Washington Escrow Agent & Officer Licensing
Below you will find licensing information for Escrow Agents and Escrow Officers doing business in Washington State.
How To Form A New Escrow Company
If you are planning to form a new corporation, limited liability company (“LLC”) or other legal entity to conduct your escrow agent business, you must file organizing documents with the Corporations Division at the Secretary of State's Office for review and approval before legal existence can begin.
If you intend to operate under a trade name (“dba”) you must register that name with the Department of Licensing, Master Business Licensing. Master Business Licensing can also assist you in obtaining other licenses you will need to conduct your business.
Contract Collections
Licensed escrow agents who in addition to providing escrow services under the Escrow Agent Registration Act (EARA) perform contract collections on loans secured by Washington residential property must license for that activity under the Consumer Loan Act (CLA), chapter 31.04 RCW. That means you will have two licenses. If you only perform contract collections on non residential mortgage loans in addition to providing escrow services, your EARA license is sufficient. Please contact DFI if you have additional questions.
How To Apply For A Designated Escrow Officer and Escrow Officer License
To obtain your first license, you must be associated with an actively licensed escrow agent. You must also have taken and passed the Escrow Officer Examination within the past year.
Escrow Agent License Amendments
Fill out the Escrow Agent Amendment Application Form (PDF)* if you are changing any of the following:
- Main office address
- Branch office address
- Main office name
- Branch office name
- Change of ownership or company personnel
Escrow Officer License Amendment
Fill out the Escrow Officer Application Form (PDF)* if:
- Your name has changed
- You are transferring from one escrow agent to another
- You are currently inactive, and wish to reactivate your license
- You are changing the Designated Escrow Officer
- You are changing positions from Escrow Officer to Designated Escrow Officer
- You are transferring from a main office location to a branch location (and vice versa)
Limited Practice Officer (LPO) Licensing
The LPO license is issued by the LPO Board, not by the Division of Consumer Services. Visit the Washington State Bar Association for information about obtaining an LPO license. You may contact the Board by e-mail at questions@wsba.org or phone (206) 443-9722 or (800) 945-9722.
Frequently Asked Questions
See answers to frequently asked questions regarding escrow licensing.
* This document is a PDF file, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may download it for free from Adobe.
[Top]
