Lifetime License Information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LIFETIME LICENSE PROGRAM

Q. What are the fees for lifetime licenses?
A. Lifetime fees are based on your age and fees at the time of purchase.

Q. Is the license valid if I move out of state, either temporarily or permanently?
A. You must be a resident to purchase the license, but after the purchase, it will be valid for use in California for the rest of your life, regardless of where you reside.

Q. Do stamps cost extra, such as the second-rod, ocean enhancement, or California duck stamp?
A. You are still required to purchase additional stamps and harvest report cards. You can buy these from a license agent or at a Department office. You may make a one-time payment and purchase one or more of the "additional privileges packages" that include many stamps and harvest report cards. By purchasing one of these privilege packages you receive the included privileges each year for life.

The Additional Sport Fishing Privileges include the privileges afforded to some one who purchased a second-rod stamp, ocean enhancement stamp, bay delta enhancement stamp, salmon punch card, and steelhead report card.

The Additional Bird Hunting Privileges include the privileges afforded to some one who purchased a California duck stamp and an upland game bird stamp.

The Additional Big Game Hunting Privileges include one deer tag application and five wild pig tags each year. The deer tag application may be used to apply for a deer tag in our annual automated drawing, or to pick up an over-the-counter tag.

Q. What if I lose my license? What is the procedure for getting a duplicate?
A. If you lose your lifetime license, please contact the License and Revenue Branch by email at Kwinn@dfg.ca.gov to arrange for a low-cost duplicate. You are required to fill out an affidavit certifying that your license was lost or destroyed. Please allow 10 days for your request to be processed.

Q. How will I receive my license every year, or is the original license valid forever?
A. Each year, before the new license year for fishing or hunting (depending on the type of license you purchase) the DFG will send you a new license that you keep in your wallet (or display while fishing). The following year, you will receive another license in the mail.

Q. Where can I get an application?
A. You can print an application from the Department’s web site at Lifetime License Application.

Q. Do I need to present proof of age when purchasing a lifetime license?
A. You must submit proof of your age (such as a copy of your birth certificate or driver’s license).

Q. Do I need to provide proof of hunter safety when purchasing a lifetime hunting license?
A. You must submit one of the following as proof of hunter education when purchasing a lifetime hunting:

• A California certificate of hunter education completion or equivalency with a California hunter education validation stamp;

• An annual California hunting license issued in any prior year;

• A two-day nonresident California hunting license issued after the 1999/2000 license year;

• A written declaration that you had a California hunting license in any prior year, but that license is now lost or destroyed;

• A certificate of successful completion of a California-approved hunter education course from any state or Canadian province;

• A current hunting license or a hunting license issued in either of the two previous years from any state.

Q. How do I purchase a lifetime license as a gift?
A. You can purchase a lifetime hunting or sportsman’s license as a gift, but you must provide a copy of the recipient’s driver’s license or birth certificate at the time of purchase. You may purchase a lifetime hunting license as a gift without providing proof of completion of a hunter education course at the time of purchase, but the licensee must provide proof of hunter education before the license can be issued.

Q. Where can I purchase a lifetime license?
A. You can buy a lifetime license from the Department’s License and Revenue Branch by fax or through the mail. Mail applications to the Department of Fish and Game, License and Revenue Branch, 1740 N. Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834. Fax your application to Katie Winn at (916) 419-7585.

Q. If new stamps or harvest report cards are required in the future, will they be included with my additional privilege package?
A. No.  The fee charged for additional privilege packages is based on stamps and harvest report cards in effect at the time of purchase.  If new stamps or harvest report cards are required in the future, you may have to purchase them annually.

Questions? E-mail KWinn@dfg.ca.gov