Is an Alabama Non-Resident Permit Valid in Florida?

Why

• Alabama does not issue carry permits to non-residents (alea: alabama issues concealed carry permits only to alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence).

s. 790.015 (as amended by ch. 2023-18) recognizes a valid concealed carry license from ANY state provided it was 'issued to the nonresident in his or her state of residence' and the holder is 21+ (18+ if servicemember or honorably discharged veteran) - no reciprocal agreement required, but non-resident permits (license state != residence state) do not qualify; such holders may still carry permitless if eligible. A holder who establishes Florida residency keeps recognition for 90 days only. FDACS still publishes a legacy mutual-agreement list, but the statute controls.

Carry rules in Florida

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Florida, these rules replace the ones you know from Alabama.

• No proactive duty. Licensees must carry the license plus valid ID and display both upon demand by a law enforcement officer (s. 790.06(1)); permitless carriers must carry and display valid ID on demand (s. 790.013) - violation is a $25 civil penalty.
• Florida sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Florida allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A person eligible under s. 790.01 (or licensed) may carry a loaded concealed handgun on their person in a vehicle; independently, anyone 18+ in lawful possession may keep a handgun in a private conveyance if it is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use (s. 790.25(4)).

Off-limits places in Florida

Florida bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails

See all 6 places you can't carry in Florida →

Alabama vs Florida: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Alabama into Florida changes 2 rules: permitless carry (Yes (19+) → Yes (21+)); out-of-state permits honored (All states → All (resident permits only)).

Going the other way, a Florida non-resident permit in Alabama: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Florida

How an Alabama non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Florida:

• Georgia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Florida honor an Alabama resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Florida treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Florida non-resident permit holder carry in Alabama?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Alabama's law, not Florida's.

Does Alabama issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Alabama issues carry permits to residents only (aLEA: Alabama issues concealed carry permits only to Alabama residents, via the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.