Starting an Electronic 4473 – Step by Step

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

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

On the New 4473 page

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.

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.

You can optionally enter or update the Sales Price.

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.

Completing Section A

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.

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.

  • If the buyer has completed Section B, the Sellers sections of the 4473 will be shown so you can continue.

  • If the buyer has not completed Section B, nothing will happen.

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.

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)