Maine permit requirements

Official-source summary. Values we could not confirm are labelled, never filled with assumptions.

At a glance

Permit required to carry

Permit currently issued

Yes

Issuance structure

Constitutional

Issuing level

Local

Minimum age

21 (18 if active military or veteran)

Training

Required

Live fire

Not required Confirm with the issuing agency

Application fee

Reported: Resident: $35.00. Non-Resident: $60.00. ($55.00 fingerprint processing fee applies if fingerprinting required). Confirm at the source

Permit term

4 years

Residency required

No. Open to residents and non-residents. Confirm with the issuing agency

Processing time

Reported: 30 days for residents of 5 years or more and 60 days for non-residents or newer residents. Confirm at the source

Some current details are not fully confirmed. Verify dates, fees, and requirements on the official page before relying on them.

Issuing agency: Maine State Police

Source: Maine State Police — last checked 2026-10-04

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What to know in Maine

Maine is listed as a permitless carry state, so a permit is optional for eligible adults; the card is the Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP). For the optional permit, local offices handle applications, so the office you use depends on where you live. The issuing agency is Maine State Police.

The minimum age to apply is 21 (18 if active military or veteran). A training course is required before you apply in Maine. A new permit lasts 4 years.

We found no Maine rule that lets you keep carrying on an expired permit while a renewal is pending, so renew before the date on your card. A lost or stolen Maine permit is replaced with a request form sent to the issuing agency. After a move or name change, tell the issuing agency within 30 days. Confirm with the issuing agency

Official page: Maine State Police · Reciprocity: where a Maine permit is honored

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