry, cutting through the bullshit is why this page exists. Follow the instructions here, and you’ll be on your way to NFA ownership in no time! Many of these steps only have to be performed one time. After your first NFA transfer, future transfers will be even easier!
The initial step is to decide on the exact NFA item you want, and place the order. If you're having a hard time deciding, assistance with this choice is available!
If you purchase your NFA item directly from Detroit Armament, there will be no transfer fee. If you purchase your NFA item elsewhere and have it shipped to Detroit Armament for transfer, there is a $75 transfer fee.
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.
You can still complete Steps 3-6 before your NFA item has arrived, so don't delay!
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, lest you tempt Murphy's Law!
Do not use auto-fill to create your eForms account. Your account information MUST reflect the information on your ID.
A “passport-style” photo of you has to be submitted with each eForm 4 (yes, even if you've already turned one in). Stand in front of any white background (a white wall works great) with good lighting and no hat or other head covering (unless religious). Take a selfie from the shoulders up, and send it to Detroit Armament via email or text.
You'll have to provide a set of fingerprints. Fingerprints have to be submitted with EVERY tax stamp application. It doesn’t matter how many other times the government has fingerprinted you. If you are using physical ink fingerprint cards, leave them at home, you’ll be given instructions on how to send them in after the eForm 4 is submitted. If you are using EFT prints, email them to Detroit Armament.
For more details on your options for providing fingerprints, see the "Fingerprints" section below.
If you are not using a trust, skip this step!
You will need to provide a copy of your trust, and an additional form called the Responsible Persons Questionnaire (RPQ) will have to be submitted for each person on the trust. Guidance for filling out the RPQ will be provided AFTER the NFA item has arrived at Detroit Armament.
Once all the other steps are complete, and your NFA item has arrived, schedule an appointment to file your eForm 4!
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.
Physical cards can be cheaper up-front, but having to get them re-done professionally for future NFA purchases will add to the hassle, money wasted, and time wasted. You can also buy an inkpad and blank fingerprint cards to do them yourself, which is cheaper 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 denied 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. 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.
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.
Compare FD258 vs EFT Fingerprints
Considering a Trust?
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, photographed, and submit a completed Responsible Persons Questionnaire, for every submission.
Detroit Armament is NOT anti-trust, but we are against the predatory vendors who convince people they need a trust, whether or not they truly need it. Before you make a decision, here’s the raw facts.
Mythbusting Trusts
This is emphatically wrong. Although years ago, using a trust made the process easier, this has not been true in over a decade. Here’s a look at how using a trust actually makes the process more difficult:
- Adds the requirement to submit Responsible Persons Questionnaires for everyone on the trust
- Adds the requirement to submit fingerprints for everyone on the trust
- Increases ATF’s processing time
The person who’s actually running the trust often ends up pulling their hair out trying to get everyone to do their photo, fingerprints, and get the RPQs filled out and signed with each new submission.
This is true whether you use a trust or not, especially since there is no longer an NFA tax on most NFA items. The person who inherits your NFA items will not have to pay for a tax stamp regardless of trust status. Inherited NFA items are transferred on a tax-free transfer, meaning there is no tax stamp paid.
This is untrue in so many ways, but still constantly gets circulated. In fairness, this may have been true at one point in time, but any claims that it is still true today are outdated.
From what???
This is a sad attempt at using a fear tactic to sell trusts to people who don’t know better. Vague yet ominous promises of protection from an abstract and unnamed boogeyman-esque threat is commonplace, but never is there specific articulation of what you are protected from. That’s because a there are not unique risks to owning an NFA item, and there are no special protections gained from a trust.
Generally, trusts are useful in these circumstances:
If any of these use-cases apply to you, then you should use a trust!
FAQs (Before Submitting)
- ATF eForms Username and PIN (please have these written down in front of you)
- Fingerprints and photograph sent to Detroit Armament
- (Only for trust users) Completed ATF RPQs
- A valid, unexpired, government ID that shows both your photo and your place of residence. Passports are not acceptable as they do not show your place of residence. “Temporary” Driver’s Licenses printed on paper are not acceptable as they do not show your photo.
No. Fingerprints have to be submitted with every NFA form submission.
Yes, absolutely.
Side Note: A discount might be offered to the first follower of the Pastafarian religion that successfully receives an approved tax stamp, for an eForm 4 submitted via Detroit Armament, that included a photo of the individual wearing typical Pastafarian head covering.
Yes. Use the FBI’s “Voluntary Appeal File” program to obtain a Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN) before submitting. Ensure both your UPIN and Social Security Number is provided for the eForm 4 submission.
If you need extra time to obtain your UPIN, please reach out. Your item will be stored securely without charge until you receive your UPIN.
No, there is no reason to create or provide a physical photo. Physical photos can not be submitted. Text or email your photo to Detroit Armament so it may be attached to your eForm submission.
Please reach out within 30 days of delivery to make arrangements for storage. Storage fees for suppressors with CONFIRMED prior arrangements are $10/month, storage fees for other NFA types with CONFIRMED prior arrangements are $20/month.
NFA items without prior arrangements, that are not picked up within 30 days of delivery, or that exceed the arranged storage period by 30 days, are considered abandoned and become the property of Detroit Armament, LLC.
Tip: Individuals who communicate in a timely manner will be accommodated, individuals who plan to “ask forgiveness instead of permission” will not.
FAQs (After Submitting)
This is normal. At this time, ATF does not allow the buyer to view the submission in their eForms account at any point.
ATF sends a confirmation email from eforms.notifications@atf.gov to the email address associated with your eForms account immediately upon submission. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder. This email will also have a copy of the submitted form that you can review.
ATF’s eForms website will send an automated email to the email address connected to your eForms account. Make sure you have whitelisted eforms.notifications@atf.gov so this email does not go to spam. If you haven’t gotten an approval email, this most likely means your form is still pending.
If you want to be 100% certain, you can call ATF at (304) 616-4500 and provide them the control number from your submission email, they will provide you a status update.
If you are experiencing multiple submissions with a longer-than-expected wait time, consider obtaining a UPIN via the FBI’s Voluntary Appeal File program.
Please reach out no later than 30 days post-approval to make arrangements for storage. Storage fees for suppressors with CONFIRMED prior arrangements are $10/month, storage fees for other NFA types with CONFIRMED prior arrangements are $20/month.
NFA items without prior arrangements, that are not picked up within 30 days of approval, or that exceed the arranged storage period by 30 days, are considered abandoned, will have the Form 4 approval withdrawn, and become the property of Detroit Armament, LLC.
Tip: Individuals who communicate in a timely manner will be accommodated, individuals who plan to “ask forgiveness instead of permission” will not.
Reach out and schedule an appointment for pickup. You’ll need to bring your driver’s license or state ID card, and payment for any remaining unpaid purchase cost or transfer fees.