FOID Card Review Board FAQs

When the Department denies an application or revokes a card/license, the person receives a letter with written notice regarding the denial or revocation.

• Please refer to this letter for specific reason for your denial or revocation.
• If you cannot find your letter, you may use the following link to obtain additional information regarding why the denial or revocation may have occurred:
  https://isp.illinois.gov/FOIDCardReviewBoard

This will depend upon the reason for the denial or revocation.

• Please refer to the letter you were sent providing notice of the denial or revocation for the specific reason you were denied or revoked.
• If the denial or revocation of your FOID card was based on the following, you must file an appeal with the FOID Card Review Board:
  • Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities
  • Mental Health Admissions that were less than 5 years ago.
  • Law Enforcement Requested for Expedited Relief from a Mental Health Admission
  • Clear and Present Danger Incidents less than 5 years ago.
  • Felonies other than those specified below, which are within the jurisdiction of the courts.
• If the denial or revocation of your FOID card was based on the following felony convictions, you must file an appeal with the Circuit Court in the county of your residence:
  • Forcible Felony
  • Stalking
  • Aggravated Stalking
  • Domestic Battery
  • Any violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or the Cannabis Control Act that is classified as a Class 2 or greater felony,
  • Any felony conviction of Article 24 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 (which are commonly known as the Deadly Weapons Offenses), or
  • Any adjudication as delinquent minor for the commission of an offense that if committed by an adult would be a felony.

If you obtain relief from the circuit court, please forward a copy of the court order granting such relief to the Firearms Record Challenge Unit, Suite 400-M, 801 South 7th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62703

If you filed a complete appeal prior to January 1, 2023, and you have not yet received a decision from the Illinois State Police (ISP), your file will either be transitioned to the FCRB by the ISP or you will receive further direction from the ISP.

Yes, you may submit an appeal either via email or contact the FOID Card Review Board for Additional Instructions.

• Appeals may be emailed to: FCRB.ReliefRequest@illinois.gov

No, you may not. If you arrive at an Illinois State Police facility to appeal your firearms rights, you will be directed to leave and submit your appeal through the mail or via email as directed above.

• 60 days from the notice of FOID Card denial or FOID Card revocation. If you fail to provide all of the required documentation within 60 days after receipt of the notice of FOID Card denial or FOID Card revocation, your request for relief will be denied and the case will be closed.
• Please Note: If you previously filed your appeal with the ISP, you should have received a notice from the ISP regarding the deadlines for completing your appeal.

This will depend upon the reason for the denial or revocation.

• If you know the reason for your denial or revocation, please use the Forms and Checklists tab to locate a list of the requirements for your denial.
• For additional assistance regarding what is required, please contact the FOID Card Review Board at: FCRB.ReliefRequest@illinois.gov

No, the FCRB does not have the authority to grant relief from this federal firearm prohibitor. Any appeal of your dishonorable discharge must be made to the military. A request to upgrade a discharge can be submitted at any time to the Board of Corrections of the branch of service from which you were dishonorably discharged.

No, the FCRB cannot grant relief from a federal felony. Currently, a presidential pardon is the only means by which a person convicted of a federal felony offense may obtain relief from federal firearms disabilities.

No, the FCRB cannot grant relief from out of state convictions. The Illinois State Police cannot take further action on your FOID card until you have obtained relief from the state in which the felony occurred.