Federal Gun Rights Restoration Cost: DOJ Fee vs. Attorney Fees
The federal gun rights restoration application has two very different price tags depending on how you file it. The Department of Justice’s own filing fee is modest. Hiring a law firm to handle the whole case for you is not. Here is what actually goes into the cost, based on the DOJ’s 2026 rule.
The DOJ Filing Fee
Once the federal program reaches full public capacity, DOJ is charging a filing fee of around $30 per application under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). That fee is waivable for applicants who can document financial hardship. This is the only payment the government itself requires. It does not include fingerprinting costs, certified court record fees, or the cost of pulling your criminal history reports, which are separate and vary by state and by how many states you have lived in since age 18.
What a Law Firm Typically Charges
Attorneys who handle federal relief-from-disabilities cases commonly charge flat fees that run from the low thousands of dollars up to five figures for a complex case, on top of the DOJ filing fee itself. That price generally buys you representation on the legal judgment calls: arguing why you are not likely to act in a way dangerous to public safety, handling a case involving violence or a prior denial, and responding directly to DOJ if your application is challenged.
Why Most Cases Don’t Need That
DOJ has been direct about what actually sinks most applications, and it is not legal argument. It is missing certified court records, an incomplete multi-state criminal history report, character references who do not meet the requirements, or paperwork filed for the wrong type of prohibition. Those are organizational problems, not legal ones, which is exactly why a self-guided package exists as a middle option between filing blind and paying attorney rates.
Three Ways to File, Three Cost Levels
Filing entirely on your own: you pay only the DOJ fee and your own document-gathering costs, but you carry the full risk of a mistake that gets your application treated as abandoned.
Using a guided restoration package: you pay the DOJ fee plus a one-time package cost that is a fraction of attorney pricing, built specifically around the 2026 rules, with a document checklist and a pre-submission review so you catch problems before DOJ does. See package pricing.
Hiring an attorney: appropriate if your conviction involved violence, a sexual offense, domestic violence, or trafficking, if you are currently on probation, parole, or supervised release, if DOJ has already denied a previous application, or if you are a fugitive or have an active protective order against you. In these situations, we can refer you to an independent, licensed attorney who handles federal relief cases. Read more about when you need a lawyer.
What Happens If You Can’t Afford the Fee
DOJ’s fee waiver for documented financial hardship applies to the filing fee itself. There is no equivalent waiver for attorney fees, which is part of why most non-violent, straightforward cases are better suited to self-filing or a guided package than to full legal representation.
Related Reading
Full step-by-step application guide · 2026 DOJ rollout status · See if you qualify
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does federal gun rights restoration cost?
The DOJ filing fee itself is around $30, waivable for financial hardship. Total cost beyond that depends on whether you file on your own, use a guided package, or hire an attorney, which can add anywhere from nothing extra to five figures.
Is the DOJ fee refundable if my application is denied or abandoned?
No. If your application is incomplete, DOJ gives you 30 days to fix it before treating it as abandoned, with no refund and no guarantee of your place in line.
Do I need an attorney to keep costs down?
Usually not. Most federal gun rights restoration cases are paperwork problems, not legal arguments, which is why a guided self-filing package can cost a fraction of attorney representation for straightforward, non-violent cases.
This site is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Our restoration package provides educational, self-help materials to guide you through the DOJ’s federal application process. Outcomes are determined solely by the Department of Justice and are never guaranteed. For complex cases, we can refer you to an independent, licensed attorney.