Two roles with different requirements
Adult PAL applications ask for two references and a photo guarantor. References support the application; the guarantor confirms that your photo identifies you. A person’s suitability for one role does not automatically mean they meet the other role’s requirements.
Start by listing possible people and how long they have known you. Then check the rules against each role. This is a practical task you can prepare while waiting for course reports, instead of discovering during submission that your first choices do not meet the requirements.
Reference or guarantor?
| Role | Age and history | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Each reference | At least 18; has known you at least three years | Cannot be your current conjugal partner |
| Photo guarantor | At least 18; has known you at least one year | Your partner or one of your references may qualify |
Use the current adult application instructions for the full declarations. A reference is not simply someone who can confirm your address, and a guarantor is not merely whoever took your photograph.
Ask the person before entering their details
Explain that you are preparing a firearms licence application and ask whether they are willing to take the relevant role. Check that they understand what they may be asked to confirm. Give them time to decide and to read any information they must acknowledge.
A familiar name can still be a poor practical choice if you no longer know how to reach the person. Confirm their current details directly rather than copying an old address from your phone or asking someone else to guess. Keep the conversation clear about the role you are requesting.
Prepare contact information for your route
The online adult application asks for valid email addresses for references, the photo guarantor and applicable current or former partners. A paper form includes its own contact fields and signature steps. Read those fields before assembling the contact list.
Ask people which email address they actually use. If you are uncertain whether a message about the application is genuine, access the official service through your usual trusted route instead of relying on an unexpected link. Keep your application information private while arranging the necessary contacts.
What if your choices do not meet the time rule?
Think beyond the person you see most frequently now. A long-standing friend or another appropriate adult may be a better fit than a new colleague. For each possible reference, check the actual history rather than rounding two years up to three.
If you cannot identify people who meet the requirements, ask the CFP how to handle your circumstances. Do not invent a history or ask someone to sign a declaration they cannot truthfully make. New residents can also use the newcomer document-planning article → to separate this issue from residency paperwork.
Questions about choosing contacts
Can one of my references be my guarantor?
Yes, the adult form allows that overlap if the person meets the relevant requirements. Keep the two roles clear when arranging their participation.
Can my partner be a reference?
The adult form excludes your current conjugal partner from the reference role. The photo-guarantor role has different rules.
Do I need three different people?
Not always. A qualifying reference can also be the guarantor. You still need two qualifying references and all required application contacts.