So if the ATF cashes my check am I approved?

Wait for it

Wait for what

For the ATF most of the fees are non-refundable meaning that they keep the money if approved or not. If you are approved they should notify you

The approved form.  They are the Government.  They will take your money, then take months to provide the service promissed.  It's just like the military: if you owe them money, they will take it all - NOW with interest, it doesn't matter if your months pay is totally taken all at once, you owe them.  But, if the they owe you money, they will take their sweet ol' time to pay you back and it might be over time, without interest.

Quoted: So if the ATF cashes my check am I approved?

No, not yet. The BATF office in Chicago(?) deposits the check and then sends the rest of the paperwork to the BATF office in D.C. Then they finally get around to entering all your information into a computer and sending off your prints to the FBI. When your Form 4 is in the system, your transfer is then considered "pending". It usually takes 90 days from the pending date for approval, although they have been known to take both more and less time than that. Some guys wait more than 6 months for approval.

Call 1-(202)-927-8330 after at least 30 days from the date that you mailed your forms in to check on its status. You will need the names of the transferor and transferee and the serial number of the item. If it is pending, they will give you the date that it went pending. Good luck, and have patience.