Non-Resident permit · NH → MI
Is a New Hampshire Non-Resident Permit Valid in Michigan?
No. Michigan does not honor New Hampshire non-resident permits, and it has no permitless-carry option for visitors. Carrying a concealed handgun there on your New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License is a crime.
Why
- Michigan recognizes out-of-state permits only when the holder is a resident of the issuing state.
- A non-resident permit from New Hampshire therefore does not qualify — the holder is not a New Hampshire resident.
MSP: 'If you are a resident of another state who is licensed by that state to carry a concealed pistol, Michigan will recognize your permit,' subject to any license restrictions and Michigan carry law. Statutory basis MCL 750.231a(1)(a): the license must be 'issued by his or her state of residence' — a non-resident permit (e.g. a Utah non-resident permit held by a Florida resident) is NOT valid.
The permit (New Hampshire)
- Permit
- New Hampshire Pistol/Revolver License
- Issued by
- Local chief of police, selectmen or mayor (residents); NH State Police (non-residents)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — Non-resident licenses are issued by the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit ($100, 5 years); resident licenses by the local licensing authority ($10). RSA 159:6 sets no minimum age — federal law governs handgun possession by minors. NH-issued non-resident licenses are valid only in NH or states that recognize them.
The destination (Michigan)
- Recognition policy
- Honors all states' permits, resident permits only
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- Yes — proactive
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Michigan
Whatever your permit status, Michigan law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.
- Michigan imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. MCL 28.425f(3): a licensee carrying a concealed pistol who is stopped by a peace officer must immediately disclose that they are carrying a pistol concealed on their person or in the vehicle; violations are civil infractions with fines and license suspension/revocation.
- Michigan sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Michigan is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Michigan recognizes.
- A CPL or a recognized out-of-state resident license allows a loaded concealed pistol in a vehicle; without one, pistols must be transported unloaded in a closed case designed for firearms in the trunk (MCL 750.231a(1)(d)).
Off-limits places in Michigan
Michigan bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:
- Schools and school property, except a parent/guardian in a vehicle while dropping off or picking up (MCL 28.425o)
- Public or private day care centers and child caring agencies
New Hampshire vs Michigan: what changes at the state line
Crossing from New Hampshire into Michigan changes 3 rules: permitless carry (Yes → No); duty to inform police (No → Yes); out-of-state permits honored (All states → All (resident permits only)).
| Rule | New Hampshire | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | Yes | No |
| Duty to inform police | No | Yes |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | All states | All (resident permits only) |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, a Michigan non-resident permit in New Hampshire: no such permit issued.
Driving on from Michigan
How a New Hampshire non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Michigan:
Frequently asked questions
- Does Michigan honor a New Hampshire resident permit?
- Recognized — carry with your permit. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Michigan treats the two permit types differently.
- Can a Michigan non-resident permit holder carry in New Hampshire?
- Michigan does not issue non-resident carry permits, so there is no such permit to carry in New Hampshire.
- Where does Michigan publish its official reciprocity list?
- Michigan publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- Michigan State Police — Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol License Requirements — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Prohibited Premises (MCL 28.425o) — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 750.231a — exceptions incl. license issued by state of residence; vehicle transport — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 28.425f — duty to disclose to peace officer — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol Application and Instructions — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 28.425j — Pistol training or safety program requirements — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 28.425l — License validity, duration and renewal — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 750.234f — Possession of firearm by person under 18 — accessed 2026-09-27
- Michigan Attorney General — Informational letter to Rep. Chatfield on open carry of firearms (Feb. 1, 2018) — accessed 2026-09-27
- NH RSA Chapter 159 — Pistols and Revolvers (159:4 repealed, 159:6, 159:6-d, 159:19) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NH State Police — Pistol and Revolver Licensing (incl. outbound reciprocity list) — accessed 2026-08-08