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Applying for a green gun ownership card as an heir Ausweise und Dokumente Sterbefall und Nachlass

If you have inherited weapons and/or ammunition, you must apply for a permit for continued possession of the weapons from the relevant weapons authority within one month.

  • Basic information

    If you have inherited weapons and/or ammunition, you must immediately notify the competent authority that you have taken possession of the weapons. In addition, within one month of accepting the inheritance or the expiry of the period within which you could have waived the inheritance, you must apply for the issue of a firearms possession card for the firearms subject to authorization belonging to the estate or for their entry in an already issued firearms possession card.

    If you already have a firearms ownership card (WBK), you can have the inherited firearms entered on it if you can prove that you also have a need for the inherited firearms (e.g. as a hunter, sport shooter, traditional marksman, firearms or ammunition collector, firearms or ammunition expert, person at risk, firearms manufacturer or firearms dealer or security company).

    If you cannot prove a need to possess the inherited weapons, you must render the weapons unusable or have them fitted with a state-of-the-art blocking system. Ammunition requiring a permit must be rendered unusable or given to an authorized person. However, you do not have to have the weapons blocked if you already have a gun ownership card.

    All modifications to the inherited weapons must be demonstrably carried out by a specialist and reported to the competent authority accordingly . If or as long as there is no corresponding blocking system available on the market for one or more inherited weapons, exceptions to the obligation to equip all inherited weapons with a blocking system that meets the latest safety standards can be approved on request.

    As a community of heirs, you can also apply for a joint permit. If not everyone wishes to inherit the weapons, these persons must declare that they renounce the inheritance. In order to obtain the joint permit, all members of a community of heirs must prove their need and the requirements are checked for all applicants.

    It is recommended that you inform yourself in detail about the regulations of firearms law before submitting your application.

    In order to obtain permission to possess weapons and ammunition that require a permit, you must prove the following:

    • be of the appropriate age and
    • your need,
    • your reliability under firearms law,
    • your personal suitability,
    • your expertise in handling weapons and ammunition and
    • the safe storage of weapons and ammunition

  • Procedure

    You must apply for the green gun ownership card for heirs or the entry of the inherited weapon in your existing gun ownership card at the relevant firearms authority. Submit the application together with the required documents.

    The firearms authority will issue the green firearms possession card for heirs or make the entry in the firearms possession card if you meet the necessary requirements.

    Online application

    • Use the online service. You will find the link under "Further information" - Online service".
    • The online service will guide you step by step through the application process.
    • You can store the required documents directly in the online service.
    • If you want to use the full online functions of the service, you must log in with your Bund-ID user account.
    • If you do not yet have a user account, you can register on the registration page.
    • If you do not register with your Bund-ID, you will need to make an appointment in person at the firearms authority to have your personal details checked before your application can be processed.
    • Once the application has been checked, you will receive the firearms permit and the invoice by post.

    Application in paper form

    • You can request a print-out of the application by e-mail at waffenundjagd@ordnungsamt.bremen.de or you can obtain a paper copy from the relevant office.
    • Fill in the application form.
    • Attach a copy of the required documents to the application.
    • Send everything by post or hand in the documents on site after making an appointment. The completed application should be handed in to the responsible office.
    • You will receive the decision by post.

  • Necessary Documents
    • Identity card or passport (copy)
    • Proof of storage, e.g. purchase contract for a gun cabinet and/or photos of the gun cabinet and installation site
    • Only in the case of a community of heirs: if applicable, a declaration of renunciation that the other members of the community of heirs do not wish to possess the weapons
    • If applicable, a specialist medical or psychological certificate confirming your mental aptitude
      • if under 21 years of age for sport shooters or under 25 years of age for other persons

  • Competent Department

  • Online Services

  • Fees / Costs

    The fees may vary and depend on various factors. Further information on fees can be found in the Internal Administration Costs Ordinance. You will find the link under "Legal bases" - "Cost Ordinance for Internal Administration (InKostV)".

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    1 month

    How long does it take to process

    4 weeks bis 8 weeks

  • Legal Bases

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This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct. 01.09.2025

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