April 2009 Applications

[dleewo]

Has anyone's online status changed to "Processing" as yet? I checked on Friday (3 weeks after mailing) and it still says "Packet mailed to applicant" from when I did the online application.

Derek

[Samurai Blur]

LOL, I don't know anything about mine yet. I just mailed it off instead of doing the online app. I don't even have a PIN yet so I doubt much has been done though.

[Liaisonnco]

I e-mailed CHL regarding the receipt of my app since I failed to send it certified receipt, and was told it was probably going through the process to verify completeness before they update the system to "Processing". That didn't tell me they actually received it however. Anyway, after reading information on these forums, it appears it takes approximately 3-4 weeks before the system updates to reflect a status other than the dreaded "Packet Mailed to Applicant".

[Who'sJohnGalt]

It's time to stop lurking and start participating. Thanks for all of the information regarding the instructor selection, application and the process. Now to learn as much as possible about everything else.

[74novaman]

It's time to stop lurking and start participating. Thanks for all of the information regarding the instructor selection, application and the process. Now to learn as much as possible about everything else.

Welcome! I'm a February applicant myself.

I like the username you've chosen.

[rstrainii]

Well all is done I completed Online application April 18th, took class April 25th Received online application and pin on April 28th, made corrections and mailed off complete application with supporting Veteran discount paperwork and copy of receipt showing that it was paid with Credit card. I am sure that I will be waiting awhile for it. According to rules and Regulations in handbook (updated AUG 2008) they have 60 days from date it is received to issue or deny. Lets see what they do.

4/18/2009 Submitted Online application with Payment
4/19/2009 Payment Deducted from account
4/25/2009 Took Class
4/28/2009 Submitted Application Certified Mail (received pin)
4/29/2009 9:40 am DPS Received application
5/13/2009 Processing
x/xx/2009 Approved
x/xx/2009 Received card

[USA1]

. According to rules and Regulations in handbook (updated AUG 2008) they have 60 days from date it is received to issue or deny. Lets see what they do.

thats optimistic thinking according to most of the time lines. but im optimistic too! just reading some of feb. apps, today a few more folks got good news.

[cbjetboy]

Hello everyone! I emailed DPS and asked for my PIN. They responded with my PIN and I am waiting with the rest of you for my status to change to processing. They said it takes 4-6 weeks to show received. Oh well...spending lots of time searching for ammo and shooting up the ammo I have. By the time my plastic comes in I should be fully practiced up and ready to safely carry. When I picked up my last handgun at my FFL they said my background check was very fast. They said my CHL should be processed fast. Does that sound right or does it not matter. I know my background check should go fast as I have never had any loans, back taxes, back child support, etc. and have lived in my residence for well over the 5 years. Would that matter or does everyone basically take the same time barring things that require an explanation? TTYL!
P.S. Join the NRA!!!

[rstrainii]

Ok after looking at the rules and regs again this is were they got us.

GC 411.177. Issuance or Denial of License.
(b) The Department shall, no later than the 60th day after the date of the receipt by the director's designee of the completed application materials:
(1) issue the license
(2) Notify the applicant in writing that the application was denied

They have a real good loop hole here because how are we to know when it was received by the Director's Designee, and who is that person? Well I am going to wait. I was wonder as well if anyone that was a veteran or knows of a veteran if the process might be faster if they help a security clearance (which requires and FBI Background check) if they move any faster. I have had so many background checks in the past because of Military service and current employment. I have never known one to take more than a few weeks at the most.

I know that I am going to be a weba-holic checking all the time, cant help it .

[Allofus123]

Its not a loop hole. You do not need to know who the director's designee is to determine when it was received. Whoever receives it at DPS is the designee. If you sent in your application with signature required or proof of delivery you have all you need to show/prove when it was received.

The time it takes to process the background checks has more to do with the workload than the actual process of the background check itself. For example, Harris County has one person that does all of the background checks. I don't know how many BG checks can be done in one day by one person but I suspect its not the same amount as the number of applications coming in every day. Simply put, the system is back logged because enough resources are not being applied to the areas that are unable to keep up with the increase of applications.

[Keith B]

Ok after looking at the rules and regs again this is were they got us.

GC 411.177. Issuance or Denial of License.
(b) The Department shall, no later than the 60th day after the date of the receipt by the director's designee of the completed application materials:
(1) issue the license
(2) Notify the applicant in writing that the application was denied

They have a real good loop hole here because how are we to know when it was received by the Director's Designee, and who is that person? Well I am going to wait. I was wonder as well if anyone that was a veteran or knows of a veteran if the process might be faster if they help a security clearance (which requires and FBI Background check) if they move any faster. I have had so many background checks in the past because of Military service and current employment. I have never known one to take more than a few weeks at the most.

I know that I am going to be a weba-holic checking all the time, cant help it .

First off, welcome to the forum!

Having current or prior security clearance does not speed up the process. There are additional checks that are done on local and state levels (student loans, taxes, etc.) that take longer.

[racer_13b]

Just added myself to the waiting list. I mailed my packet to the DPS on Monday 04-27-09.

[Chip]

Hello, all,

What a great resource this forum is! I've been lurking for a couple of weeks, reading through some of the information posted here, and figured it was finally time to start posting and keeping track of where things are with the DPS. And now, we play the waiting game..... Looks like I've got plenty of company here!

[Keith B]

Welcome to the forum racer13_b and Chip!!

[stsai465]

First post.

I dropped the whole packet in the mail (class completion, online app, prints, photos, etc) and checked with the post office to confirm that it was delivered April 24. However, like a lot of you, my online status is still "Packet mailed to applicant". So here I sit with the rest of you.

Different tangent that I asked on another forum; while you're waiting, have you guys already purchased your CHL gear (quality gun belt, holster, etc)? Some of that isn't trivial in cost (upwards of $80-$150 combined), so I wonder whether people who are here get their stuff while they wait or do they wait for the actual plastic before buying their gear?