I’ve Received Two Fishing Licenses as Gifts. Can I Return One?

March 25, 2010

Question: I’ve received two 2010 fishing licenses with ocean stamps as gifts. They both have my first and last name on them since that was required at the store of purchase. Is there some way that I can return one for a refund? (J. Cook)

Answer: Yes, you can follow these instructions for a refund (minus the 5 percent agent handling fee):

1.   Make a copy of the license you are going to keep.

2.   Mail the copy, the entire second fishing license (license and application for duplicate), a note explaining your request, and your name, address and daytime telephone number to:

Department of Fish and Game
License and Revenue Branch
1740 North Market Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95834
ATTENTION: REFUND

3.   Allow up to 20 weeks for processing, as refunds are issued through the California State Controller’s Office.

For additional questions, please contact our License and Revenue Branch office at (916) 928-5805 or [email protected].

I do not think it is possible to get 2 licenses in the same name.  Last year I went to buy my fishing license.  The store clerk told me that it was already bought and that he could not make the system ring up another.  He said all he would be able to do is print a duplicate as if the original was lost.  At that point, I realized my wife probably bought me the license as a gift, so I didn't pay for the duplicate.  I was right, the license was purchased as a gift. 

Old question (2010) new system stopped that from happening....

OK, I'll bite.  what happens after 20 weeks if they ain't done processing 
and WTF does it take 20 weeks to process a refund request OMG lol

OK, I'll bite.  what happens after 20 weeks if they ain't done processing 
and WTF does it take 20 weeks to process a refund request OMG lol

They blame it on the Postal Service.

Back in 2010 the state controllers office was horribly backlogged and understaffed. The Sacramento sherriff civil division was too. You couldn't get refunds for months on end. I think a federal bankruptcy judge finally threatened to jail some officials and they got their stuff together again but I remember how obnoxiously bad it was back then.