Dealing with weapons from a deceased estate

If you hold an appropriate weapons licence and the firearm/s are bequeathed to you via a legal will, or you are entitled to a portion of the estate under the rules of succession if the deceased died intestate (without a will), the firearm/s may be transferred without a permit to acquire.

However, if you are not named in the will as the beneficiary, you will need to apply for a permit to acquire.

In either scenario, you will need to give us the following documentation:

1. a copy of the will, or a statutory declaration from the acquirer stating that the deceased died intestate and they are entitled to the firearm/s upon the distribution of the estate,
2. copy of the death certificate or similar certificate or document,
3. a completed indemnity receipt listing the firearm/s,
4. a letter from the executor/s requesting the transfer of firearm/s to the intended acquirer, and
5. a letter from the intended acquirer which includes;
   • their licence details,
   • request to transfer the firearm/s to their licence,
   • genuine reason for each firearm and
   • whereabouts of the firearm/s at the time of application.

An indemnity receipt is a form that is required to be signed by the acquirer to indemnify the Queensland Police Service from any civil action that may occur in relation to the acquisition and legal ownership of the firearm/s.

If the firearm/s are registered in another state or territory, then proof of registration to the deceased in that state or territory, will also be required.

Please use the Deceased Estate enquiry form which has been created to assist you with this process.

Further information about the requirements for future estate planning (PDF) is available for download.