Below is a detailed step by step instruction on how to start an ATF form 4473. Some of the steps required are designed to help you stay compliant. If the buyer does not want to fill out an electronic 4473 they can fill out a manual paper 4473.
To start an electronic 4473 please follow these steps
On the Main Menu
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Click 4473
If you do not see 4473 on the Main Menu, it may not be turned on in your account settings, or you may not have permission to access 4473s in FastBound. |

On the Pending 4473 page
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Click the “Start New 4473” button

On the New 4473 page
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Enter an Item Number or a Serial Number
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Then click the Search button
If you need to add more than one Item to this 4473, you will repeat the next two steps until you’ve added all of the Items to this 4473. |

On the Item Search Page
NOTE – (On the Item Search page)If the Item is found, FastBound will show the item in the table at the bottom of the page. If the Item is already on a pending disposition or 4473, FastBound will tell you on the right hand side of the table at the bottom of the page.If the Item cannot be found, the table will be empty. |
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Select the Item and verify the details


What’s in FastBound, what’s marked on the firearm, and what’s on the 4473 must all match exactly, or you could get a violation. |
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Click Complete after you verify the details of the Item
You can optionally enter or update the Sales Price. |
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Click the “Include Selected Items” button to add the Item to the 4473

On the New 4473 page
If you want to add another Item to the 4473, you can search and add another Item. If you want to remove an Item from the 4473, you can click the trash can icon on the right. |
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If any Item on this 4473 is a pawn redemption, check the checkbox next to the Item on the right hand side
– This will automatically fill out Q7 -
If this 4473 is to facilitate a private party transfer, check the box in Q8
Completing Section A
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After adding all of the items to the 4473, click the “Lock for Buyer Certification” button

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Are you sure you want to continue?
– Click the “Lock for buyer Certification” button to confirm you want to lock the 4473 and continue
– Click Cancel to return to the 4473

FastBound will issue the 4473 a unique Pin Number. You will need to give the buyer this Pin Number so they can fill out Section B of the 4473. This Pin Number is only useable for 2.5 hours. After that the pin will expire and it will need to be regenerated.
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Give the buyer the Pin Number and click the “Return to 4473 list” button

The “Return to 4473 list” button will return you to the Pending 4473 List page.
The “Refresh” button will check to see if the buyer has completed Section B.
The “Unlock 4473” button will remove the pin and unlock the 4473 so more items may be added or it may be deleted. |
If you forget the Pin Number after you return to the Pending 4473 page, you can click on the New 4473 and the message with the pin will show again. |
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The 4473 will be in a “Awaiting Buyer Certification” Status

After the buyer completes, certifies, signs, and dates Section B of the 4473, it will be in moved to the Pending 4473s list. |
To continue,
Completing an Electronic 4473 (With Electronic Signature) – Step by Step or
Completing an Electronic 4473 (Without Electronic Signature) – Step by Step
For more info,
Please check out our Blog post about the New Form 4473 (Revised May 2020)