Resident permit · ND → MI
Is a North Dakota Resident Permit Valid in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan is one of the states that honors the North Dakota Concealed Weapon License — Class 1 Firearm License held by a North Dakota resident, so your permit is valid there.
Why
- Michigan recognizes out-of-state permits only when the holder is a resident of the issuing state.
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 (North Dakota)
- Permit
- North Dakota Concealed Weapon License — Class 1 Firearm License
- Issued by
- Director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (Office of Attorney General)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
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
North Dakota vs Michigan: what changes at the state line
Crossing from North Dakota into Michigan changes 3 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → No); duty to inform police (No → Yes); out-of-state permits honored (39 states → All (resident permits only)).
| Rule | North Dakota | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Permitless carry | Yes (18+) | No |
| Duty to inform police | No | Yes |
| Magazine limit | None | None |
| Out-of-state permits honored | 39 states | All (resident permits only) |
| Open carry | Yes, no permit | Yes, no permit |
Going the other way, a Michigan resident permit in North Dakota: recognized — and permitless carry applies.
Driving on from Michigan
How a North Dakota resident permit fares in the states bordering Michigan:
Frequently asked questions
- Does Michigan honor a North Dakota non-resident permit?
- Not recognized. That differs from the resident permit on this page, because Michigan treats the two permit types differently.
- Can a Michigan resident permit holder carry in North Dakota?
- Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on North Dakota's law, not Michigan's.
- 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
- ND Attorney General — Reciprocity with Other States (honors resident and non-resident licenses; Class 1/Class 2 lists) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Constitutional Concealed Carry (18+, any state/territory ID, inform-on-contact guidance) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Eligibility for a Concealed Weapon License (ages 18/21, residency and non-resident criteria) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-04 — Concealed Weapons (62.1-04-02, -03, -03.1, -04) — accessed 2026-08-08
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-02 — Possession of Weapons (liquor establishments, public gatherings, vehicle carry) — accessed 2026-08-08
- ND Attorney General — Online Application, New and Renewal — accessed 2026-09-27
- ND Attorney General — What Must Be Included With the Application — accessed 2026-09-27
- NDCC Chapter 62.1-03 — Handguns (62.1-03-01 carrying handgun) — accessed 2026-09-27