ATF Forms Every FFL Should Know
Federal firearms compliance runs on paperwork. Beyond the ATF Form 4473 that dealers complete on every transfer, there are forms for applying for a license, transferring National Firearms Act items, reporting multiple sales, and importing firearms. This guide summarizes the forms an FFL most often encounters and what each one is for.
Transfer and recordkeeping
- Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record): completed for every firearm transfer to a non-licensee, capturing the buyer's information, eligibility answers, and the background check result. See our step-by-step 4473 guide.
- Acquisition and disposition record (the A&D Book): the running log of every firearm a licensee acquires and disposes of. Not a numbered form, but a core required record.
Licensing
- Form 7 (Application for Federal Firearms License): the application a business files to become an FFL. There is a collector version for applicants seeking a Type 03 curios and relics license.
- See our guide to getting an FFL for how the application fits into the full process.
National Firearms Act (NFA) transfers
NFA items such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and machine guns move on their own forms rather than a plain 4473, and most carry a transfer tax.
- Form 1: application to make and register an NFA firearm.
- Form 3: tax-free transfer of an NFA firearm between qualified licensees, commonly used to move an item to a dealer's inventory.
- Form 4: application for the tax-paid transfer of an NFA firearm to an individual or trust. This is the form most retail suppressor and SBR sales use.
- Form 5: tax-free transfer of an NFA firearm in specific situations, such as transfers to certain government entities or to a lawful heir.
Dealer transfers still use a 4473
When an NFA item is finally transferred to the buyer over the counter, the dealer still completes a 4473 in addition to the NFA paperwork. The forms work together, not in place of each other.
Reports and notices
- Multiple sale report for handguns: filed when a dealer transfers two or more handguns to the same person within five business days.
- Multiple sale report for certain rifles: an additional report that applies to certain semi-automatic rifles in the Southwest border states.
- Theft or loss report: filed when firearms are stolen from or lost by a licensee.
Importing
- Import application and permit: an importer applies for approval to import specific firearms or ammunition before they enter the country. See the Type 08 importer license for context.
Always use the current revision
The ATF updates its forms periodically, and using an outdated revision is itself a compliance finding. Confirm you are on the current version before you use any form, and consult the ATF for the authoritative copy. Digital 4473 software keeps the current revision in front of your team automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common ATF form for a gun store?
The ATF Form 4473 is the form a dealer completes most, because it is required for every firearm transfer to a non-licensee.
Which form transfers a suppressor to a customer?
A tax-paid transfer of a suppressor or other NFA item to an individual or trust generally uses ATF Form 4, and the dealer still completes a 4473 when the item is handed over.
What form do I file to become an FFL?
A business applies on ATF Form 7, with a collector version for applicants seeking a Type 03 curios and relics license.
How do I know I am using the right version of a form?
Check the revision date against the current version published by the ATF. Using an outdated revision is a common compliance finding, which digital 4473 software avoids by keeping the current revision in use.
Start with the form you use every day
The 4473 is the record you touch most. See how e4473 makes it digital, validated, and audit-ready inside your point of sale.