Firearm purchase authorization (autorização de aquisição)

The purchase authorization (autorização de aquisição) is the Polícia Federal (PF, Federal Police) document that allows an individual to buy a permitted use firearm for self defense. Without it, no store can sell the firearm. The application is made online, in Sinarm (Sistema Nacional de Armas, the firearms registry kept by the PF), and requires a minimum age of 25, clean criminal record certificates, proofs of residence and occupation, a psychological report, a shooting test and the declaration of real need (efetiva necessidade).

What the purchase authorization is

It is the first step to legally keep a firearm at home. The rule is in art. 4º of Lei 10.826/2003 (Estatuto do Desarmamento, the Disarmament Statute) and art. 15 of Decreto 11.615/2023. The authorization:

• is issued in the applicant's name and for the firearm stated in the application;
• is non transferable: no one else can use your authorization;
• does not allow you to carry a firearm. It leads to the registration (CRAF, Certificado de Registro de Arma de Fogo, the firearm registration certificate), which only allows you to keep the firearm at home or at the workplace, if you are the owner or legal representative of the business.

Who needs it and who can apply

You need the authorization if you want to buy a new permitted use firearm from a store, for possession for self defense. You can apply if you:

• are 25 or older (art. 28 of the law and art. 15, I, of the decree);
• are Brazilian or a foreigner with permanent residence;
• are not under police investigation or criminal prosecution;
• have a lawful occupation and fixed residence;
• prove psychological aptitude and technical capacity with PF accredited professionals;
• declare real need and have a secure place to store the firearm.

How many firearms and how much ammunition

For self defense, Decreto 11.615/2023 allows up to two firearms, with proof of real need for each purchase, and up to 50 rounds per firearm, per year (art. 15, § 2º).

Which calibers are permitted

Only permitted use firearms can be bought for self defense. For handguns, the limit is up to 407 joules of muzzle energy. According to the official list (Portaria Conjunta C Ex/DG-PF nº 2/2023, as amended), permitted calibers include .380 ACP, .38 SPL, .32 and .22 LR. Calibers such as 9 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP have been of restricted use since 2023.

What real need means

It is the written explanation of why you need a firearm at home. The decree says it is not presumed: you must describe concrete facts and circumstances, such as your activity, where you live or risks to your life and your family's (art. 15, § 3º). The PF reviews each case and may refuse the application with stated reasons.

Required documents

• Signed application.
• ID and CPF (taxpayer number).
• Clean criminal record certificates (if no expiry date is printed, valid for 60 days only).
• Proof of lawful occupation and of residence, issued within 60 days.
• Psychological report and proof of technical capacity, up to one year old.
• Proof of fee payment.

How much it costs

• PF fee: R$ 88,00, by GRU.
• Psychologist: legal cap tied to the Conselho Federal de Psicologia (Federal Council of Psychology) table.
• Instructor: legal cap of R$ 80,00 plus the cost of ammunition.

Common mistakes that delay the application

• Proof of residence or occupation older than 60 days.
• A missing certificate, for example from the Military or Electoral Courts, or from a state where you lived in the last five years.
• Shooting test done with a smaller caliber than the intended firearm.
• A generic statement of need, without concrete facts.
• Choosing a restricted caliber firearm, such as 9 mm.
• Not tracking the process: notifications are electronic only and deadlines run anyway.
• Paying for the firearm before having the authorization.

After the application

Once the authorization is approved, you buy the firearm at the store. After the invoice, you have 15 days to request registration. The store only hands over the firearm after the CRAF (Certificado de Registro de Arma de Fogo) and the guia de trânsito (transit permit) are issued. See the registration and CRAF guide.

What changed recently

• 21/07/2023: Decreto 11.615/2023 began requiring real need based on concrete facts, limited self defense to two firearms and 50 rounds per firearm per year, and made calibers such as 9 mm, .40 and .45 restricted.
• 29/08/2024: Portaria Conjunta C Ex/DG-PF nº 3 added .38 TPC to the list of permitted calibers for handguns.
• 30/12/2024: Decreto 12.345/2024 amended Decreto 11.615/2023, mainly in CAC rules and in the classification of long guns.
• June 2025: the STF (Supremo Tribunal Federal, Brazil's Supreme Court) upheld the constitutionality of Decretos 11.366/2023 and 11.615/2023 in the ADC 85 ruling.
• 18/07/2025: Portaria Conjunta C Ex/DG-PF nº 4 began classifying semi automatic long guns of caliber up to .22 LR as permitted.
• 2026: the official service page was updated on 09/09/2026 and keeps the R$ 88,00 fee and mandatory electronic submission of documents.

Notice

This guide is for information only and does not replace the official rules or advice from a professional. Rules change: before any application, check the current version of Lei 10.826/2003 (Estatuto do Desarmamento), Decreto 11.615/2023 (with the amendments of Decreto 12.345/2024), Instrução Normativa 201/2021-DG/PF and the official service pages on gov.br and the Polícia Federal website.