You send in your form, they cash your check, and then what?  I hear people say their form is "pending". what is the definition of pending? Is the only way to find the status to call?
Thanks

Pending basically means your form has entered the system.  The next step is approved, unless there is an error or need for more info.

It means the paperwork has been issued to an examiner and yes calling is the only way to check.

Will

It means ATF is checking to see how many and what kind of dogs you have at your primary residence.

Then you wait.  It most likely will not be in their system for around a month after your check is cashed.  After about a month, you can call them with your serial number and ask the status of you form.  If it is pending, then they can tell you who the examiner is.  Other than that, they cannot tell you much....

If you have been waiting for a very long period of time (more than what the average approval takes), I would call them again and see if their is a problem that they haven't contacted you about.