ATF Form 5320.20 at a glance
What it is: ATF Form 5320.20 is the Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms Act (NFA) Firearms.
Who signs: Sign on the Signature of Owner line in Box 13 and enter the Date in Box 14. Box 17 is the Signature of Authorized ATF official. All signatures on both copies of the form shall be in ink.
Where and when to file: The registered owner of NFA firearm(s) shall complete two copies of ATF Form 5320.20 and forward the forms to the Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25405 (Attention: NFA Division).
A written request and prior authorization from ATF to transport interstate or in foreign commerce any destructive device, machinegun, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun is required under the provisions of Section 922 (a) (4), Title 18, U.S.C., and Section 478.28, Title 27, CFR.
What to bring and attach to ATF Form 5320.20
If a contract or common carrier is used to transport the firearm(s), a copy of ATF Form 5320.20 shall be furnished to the carrier and shall be in the possession of the carrier for the duration of the transportation.
A filled-in ATF Form 5320.20 example: a registered owner moves a short-barreled rifle to another state
How to fill out ATF Form 5320.20, box by box
Name and Address of Registered Owner
In Box 1, enter the Name and Address of Registered Owner (full name, number, street, city, state and zip code).
Mark one: Individual, Corporation, Trust or Other Legal Entity.
Enter the Telephone Number (include area code) in Box 1a.
Enter the E-mail Address in Box 1b.
Firearms to be returned to original Location
For Box 2, Firearms to be returned to original Location, mark Yes or No.
In the event item 2 is checked “yes” and the firearm(s) is not returned to the original location by the date specified, the registered owner shall submit a new application on ATF Form 5320.20 to receive approval to return the firearm(s).
Dates Firearm(s) will be away from Original Location
In Box 3, enter the Dates Firearm(s) will be away from Original Location, if to be Returned to that Location, From (month, day, year) To (month, day, year).
Enter the dates in transit in Box 3 if the firearm(s) is to be relocated.
If Firearm(s) will not be Returned or Relocated on or before the Date Specified, Submit a New ATF Form 5320.20 (see instructions “e” and “f”).
Firearm(s) to be Transported
In Box 4, list each Firearm(s) to be Transported by Manufacturer, Type of Firearm (Machinegun, etc.), Caliber or Gauge, Model, Barrel Length, Over all Length and Serial Number.
Complete New Forms for Additional Firearms.
Mailing Address of Returned Form and Reason for Transportation of Firearms
In Box 5, enter the Mailing Address of Returned Form if different than Item 1.
In Box 6, enter the Reason for Transportation of Firearms (example: Permanent change of Address).
Transporting From and Transporting To
In Box 7, enter Transporting From (number, street, city, county, state, and zip code); in Box 8, enter Transporting To (number, street, city, county, state, and zip code).
Mode of Transportation
In Box 9, enter the Mode of Transportation (name and address of carrier, if by common or contract carrier).
Items 10 thru 12 for a temporary export
Items 10 thru 12 shall be Completed if Firearm(s) is/are being Temporarily Exported: State Department License No., Port of Exit and Port of Reentry.
Signature of Owner and Date
The Undersigned Certifies that the Information on this Form is, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the Undersigned, true and complete, that the Transportation does not involve a Transfer of Title, that the Transportation or Possession of the Listed Firearm(s) is not inconsistent with the Laws at the place of destination, that all such Laws will be complied with, and that, where applicable, all temporary Export License provisions under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 have been complied with.
Sign on the Signature of Owner line in Box 13 and enter the Date in Box 14.
Part II Action by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Part II is the Action by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, By Authority of the Director.
Box 15 is Approved (with the following conditions, if any) and Box 16 is Disapproved (for the following reason(s)).
Box 17 is the Signature of Authorized ATF official.
More rules for ATF Form 5320.20
Part I - Application: Submit in Duplicate and Print or Type all Entries.
All other entries on the form shall be printed in ink or typewritten.
Failure to supply complete information will delay processing and may cause denial of the application.
Letter of request and approval
A letter of request may be submitted in lieu of the form
A letter of request, in duplicate, containing all information required on this form, may be submitted in lieu of the form.
Common questions about ATF Form 5320.20
Where do I file it?
The form can be submitted via facsimile to the NFA Division at (304) 616-4501 or may be scanned and emailed to NFAFax@atf.gov.
Sources
[1] ATF Form 5320.20 (Revised Octobr 2019 as printed), Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms Act (NFA) Firearms, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (the Official source link on this page).