ATF eForm 4 Update
Jan 5, 2022
Thank you for being in the Powered by Silencer Shop Dealer Network. With the launch of the new version of ATF eForms, we’ve created a simple resource to provide answers to your 15 most commonly asked questions about ATF eForm 4. These details are for Powered by Silencer Shop dealers and to stay connected, follow us on Instagram @silencershopdealer. And if you have any questions, we’re here for you, just send an email to dealer@silencershop.com.
When will we start using eForms:
We are currently rolling out our Full Auto™ form preparation software to Elite dealers. We are expecting to roll it out to the entire Powered By network in early January 2022.
What is the expected processing time for Form 4s via eForms:
The new version of ATF eForms is expected to approve Form 4's within 90 days.
Will eForms affect paper applications already in progress?
No, applications submitted via paper will continue on paper. If - however - a customer attempts to withdraw a paper application to file through eForms, ATF has said it will not allow the withdrawal until the paper application would have been processed in it’s normal course, possibly up to a one-year wait, so taking this route is not advisable.
My customers think they’ve been doing eForms this entire time, have they?
No. While Silencer Shop has offered a convenient, electronic interface for customers, the ATF’s electronic submissions for the Form 4 has been offline since 2014. It relaunched on December 23, 2021 so your customer hasn’t done an eForm 4 in at least 7 years.
How does Silencer Shop help with eForms?
Silencer Shop leads the industry in ensuring fast and accurate submissions and we will continue to do so for the new system. With eForms, accurate submissions are more important than ever. ATF has made clear there will be very little opportunity to fix errors after the eForm 4 is submitted. That means even minor problems with submissions could force your customer to wait 90 days for processing, just to find out they have an error and must revise their application and then wait another 90 days. Silencer Shop’s Compliance experts and Full Auto™ software offer unparalleled accuracy to ensure your eForm 4 is properly formatted. This submission will maximize the likelihood of approval the first time.
What is the Full Auto™ software tool?
The Full Auto™ software also greatly speeds up the form preparation. By spending less time on the application, you can have more time to interact with your customers and manage your business. Fast for you, accurate for your customers, secure for everyone.
My customer is having issues with their ATF eForms account. What should I do?
Some customers have said they were able to take the appropriate steps with their eForms account the morning of launch. Others have expressed challenges with the ATF site. You can provide that email to your customers and they can contact them directly (registration.eforms.item@atf.gov).
What’s the relationship between the ATF eForms account and Silencer Shop.com account?
These are entirely different accounts with a few pieces of information that must be the same in both places. Each customer’s first name, middle name, last name, and email address must be identical in both systems. The username and password can be different. Note: customers should not share their ATF login credentials or PIN with you nor will Silencer Shop ever ask them for this information.
After the Form 4 has been DocuSigned, what is this extra step for “certification”?
Under the new system, Silencer Shop still sends a completed Form 4 to the customer and requests them to sign it via Docusign. While this previously constituted the signing and certification for paper forms, the final certification now occurs in the eForms system itself. The Docusign is a simple process that occurs through email and applicants who are registering through a trust or corporate entity need to go through the Docusign process anyway to complete their trust documents and/or Form 23s. Having them see and Docusign the Form 4, itself, provides an excellent opportunity for customers to double-check their data before the actual eForm 4 is prepared or submitted.
How do customers certify and what does “mutually stage and certify” mean?
Silencer Shop’s Full Auto™ software makes the certification process super simple. Both you and your customer will be notified via email when a form is “ready to certify.” Applicants who register through a Trust or Corporate entity can certify remotely. When you and your customer agree on a time, you can send them an invite link via email. They’ll click the join button in the email and join a joint eForms session with you. Then, they use their PIN to certify the eForm 4.
ATF’s new instructions for individual applicants are a little different. They require individual applicants to certify in person with their dealers. The process is still simple and the Full Auto™ software will guide you and your customer through the certification together. One important point: ATF’s approval time clock begins when the form is certified and submitted. We suggest you quickly set up time for the certification appointment. Doing so will keep the process running smoothly.
What does the customer need to have with them during the certification. Can customers give you their PIN so dealers can certify on their behalf?
Customers need their ATF eForms information: email address and their PIN. ATF’s eForm rules make it clear that customers are not allowed to share their password or PINs with their dealers. Doing so not only risks rejection of the application but ATF has also stated it will invalidate any user accounts - including dealer accounts - found to be sharing PINs or passwords. Silencer Shop's Full Auto™ software provides a fast and convenient solution that does not require anyone to disclose their password or PIN.
Who will contact the customer when their eForm 4 is approved? Does the ATF send an email or do I reach out to them?
When the application is submitted, both the dealer and consumer will get a confirmation from the ATF that the application has been sent. Based on that, our assumption is that when the application is approved, that communication will come full circle and both you and your customer will be notified via email. Expect to see that in your inbox approximately 90 days from when the application was submitted.
How does the Silencer Shop Kiosk fit into this process?
The kiosks work perfectly with the new e-Forms system. Your customers can be confident that the Kiosks and Full Auto™ software ensure the fingerprint scans are sufficient in quality and converted to the correct file format required by ATF. The kiosk is a great resource to facilitate your customers’ NFA needs. Dealers with a kiosk typically see a 58% increase in sales in their first year. And 88% of customers on silencershop.com choose a dealer that has a kiosk. Reach out to us at dealer@silencershop.com for more information about how you can get a kiosk.
Does the Silencer Shop Kiosk export fingerprints? Some customers have asked me for an electronic version of their fingerprints.
No, our system is not set up to export fingerprint files. The kiosks are part of a complete system, that Silencer Shop has refined over the years to achieve an industry-leading accuracy level for Form 4 submissions. Offering standalone services would leave out key quality control and security components of the process, leading to increased error rates and erosion of trust in the Silencer Shop system. We stand by the results of our transfer services and we need to ensure Silencer Shop customers always receive top-tier service.
Will Silencer Shop do eForm 1?
This new generation of eForms system is brand new and just beginning to process Form 4 submissions. As we focus on eForm 4, Silencer Shop’s Form 1 service remains discontinued. Customers are welcome to sign up for email alerts on our website and they’ll be notified about updates. A link to sign up is in the “bio” of our Instagram @silencershop.
Thank you for being a member of the Powered By Silencer Shop dealer network! Growing to over 4,000 Powered By Silencer Shop dealers throughout the US, we value the working relationship you’ve helped us create to make silencer ownership, simplified. And we’re here for you at dealer@silencershop.com.