ATF Form 2 at a glance
What it is: ATF Form 2 is the Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported.
Where and when to file: Prepare in Duplicate. Submit to: The National Firearms Act Division, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405. The undersigned hereby serves notice of the manufacture, reactivation, or importation of firearms as required by § 5841 of the National Firearms Act, Title 26, U.S.C. Chapter 53. 1. Type of Notice a. Firearms on This Notice Are: (Check one) Manufactured, Reactivated or Imported.
Who signs: The Manufacturer or Importer (or authorized official) signs. All signatures required on ATF Form 2 must be original in ink.
Each manufacturer or importer shall file a notice to effect the registration of all firearms manufactured or imported, as provided by 26 U.S.C. § 5841.
A Manufacturer is a person who has a Federal firearms license to manufacture firearms (Type 07 or 10) and who has paid special (occupational) tax (Class 2) to manufacture NFA firearms.
A filled-in ATF Form 2 example: a manufacturer files notice of three rifles
How to fill out ATF Form 2, box by box
Manufacture, Reactivation or Importation, Import Permit Number and Permit Expiration Date
If Imported, enter b. Import Permit Number and c. Permit Expiration Date.
Manufacture is the creation of an NFA firearm, whether by the modification of an existing firearm or from parts.
Reactivation is the restoration of a registered unserviceable firearm to a functional condition.
Importation is the bringing of a firearm into the United States.
An Import Permit is ATF Form 6 authorized by ATF for the importation of firearms under 27 CFR Part 478.
Name and Address
Enter the Name and Address (Include trade name, if any).
Check Sole Proprietor, Partnership or Corporation.
Federal Firearms License Number and Employer Identification Number and Class
Enter the Federal Firearms License Number and the Employer Identification Number and Class.
A Federal Firearms License is a license issued under the provisions of the GCA to manufacture, import or deal in firearms.
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required of taxpayer filing special (occupational) tax returns under 27 CFR § 479.35.
Type of Destructive Device and Federal Explosives License/Permit Number
If the firearms are destructive devices, under 7. Type of Destructive Device, check Firearm or Explosives.
If the type is Explosives, complete item 5 and identify the type of explosives below.
5. Federal Explosives License/Permit Number.
Telephone Number and Email Address
Enter the Telephone Number (Include area code). The Email Address is optional.
Number of Firearms Covered By This Notice and Date of Manufacture, Reactivation or Release From Customs
Enter the Number of Firearms Covered By This Notice and the Date of Manufacture, Reactivation or Release From Customs.
Marking Variance Number
Is the firearm or are the firearms described on this Form 2 being marked under a marking variance where you will be applying only another manufacturer's markings? If so, in item 11, enter the name, trade name (if any), city and state of the manufacturer whose markings are being applied to the firearm(s) and the marking variance number.
Enter the Marking Variance Number.
Attach a copy of the approved marking variance to the Form 2.
Description of Firearm(s)
In 12. Description of Firearm(s), enter for each firearm the Type of Firearm, the Caliber Gauge or Size, the Model, the Barrel Length (In.), the Overall Length (In.) and the Serial Number.
Each manufacturer or importer is to legibly identify each firearm manufactured or imported (see 27 CFR §§ 478.92 and 479.102) with a serial number, not duplicating any serial number placed by the manufacturer or importer on any other firearm.
Enter information further identifying the firearm (see instruction 3.e(3)), such as any additional markings, or the classification of the firearm.
(3) If an existing firearm is being modified into an NFA firearm, the NFA marking requirements also apply. Enter the original manufacturer information (name, trade name (if any), city, State or country (if of foreign manufacture), in item 12.b of the Form 2.
Much of the existing markings can be adopted. The existing serial number is to be adopted without change or alteration.
If there are insufficient lines in item 12 to enter all the firearms to be included on the notice, a supplemental sheet may be used and attached to the Form 2 being submitted. A note shall be made in the bottom line of item 12 to reference that there is supplemental sheet or sheets attached.
Signature of Manufacturer or Importer, Name and Title, and Filing Date
UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I DECLARE that I have examined this notice of firearms manufactured, reactivated or imported and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct and complete.
Sign as the Signature of Manufacturer or Importer (or authorized official), then enter the Name and Title and the Filing Date.
All requested information must be entered in blue or black ink and must be legible. Illegible entries will be returned for correction. The return of the notice will delay the processing.
More rules for ATF Form 2
The notice shall be prepared in duplicate. The original notice shall be filed with the NFA Division and the copy retained for the manufacturer or importer's records.
Importers and manufacturers who have registered to use ATF's eForms system may file Form 2 electronically via the eForms system.
Receipt of the notice by the NFA Division will effectuate the registration of the firearms.
The NFA Division telephone number is (304) 616-4500. Any inquiry relating to the status of a notice to register an NFA firearm or about procedures in general should be directed to the NFA.
Any firearm involved in a violation of the NFA shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. It is unlawful for any person to make or cause the making of a false entry on any application or record required by the NFA knowing such entry to be false.
Common questions about ATF Form 2
Is there a deadline?
The manufacturer shall file a separate notice for firearms manufactured or firearms reactivated during a single day by the close of the next business day. The importer shall file a separate notice for each permit on which firearms are imported during a single day no later than 15 days from the date the firearm was released from Customs custody.
Where do I file it?
By Mail: the notice shall be filed with the National Firearms Act Division, Bureau of ATF, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405.
Is there a penalty?
Any person who violates or fails to comply with any of the requirements of the NFA shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $10,000 or be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both (checked November 8, 2026).
Sources
[1] ATF Form 2 (5320.2), Notice of Firearms Manufactured or Imported, Revised May 2017, U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (the Official source link on this page).