Apply for a Washington Mortgage Broker License

DFI uses the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) to manage all Mortgage Broker licenses. All applications and changes to a Mortgage Broker license must be made through the NMLS.

Application Requirements

• Surety Bond
  New applicants must have a $20,000 surety bond, using the correct form (one covers employees only, one covers employees and Independent Contractors)
• Company Registration in Washington
  The company must register with the Washington Secretary of State and Business License Services
• Trust Accounting
  The company must determine whether or not it must maintain a trust account and complete the correct form
• Designated Broker
  The company must appoint a Designated Broker who meets the experience and testing requirements.
• Fingerprints
  Have each control person in the company get fingerprinted, unless the control person already holds a MLO license in Washington
• Mortgage Broker Application- Cost $1,001 (including $100 NMLS System Fee)
  Complete and submit through the NMLS a Mortgage Broker Application (Form MU1 and attached MU2 for control people)

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Steps to Apply for a Washington Mortgage Broker License

1. Gather all items listed on the New Application Checklist
   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 Mortgage Broker License Through the NMLS
   Complete and submit your application through the NMLS, including paying the licensing fee. You should also submit sponsorship requests for any MLOs who will be working in Washington at the same time. Additionally, if you are going to apply for branch licenses, you should also apply for those at the same time.

Within 5 business days of applying for a Washington Mortgage Broker License, you must:

3. Mail the Mortgage Broker and Designated Broker New Application Checklist And All Attachments To DFI
   • Mortgage Broker New Application Checklist (PDF)*
   • Designated Broker New Application Checklist (PDF)*

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Mortgage Broker Application Resources

• Tips to Expedite a Mortgage Broker Application
• Mortgage Broker Application FAQs
• NMLS Getting Started Guide
• Mortgage Broker New Application Checklist (PDF)*
• Designated Broker New Application Checklist (PDF)*

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Mailing the Requirements to DFI

Please mail the requirements to:

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

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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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