ATF Form 4473: The Firearms Transaction Record
ATF Form 4473 is the Firearms Transaction Record that documents every firearm transfer from a Federal Firearms Licensee to a non-licensed buyer. This page explains what the form is, who completes each part, how the background check fits in, and how e4473 moves the entire process off paper.
What is ATF Form 4473?
ATF Form 4473 is the federal Firearms Transaction Record. A licensed dealer must complete and retain one for every transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee, whether the firearm is new or used and whether it is sold, traded, or redeemed from pawn. The form captures the buyer's identifying information, their answers to the federal eligibility questions, a description of the firearm, and the result of the background check.
The 4473 exists so the ATF can verify that a transfer was lawful and, if a firearm is later recovered, trace it back through the dealer to the purchaser. It works hand in hand with your A&D book: the disposition entry and the 4473 should always match.
Who completes the form
The 4473 is completed by two parties working together at the counter:
- The buyer completes the personal information and answers every eligibility question truthfully, then certifies and signs the form.
- The dealer verifies the buyer's photo identification, records the firearm description, runs the background check, records the result, and signs the certification.
Both parties must complete their portions before the firearm changes hands. Leaving a question blank, transposing a serial number, or missing a signature are among the most frequently cited findings in ATF inspections.
How the form is organized
At a high level, the 4473 moves through the same stages in every transaction:
- Buyer identifying information and the federal eligibility questions.
- Buyer certification and signature.
- Dealer verification of the buyer's identification.
- The NICS background check, including the transaction number, the response, and the date.
- The firearm description, including manufacturer, importer, model, serial number, type, and caliber or gauge.
- The dealer certification and signature completing the transfer.
Always use the current revision of the form. Using an outdated revision is itself a compliance finding.
Where the background check fits
Before a transfer can be completed, the dealer submits the buyer's information for a background check through NICS or a state point of contact. The check returns a Proceed, Delayed, or Denied response. The transaction number, the response, and the date all have to be recorded on the 4473, and the firearm cannot be transferred unless the result allows it.
Retention requirements
Dealers must retain completed Form 4473 records, including denied and non-completed forms, for the period required by the ATF. For most dealers this means keeping every form for at least 20 years, which adds up to thousands of pages holding sensitive customer data such as Social Security numbers, addresses, and dates of birth. Paper storage is slow to search and vulnerable to fire, flood, and theft.
How e4473 replaces the paper 4473
e4473 is electronic 4473 software that replaces the paper form with a secure, fully digital workflow. The buyer completes the form on their own phone or an in-store device, built-in ATF instructions and conditional logic guide them through it, and field validation enforces required answers before the form can be submitted. That makes the most common 4473 errors impossible.
- Built-in field validation so forms cannot be submitted with blanks or missing signatures.
- NICS background check submission from the same system, with buyer data flowing in from the completed form.
- ATF-compliant electronic signatures on any device.
- Encrypted cloud storage for every completed form, compliant with ATF Ruling 2016-2 and ATF Ruling 2022-1.
When an inspector arrives, you pull any form by name, date, or transaction number in seconds instead of digging through filing cabinets.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to fill out a Form 4473?
The buyer completes the personal information and eligibility questions and signs the form, and the licensed dealer verifies the buyer's identification, records the firearm and background check details, and signs the certification. Both portions must be complete before the firearm is transferred.
Is a 4473 required for used firearms and pawn redemptions?
Yes. A completed Form 4473 is required for every transfer of a firearm from a dealer to a non-licensee, including used firearms, trades, and pawn redemptions.
How long must I keep completed 4473 forms?
Dealers must retain completed forms, including denied and non-completed forms, for the period the ATF requires, which for most dealers means keeping every form for at least 20 years.
Can the 4473 be completed electronically?
Yes. e4473 lets buyers complete and sign the form digitally and stores each completed record in encrypted cloud storage, compliant with ATF Ruling 2016-2 for electronic completion and ATF Ruling 2022-1 for electronic storage.
See e4473 in action
Move your gun store off the paper ATF Form 4473 to a fully digital, audit-ready workflow that syncs with your point of sale and A&D book.
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