The ATF just made your day.

ATF is killing one of the most hated chores in the FFL world: hunting down a certified paper or PDF copy of the receiving FFL’s license before every transfer. It’s gone, replaced by ATF’s free, public FFL eZ Check. 

On May 6, ATF published a Direct Final Rule amending 27 CFR Part 478: FFLs may now verify a transferee’s license through eZ Check instead of obtaining a certified copy. It takes effect August 4, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by June 5.

It’s bigger than it sounds.

Final Rule – Published May 6, 2026

On May 6, 2026, ATF published a Direct Final Rule (RIN 1140-AA61, Docket ATF-2026-0009 / ATF No. 2025R-32D) amending 27 CFR Part 478.

Two material changes:

1. eZ Check replaces the certified-copy requirement. FFLs transferring firearms to other FFLs may now verify the transferee FFL’s license through ATF’s publicly available FFL eZ Check system, as an alternative to obtaining a certified copy of the transferee’s license.
2. The 45-day “multi-licensed organization” grace period is gone. Because eZ Check is accessible, free, and updated regularly, ATF is removing the now-unnecessary provision that previously allowed a transferor to continue selling or transferring firearms to a license listed on a certified list from a multi-licensed organization for up to 45 days after that license’s expiration date.

FFL-to-FFL transfer verification: paper / PDF chase → ATF eZ Check lookup