Washington State Department of Financial Institutions

Apply for a Money Transmitter or Currency Exchange License

On April 16, 2012, Washington introduced NMLS as a new way to apply for and maintain your Money Transmitter or Currency Exchange license. NMLS streamlines the application process as well as the maintenance of your company’s license by providing a central location for company information and reducing the items you must mail to DFI. Effective June 7, 2012 all new applicants must use NMLS to apply for a Money Transmitter or Currency Exchange license.

Application Requirements

Money Transmitter
View the Washington Money Transmitter License Description (PDF)* to see the prerequisites at a glance and application requirements.

Currency Exchange
View the Washington Currency Exchange License Description (PDF)* to see the prerequisites at a glance and application requirements.

How to Apply for a Washington Money Transmitter License

(Includes Currency Exchange and Third-Party Account Administrators)

  1. New Application Checklist (PDF)*
    1. Complete any prerequisite requirements
    2. Identify and gather the items that will need to be electronically uploaded and entered in NMLS
    3. Identify and gather the items that will need to be sent to DFI
    If you do not have the items listed on the application checklist before applying, the processing of your application will be delayed and you risk your application being abandoned.
  2. Apply for Washington Money Transmitter License Through NMLS
    Complete and submit your application through NMLS, including paying the licensing fee.
  3. Mail Requirements to DFI Immediately: Immediately mail the Money Transmitter New Application Checklist and all attachments to DFI (you must complete this within 5 business days of applying for a Money Transmitter License through NMLS)

How to Apply for a Washington Currency Exchange License

  1. Review the New Application Checklist (PDF)*
    1. Complete any prerequisite requirements
    2. Identify and gather the items that will need to be electronically uploaded and entered in NMLS
    3. Identify and gather the items that will need to be sent to DFI
    If you do not have the items listed on the application checklist before applying, the processing of your application will be delayed and you risk your application being abandoned.
  2. Apply for Washington Currency Exchange License Through NMLS
    Complete and submit your application through NMLS, including paying the licensing fee.
  3. Mail Requirements to DFI Immediately: Immediately mail the Currency Exchange New Application Checklist and all attachments to DFI (you must complete this within 5 business days of applying for a Money Transmitter License through NMLS)

Mailing the Requirements to DFI

For U.S. Postal Service:
Department of Financial Institutions
Division of Consumer Services
PO Box 41200
Olympia WA 98504-1200 		  For Overnight Delivery:
Department of Financial Institutions
Division of Consumer Services
150 Israel Rd SW
Tumwater WA 98501

Money Transmitter/Currency Exchange Application Resources

Questions? Contact Us

If you have any questions about information on this webpage feel free to contact us by phone at (360) 902-8703 or toll free at 1-877 RING DFI (746-4334).

You may also email us at dcs@dfi.wa.gov.

* 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.

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