By Travis Bader, founder of Silvercore Outdoors.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Check your PAL application status online through your MyCFP Account or RCMP Individual Web Services, or call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. The RCMP does not answer status questions by email. The online status is general and typically tells you whether your application has been received, is in processing or has been finalized.
Where can I check my status?
The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) lists these channels:
- MyCFP Account. The RCMP contact page tells applicants to consult their MyCFP Account for status. If you applied through MyCFP, use the application MyCFP inbox for questions, available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm Atlantic time.
- Individual Web Services. The RCMP lists "check your application status" among the things you can do after signing in to Individual Web Services.
- Phone. Call 1-800-731-4000 from within Canada and the United States, or 1-506-624-6626 from outside Canada and the United States. The national contact centre is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
- Fax or mail. Fax 613-825-0297, or write to Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Firearms Program, Ottawa ON K1A 0R2. Allow five business days for a reply to a fax.
How do I sign in to check status online?
The Individual Web Services page sets out what you need:
- Complete a one-time sign-up by registering for a GCKey or Sign-in Partner Services account.
- Sign in and enter the authentication code the RCMP sends to your email. If it does not arrive, check your junk mail folder.
The RCMP recommends a modern desktop computer. It cannot provide support for mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets and game systems, and your browser must support and enable TLS 1.2 or higher, with cookies and JavaScript enabled. The RCMP states that a device more than five years old may have difficulties.
What does each status mean?
The RCMP states that the online status "is of a general nature" and will typically tell you whether your application:
- has been received;
- is in processing;
- has been finalized.
For more detailed information, the RCMP suggests calling the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 (source).
Why does my mailed application not show up yet?
The RCMP says to allow two to four weeks for a mailed application to be entered into the system (source).
Can I email the RCMP for a status update?
No. The RCMP contact page states: "We will not respond to e-mail inquiries regarding application status." Use your MyCFP Account, the phone line, fax or mail.
How long should I wait before checking?
Plan on two to four months after the RCMP receives a complete application, and three to six months from the day you book your course to the day the card arrives. Regulations under the Firearms Act set a minimum 28-day waiting period for first-time applicants, and the Canadian Firearms Program service standard is 35 calendar days to complete the initial review once your application is received. Online applications are processed faster than mailed ones.
If your application has sat in processing well past that window, read our guide to PAL applications that are denied or delayed. For the full timeline from course to card, see how long it takes to get your PAL in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my PAL application status online?
Sign in to RCMP Individual Web Services with a GCKey or Sign-in Partner account, or consult your MyCFP Account. The RCMP lists checking application status as an Individual Web Services function.
What is the RCMP firearms phone number for application status?
Call 1-800-731-4000 from within Canada and the United States, or 1-506-624-6626 from outside them. The national contact centre is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
What does "in processing" mean on my PAL application?
It is one of the general stages the RCMP shows online: received, in processing or finalized. For more detail, the RCMP suggests calling 1-800-731-4000.
Why can I not see my mailed PAL application online?
The RCMP says to allow two to four weeks for a mailed application to be entered into the system.
Can I email the RCMP about my PAL application status?
No. The RCMP states it will not respond to email inquiries about application status. Use your MyCFP Account, phone, fax or mail.
The Silvercore Path
- How to get your PAL in Canada
- How long does it take to get your PAL in Canada?
- PAL application denied or delayed
- Where to mail your PAL application
- The Silvercore Club
Join the Silvercore Club while you wait for your card. Membership is $59 a year. Anyone can join, with or without a PAL. Members get regulatory updates by email, so rule changes that land while your application is in processing reach your inbox.
