# Get your FBI NICS E-Check statuses through an API

> Read an NTN's status, your NTN History Query results or a Stolen Gun Query hit from FBI NICS E-Check with one API call each. A workflow can recheck your Delayed NTNs every morning and tell you which ones now have a final status.

Page: https://fous.com/automate/fbi-nics-e-check
Updated: 2026-11-12

Works with your own FBI NICS E-Check account. Fous is an independent product.

## What you can build on E-Check

### Check NTN statuses

Opens Check NTN Status and reads the list of E-Check transactions with their statuses, for all NTNs or the one you name.

- Takes: NTN (optional)
- Returns: NTN, last name, first name, created date, submitted user, status

### Query your NTN history

Runs NTN History Query by created dates and, if you give one, an FFL RDS Key or NTN, and reads the results list, one row per NTN.

- Takes: Created from, created to, FFL RDS Key (optional), NTN (optional)
- Returns: NTN, FFL RDS Key, created date, status

### Run a Stolen Gun Query

Runs the Stolen Gun Query for one firearm serial number and reads each exact-match hit with its Make and Gun Type.

- Takes: Serial number
- Returns: Serial number, number of hits, make, gun type for each hit

### Submit a search request

Fills the Application page with the subject data from an ATF Form 4473 and the transaction purpose, selects Finish and reads the Immediate Search Response.

- Takes: Subject data from the Form 4473, transaction purpose, FFL RDS Key
- Returns: NTN, last name, first name, created date, submitted user

## Automate E-Check with a workflow

A [workflow](/product/workflows) runs your methods as one process, with nobody at the screen. A schedule or a call from your own system starts it, the steps run in order, and the result arrives in your inbox or in the systems you already use.

### Morning recheck of Delayed NTNs

Starts: Every weekday at 8:00

1. Query NTN History for the NTNs created in the last 30 days.
2. Keep the NTNs in Delayed or Researching, then check their NTN statuses.
3. Keep the ones whose status changed since the last run.
4. Email you each NTN with its last name, created date and new status.

### Stolen Gun Query on every trade-in

Starts: When your system calls the workflow's webhook with a firearm serial number

1. Run a Stolen Gun Query for the serial number.
2. Post the serial number, number of hits and each hit's make and gun type to your webhook.

### Weekly NTN log for your records system

Starts: Every Monday at 7:00

1. Query NTN History for the NTNs created in the previous 7 days.
2. Post each NTN with its FFL RDS Key, created date and status to your webhook.

You can run a workflow by hand on every plan, Free included. Schedules and webhook triggers come with the paid plans, from $29 a month.

## Once built, one call from your code

Once you have built a [method](/product/methods), it is one POST to /v1/runs from your backend, or a tool an AI agent calls over MCP. This is what “Check NTN statuses” would look like.

Example request:

```
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "method": "nicsezcheckfbi.gov/check_ntn_statuses",
    "input": {
      "ntn": "1A2B3C4D5"
    }
  }'
```

Example response:

```
{
  "status": "completed",
  "data": {
    "transactions": [
      {
        "ntn": "1A2B3C4D5",
        "last_name": "Northwind",
        "first_name": "Alex",
        "created_date": "2026-11-09",
        "submitted_user": "acme_counter2",
        "status": "Delayed"
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

An example with invented data, not a ready-made endpoint. The method exists in your organization once you build it, and its name, inputs and fields follow your request.

## E-Check’s own options

The E-Check site and its user manual describe no API or file exchange for dealers. Each check is keyed into the Application page, a final status triggers an email notification, and NTN History Query results have an Excel output. Enrollment starts with a printed form mailed to the NICS Section.

| Option | What it covers | What it takes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Email notification | An email when a submitted NTN receives a final status. | An E-Check account; the status itself is read on the Check NTN Status page. |
| Excel output of NTN History Query | The NTN History Query results list, 100 to a page, as Excel output. | An E-Check account; personal information shows only after an MFA log-on. |
| E-Check by hand | Search requests, Check NTN Status, NTN History Query, Stolen Gun Query and user accounts. | An enrolled FFL and a user account per officer or employee. |

Read on November 12, 2026: [NICS E-Check User Manual (PDF)](https://www.nicsezcheckfbi.gov/help/ENG/user_manual.pdf), [E-Check enrollment](https://www.nicsezcheckfbi.gov/help/ENG/enroll.html), [E-Check welcome page](https://www.nicsezcheckfbi.gov/).

## Signing in to E-Check

E-Check offers two log-ons: a username and password, or Multi-Factor Authentication, which adds a one-time password sent by email or text message and then prompts you to register a passkey. With Fous you sign in once with your own account through E-Check's own log-on, and on the password log-on the product signs back in when a session expires. Your login is sealed with AES-256 and never shown to code or AI agents.

## Worth knowing

- **Personal data needs the MFA log-on**: NTN History Query shows personal information only to a user who logged on with Multi-Factor Authentication. Creating FFL users and maintaining accounts also require it.
- **Users with several FFLs pick an RDS Key**: A user linked to more than one FFL selects an Access Number (RDS Key). The RDS Key is the first 3 and last 5 characters of the FFL number.
- **Delayed NTNs and expired checks**: A Delayed status means NICS is researching the transaction within three business days. An Expired NTN needs a new check before transfer.
- **Retrieving some statuses asks for more**: Retrieving a Delayed or Denied status asks for the buyer's residential information. After the Brady Transfer Date, it also asks whether the firearm was transferred.

## More in Government: US federal

- [BSA E-Filing System](https://fous.com/automate/bsa-e-filing-system.md)
- [FINRA Gateway](https://fous.com/automate/finra-gateway.md)
- [PostalOne](https://fous.com/automate/postalone.md)
- [USPS Business Customer Gateway](https://fous.com/automate/usps-business-customer-gateway.md)
- [Invoice Processing Platform](https://fous.com/automate/invoice-processing-platform.md)
- [FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse](https://fous.com/automate/fmcsa-drug-and-alcohol-clearinghouse.md)
- [Wide Area Workflow](https://fous.com/automate/wide-area-workflow.md)
- [E-Verify](https://fous.com/automate/e-verify.md)
- [EPA Central Data Exchange](https://fous.com/automate/epa-central-data-exchange.md)
- [SAM.gov](https://fous.com/automate/sam-gov.md)
- [CM/ECF](https://fous.com/automate/cm-ecf.md)
- [EFTPS](https://fous.com/automate/eftps.md)
- [FLAG](https://fous.com/automate/flag.md)
- [HUD Secure Systems](https://fous.com/automate/hud-secure-systems.md)
- [USCIS online account](https://fous.com/automate/uscis-online-account.md)
- [IRIS Taxpayer Portal](https://fous.com/automate/iris-taxpayer-portal.md)
- [Motus](https://fous.com/automate/motus.md)
- [TRACS / iMAX](https://fous.com/automate/tracs-imax.md)
- [USPTO Patent Center](https://fous.com/automate/uspto-patent-center.md)
- [EDGAR Filer Management](https://fous.com/automate/edgar-filer-management.md)
- [COD](https://fous.com/automate/cod.md)
- [IRS e-Services](https://fous.com/automate/irs-e-services.md)
- [IRS Tax Pro Account](https://fous.com/automate/irs-tax-pro-account.md)
- [EIV](https://fous.com/automate/eiv.md)
- [USPTO Trademark Center](https://fous.com/automate/uspto-trademark-center.md)
- [SSA Business Services Online](https://fous.com/automate/ssa-business-services-online.md)
- [NetDMR](https://fous.com/automate/netdmr.md)

Other industries: [PASSPort](/automate/passport), [My DOR](/automate/my-dor), [NYS DOL Unemployment Services for employers](/automate/nys-dol-unemployment-services-for-employers), [thermofisher.com](/automate/thermofisher-com), [Beeline](/automate/beeline), [PharmaClik](/automate/pharmaclik).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does FBI NICS E-Check have an API?

No. The E-Check site and user manual describe no API or file exchange for dealers: checks are keyed into the Application page, a final status triggers an email notification, and NTN History Query results have an Excel output.

### Can I export my NTN history from E-Check?

Yes, by hand: NTN History Query lists the matching NTNs, 100 to a page, and offers an Excel output. You can search by created dates, FFL RDS Key, NTN and other criteria.

### How do I know when a Delayed NTN has a final status?

E-Check sends an email notification once a final status is assigned, and you read that status on Check NTN Status. A method you build can read it for you on a schedule.

### Is Fous affiliated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation?

No. Fous is an independent product. A method you build runs with your own E-Check account and reads and does only what that account can.

Fous is an independent product: it is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the operator of FBI NICS E-Check (Federal Bureau of Investigation). The name is used only to say which system this page is about. Something here wrong or out of date? Write to legal@fous.com.