How to Fill Out California Form BOF 1015 (w/Examples) + FAQs

California Form BOF 1015, the Firearm Ownership Report, is the official document the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms uses to record handguns and long guns that enter California outside the normal Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) system. New residents, heirs, infrequent transferees, and certain military members must file this report so the firearm appears in the state’s Automated Firearms System (AFS) and the owner stays compliant with Penal Code § 27560.

Filing the form correctly protects the owner from a misdemeanor charge, a possible firearm seizure, and a permanent gap in the AFS chain of ownership. According to the California DOJ 2023 DROS Report, more than 28,000 Firearm Ownership Reports were processed in a single year, and the rejection rate for new-resident submissions hovered near 9% because of avoidable field-level errors.

Here is what this guide covers:

📋 What BOF 1015 is, who must file it, and the exact deadline that applies to each filer type
🧾 The line-by-line walkthrough of every box, with example entries and the most common mistake on each line
👨‍👩‍👧 Three full named-filer scenarios — a new resident, an heir, and an active-duty service member
💻 How to file through the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS) and by mail, with fees and processing times
⚖️ The statutes, penalties, and Firearm Safety Certificate rules that surround the form

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

California Form BOF 1015 is the Firearm Ownership Report used to register a firearm with the California Department of Justice when the firearm did not pass through a California licensed dealer. The current revision is dated December 2023, and the BOF 1015A variant is the long-gun version of the same report. The form replaces older paper-only versions and is now filed primarily through the secure CFARS portal.

The Bureau of Firearms receives the report and enters the firearm into the Automated Firearms System, which is the master database law enforcement uses to confirm ownership during traffic stops, recoveries, and probate. The legal authority to require this report comes from Cal. Penal Code § 27560 for new residents, § 27565 for personal handgun importers, and § 27585 for firearms acquired by intrafamilial transfer or inheritance.

Filers fall into five distinct groups. New residents who bring firearms into California must file within 60 days of establishing residency. Heirs who receive a firearm through a will or trust must file within 30 days of taking possession. Personal handgun importers who already lived in California but bought a handgun from out of state must file before the firearm crosses the border. Active-duty service members assigned to California file when they declare residency. Anyone reporting an off-roster or curio-and-relic firearm acquired through a lawful private channel may also use this form.

The form is not a substitute for a Dealer Record of Sale when the firearm is purchased inside California. It is also not the right form for assault weapon registration, which uses a separate online process. Filing the wrong form delays processing and can leave the firearm legally unregistered.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Filers should gather every required document before opening the CFARS portal because the system times out after 20 minutes of inactivity, and a missing item forces a restart. The Bureau of Firearms rejects roughly 1 in 11 reports because of incomplete supporting documents, so a checklist saves real time.

California Driver License or ID number. The Bureau cross-checks this number against DMV records, and a mismatch triggers a manual review that adds 4–8 weeks.
Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC). Required for almost all filers under Penal Code § 31615; without it, the report cannot be approved.
Proof of California residency. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or military orders dated within the last 60 days establishes the residency clock.
Firearm details. Make, model, caliber, barrel length, serial number, and category (pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun) — all must match the markings on the firearm exactly.
Acquisition date. The exact date the filer took possession, formatted MM/DD/YYYY, because this date controls the filing deadline.
Source of the firearm. Name, address, and relationship of the prior owner, transferor, or decedent.
Payment method. A credit or debit card for the $19 processing fee when filing through CFARS, or a check or money order for mail filings.
Probate or trust documents (heirs only). A certified death certificate and the relevant page of the will or trust prove lawful inheritance.
Military orders (service members only). A copy of orders assigning the filer to a California base proves residency under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Email address. CFARS sends the confirmation receipt and the AFS entry notice to this address, so a typo costs the filer the only proof of filing.

Missing any one of these items can block the report. For example, if Maria Lopez forgets her FSC number, the system saves her draft but will not let her submit, and the 60-day clock keeps running.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official BOF 1015 lives on the California Attorney General’s firearms forms page. Filers should always download the form directly from this page rather than from a third-party site, because outdated PDFs circulate online and the Bureau rejects any version that does not match the current revision date.

Most filers now use the CFARS portal instead of the paper PDF. CFARS requires a free account tied to the filer’s California ID and email. Account creation takes about 10 minutes and includes identity verification through a series of knowledge-based questions pulled from public records.

Paper filing is still allowed under 11 CCR § 4045. Filers who choose paper download the PDF, print it single-sided on white paper, complete it in black ink, and mail it to the Bureau of Firearms in Sacramento. The Bureau will not accept faxed or emailed copies of the paper form because the original signature must be on file.

Filers without internet access can also request a paper copy by calling the Bureau of Firearms Customer Support Center at (916) 263-4887. The Bureau mails the form within 5 business days, but the filer is still responsible for meeting the original deadline, so calling early matters.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out BOF 1015 Line by Line

The form is divided into four parts: Owner Information, Firearm Information, Source Information, and Certification. Every part must be completed even if a section appears not to apply, because blank fields trigger automatic rejection. Each H3 below corresponds to a specific field on the December 2023 revision.

Part 1, Box 1 — Last Name

This box asks for the filer’s legal last name as it appears on the California Driver License or ID. Enter the full last name in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS with no punctuation, no suffixes, and no nicknames. For example, Maria Lopez writes LOPEZ in Box 1.

A common edge case is hyphenated last names. Filers should include the hyphen exactly as the DMV prints it; GARCIA-RUIZ is correct, but GARCIA RUIZ with a space causes a mismatch. The most common mistake on this field is entering a married name when the DL still shows a maiden name, which forces the Bureau to suspend the report until the filer updates the DMV record. A frequent misconception is that the Bureau will accept a “preferred” name; it will not, because AFS keys to the DMV record.

Part 1, Box 2 — First Name

Enter the filer’s full legal first name, again matching the DL exactly. Initials and middle names belong in Box 3, not here. Maria Lopez writes MARIA in Box 2, not M. and not Maria Elena.

The edge case here involves filers who go by a middle name in daily life. The DL controls, so even if the filer signs checks as “Elena,” the entry must be “MARIA.” A common mistake is dropping accent marks; the form does not require accents, and adding them sometimes causes encoding errors in CFARS. The misconception that the Bureau “knows” the filer’s preferred name causes repeated rejections — the database is literal.

Part 1, Box 3 — Middle Name

Box 3 captures the full middle name or middle initial. Filers with no middle name write NONE in this box rather than leaving it blank, because a blank middle-name field is one of the top three rejection reasons in CFARS. Maria Elena Lopez writes ELENA in Box 3.

The nuance here is suffixes. A “Jr.” or “III” goes in Box 4 (Suffix), never in Box 3. The most common mistake is writing only the initial when the DL shows the full middle name, which causes a soft mismatch and a 2-week delay. A frequent misconception is that “middle name” is optional under federal law; California’s reporting rule under Penal Code § 28160 requires it.

Part 1, Box 4 — Date of Birth

Enter the filer’s date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format with forward slashes. Two-digit years are not accepted. Maria Lopez, born March 14, 1985, writes 03/14/1985.

The edge case is filers born outside the United States whose original birth records use a different calendar; the DOB on the California DL controls. A common mistake is reversing the month and day, which is automatic grounds for rejection because the DOB cross-checks against DMV. A persistent misconception is that the DOB does not matter because the DL number already encodes identity; in fact, the Bureau runs both checks separately.

Part 1, Box 5 — California Driver License or ID Number

Enter the 8-character alphanumeric ID printed on the front of the California DL. The format is one letter followed by seven digits, with no spaces and no hyphens. Maria Lopez writes B1234567.

The nuance involves recently issued DLs that follow the REAL ID format; the number format is the same, and the gold star does not affect the entry. The most common mistake is using an out-of-state DL number from the prior state of residency, which voids the report because California requires a California ID. The misconception that a passport number can substitute is incorrect under Penal Code § 28215.

Part 1, Box 6 — Residence Address

Enter the full California street address where the filer lives, including apartment or unit number, city, county, and ZIP+4. P.O. boxes are not allowed because the Bureau ties the firearm to a physical residence. Maria Lopez writes 1428 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Sacramento, Sacramento County, 95814-2201.

The edge case is filers in rural areas with route-and-box addresses; those filers should enter the physical address description the county assessor uses and add a clarifying note in Part 4. The most common mistake is entering a mailing address that differs from the physical address, which the system flags as suspicious. A common misconception is that a temporary address is acceptable; the Bureau requires the address where the firearm will be stored.

Part 1, Box 7 — Telephone Number

Enter a 10-digit phone number where the Bureau can reach the filer during business hours. Format the number as 916-555-0123 with hyphens. Maria Lopez writes 916-555-0123.

The nuance is that mobile numbers are preferred because the Bureau may send a text confirmation. The most common mistake is using a workplace number that gates calls, which slows down any follow-up question and can stretch processing past 60 days. A frequent misconception is that the Bureau never calls; in practice, about 12% of reports trigger a clarification call.

Part 1, Box 8 — Firearm Safety Certificate Number

Enter the 8-digit FSC number from the certificate the filer earned by passing the DOJ-approved FSC test. The certificate must still be valid; FSCs expire after 5 years. Maria Lopez writes 12345678.

The edge case is exempt filers, such as active-duty law enforcement and certain military members. Exempt filers check the FSC Exempt box and cite the exemption statute in Part 4. The most common mistake is entering an expired FSC number, which the system flags instantly and blocks submission. The misconception that one FSC covers a spouse or relative is wrong — every filer needs an individual FSC.

Part 2, Box 9 — Firearm Category

Check exactly one box: Pistol, Revolver, Rifle, or Shotgun. The category controls which AFS table receives the entry, and the wrong box routes the firearm to the wrong file. Maria Lopez checks Pistol because her firearm is a semi-automatic 9mm.

The nuance is that a “pistol-grip shotgun” or a Short-Barreled Rifle follows special federal NFA rules and may require an additional federal filing. The most common mistake is checking “Pistol” for a revolver because both are handguns; the Bureau treats them as separate categories. A common misconception is that category does not matter because the serial number is unique; AFS keys on category first.

Part 2, Box 10 — Make

Enter the manufacturer name exactly as it appears on the firearm’s slide, frame, or barrel. Use the manufacturer name, not the importer or distributor. Maria Lopez writes GLOCK.

The edge case involves firearms with multiple stamps; if the slide says “Glock” and the frame says “Glock Inc.,” use the slide stamp because that is the manufacturer of the regulated part. The most common mistake is using the model name as the make (writing “G19” instead of “GLOCK”), which makes the firearm impossible to find in AFS searches. The misconception that abbreviations are fine (“S&W” for Smith & Wesson) is wrong — the Bureau requires the full registered name.

Part 2, Box 11 — Model

Enter the model designation as marked on the firearm. Maria Lopez writes 19 GEN5 for her Glock 19 Gen5. Include any generation, variant, or series suffix.

The nuance is custom or limited-run firearms; the model is whatever the manufacturer engraved. The most common mistake is omitting the generation, which makes a Gen3 indistinguishable from a Gen5 in AFS. A frequent misconception is that the model number on the box is authoritative; the stamp on the firearm controls.

Part 2, Box 12 — Caliber

Enter the caliber exactly as marked on the barrel. Maria Lopez writes 9MM. Use the imperial or metric form that the firearm itself shows.

The edge case is multi-caliber conversions; report the caliber currently installed and add a note in Part 4 if the firearm has a conversion kit. The most common mistake is writing “9 LUGER” when the barrel says “9MM,” because AFS does not normalize caliber strings. The misconception that “.357 Magnum” and “.357 SIG” are the same caliber causes repeated rejections — they are entirely different cartridges.

Part 2, Box 13 — Barrel Length

Enter the barrel length in inches, measured from the breech face to the muzzle, accurate to one decimal place. Maria Lopez writes 4.0.

The nuance is that a barrel under 16 inches on a rifle, or under 18 inches on a shotgun, may be a federally regulated Short-Barreled Rifle or Short-Barreled Shotgun. The most common mistake is rounding to a whole number; AFS expects decimals. A common misconception is that overall length matters; only barrel length goes in this box.

Part 2, Box 14 — Serial Number

Enter the firearm’s serial number exactly as engraved, with all characters and no spaces. Maria Lopez writes ABC123XYZ. Distinguish the letter “O” from the number “0” carefully.

The edge case involves firearms with duplicate serials across manufacturers; the Bureau uses make plus serial together, so accuracy on both is critical. The most common mistake is misreading a “B” as an “8,” which the Bureau will catch only after a manual review and a 6-week delay. The misconception that lowercase and uppercase letters differ is wrong — AFS treats serial numbers as case-insensitive but expects upper case.

Part 2, Box 15 — Acquisition Date

Enter the date the filer took physical possession of the firearm in MM/DD/YYYY format. This date starts the deadline clock. Maria Lopez writes 04/01/2026 because she crossed into California with the firearm on that date.

The nuance for heirs is that “acquisition” means the date of legal possession after probate, not the date the decedent died. The most common mistake is using the original purchase date from years earlier, which makes the report look late and triggers a Penal Code § 27590 review. A common misconception is that the date can be approximate; the Bureau wants the exact day.

Part 3, Box 16 — Source Type

Check the box that describes how the filer got the firearm: Brought into California, Inheritance, Intrafamilial Transfer, Personal Handgun Importer, or Other. Maria Lopez checks Brought into California because she moved from Arizona.

The edge case is mixed sources, such as a firearm inherited from a parent who lived out of state and then brought across the border; in that situation, check Inheritance and explain in Part 4. The most common mistake is checking “Other” when one of the listed categories applies, which routes the report to a slow manual queue. A common misconception is that the source category does not affect the form; in fact, it controls which statutory deadline applies.

Part 3, Box 17 — Prior Owner / Transferor Information

Enter the name and last known address of the person who previously owned the firearm. For new residents, this may be the filer themselves at a prior address. Maria Lopez writes Maria Lopez, 4501 Cactus Road, Phoenix, AZ 85001.

The nuance for inheritance is that the prior owner is the decedent, and the filer should add the date of death below the address. The most common mistake is leaving this field blank for self-imports, which the Bureau requires anyway as a paper trail. A common misconception is that prior-owner information violates privacy; the Bureau is authorized to collect it under Penal Code § 28215.

Part 4, Box 18 — Certification and Signature

Read the certification statement and sign in wet ink (paper) or with a CFARS digital signature. The statement places the filer under penalty of perjury under California Penal Code § 118. Maria Lopez signs and dates the form on 04/05/2026.

The edge case is a filer with a power-of-attorney; the agent signs and attaches the POA document. The most common mistake is signing outside the box, which scans poorly and triggers a manual review. The misconception that an electronic signature carries less weight than ink is wrong — CFARS digital signatures are equivalent under the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, New Resident from Arizona

Maria moved from Phoenix to Sacramento on April 1, 2026, bringing her Glock 19 Gen5. She has 60 days under Penal Code § 27560 to file BOF 1015.

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Last Name (Box 1)	LOPEZ
First / Middle Name (Box 2–3)	MARIA / ELENA
Date of Birth (Box 4)	03/14/1985
CA DL Number (Box 5)	B1234567
Residence Address (Box 6)	1428 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Sacramento, 95814
FSC Number (Box 8)	12345678
Firearm Category (Box 9)	Pistol
Make / Model / Caliber (Box 10–12)	GLOCK / 19 GEN5 / 9MM
Acquisition Date (Box 15)	04/01/2026
Source Type (Box 16)	Brought into California

Scenario 2 — Marcus Chen, Heir of an Inherited Rifle

Marcus inherited his late father’s Remington 700 hunting rifle through probate in Los Angeles County. Probate closed on March 15, 2026, and the intrafamilial transfer rules give him 30 days to report the firearm.

Form Section	What Marcus Enters
Last Name (Box 1)	CHEN
First / Middle Name (Box 2–3)	MARCUS / WEI
Date of Birth (Box 4)	07/22/1978
CA DL Number (Box 5)	D7654321
Residence Address (Box 6)	812 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026
FSC Number (Box 8)	87654321
Firearm Category (Box 9)	Rifle
Make / Model / Caliber (Box 10–12)	REMINGTON / 700 BDL / .30-06
Acquisition Date (Box 15)	03/15/2026
Source Type (Box 16)	Inheritance
Prior Owner (Box 17)	David Chen (deceased 02/02/2026)

Scenario 3 — Sergeant Janet Williams, Active-Duty Service Member

Janet received PCS orders to Camp Pendleton on January 10, 2026. She brought her Sig Sauer P226 with her and declared California residency on February 1, 2026, which starts her 60-day BOF 1015 clock under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act framework.

Form Section	What Janet Enters
Last Name (Box 1)	WILLIAMS
First / Middle Name (Box 2–3)	JANET / RENEE
Date of Birth (Box 4)	11/05/1990
CA DL Number (Box 5)	F2468013
Residence Address (Box 6)	Bldg 2202, Camp Pendleton, 92055
FSC Number (Box 8)	FSC EXEMPT — Active Duty
Firearm Category (Box 9)	Pistol
Make / Model / Caliber (Box 10–12)	SIG SAUER / P226 / 9MM
Acquisition Date (Box 15)	02/01/2026
Source Type (Box 16)	Brought into California
Prior Owner (Box 17)	Janet Williams, 1500 Liberty Ln, Norfolk VA 23505

How to File the Completed Form

The Bureau of Firearms accepts BOF 1015 through two channels: the CFARS online portal and the postal mail. CFARS is the faster and recommended channel, while paper filing remains available for filers without internet access.

Online through CFARS: log in, choose Firearm Ownership Report, complete each screen, upload supporting documents as PDFs under 10 MB each, and pay the $19 processing fee with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card. CFARS issues a confirmation number immediately and emails a receipt within 1 hour. Standard processing takes 30–60 days, and the filer receives an AFS Confirmation Letter when the firearm is entered.

By mail: print the completed PDF, sign in black ink, attach a check or money order for $19 made out to “California Department of Justice,” include copies of the FSC and proof of residency, and mail to California Department of Justice, Bureau of Firearms, P.O. Box 820200, Sacramento, CA 94203-0200. The filer should send the package by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt so the postmark proves the filing date. Mail processing takes 60–90 days.

In-person filing is not available; the Bureau does not accept walk-in submissions of BOF 1015. Fax is also not accepted because the original signature must be preserved. Filers should keep a copy of the completed form, the proof of mailing, and the AFS confirmation for at least 10 years, because California has no statute of limitations on AFS recordkeeping disputes.

What Happens After You File

Once the Bureau receives the report, an analyst reviews the form for completeness, checks the filer against the Prohibited Persons list, and verifies the firearm is not stolen through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System. If anything fails, the filer receives a deficiency letter with 30 days to correct.

When the report clears review, the firearm is added to the Automated Firearms System, and the filer becomes the AFS-recorded owner. The filer receives a confirmation letter by mail and, if filed through CFARS, an electronic copy in the portal inbox. This letter is the only proof of ownership the state issues, so filers should store it with the firearm’s documents.

If the firearm is later sold, the filer must process the transfer through a California licensed dealer — BOF 1015 does not transfer ownership out of the filer’s name. If the filer moves within California, no new BOF 1015 is required, but the Change of Address form must be filed within 5 days under Penal Code § 27545.

A rejected report does not extend the original deadline. Filers who miss the 60-day or 30-day window even because of a Bureau rejection still face possible misdemeanor exposure under Penal Code § 27590, although first-time filers who quickly correct deficiencies are rarely prosecuted.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Using an expired FSC. The report is automatically rejected, and the filer must retake the test before refiling.
Entering an out-of-state DL. California requires a California ID; an Arizona or Nevada DL voids the form.
Reversing month and day in dates. This is the single most common rejection reason and adds 4–8 weeks.
Leaving the middle-name box blank. Filers must write NONE if no middle name exists; a blank field is treated as incomplete.
Using a P.O. Box for residence. The Bureau requires a physical address; P.O. Boxes are an automatic rejection.
Confusing pistol with revolver. Both are handguns, but AFS keeps them in separate tables, and the wrong box misroutes the entry.
Misreading the serial number. Mistaking O for 0 or B for 8 forces a manual review and a 6-week delay.
Skipping the prior-owner field on a self-import. Even when the filer is the prior owner, the Bureau requires the prior-state address.
Filing past the deadline. A late report can trigger misdemeanor charges under Penal Code § 27590.
Skipping payment. A report submitted without the $19 fee is held but not processed, and the deadline keeps running.
Using a faxed or emailed paper form. The Bureau accepts only original-signature paper or CFARS submissions.
Filing BOF 1015 for an assault weapon. Assault weapons require the separate Assault Weapon Registration, and BOF 1015 will not register them.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Do download the form from the official Bureau of Firearms page so the revision date matches what the Bureau expects.
Do verify your FSC is unexpired before opening CFARS, because the system rejects the submission instantly.
Do match every name field exactly to your California DL, because AFS keys to DMV records.
Do save the CFARS confirmation number and email receipt, because that is your only proof of timely filing.
Do mail paper forms by Certified Mail with Return Receipt, because the postmark anchors the filing date.
Do file early in the deadline window, because Bureau processing can stretch past 60 days.

Don’ts

Don’t write in pencil or blue ink on a paper form, because the Bureau scans only black ink cleanly.
Don’t use abbreviations in the make field, because AFS treats “S&W” and “Smith & Wesson” as different makes.
Don’t combine multiple firearms on one BOF 1015, because each firearm requires its own report.
Don’t skip the certification signature, because an unsigned form is treated as never filed.
Don’t list a P.O. Box as your residence, because the Bureau requires a physical California address.
Don’t assume an out-of-state registration carries over, because California does not honor reciprocity for firearm registration.

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

Pros of self-filing

It costs only the $19 fee, with no attorney or service charge added on top.
CFARS walks the filer through every required field, which limits accidental omissions.
The filer keeps direct control over the timeline and can submit the moment all documents are ready.
Self-filing builds familiarity with the Bureau systems, which helps later transfers and renewals.
For most new residents, the form is straightforward enough that professional help adds no real value.

Cons of self-filing

Filers with complex inheritances may misclassify the source type, which slows processing.
Active-duty service members often miss the FSC exemption box and pay for a test they did not need.
Filers with non-roster handguns may not realize the firearm requires extra paperwork.
A single rejected report can leave the filer past the statutory deadline, which creates legal exposure.
Self-filers carry the full burden of recordkeeping for 10+ years, which many forget within months.

FAQs

Is BOF 1015 the same as a DROS?

No. BOF 1015 is the Firearm Ownership Report for firearms that did not pass through a California dealer, while a DROS is the dealer-mediated record used for in-state purchases.

Do I need a Firearm Safety Certificate to file BOF 1015?

Yes. Almost every filer needs an unexpired FSC under Penal Code § 31615, although active-duty military and certain peace officers are exempt.

Can I file BOF 1015 after the 60-day deadline?

Yes, but late filing exposes the owner to a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 27590. File anyway, because no filing is worse than late filing.

What goes in Box 3 if I have no middle name?

No middle name means writing the word NONE in Box 3. A blank field is treated as incomplete and rejected by CFARS.

Should I write “9mm” or “9MM” in the caliber box?

Yes, write it exactly as engraved on the barrel, in capital letters: 9MM. The Bureau matches the string literally and does not normalize formats.

Do I list a P.O. Box in the residence field?

No. The Bureau requires a physical California street address, because the firearm must be tied to a storage location, not a mail drop.

Can I file BOF 1015 for an assault weapon?

No. Assault weapons require the separate Assault Weapon Registration process, and BOF 1015 will not register them.

Is the $19 fee refundable if my report is rejected?

No. The fee covers the review, not approval. Filers who refile after a rejection pay the $19 fee again.

Do I need to report a firearm I owned before moving to California?

Yes. New residents must report every firearm they bring into the state within 60 days under Penal Code § 27560.

Can my spouse use my FSC for her own firearm?

No. Each filer must have an individual FSC. A spouse’s certificate does not satisfy the rule, and the report will be rejected.

Should heirs use the date of death or the date probate closed in Box 15?

Yes, use the date probate closed and the firearm legally transferred — not the date of death — because that is the true acquisition date.

Can I file BOF 1015 by fax or email?

No. The Bureau accepts only CFARS submissions or original-signature paper mailed to the Sacramento P.O. Box.

Do active-duty service members file the same form?

Yes. Service members use the same BOF 1015 but check the FSC Exempt box and attach a copy of their PCS orders.

What if I can’t find the serial number on my firearm?

No firearm should be missing a serial. If the serial is illegible or absent, contact the Bureau of Firearms before filing, because possessing an unserialized firearm has its own legal risks.

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