How to apply for a GMRS license and receive your FCC call sign

[Mechanic1908]

Crazy question I know but here goes.
I live near Niagara falls in Canada.
I do travel state side fairly often though.
Should I or even can I apply for a gmrs license in the US?
Just wondering out loud.

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[Hans13]

47 CFR 95.1705 - Individual licenses required; eligibility; who may operate; cooperative use.

§ 95.1705 Individual licenses required; eligibility; who may operate; cooperative use.

A valid individual license is required to operate a GMRS station. To obtain an individual license, an applicant must be eligible and follow the applicable rules and procedures set forth in this subpart and in part 1 of this chapter, and must pay the required application and regulatory fees as set forth in part 1, subpart G of this chapter.

(a)Eligibility. This paragraph contains eligibility requirements for individual licenses in the GMRS.

(1) Only an individual who is at least 18 years old and who meets the requirements of § 95.305 is eligible to obtain a new individual GMRS license.
(2) Any person that holds a valid individual license is eligible to obtain a renewed license, or a modified license to reflect a change of name or address.

 

[Hans13]

47 CFR 95.305 - Authorization to operate Personal Radio Services stations

§ 95.305 Authorization to operate Personal Radio Services stations

Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 307(e)(1), this rule section authorizes eligible persons to operate part 95 Personal Radio Service stations and part 96 Citizens Broadband Radio Service stations without individual licenses, except as provided in paragraph (a). Such operation must comply with all applicable rules in this part.

(a)Individual licenses. A valid individual license may be required under this part to operate or use stations in a particular service, certain types of stations, stations transmitting on certain channels or frequency bands, or stations transmitting with power above a certain level. Any such requirements applicable to stations in any of the Personal Radio Services are set forth in the subpart governing that specific service. See e.g., § 95.1705. Otherwise, the FCC does not require or accept applications for an individual license to operate any type of Personal Radio Service station.
(b)Operator eligibility. Some of the Personal Radio Services have specific operator eligibility requirements, which are set forth in the subparts governing those services. Otherwise, any person is eligible to operate a Personal Radio Service station, except as stated in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.
(c)Foreign government operator. No entity that is a foreign government or which is acting in its capacity as a representative of a foreign government is authorized by this section to operate Personal Radio Service stations.
(d)Cease and desist order. No person subject to a cease and desist order issued pursuant to § 95.313(d) is authorized by this section to operate Personal Radio Service stations.
(e)Federal station. No person is authorized by this section to operate a United States Government radio station.
(f)Foreign station. No person is authorized by this section to operate a foreign government radio station.

 

[Hans13]

It looks to me that if an 18 year old or older individual has a US or US territory mailing address*, is not a foreign government operator, is not subject to a cease and desist order described in the regulations, and is not a federal or foreign station; then they are eligible for a GMRS license. YMMV

(*Just a guess for eligibility... It might get approved with a non-US or non-US territory address.)

ETA: I just looked at form 605 and it does have a spot for country on the mailing address. Of course, this form is used for other services as well.

 

[Hans13]

95.307 might trip your application up because location of the station and the individual licensee is almost synonymous on paper for licensing purposes. Again, YMMV.

47 CFR 95.307 - Authorized station locations.

§ 95.307 Authorized station locations.

Personal Radio Service stations generally may be operated in any location included within the descriptions in the following paragraphs in this section. In certain specific locations, however, co-ordination procedures or operating restrictions may apply, as set forth in § 95.309. Operation of Personal Radio Service stations in any location outside of those described in the following paragraphs is not authorized by this part.

(a)Within the United States and its territories. Those areas include the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Navassa Island, the United States Virgin Islands (50 islets and cays), American Samoa (seven islands), Baker Island, the Commonwealth of Northern Marianna Islands, Guam Island and Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Island (Islets East, Johnston, North and Sand), Kingman Reef, Midway Island (Islets Eastern and Sand), Palmyra Island (more than 50 islets), and Wake Island (Islets Peale, Wake and Wilkes).
(b)Aboard any vessel or aircraft registered in the United States. With the permission of the captain, while the vessel or aircraft is within or over the United States or its territories, U.S. territorial waters, or upon or over international waters.
(c)Aboard any unregistered vessel or aircraft owned or operated by a United States citizen or company. While that vessel or aircraft is within or over the United States or its territories, U.S. territorial waters or upon or over international waters.
(d)Other locations. Any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas where radio services are regulated by:
(1) An agency of the United States other than the FCC. (You are subject to its rules.)
(2) Any foreign government. (You are subject to its rules.)