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ok guys....took my class Saturday, got my packet and completed the application. going to go tomorrow to mail in the app certified with signature required . Had a few questions and was hoping you could help before I send it in.

1) on the sticky at the top of the this forum, it said to put your application number on top of every page. If I didn't do the online app and get an app number, but am using the packet my instructor gave me, should I just not put anything at the top of each page, or should I write my last name at the top of each page?

2) it also says on the sticky to not leave any boxes blank on the fingerprint cards. My instructor told me to leave a lot of them blank.

On my DPS fingerprint card, I've left blank the box for DPS. NO (SID) box, and the info for the box that says Contibuting Agency.

ON the FBI box, I've left the Aliases (AKA) box, the Citizenship (CTZ) box, the Your NO (OCA) box, FBI No (FBI) box, the armed forces no (MNU) box, and the miscellaneous no (MNU) box blank. He said the only box in that "row" that i needed to fill in was my social security number.

I'm planning on sending payment by money order so as not to take any longer having to wait on my personal check to be cashed. What do you you think about questions #1 and #2? I want to make sure I don't have to wait any longer than necessary and that my app isn't held up. Thanks in advance for the info!
FOM

fisher_of_man wrote: 1) on the sticky at the top of the this forum, it said to put your application number on top of every page. If I didn't do the online app and get an app number, but am using the packet my instructor gave me, should I just not put anything at the top of each page, or should I write my last name at the top of each page?

The application number is the red number on the top right hand corner of the yellow application. Write that number on EVERYTHING you send to DPS.

2) it also says on the sticky to not leave any boxes blank on the fingerprint cards. My instructor told me to leave a lot of them blank.

On my DPS fingerprint card, I've left blank the box for DPS. NO (SID) box, and the info for the box that says Contibuting Agency.

ON the FBI box, I've left the Aliases (AKA) box, the Citizenship (CTZ) box, the Your NO (OCA) box, FBI No (FBI) box, the armed forces no (MNU) box, and the miscellaneous no (MNU) box blank. He said the only box in that "row" that i needed to fill in was my social security number.

Put "USA" in the citizenship box. You can leave the rest of the boxes in that row blank, unless you are not a US citizen, then put the country of citizenship in the CTZ box and put your INS number in the MNU box.

Crossfire,
thanks for the help!!!!...it's greatly appreciated!

Crossfire wrote: The application number is the red number on the top right hand corner of the yellow application. Write that number on EVERYTHING you send to DPS.

I guess since i didn't do my application online and just took the course and used the instructor's packet, my yellow application page DOES NOT have a red number on the top right hand corner. I asked my instructor about an application number and he said I wouldn't have one unless I applied online. so...since I don't have one, should I put my last name at the top of everything I send or just not put anything?

Crossfire wrote: Put "USA" in the citizenship box. You can leave the rest of the boxes in that row blank, unless you are not a US citizen, then put the country of citizenship in the CTZ box and put your INS number in the MNU box.

good deal...I'll fill that in right now! thanks again!!!
FOM

I guess since i didn't do my application online and just took the course and used the instructor's packet, my yellow application page DOES NOT have a red number on the top right hand corner. I asked my instructor about an application number and he said I wouldn't have one unless I applied online. so...since I don't have one, should I put my last name at the top of everything I send or just not put anything?

Hi, I just took my class yesterday and when a few of the people in the class had applications from the instructor's packet (my wife's included) without a red number the instructor went and found some more yellow applications that HAD the red number. Hopefully an instructor on this forum will have more info on this subject but I thought I'd share my experience with you.

e-rawk wrote: Hi, I just took my class yesterday and when a few of the people in the class had applications from the instructor's packet (my wife's included) without a red number the instructor went and found some more yellow applications that HAD the red number. Hopefully an instructor on this forum will have more info on this subject but I thought I'd share my experience with you.

hmmm...that is interesting....thanks....on the photo holder where it has a space for the application number, he specifically told me..."ah...you won't have an application number". Wonder if none of his apps have them, or if he just didn't want to give me one with an app #.

I signed up with this guy that several of my friends (come to find out) have taken it with...and when I ended up taking the class on Saturday, there were supposed to have been about 5 more people, but for whatever reason, I was the only one. Was good in many ways...no long wait time for fingerprints or pictures. Much more personal and I could stop and ask any question I had and probably got to talk a little more indepth about some things....but he kinda rushed thru the paperwork stuff and said...fill out this, this, and this...skip this, and this...sign here, here and here and mail it off. I figured it all out and even called him to verify one of the boxes, but when I was reading thru the checklist sticky...I saw the "put your application number on EVERYTHING"...and became a little concerned because I don't have one on anything!

I don't know about the missing application number, but DPS has been known to do strange things with new apps and not tell instructors about it. I just got a box of application packages delivered on Friday, so I am going to open those when I get back home today and see what we have.

Crossfire wrote:I don't know about the missing application number, but DPS has been known to do strange things with new apps and not tell instructors about it. I just got a box of application packages delivered on Friday, so I am going to open those when I get back home today and see what we have.

well...thanks for checking on it. I went ahead (and possibly foolishly) sent in my packet. I couldn't stand the waiting and having it here at the house when I knew it was going to take as long as it is to begin with. I hope it all finds it's place to the proper location and that the app number not being on the application isn't a big deal. I sent it certifed return receipt...so I guess I will at least know that they got the packet....and now the hard part starts....the wait

fisher_of_man wrote: I'm planning on sending payment by money order so as not to take any longer having to wait on my personal check to be cashed.


FOM

Honestly, I dont think it matters. My check didnt go through a "pending"period, it just cashed instantly. I liked seeing the "progress" on my application haha.

fisher_of_man wrote:

Crossfire wrote:I don't know about the missing application number, but DPS has been known to do strange things with new apps and not tell instructors about it. I just got a box of application packages delivered on Friday, so I am going to open those when I get back home today and see what we have.

well...thanks for checking on it. I went ahead (and possibly foolishly) sent in my packet. I couldn't stand the waiting and having it here at the house when I knew it was going to take as long as it is to begin with. I hope it all finds it's place to the proper location and that the app number not being on the application isn't a big deal. I sent it certifed return receipt...so I guess I will at least know that they got the packet....and now the hard part starts....the wait

Checked the box of application packets. No application numbers. Checked the DPS website - no notice to instructors. So, I am just as confused about what to do as the rest of you.

Crossfire wrote: Checked the box of application packets. No application numbers. Checked the DPS website - no notice to instructors. So, I am just as confused about what to do as the rest of you.

well.... I guess that makes me feel a little better...at least I'm not some wierd/random test case...thanks for looking...that eases my mind somewhat.

You're not the only one. I have no application number at all. On the envelope from DPS (which my instructor suggested I check), the label had an L on it but no number afterwards! :(

Guess I'll call DPS Monday and see if they just forgot to put it on there or what!

FYI, just talked to Rebecca at the CHL office. Started off by thanking her for her hard work, as I know they're swamped. She said THANK YOU... yeah, sounds like sucking up, but hey, why not bring at least a little happiness to overworked people? Especially first thing Monday.

But anyway, I asked her about the lack of a number on my application, and she said don't worry about it, send it in and they'll assign a number when it arrives. Going to get it finalized this afternoon and have the wife send it certified return receipt.

Crossing my fingers and toes....

When I got my original packet from a local gun shop that also provides the classes, it did not have a preprinted number on the yellow application.

I was told that this was a change by DPS, and specific PIN numbers were assigned when the packet was opened to start processing. Someone (?) told me that the PIN numbers had priority over the preprinted numbers, and the preprinted numbers were not going to used anymore. There were so many packets 'out there' all across the state that it was very difficult to use the preprinted numbers. If somone messed up an application, the number was 'lost', leaving a gap in their records. If a slow volume instructor had a supply of preprinted ones, some of his numbers may take up to a year to show up in the system.

I suppose that in some way, this makes sense.

Agreed, it does make sense, especially when you take into account that you have... what... two years or something ridiculous to submit the packet after you take the course?

I did ask the lady at DPS if they stopped assigning those packet numbers entirely (policy change) or if it was maybe just an oversight... she wouldn't commit, just kept telling me don't worry about it. Probably didn't want to commit one way or the other.

The application number used to become your license number but I don't know if that's still true. Your pin number is different than your application number and shorter. Your pin number is used to access your account online to check status, change address, etc. and should be kept private.