Santa Clara County CCW Permit

Apply to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Checked against the agency's own site on 2026-10-08.

• New license: $488 when you apply, $488 when approved; Live Scan, the psych exam, and training are extra
• Renewal: $395
• Good to know: The most expensive county in California. A CRPA-backed lawsuit challenges the fees and the psych exam it requires of every applicant. Nonresidents can apply.

Apply to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office · Every California county and city

Common questions

How much does a CCW cost in Santa Clara County?

A new CCW in Santa Clara County costs about $1,069: $976 in local fees plus $93 for the state DOJ background check. That's the most expensive of the 36 counties that post a full price; the typical one charges about $237. Training is paid separately, to the instructor.

Where do I apply for a CCW in Santa Clara County?

Apply to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, which takes applications online. If you live in San Jose or Sunnyvale, you can apply to that city's police department instead.

Does Santa Clara County require a psych exam for a CCW?

Every new applicant needs a psychological exam, and the agency doesn't post what it costs.

How long does a CCW take in Santa Clara County?

State law gives the agency 120 days from a complete application, or 30 days after the DOJ's background results come back if that's later, to approve or deny it.

Rules every California license follows

• Local fees: There's no dollar cap. Each sheriff or police chief sets a fee meant to cover its own reasonable costs, and it can collect only half up front. The rest is due when your license is issued, so a denial shouldn't cost you the whole thing. (Cal. Penal Code § 26190(b))
• Psychological exam: The state doesn't require one, but each agency can. If yours does, you see a psychologist it approves and you pay what the exam actually costs, usually $400 to $625 where it's posted. A renewal can only trigger another exam if there's compelling evidence of a safety concern. (Cal. Penal Code § 26190(e))
• Training: New applicants need a course of at least 16 hours, taught by a DOJ-certified instructor, with live fire using every gun you want on the license. Renewals take at least 8 hours. Training is paid to the instructor, not the agency, and usually costs a few hundred dollars. (Cal. Penal Code § 26165)
• How long they have to decide: 120 days from a complete application, or 30 days after the DOJ's background results come back if that's later. Some agencies take longer anyway; the U.S. Justice Department sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff in 2025 over waits of a year or more. (Cal. Penal Code § 26205)

Not legal advice. Confirm fees with the agency before you pay.