Is an expired CRAF a crime in Brazil? What to do within 60 days

Keeping a firearm with an expired CRAF, when you are the owner and the firearm was registered, is treated by the Superior Court of Justice (Superior Tribunal de Justiça, STJ) as an administrative irregularity, not a crime. But the situation changes if you carry the firearm, if it belongs to someone else or if you ignore the notice from the Federal Police (Polícia Federal, PF). Once notified, you have 60 days to renew, transfer or surrender the firearm.

Warning: this text is for information only and does not replace legal advice. Each case has its own details. If you have been notified, regularize within the deadline and, if in doubt, talk to a lawyer.

What is the CRAF and when does it expire?

The Firearm Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro de Arma de Fogo, CRAF) is the document that proves the firearm is registered in Sinarm (the Federal Police's national firearms system) in your name. Its validity is set in article 24 of Decree 11.615/2023 (Decreto 11.615/2023):

Table checked against the consolidated text of the decree on October 19, 2026.

Is an expired CRAF a crime?

It depends on the situation. The STJ distinguishes three cases.

1. You are the owner, the firearm was registered and the CRAF expired while the firearm was at home. Since Criminal Action 686 (Ação Penal 686), decided by the Special Court in 2015, the STJ has held that this is a "mere administrative irregularity", which allows seizure of the firearm and a fine. STJ Bulletin 890 (Informativo 890), of May 26, 2026, repeats that the conduct is not a crime "only when the owner fails to renew the documentation of a lawfully acquired item".

2. You carry the firearm and the registration is expired. In this case, the understanding above does not apply. Under STJ Bulletin 671 (Informativo 671) (AgRg no AREsp 885.281-ES, of 2020), illegal carry with an expired registration is a crime. Article 14 of Law 10.826/2003 (the Disarmament Statute) provides for 2 to 4 years of imprisonment and a fine.

3. The firearm belonged to someone else, for example a relative who died. On May 19, 2026, the STJ Sixth Panel ruled that possessing a firearm with an expired registration belonging to a deceased third party "is a criminal offense, not a mere administrative irregularity" (REsp 2.201.660-RS). Being an heir is not enough.

The crime of irregular possession, in article 12 of Law 10.826, carries 1 to 3 years of detention and a fine.

What happens after the CRAF expires?

The procedure is in article 26 of Decree 11.615. When the CRAF is not renewed on time:

1. The PF notifies the owner electronically.
2. A 60 day period begins for one of three options.
3. If the owner does nothing, the PF starts the revocation of the CRAF, with "the consequent and immediate seizure of the firearms, accessories and ammunition".

The decree also says that, in this case, the owner is subject to the crimes in articles 12 and 14 of Law 10.826, "as applicable". While irregular, the owner cannot buy firearms or ammunition or obtain or renew a passport (article 26, paragraph 2).

Is the PF emailing people with an expired CRAF?

Yes, to some firearm owners. In a news release of July 31, 2026, the PF said it would send emails to owners of firearms registered for self-defense with an expired CRAF.

According to the PF, the email "is for information only and should not be answered". After it is received, "the deadline to regularize is 60 days".

The PF itself warned: "this measure does not apply to CACs". CACs with an older CRAF follow the IN 330 calendar, explained in CAC CRAF renewal in 2026.

What are the 3 options within the 60 days?

The three options are in article 26 of Decree 11.615 and in the PF news release of July 31, 2026.

How do I renew a self-defense CRAF?

The service is done on gov.br (the Brazilian government portal), with a silver or gold account, according to the official page of the Renovar Registro de Arma de Fogo service, updated on July 29, 2026. The requirements are:

• clean criminal record certificates from the Federal, State, Military and Electoral Courts;
• a statement that you are not under criminal investigation or prosecution;
• proof of lawful occupation and of a fixed address;
• proof of technical capability and psychological fitness.

Step by step:

1. Fill in the application in the electronic form. For more than one firearm, use "Adicionar à lista" (add to list) after registering each one.
2. Pay the GRU (federal payment slip) of R$ 88.00 (Brazilian reais) per firearm. The psychological and technical capability assessments are paid separately.
3. Attach the documents through the system. Uploading them is mandatory.
4. Track the application under "consultar andamento de processo". The PF estimates 30 days on average for a decision.
5. Print the new CRAF after approval.

See the summary in the registration renewal guide.

How do I transfer or surrender the firearm?

A transfer requires a buyer who meets the legal requirements. See the ownership transfer guide.

Voluntary surrender is made to the PF, with compensation under the regulations. See the voluntary surrender guide before taking the firearm anywhere, so you do not transport it without authorization.

What if I inherited a firearm with an expired registration?

Under STJ Bulletin 890, keeping a deceased relative's firearm without settling the inheritance can be a crime. Being an heir "does not legitimize possession of a firearm without regularizing the succession".

The way forward is to contact the PF to transfer the firearm to someone who meets the requirements or to surrender it. Do not take the firearm anywhere without guidance from the PF.

Next step

Check the expiry date printed on your CRAF today. If it has expired or is close to expiring, choose one of the three options and start with the official service on gov.br.