Is a Kentucky Non-Resident Permit Valid in Indiana?

Why

• Kentucky does not issue carry permits to non-residents (kentucky residents (or us citizens / lawfully admitted persons on active military duty assigned to a kentucky posting) only - ksp ccdw qualifications).

Official IN.gov FAQ quoting IC 35-47-2-21(b): licenses issued by other states or foreign countries 'will be recognized according to the terms thereof but only while the holders are not residents of Indiana.' No issuing-state residency condition, so non-resident permits are honored per their terms; permitless carry independently covers most visitors 18+.

Carry rules in Indiana

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Indiana, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• No statutory proactive duty found; official IN.gov guidance recommends telling an officer 'in a non-threatening manner' that you are in possession of a firearm. Framed as a recommendation, not a legal requirement.
• Indiana sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Indiana allows permitless concealed carry from age 18 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• Anyone eligible for permitless carry (18+, not a prohibited person) may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a license since July 1, 2022.

Off-limits places in Indiana

Indiana bans carry in 4 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• School property (IC 35-47-9)
• Commercial airports and aircraft (IC 35-47-6)

See all 4 places you can't carry in Indiana →

Kentucky vs Indiana: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Kentucky into Indiana changes one rule: permitless carry (Yes (21+) → Yes (18+)).

Going the other way, an Indiana non-resident permit in Kentucky: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Permits that do work in Indiana

These non-resident permits are honored in Indiana, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Indiana

How a Kentucky non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Indiana:

• Illinois — No such permit issued
• Michigan — No such permit issued
• Ohio — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Indiana honor a Kentucky resident permit?

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

Can an Indiana non-resident permit holder carry in Kentucky?

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

Does Kentucky issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Kentucky issues carry permits to residents only (kentucky residents (or US citizens / lawfully admitted persons on active military duty assigned to a Kentucky posting) only - KSP CCDW qualifications). 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.