4473 question regarding License with no longer current address

Legally, they can accept any government issued document that has your current address in addition to a valid/active, gov issued photo ID. At least that's my understanding. My license had my old address on the physical copy but was updated "in the system". Registration for my vehicle had current address and was considered acceptable.
This was in Ohio and other states may have their own spin on it.

I've worked at a gun shop for years. Howland937 is correct. If the Gov issued photo ID is valid all that is needed is a document issued by a government entity (Federal, State, County, or municipal) that shows your current address. The type of supporting document (e.g. vehicle registration, property tax assessment, utility bill if it's a govt owned utility, etc.) presented is entered on line 26.b. "Supplemental Government Issued Documentation" of the 4473.

All I am gonna say is that you must put your CURRENT" address on the form, not the address on your DL if you do not live there anymore
Just like folks that have dual residences, they list the address where they are NOW residing.

Question 26.b. Supplemental Documentation: Licensees may accept a
combination of valid government-issued documents to satisfy the identification
document requirements of the law. The required valid government-issued photo
identification document bearing the name, photograph, and date of birth of
transferee/buyer may be supplemented by another valid, government-issued
document showing the transferee’s/buyer’s residence address. This supplemental
documentation must be recorded in question 26.b., with the issuing authority and
type of identification presented. For example, if the transferee/buyer has two States
of residence and is trying to buy a handgun in State X, he may provide a driver’s
license (showing his name, date of birth, and photograph) issued by State Y and
another government-issued document (such as a tax document) from State X
showing his residence address. A valid electronic document from a government
website may be used as supplemental documentation provided it contains the
transferee’s/buyer’s name and current residence address.


Read post#13

IANAL I’m under the impression that where you live must match the address on the DL, and that is what you input on the 4473.

I would love to have this clarified as well.

hoardingthemanual said:

I’m under the impression that where you live must match the address on the DL, and that is what you input on the 4473.

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It has been clarified. See the answers above. You must put your actual address on the form. If it doesn't match the DL (or other qualifying govt issued photo I.D.) a govt issued document that shows the address you put on the form must be shown.

Here are the instructions from the 4473 for line 26b:
"Question 26.b. Supplemental Documentation: Licensees may accept a
combination of valid government-issued documents to satisfy the identification
document requirements of the law. The required valid government-issued photo
identification document bearing the name, photograph, and date of birth of
transferee/buyer may be supplemented by another valid, government-issued
document showing the transferee’s/buyer’s residence address. This supplemental
documentation must be recorded in question 26.b., with the issuing authority and
type of identification presented. For example, if the transferee/buyer has two States
of residence and is trying to buy a handgun in State X, he may provide a driver’s
license (showing his name, date of birth, and photograph) issued by State Y and
another government-issued document (such as a tax document) from State X
showing his residence address. A valid electronic document from a government
website may be used as supplemental documentation provided it contains the
transferee’s/buyer’s name and current residence address."

Old_Grouch said:

It has been clarified. See the answers above. You must put your actual address on the form. If it doesn't match the DL (or other qualifying govt issued photo I.D.) a govt issued document that shows the address you put on the form must be shown.

Here are the instructions from the 4473 for line 26b:
"Question 26.b. Supplemental Documentation: Licensees may accept a
combination of valid government-issued documents to satisfy the identification
document requirements of the law. The required valid government-issued photo
identification document bearing the name, photograph, and date of birth of
transferee/buyer may be supplemented by another valid, government-issued
document showing the transferee’s/buyer’s residence address. This supplemental
documentation must be recorded in question 26.b., with the issuing authority and
type of identification presented. For example, if the transferee/buyer has two States
of residence and is trying to buy a handgun in State X, he may provide a driver’s
license (showing his name, date of birth, and photograph) issued by State Y and
another government-issued document (such as a tax document) from State X
showing his residence address. A valid electronic document from a government
website may be used as supplemental documentation provided it contains the
transferee’s/buyer’s name and current residence address."

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This.

Not law, but some FFL's will not transfer if the address is not correct on the license or other photo identification for probably any number of reasons that may not make sense to you or I. Their choice.

I have had the same problem in the past after moving.
My FFL would take the temporary license, but they know me very well.
FFL's that would not take the temporary license...I would go get a 2 day temporary crabbing/shellfish license, cheapest you could get, like ten bucks.
That is a federally recognized identification, and has your current address on it and works for the duration.

Johnm1 said:

Not law, but some FFL's will not transfer if the address is not correct on the license or other photo identification for probably any number of reasons that may not make sense to you or I. Their choice.

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It is the law. And has been for decades.
"Some FFL's"? Darn well better be EVERY FFL if they want to keep that FFL and not become a felon.


As noted above, Federal law requires the buyer to provide a valid government issued photo ID, if that ID does not show the current residence address, then additional government issued documents with the buyers name and current address can be used.

Any dealer that tells a prospective buyer that "your ID must match the address on the 4473" is an idiot.
1. Because the instructions clearly do not say that.
2. More importantly, he may be prompting the buyer to falsify the 4473 just to make the addresses match.

DustyGmt said:

having to provide an additional document probably won't help matters

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That will have no effect as that information is not transmitted for the NICS check.

DustyGmt said:

Just curious if my valid drivers license that has my no longer current address on it would be accepted by an FFL if I provide a temporary license issues by the DMV with the updated address on the temporary?

I moved recently and my old address is on my license, I know that the FFL will reject the sale if the address on the 4473 isn't the same one depicted on my drivers license, just curious if he will accept the temporary in conjunction with a valid ID. They used to issue license renewal/replacements on the spot but after covid they issue a temp and mail your license in 7-10 days.

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i was at my LGS when a man had moved, he had to show at least 2 utility bills, like gas/electric, or cable bill, with his name and new address on it.

here, they too issue a paper copy of your new DL until the real one gets mailed to you.

best bet thought, go to the LGS and ask.

DustyGmt said:

I'm going out of town, down south for a few days. I won't have the opportunity to check ahead of time. These gun grabbers act like you sign your name to a piece of paper and it's a done deal, it can actually be a lil bit of a headache. Especially if you have the misfortune of being someone who gets delayed consistently, a short 2-3 day trip leaves ya pretty screwed on a delay, as well as going to a gun show or traveling any distance to try to buy a gun.

It's been a pita to be honest, that's why I always liked the private sale option, which no longer exists in Vermont, unless you're a criminal in which case you're exempt.....

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If you keep getting delayed,then apply for a UPIN

Last time our FFL was audited the ATF agent advised me to apply for a UPIN since I get delayed every time. I haven’t bothered. Oddly enough I only get delayed on the phone. If it’s submitted electronically it takes 1/2 hour but I get a proceed.

A temp DL is a valid, government issued photo ID. It’s just usually valid for days, not years. I see no reason why a knowledgeable FFL would not accept it but I do think that if you’re only going to be in another state for a couple of days and you often get delayed, the actual form of ID is less relevant than the presence or absence of a UPIN to expedite.

buddyd157 said:

i was at my LGS when a man had moved, he had to show at least 2 utility bills, like gas/electric, or cable bill, with his name and new address on it.

here, they too issue a paper copy of your new DL until the real one gets mailed to you.

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"show at least 2" is not required by any federal law or ATF regulation.

If you are using utility bills, such as gas/electric/water/garbage, cable TV bills, they must be from a government entity. Bills or statements from a private business ARE NOT AND NEVER HAVE BEEN acceptable. "Government issued document" means what it says.

I'm amazed how many people cannot understand that their bank statement or credit card bill aren't government issued. Some want to argue.

best bet thought, go to the LGS and ask.

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Like the LGS that wants two utility bills?
Sorry, but reading the instructions on the Form 4473 shows that "two utility bills" aren't needed and what is/is not acceptable.

Bottom Line:
"Government" and/or other "acceptable" alternates or not....
In the end it's totally up to the dealer.

Mosin77 said:

Last time our FFL was audited the ATF agent advised me to apply for a UPIN since I get delayed every time. I haven’t bothered. Oddly enough I only get delayed on the phone. If it’s submitted electronically it takes 1/2 hour but I get a proceed.

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True. On a NICS phone check, the operator will say "Delayed" and give the dealer the MDI date. But the dealer can immediately log into the online NICS and it may show status as "Researching".
I typically run my NICS checks by phone, but if the buyer gets a Delay, I'll immediately log in and if it shows as "researching", I'll have them wait. Usually it takes about 15 minutes to update to Delayed or Proceed.

A temp DL is a valid, government issued photo ID.

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Not all temporary DL have a photo. Some have the person retain the original with photo and the temp shows the address change only.

It’s just usually valid for days, not years.

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True

I see no reason why a knowledgeable FFL would not accept it

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Because not all bother reading the instructions on the Form 4473. I'm not just bagging on FFL's who don't/won't read the instructions, but buyers don't/won't do it either. (as evidenced by this thread)

but I do think that if you’re only going to be in another state for a couple of days and you often get delayed, the actual form of ID is less relevant than the presence or absence of a UPIN to expedite.

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True.

MEHavey said:

Bottom Line:
"Government" and/or other "acceptable" alternates or not....
In the end it's totally up to the dealer.

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No, the bottom line is what is acceptable to ATF.
Certainly, a dealer can choose to not allow the sale for any number of reasons.
But most definitely the dealer doesn't get to decide if a credit card bill is a government document.

I think we agree.
The dealer decides.
There is no appeal if the dealer makes the decision not to sell -- for whatever reason.
(funky address documentation in his opinion be one)
None.