Sheriff Scott Neiswonger announced that the Warren County Sheriff’s office began accepting online applications for concealed carry permits effective November 12, 2024.

The process is done by an online platform, Permitium LLC, used by over 30 different counties in Pennsylvania.

“Since becoming Sheriff in January of this year, it has been a goal of mine to make the permit process easier and more readily accessible for the public,” said Neiswonger.

Convenience comes with a small fee: applicants will pay $20 for the application fee, $5 for the online processing fee, and $1.13 for the credit card processing fee.

“The fees are minimal for anyone who had to take time off of work to come to the office or might live a distance from the city of Warren,” said Neiswonger.

“We also minimized the permit process to only what the state requires, eliminating extra steps that can delay the application process,” said Neiswonger.

The online option is not mandatory; paper applications are still available at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. They can be remitted to the sheriff’s office in person or by mail.

“This gives people another option to apply. I have found that most people work when the office is open, and the online application is available 24/7,” said Neiswonger.

Additionally, the paper applications for PA have been updated. Beginning January 1, 2025, the only paper applications the Warren County Sheriff’s Officer will accept will have a (7-2024) in the top left corner.

“I have received paper applications this year that have Larry Kopko listed as the sheriff; those are pretty old applications. I urge people to be sure they are submitting the updated application to avoid delays,” said Neiswonger.

Regardless of whether applicants submit an online or paper application, they must go to the sheriff’s office in person to have their photo taken for the 5-year permit card once their application is approved.

As a reminder, a PA concealment permit is only good for five years, after which it must be renewed.

“We send out a notification 60 days before the expiration of the permit,” said Neiswonger.

Once a renewal application is submitted, the sheriff’s office runs a PICS check and completes a background check to ensure the person is still allowed to possess a firearm.

The link to the online application can be found at www.warrencountypa.gov/1230, or there is a QR code on the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page that will go directly to the application.