• ATF eForm 4 relaunched in January 2022, allowing electronic submissions for Form 4 paperwork.
• Electronic submissions allow for a more efficient process than paper applications.
• eForms have been approved 25-50% faster on average than paper Form 4s. 
• Keep up to date with current ATF wait times using our Wait Time tracker.

Filing an electronic ATF Form 4 or eForm 4 can greatly improve your Form 4 wait times. NFA wait times can vary quite a bit depending on the type of application you submit; paper or electronic. Customers often ask, How long does it take to get a suppressor in 2023?  As of 7/5/2023 paper ATF form 4 wait times are averaging 12+ months, while ATF eForms wait time is 5-7 months on average.

• Why Are NFA Wait Times So Long?
• ATF eForms Wait Time
• What is the Current Wait Time for a Suppressor?
• How to Check Your NFA Status
• Conclusion

NFA or ATF wait times are influenced by a number of variables that can increase the wait times, including filing method, ATF staffing, volume of applications, and your personal information. Our ATF Form 4 wait time tracker shows eForms being almost twice as fast as paper applications currently. The number of forms submitted by gun owners across the country and how many examiners are working at the ATF can also cause the suppressor tax stamp wait times to change. Your personal info can also cause differences in wait times as well; for example, if your name is John Smith, it can be more difficult to identify you for background checks and verifications than a customer with a less common name. Customers with very common names may consider applying for a Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN).

The reintroduction of eForm 4 in January 2022 helped to drastically decrease ATF suppressor wait times. eForms are able to increase efficiency; electronic documents can be sent to examiners and different agencies nearly instantly instead of waiting for shipping times and filing inefficiencies caused by paper applications. Yes, on paper applications the form is literally mailed around, making it much slower to move through the process.Since eForms relaunched, we have been asked is ATF still processing Form 4? Yes they are, and you can submit a paper Form 4 if you prefer, though eForms have traditionally been much faster.

Right now, we are seeing average silencer wait times from 21 days ranging to over 12 months, depending on application type. eForm 4s are being approved in 5-7 months on average, while paper forms are taking 12+ months. If you want the easiest and fastest way to get your suppressor, you should consider submitting an electronic form for your next NFA item.

We have developed a simple tool that lists the most common NFA application types and the current silencer wait times. Our ATF wait time tracker compiles data from thousands of Powered by Silencer Shop dealers across the country and calculates average wait times based on the previous 7 days for the most up-to-date information available. The ATF wait time tracker displays eForm 4, paper Form 4, and Form 3 wait times. Alternatively, in order to get the status of your transfer from the ATF, you can call the NFA Branch directly at: (304) 616-4500.

Many people say that the hardest part of the NFA process is the wait time, but luckily we can help reduce that waiting period significantly. There are no drawbacks to submitting an electronic ATF application compared to a paper application, but they have been approved about 50% faster on average. We have also made tracking current nfa wait times easier than ever; just check the site to see what other customers are seeing for processing times. If you want your NFA items in your hands as fast as possible (who doesn't?), we suggest filing an ATF eForm 4 for your next silencer or short-barreled rifle.