Special Licences
Bar licences, firearm user's licences and authorisation to operate a security firm.
Bar Licence
An application for a Bar Licence is made to the Senior Superintendent in the relevant Division. The application is then sent out to the station district for inquiries.
- Submit your application to the Senior Superintendent in the Division where the bar will operate (see the division contacts below).
- Inquiries are conducted. The application is sent out to the station district for the necessary inquiries.
- Attend Court. The applicant is informed of a date to appear in Court to go before a Magistrate.
- Receive the decision. The applicant is then informed whether the application is approved or not.
- Pay the fee on approval. If the application is approved, a fee is charged.
Divisional Contacts
Apply to the Senior Superintendent at the office for your Division.
| Division | Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Spain | Riverside Plaza, Port of Spain | 622 7844 |
| Western | Corner Lazare Street & Western Main Road, St. James | 628 8377 |
| Central | Railway Road, Chaguanas | 665 4294 |
| Southern | 3 Knox Street, Harris Promenade, San Fernando | 652 2858 |
| South Western | Siparia Erin Road, Siparia | 649 2353 |
| Northern | St. Joseph Station, #1 Valsayn Trace, St. Joseph | 643 1222 |
| Eastern | 29 mm Eastern Main Road, Sangre Grande | 668 2505 |
| North Eastern | Corner Lady Young Avenue & Busby Street, Morvant | 624 3066 |
| Tobago | Young Street, Scarborough | 639 2511 |
Firearm User's Licence
You must be in possession of a valid Firearm User's Licence issued by the Commissioner of Police to carry and use a firearm in Trinidad and Tobago. Any company, business group or individual may apply, and you must be at least 25 years of age.
The application has two steps
The Firearm User's Licence application process is completed in two stages.
The Provisional Licence authorises you to discharge a firearm at a specific shooting range for the purpose of training in the use of the firearm. Obtain the Provisional Licence application form from the Government Printery (address below), complete it in accordance with the included instructions, and return it together with the following to the TTPS Firearms Section:
- Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant.
- A Certificate of Character issued by the Commissioner of Police not less than three months prior to the date of application. See the Certificate of Character page for how to obtain one.
- A specimen of the signature of the person to whom the Licence is to be issued.
The Provisional Licence expires two months from the date of issue. You may apply for a Firearm User's Licence once your Provisional Licence has expired.
Obtain the Firearm User's Licence application form from the Firearms Section of the TTPS, complete it in accordance with the included instructions, and return it together with the following to the TTPS Firearms Section:
- Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant.
- A Certificate of Character issued by the Commissioner of Police not less than three months prior to the date of application.
- A specimen of the signature of the person to whom the Licence is to be issued.
- A Certificate of Competence issued by a licensed firearms instructor.
What happens after an application is made?
All applications are processed by the TTPS with input, where necessary, from the Immigration Authority, Customs and Excise, and the Industrial Inspection Supervisor. Applicants are notified of the TTPS's decision within 15 business days. If an application is rejected, the applicant may appeal the decision through the Firearms Appeal Board.
Please note: applications made before 2015
Persons who applied for a Firearm User's Licence before 2015 and are awaiting approval should resubmit the following documents to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Police Administration Building, Port of Spain:
- A Certificate of Good Character
- Psychological Evaluation
- Proof of Change of Address (where applicable)
- Proof of Change in Marital Status (where applicable)
Where to find more information
The Firearms Section
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
2nd Floor, Trinidad House
Corner of St. Vincent and Treasury Streets
Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies
Fax: (868) 623-2620
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday (except public holidays)
The Government Printery Division
55-57 Eteck Park
Frederick Settlement, Caroni
Fax: (868) 662-4988
Operate a Security Firm
Organizations and companies that wish to operate as a Security Firm or Protective Service Agency, providing protection to private citizens and organizations, must meet the requirements below. Application forms are available at the Ministry of National Security and must be submitted in duplicate.
Capability requirements
Applicants are assessed on the following:
- The basic knowledge and skills required to operate a Protective Service Agency.
- The skills and knowledge possessed by the applicant, and the extent to which the applicant may have fallen short of the basic requirement.
- Business management expertise.
- Number of employees.
- Skill of employees.
- Type of equipment used.
- Minimum cash flow.
Documents to submit
- Application forms (available at the Ministry of National Security, 31-33 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain), to be submitted in duplicate.
- A Certificate of Character in respect of each Director and Senior Executive Officer of the Agency.
- A colour photograph of the uniform worn by the employees of the Security Agency.
- A Certificate of Registration from the Registrar of Companies.
- A certificate from an insurance company certifying that the Agency has a valid Public Liability Insurance Policy with coverage of not less than five hundred thousand dollars (TT$500,000.00), including liability for damages caused by the negligence of Security Officers at the premises of customers.
- A certificate from an insurance company endorsing that there is in force a policy insuring or indemnifying the Agency against the full amount of its liability in respect of any injury sustained by a security officer in the discharge of their duties.
- A certificate from the National Insurance Board confirming that the Agency is registered as an employer under the National Insurance Act, with no outstanding amounts payable up to the month of application.
- A Board of Inland Revenue file number confirming there are no outstanding taxes, interest or penalties (other than amounts subject to an objection or appeal) assessed under the Corporation Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act and payable up to the month of application.
Where to obtain application forms
Ministry of National Security
31-33 Abercromby Street, Port of Spain
(Forms to be submitted in duplicate.)
Apply Online
Selected applications can be started through the TTPS Services Portal. Visit the portal to see what is available online.
Go to the Services Portal