We will be visiting our son in the Seattle area later this month - flying unarmed this time, but probably driving next spring/summer. My MO CPL is recognized pretty much everywhere between here and there, except there. So for future purposes, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to get a nonresident CPL for WA while we're there. I'm also thinking of having my wife get one, too, since it doesn't require classroom time - it would also be recognized here in MO and in some of the surounding states.

Our son just bought a house but hasn't closed yet. I don't have an address, but you can see water from one of the windows - he says it's a lake, not the Sound. He was looking for a place withing bicvcle distance of Amazon, where he works, but I don't know if that worked out or not. We will have a car, so can get around the area as need be.

Anyway, I gather from reading elsewhere on this forum that a nonresident can apply at "any local law enforcement agency," and I'm wondering (1) what that means in the Seattle area, and (2) if, as we have here in MO, there are both county and city/village police departments in the area, is it generally better/easier/less hassle to apply at one rather than another? When we apply, is there anything we would need as nonresidents other than our MO driver's licenses? (The DOL web site says to check with the local agency for what you will need, but I have to wonder if different agencies actually have different documentation requirements for nonresident applicants.)

Thanks for any advice.

personally I wouldn't waste time with a non-resident CPL. I'd get something like a UT permit that is more widely accepted.

Here is the answer you seek.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconcealreq.html "Any local law enforcement agency in Washington State"

joao01 - a UT permit does not give me any state coverage that my MO permit doesn't already provide except WA and NV (which I don't expect to need), and I believe it requires classroom work. The advantage of the WA nonresident permit is that it seems to be just a walk-in thing. So since we're going to be in a position to walk in . . .

dreadi - I've seen the general language, but my question is whether there are agencies/offices in the Seattle area that are easier to deal with than others. For example, looking through one of the other threads it seems like some offices have limited hours to submit applications, and it sounds like some may be more receptive/less hassle than others. If I've misread things, and every agency is pretty much the same then I should just look for the closest one to where we will be. But I don't know the territory, and will be willing to drive a bit if it will make the application process easier.

I went through the CPL processes at the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. Pretty quick. Didn't have to wait long.

I'd look for smaller cities. I know Puyallup seems to be easier to deal with than Pierce County, which is unfortunately where I have to go.

Yes, some agencies have limited hours and/or require appointments due volume of people wanting to get license. I suggest starting with the closest agency to where you'll be staying and call them sooner than later. You may just get right in and do it or you might need any appointment. Or you can just show up the police station in downtown Seattle during normal business hours.

Thanks, all. I'll just start checking the neighborhood when we get there. We're planning to arrive on a Tuesday and stay through the weekend, so there will be several business days to get the job done.

WA is accepting fewer and fewer out of state CPL's.
All must now meet WA new standard for 'mental health background checks'
http://www.atg.wa.gov/concealed-weapon-reciprocity
And with WA pulling reciprocity, other states follow in suit denying WA permits.
It's getting worse.

Until you get your CPL you can open carry.

Not a fan of open carry in dense urban environments (I can do it here, but don't). I'm not planning to take a carry gun on this trip, but would like to have the CPL for the next one, when we drive out.

I got mine in Redmond at the town PD last year, before I relocated. Had my permit in 2 days. I then spent $10 recently to renew it as a resident.


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My son's home is in the Admiral section of Seattle - that's in the SouthWest Police District, pretty much across Elliott Bay from downtown Seattle. I called the Southwest district police department office about applying for a nonresident concealed carry permit, and they said that's only done at the main Headquarters on 5th Ave in downtown Seattle. I can't find a phone number for that place to confirm whether an appointment is needed or what, if anything, more than a MO driver's license is needed for identification. (The permit info on the web site appears to be only for resident permits. I don't think nonresidents need anything more than a DL, but if we do I want to be sure to bring it along.)

Looking around for other "law enforcement" offices that might be reasonably close but not involve downtown traffic/parking I found the SeaTac Police dept, but it turns out they are by appointment only and, crucially for me, only take money orders for payment - no cash, no checks, no cards. As an out of towner that's a giant nuisance, at least.

I will keep checking around to see if I can find a law enforcement office that might be easier to get to than downtown Seattle, but not knowing the area makes it a pretty slow process for me. SO - does anybody have a recommendation, or even a suggestion, for a non-Seattle office that does permits on a walk in basis for cash? I have the forms already filled out, so just need a place to go to get fingerprinted, turn in the forms, and pay.

Thanks for any help.

I'd hit tacoma leeds walk in, wait, and pay with your cash

945 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 798-7441

need your passport and ID.
http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/sheriff ... s/gun.aspx