How to Fill Out California BOF Operation of Law Firearms Acquisition + FAQs

California’s BOF 4544A, the Report of Operation of Law or Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction, is the form Californians use to legally report a firearm they received through inheritance, intra-family transfer, court order, or another non-dealer “operation of law” event. The California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms requires this report from anyone who acquires a firearm outside the standard licensed dealer process, and the deadline is tight.

You have 30 days from the date you take possession to file. Miss it, and you can face misdemeanor charges, a denied registration, or even seizure of the firearm during a future law enforcement contact. According to the California DOJ’s Annual Firearms Reports, tens of thousands of operation-of-law transactions move through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) each year, and a meaningful share are rejected for simple field errors like wrong serial numbers, mismatched dates, or missing Firearm Safety Certificate numbers.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

📋 What BOF 4544A is, who must file it, and which statutes govern it
🗓️ The full 30-day timeline, fees, penalties, and how to avoid a misdemeanor
🖥️ Step-by-step instructions for every field, both online in CFARS and on paper
👨‍👩‍👧 Three real scenarios walking heirs and family members through the form
❓ Twelve FAQs covering field-level traps, HSC rules, and post-filing questions

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

BOF 4544A is the official California Department of Justice form titled Report of Operation of Law or Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction. It tells the state that a firearm changed hands without going through a licensed dealer’s normal Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) process. The form is authorized under California Penal Code section 27966 for operation-of-law acquisitions and Penal Code section 27875 for intra-familial transfers between parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren.

You must file BOF 4544A if you acquired a firearm in California through any of these situations:

Inheritance from a deceased family member or friend through a will, trust, or intestate succession
Intra-familial transfer between a parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild, including step and adoptive relationships listed under Penal Code section 16720
A court-ordered transfer such as a divorce property division
A transfer by operation of law where no licensed dealer was involved

The agency that receives the form is the California DOJ Bureau of Firearms. The form connects to the state’s Automated Firearms System (AFS), the database law enforcement uses to confirm legal ownership. If the firearm is not in AFS under your name, an officer running the serial number during a traffic stop or other contact may treat it as unregistered. The consequence of skipping the report is real: violation of the reporting duty can be charged as an infraction or misdemeanor under Penal Code section 27875, and possession of an unreported handgun acquired by operation of law can complicate future sales, loans, and inheritance plans.

A common misconception is that “family gifts don’t count.” They do. California treats every firearm transfer with the same seriousness, and even a father giving his son a hunting rifle for his 21st birthday must be reported on BOF 4544A within 30 days under Penal Code section 27920.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Before you log into CFARS or open the paper form, gather every document below. Missing even one item is the most common reason filers stop halfway and lose their entry. The Bureau of Firearms does not save partial CFARS sessions for long, and a timed-out session means starting over from field one.

Here is the pre-filing checklist, with the reason each item matters:

Valid California Driver License or ID card. The address on the ID must match your current residence, because Penal Code section 28210 requires the DOJ to verify residency. A mismatch triggers an automatic hold.
Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) number or Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC). The FSC is required for handguns and most long guns acquired after January 1, 2015. Without it, the system blocks the submission.
Proof of California residency. A utility bill, vehicle registration, or lease dated within 90 days. The DOJ uses this to confirm you are a California resident eligible to acquire under operation of law.
Death certificate or court order if the transfer is through inheritance or court action. This document proves the underlying legal event and may be requested by the Bureau of Firearms during review.
Make, model, caliber, barrel length, and serial number of every firearm being reported. Each firearm needs its own line. A wrong serial number is the single most common rejection reason.
Date of acquisition. This is the date you actually took possession, not the date of death or court order. The 30-day clock starts here.
Full legal name, date of birth, and address of the transferor. For inheritance, this is the deceased. For intra-familial transfers, this is the family member giving the firearm.
Your relationship to the transferor. The form requires an exact relationship label (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, spouse via court order, executor, etc.).
Payment method for the $19 DROS fee per firearm. CFARS accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Paper filers pay by check or money order to the California Department of Justice.
A safe storage plan and trigger lock or gun safe. Penal Code section 25100 requires safe storage, and CFARS asks you to certify compliance before submission.

If any item is missing, stop, gather it, and then start CFARS. Trying to “wing it” with a guessed serial number or an outdated FSC is the fastest way to a rejection notice and a second $19 charge.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official BOF 4544A form is hosted on the California Attorney General’s website. You can download the paper PDF from the Bureau of Firearms forms page and look for the Report of Operation of Law or Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction listing. Always confirm the revision date printed in the bottom corner of the PDF matches the current version the DOJ shows online, because the Bureau periodically updates field labels, and using an outdated form is grounds for rejection.

The far more common path today is the online portal. Create an account at the CFARS login page using a personal email address you control long term. Once inside, select “Operation of Law / Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction Report” from the dashboard menu. The system walks you through the same fields as BOF 4544A but adds dropdown validation, which prevents many of the most common errors.

A third route exists for filers who prefer in-person help. A licensed California firearms dealer (FFL) can process the report for you for a service fee, typically $35 to $75 on top of the state DROS fee. This is often the smart route for first-time filers or for anyone inheriting multiple firearms at once, because the dealer catches serial-number and FSC errors before they hit the system.

A common misconception is that a notary or attorney can file the form for you. They cannot. The filer must be the person who actually acquired the firearm, and the certification at the end of the form must be signed under penalty of perjury by that person.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out BOF 4544A Line by Line

The form has four main parts: Transferee (Recipient) Information, Transferor (Giver) Information, Firearm Information, and Certification and Signature. Walk through every field below in the order it appears on the form, whether you are using the paper PDF or CFARS.

Section A, Box 1: Transferee Last Name, First Name, Middle Name

This field asks for the full legal name of the person receiving the firearm, which is you. Enter it exactly as it appears on your California Driver License or ID card, in ALL CAPS, last name first. For example, Maria Elena Lopez writes LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA.

The DOJ cross-checks this name against the California DMV record tied to your CDL number. A nickname like Liz instead of Elizabeth will not match and will trigger a hold. If you legally changed your name through marriage or court order, use the name on your current ID, not your birth name.

A common edge case is hyphenated last names. Enter the hyphen exactly as the DMV shows it. The most common mistake here is dropping a middle name to “save space,” which then mismatches the DMV record and delays processing by up to ten business days. The misconception filers hold is that the name only needs to “basically match.” It needs to match character for character.

Section A, Box 2: California Driver License or ID Number

Enter your 8-character California Driver License (CDL) or California Identification (CID) number exactly as printed, with no spaces and no dashes. For example, D1234567 or X9876543.

This number is the master key the Bureau of Firearms uses to pull your record. CFARS validates the format in real time and will not let you continue if it sees the wrong number of characters. An out-of-state license is not accepted; you must be a California resident with a California-issued credential under Penal Code section 27535.

The most common mistake is typing the document number from the back of the ID card instead of the CDL number on the front. That mistake stops the submission cold. The misconception is that a U.S. passport works instead. It does not for this form. If your CDL is expired, renew it at the DMV before starting CFARS.

Section A, Box 3: Date of Birth

Enter your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. For example, Maria Lopez writes 03/14/1985.

This date must match the DMV record and your ID exactly. The Bureau of Firearms uses it to confirm you are at least 18 for long guns or 21 for handguns under Penal Code section 27510. Even a single-digit typo triggers an age verification flag.

The most common mistake is European-style DD/MM/YYYY entry, which flips the month and day. CFARS will accept the entry but flag the record on the back end, causing a delay. The misconception is that the date “doesn’t really matter” because the ID number is enough. It matters; both fields must agree.

Section A, Box 4: Residence Address

Enter your current California residence street address, including apartment or unit number, city, county, and ZIP code. A P.O. Box is not allowed for the residence field. For example, 2401 OAK STREET, APT 4B, SACRAMENTO, SACRAMENTO COUNTY, 95818.

The DOJ uses this to assign the firearm to the correct local law enforcement jurisdiction in the Automated Firearms System. If you genuinely have no street address (rural route, homeless shelter, military housing), use the descriptive address allowed under Penal Code section 27875 and note the explanation in CFARS.

The most common mistake is entering a mailing address instead of a physical residence. That mismatch can trigger a residency audit. The misconception is that a recent move “doesn’t matter.” It does. You must update your address with the DMV before filing, or the form will not match.

Section A, Box 5: Telephone Number and Email

Enter a daytime phone number where the Bureau of Firearms can reach you, in (XXX) XXX-XXXX format, and a working email. The DOJ uses these to send status updates and rejection notices.

If the email bounces, the rejection notice will not reach you, and you will only learn of the problem when you try to look up the firearm in CFARS. The common mistake here is using a temporary email tied to a job you may leave. Use a long-term personal email instead.

Section A, Box 6: Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Number

Enter your FSC number exactly as it appears on the certificate, including the prefix letters. For example, FSC123456789.

The Firearm Safety Certificate is required for nearly every operation-of-law and intra-familial transfer. There are a few narrow exemptions under Penal Code section 31700, including active duty military and certain peace officers, and if you qualify, check the FSC Exemption box and enter the exemption code.

The most common mistake is entering an old HSC (Handgun Safety Certificate) number that expired before FSC took over in 2015. CFARS will reject it. The misconception is that “family transfers” do not need an FSC. They do, with very limited exceptions.

Section B, Box 7: Transferor Last Name, First Name, Middle Name

This field asks for the full legal name of the person giving up the firearm, whether that is the deceased, a parent, a grandparent, a child, or a former spouse via court order. Enter in ALL CAPS, last name first.

For an inheritance, this is the decedent’s name as printed on the death certificate. For an intra-familial transfer, this is the living family member. The most common mistake is entering a nickname like Bob instead of Robert. The misconception is that this name does not matter once the person is deceased. It does, because the DOJ matches it against the death certificate and the prior AFS record for the firearm.

Section B, Box 8: Transferor Date of Birth and Date of Death (if applicable)

Enter the transferor’s date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. If the transfer is by inheritance, also enter the date of death in the same format.

The date of death determines whether your 30-day clock started from possession or from a probate event. Under Probate Code section 13050, small-estate transfers may have different timing. The common mistake is leaving the date of death blank on an inheritance, which causes the form to default to an intra-familial classification and triggers a rejection.

Section B, Box 9: Relationship to Transferee

Select the exact relationship from the dropdown in CFARS or write it on the paper form. Allowed values include Parent, Child, Grandparent, Grandchild, Step-Parent, Step-Child, Adoptive Parent, Adoptive Child, Spouse (court order), Executor, Trustee, and Other (operation of law).

Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and in-laws do not qualify as intra-familial transfers under Penal Code section 16720. A sibling-to-sibling transfer must go through a licensed dealer instead. The most common mistake is selecting Other when the correct option exists, which causes the DOJ to ask for a written explanation. The misconception is that any “family” counts. Only the relationships listed in the statute count.

Section C, Box 10: Firearm Type

Select Handgun, Long Gun (Rifle), Long Gun (Shotgun), or Other (such as a frame or receiver). This field controls which downstream rules apply, including the 10-day waiting period under Penal Code section 26815 and the one-handgun-per-30-days rule under Penal Code section 27535.

The most common mistake is classifying a pistol-grip shotgun as a “handgun.” Use the manufacturer’s classification, not your own. The misconception is that operation-of-law transfers skip the waiting period. They do not for intra-familial transfers; only true inheritance by operation of law is exempt from the 10-day wait.

Section C, Box 11: Make, Model, Caliber, Barrel Length

Enter the manufacturer (make), model name or number, caliber or gauge, and barrel length in inches for each firearm. For example, Make: SMITH & WESSON, Model: M&P SHIELD 9, Caliber: 9MM, Barrel Length: 3.1 IN.

These fields must match the markings on the firearm itself. The DOJ cross-references the California Roster of Handguns for handgun acquisitions, although operation-of-law transfers are exempt from the roster under Penal Code section 32000. The most common mistake is guessing the model from memory; always check the slide or receiver. The misconception is that “close enough” works for the make. It does not; S&W and Smith & Wesson are treated as different entries by some validators.

Section C, Box 12: Serial Number

Enter the complete serial number exactly as engraved on the firearm, including all letters, numbers, and any leading zeros. For example, Marcus enters HEW1234 for his inherited Ruger 10/22.

A wrong serial number is the single most common reason BOF 4544A reports are rejected. Verify the serial by looking at the firearm in good light, and write it down before you start CFARS. The most common mistake is confusing the letter O with the number 0, or the letter I with the number 1. The misconception is that “the number can be cleaned up later.” It cannot, and a corrected serial requires a new submission and a new $19 fee.

Section C, Box 13: Date of Acquisition

Enter the date you took physical possession in MM/DD/YYYY format. This is the date the 30-day reporting clock started. For an inheritance, this is typically the date the executor handed you the firearm, not the date of death.

Under Penal Code section 27875, reporting late is a violation. The common mistake is backdating to make the 30-day window look right. Do not. The DOJ has tools to verify possession dates through probate records.

Section C, Box 14: Firearm Acquired As

Check the box for Operation of Law (Inheritance), Intra-Familial Transfer, Court Order, or Other Operation of Law. This selection drives which statute governs the report.

The most common mistake is selecting Intra-Familial Transfer for an inheritance from a parent who died, when Operation of Law (Inheritance) is the correct choice. The misconception is that the categories are interchangeable. They are not, and the wrong selection can apply the wrong waiting period and the wrong fee structure.

Section D, Box 15: Certification and Signature

Read the certification statement, then sign and date under penalty of perjury that all information is true and that you are not prohibited from possessing firearms under Penal Code section 29800 or federal law at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).

For paper filers, sign in blue or black ink. For CFARS, type your full legal name and click the certification checkbox. The most common mistake is rushing past the prohibited-person language. Read it carefully, because a false certification is a felony. The misconception is that a “small” misdemeanor in your past does not matter. Some misdemeanors trigger a 10-year firearm prohibition under Penal Code section 29805.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1: Maria, Adult Child Inheriting a Handgun

Maria’s father, Roberto, passed away in Sacramento and left her his Glock 19 through his will. She picks up the firearm from the executor on April 2.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Box 1 Transferee Name	LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA
Box 2 CDL Number	D4567890
Box 3 Date of Birth	03/14/1985
Box 6 FSC Number	FSC987654321
Box 7 Transferor Name	LOPEZ, ROBERTO ANTONIO
Box 8 Transferor DOB / DOD	07/12/1952 / 03/20/2026
Box 9 Relationship	Child
Box 10 Firearm Type	Handgun
Box 11 Make/Model/Caliber/Barrel	GLOCK / 19 GEN 5 / 9MM / 4.0 IN
Box 12 Serial Number	BXYZ123
Box 13 Date of Acquisition	04/02/2026
Box 14 Acquired As	Operation of Law (Inheritance)

Scenario 2: Marcus, Receiving a Rifle from His Grandfather

Marcus’s grandfather, James, is downsizing his collection and gifts him a Ruger 10/22 rifle. The transfer happens on May 5.

Form Section	What Marcus Enters
Box 1 Transferee Name	WASHINGTON, MARCUS DEON
Box 2 CDL Number	F1122334
Box 3 Date of Birth	11/08/1998
Box 6 FSC Number	FSC112233445
Box 7 Transferor Name	WASHINGTON, JAMES EARL
Box 8 Transferor DOB / DOD	02/15/1945 / N/A
Box 9 Relationship	Grandchild
Box 10 Firearm Type	Long Gun (Rifle)
Box 11 Make/Model/Caliber/Barrel	RUGER / 10/22 CARBINE / .22 LR / 18.5 IN
Box 12 Serial Number	HEW1234
Box 13 Date of Acquisition	05/05/2026
Box 14 Acquired As	Intra-Familial Transfer

Scenario 3: Janet, Receiving a Shotgun Through Divorce Court Order

Janet was awarded her ex-husband’s Remington 870 shotgun in the divorce property division, and the court order is signed on June 10.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Box 1 Transferee Name	NGUYEN, JANET THUY
Box 2 CDL Number	G7766554
Box 3 Date of Birth	09/22/1974
Box 6 FSC Number	FSC556677889
Box 7 Transferor Name	NGUYEN, DAVID MICHAEL
Box 8 Transferor DOB / DOD	05/30/1971 / N/A
Box 9 Relationship	Spouse (court order)
Box 10 Firearm Type	Long Gun (Shotgun)
Box 11 Make/Model/Caliber/Barrel	REMINGTON / 870 EXPRESS / 12 GA / 26 IN
Box 12 Serial Number	RS98765B
Box 13 Date of Acquisition	06/10/2026
Box 14 Acquired As	Court Order

Other named filers worth keeping in mind: Aisha, a daughter inheriting a Curio & Relic Colt revolver and using an FFL to file; Carlos, a son receiving two handguns from his late mother and submitting two separate reports through CFARS; Diane, a granddaughter receiving a long gun and qualifying for the FSC long-gun-only certificate.

How to File the Completed Form

There are three filing channels for BOF 4544A, and each one has its own fee, timeline, and proof-of-filing rules.

Online through CFARS. Log in at the CFARS portal, select Operation of Law / Intra-Familial Firearm Transaction Report, complete every field, and pay the $19 DROS fee per firearm by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Processing typically takes 10 business days for handguns due to the 10-day waiting period, although true inheritance-by-death transfers may be exempt from the wait under Penal Code section 27875. Save the confirmation number and a PDF of the submission as your proof of filing.

By mail using the paper BOF 4544A PDF. Print and complete the form from the Bureau of Firearms forms page, attach a check or money order for $19 per firearm made out to the California Department of Justice, and mail to Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms, P.O. Box 820200, Sacramento, CA 94203-0200. Processing by mail takes 4 to 8 weeks. Send the form by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt, and keep both the green card and a photocopy of the completed form as proof of filing.

In person through a licensed dealer (FFL). Bring the firearm (unloaded and in a locked container), your ID, your FSC, and any inheritance or court documents to any licensed California firearms dealer. The dealer enters the report through their own DROS terminal and charges a service fee of typically $35 to $75 per firearm plus the state $19 DROS. Processing follows the standard 10-day waiting period. The dealer gives you a printed DROS receipt that serves as proof of filing.

A common mistake across all channels is paying only one $19 fee for multiple firearms. Each firearm needs its own fee and its own report.

What Happens After You File

Once you submit, the Bureau of Firearms runs your information through the California Automated Firearms System, the California Restraining and Protective Order System (CARPOS), and the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The DOJ confirms you are not a prohibited person and that the firearm is not stolen.

If the report is approved, the firearm is added to the Automated Firearms System under your name and address, and you receive an approval notice by email (CFARS) or mail (paper). If the report is denied, you receive a written notice explaining the reason, and you must surrender, sell to a dealer, or otherwise lawfully dispose of the firearm under Penal Code section 29810.

You can confirm the firearm is registered to you by requesting a free Automated Firearms System (AFS) record directly from the DOJ. This record is the single best proof that you completed the process. Keep your approval confirmation, your DROS receipt, and your AFS printout together with the firearm’s documentation.

A common misconception is that approval is automatic. It is not. Even legitimate inheritances can be flagged if the deceased had an unresolved firearm record or if the serial number does not match the AFS record on file. Plan for at least a few weeks of processing before you treat the matter as closed.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Missing the 30-day deadline. Late reports can be charged as an infraction or misdemeanor under Penal Code section 27875.
Entering the wrong serial number. This is the top rejection reason and forces a full resubmission with a second $19 fee.
Using an expired CDL. The DOJ rejects the report and you must renew through the DMV first.
Filing without an FSC. Most filers need a current Firearm Safety Certificate, and CFARS blocks submission without one.
Choosing the wrong relationship. Siblings, cousins, in-laws, and aunts/uncles do not qualify as intra-familial under Penal Code section 16720.
Confusing inheritance with intra-familial transfer. The wrong category applies the wrong waiting period and the wrong statute.
Paying only one $19 fee for multiple firearms. Each firearm needs its own fee, and underpayment voids the entire batch.
Using a P.O. Box as residence. The form requires a physical California address.
Skipping the safe storage certification. Refusal to certify safe storage stops the submission under Penal Code section 25100.
Signing under the wrong name. A signature that does not match the CDL name triggers a rejection.
Forgetting the date of death on an inheritance. Without it, the form misclassifies as intra-familial and gets bounced.
Reporting a sibling transfer on BOF 4544A. Siblings must use a licensed dealer instead.

Each of these mistakes can cost you weeks of processing time, a second $19 fee, or worse, criminal exposure for unreported possession.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

Do file within 30 days. The clock is short and the consequence is real.
Do double-check every serial number against the firearm itself before submitting.
Do keep the firearm in a locked container until the report is approved.
Do save the CFARS confirmation as a PDF and a printout.
Do request your free AFS record after approval to confirm registration.
Do consult a Bureau of Firearms licensed dealer if you are unsure.

Don’t:

Don’t backdate the acquisition date to fit the 30-day window.
Don’t assume any family member counts as intra-familial; only the statute’s list counts.
Don’t combine multiple firearms under one $19 fee.
Don’t use a nickname or shortened name anywhere on the form.
Don’t ignore a rejection notice; respond within the timeframe shown.
Don’t sell or loan the firearm before approval comes back from the DOJ.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of filing on your own through CFARS:

Saves the $35 to $75 FFL service fee per firearm.
Faster start time, because you can begin within minutes from home.
Direct control over every field, so you know exactly what was submitted.
Easy to file multiple firearms in one session under the same login.
Confirmation arrives by email, often within minutes of submission.

Cons of filing on your own through CFARS:

No second set of eyes on serial numbers, the top rejection cause.
You bear full responsibility for any field-level error.
Rejection means a new $19 fee and another 10-day wait.
No in-person guidance on edge cases like Curio & Relic firearms.
A timed-out session can erase your entries.

Pros of filing through a licensed dealer:

Dealer reviews fields and serial numbers before submission.
Dealer handles uncommon scenarios like trusts and out-of-state decedents.
In-person reassurance during an emotional inheritance event.
Single physical proof-of-filing receipt for your records.
Dealer can store the firearm during the waiting period for an extra fee.

Cons of filing through a licensed dealer:

Extra $35 to $75 service fee per firearm on top of the state $19.
Limited dealer hours and possible appointment delays.
You must transport the firearm to the dealer, which adds risk and logistics.
Less direct visibility into the submitted record.
Dealer choice affects quality; some are far more careful than others.

FAQs

Do I need to file BOF 4544A if my sibling gives me a firearm?

No. Sibling-to-sibling transfers do not qualify as intra-familial under Penal Code section 16720. You must go through a licensed California firearms dealer and complete a standard DROS instead.

Do I have 30 days or 60 days to file after acquisition?

Yes. You have 30 days from the date of acquisition for operation-of-law and intra-familial transfers under Penal Code section 27875. The 60-day rule applies only to personal handgun importers moving to California.

Do I need a Firearm Safety Certificate to file?

Yes. An FSC is required for nearly every transferee, with narrow exemptions for active military, peace officers, and certain license holders listed under Penal Code section 31700.

Do I write the date of death or the date I received the firearm in Box 13?

No. Box 13 asks for the date of acquisition, meaning the date you physically took possession. The date of death belongs in Box 8.

Do I select Intra-Familial Transfer when I inherit from my deceased parent?

No. Select Operation of Law (Inheritance) in Box 14 when the transferor is deceased. Intra-Familial Transfer is for transfers between living parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren.

Do I pay one $19 fee for all firearms in the same inheritance?

No. Each firearm requires its own $19 DROS fee under California’s per-firearm fee structure, even when the firearms come from the same person on the same day.

Do I include the leading zeros in the serial number in Box 12?

Yes. Enter the serial number exactly as engraved, including every leading zero, letter, and character. A missing zero is treated as a different firearm.

Do I need to use my married name or maiden name in Box 1?

Yes. Use the name that appears on your current California Driver License or ID card. If you changed your name, update the DMV first, then file.

Do operation-of-law inheritances skip the 10-day waiting period?

Yes. True inheritance-by-death transfers are exempt from the 10-day waiting period under Penal Code section 27875, although intra-familial transfers between living family members are not exempt.

Do I need to file if the firearm is an antique or Curio & Relic?

Yes. Modern firearms and most C&R firearms require BOF 4544A. True antiques manufactured before 1899 may be exempt, but verify under federal law at 18 U.S.C. § 921 before skipping the report.

Do I sign the form in front of a notary?

No. The certification is signed under penalty of perjury directly on the form. No notary is required, but the signature must match your legal name.

Do I lose the firearm if my report is denied?

No. A denial means you must lawfully dispose of the firearm under Penal Code section 29810 within the time stated in the notice, by selling to a dealer, surrendering it, or arranging a lawful transfer.

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