Can you send paperwork electronically after you have snail mailed? UPDATED WITH TIMELINE

[beornls]

Ok...long time CHL holder here but first time Texas applicant. My Utah license is expiring 12/1 so I'm getting a bit anxious. I took the CHL class on 10/3, applied online on 10/4 and mailed my paperwork to DPS on 10/5. I was fingerprinted last week.

I called this morning to check on the status at DPS and they said my application is in the system but they haven't received my paperwork yet.

My CHL instructor is the one who recommended that I just mail my forms as he said electronic submissions have been known to take longer. I'm honestly kicking myself now for NOT doing it electronically.

My question is...is it too late at this point to send my information electronically?

To add further, when I log in to check the status, there is nothing showing up. Just the link to apply for instructor course.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[Michael Scofield]

Yes you could send it in electronically. It certainly wouldn't hurt to do so as according to them they don't have it. I would think they would have received it after 3 weeks. In fact I would do that immediately. Am I correct in assuming your paperwork is the CHL-100? Your CHL instructor was wrong. As far as the website goes, it won't update until right around the time when they mail your license. Most people have their license in hand within 2-3 days of the site updating. When it updates you will see links for reporting a license lost or stolen and for changing contact info and mailing address.

[brian1973]

I am a newbie here and to having my CHL, first let me put your mind at ease as best I can. The website WILL NOT update until your plastic as been issued, this is what I was told from DPS when I called to check on my paperwork. Some here have received their plastic before the website ever updated at all, for me the day after it updated I received mine. By update I mean it will give you the options to change address, report lost or stolen. Also most people usually see results shortly after calling, a friend of mine that took the CHL class with me and had to submit his packet through mail due to a prior criminal offense called on a Thursday and was told his paperwork was still n background check, 2 days later (Saturday) he received his plastic in the mail. I believe if you were to resubmit the packet online it would probably cause a delay if they have already received everything they need, so if I were in your shoes I would keep calling and tell them you mailed it all of on whatever date. Personally when given the option between electronic or mail I always go with electronic, plus with filing electronic they send you a confirmation email so you know the information made it.

[beornls]

Just a quick update, I called the DPS on this and they said since I already mailed the CHL-100 in, to NOT send it electronically. They said since it was only mailed on 10/5 it could take 6 to 8 weeks to process. We'll see what happens in the next month I guess!

Thanks for your replies folks.

[jaystekan]

I had a similar situation. I priority-mailed my CHL-100 on the 23rd of Sept. I never received an email saying it was ever received. Finally yesterday I called and was told they just got around to opening it, and there was a problem with my drivers license(I am applying for a non-resident). Anyway, I RSD emailed them a new copy of my license yesterday, and this morning I received a confirmation saying it was received. So, priority mail via USPS took almost a month to be attached to my application. RSD email took less than 24hrs. I asked the lady on the phone if emailing a form after snail mailing a form would cause an issue in the process. She replied that whatever for comes first gets uploaded, whatever form comes second gets compared to the first one. If they are the same, you are good to go, any differences, and they have to notify you and ask for clarification.

[beornls]

Just a quick update on this for the people that are following. I decided to go ahead and submit my paperwork electronically, which I did on 10/28.

Today I logged in to check the status and saw that I now have the options to change address, etc., so I assume I'm approved and going to print.

So in brief summary, my timeline has been:

CHL class taken on 10/3
Paperwork snail mailed on 10/5
Fingerprinted on 10/23
Paperwork submitted electronically on 10/28
Email confirmation of paperwork received on 10/28 (about 6 hours after I sent it)
Status changed online on 11/5 (option to change address, report lost license, etc)
Plastic received on 11/9

Thanks everyone!