Effective September 5, 2006, ALL Candidates for New Jersey Pawnbroker Licenses will be required to complete a fingerprinting process as a condition of securing a Pawnbroker license.

This requirement affects all new candidates for sole proprietorship Pawnbroker licenses as well as officers, directors, members, partners, and substantial stockholders of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships seeking new business entity Pawnbroker licenses.

Sole proprietor candidates and officers, directors, members, partners and substantial stockholders should complete the fingerprinting process in sufficient time prior to the filing of an application in order to ensure that there is adequate processing time available before any anticipated date for commencement of licensed business.

Applications for licensure WILL NOT be accepted without a fully completed application, the appropriate application fee, and evidence of the completion of the fingerprinting process for the sole proprietor or company principals. 

Evidence of completion of the fingerprinting process MUST include:

(1) a copy of the individual’s completed Universal Form; and

(2) a copy of the payment receipt issued by Sagem Morpho, the fingerprint LiveScan vendor, at the time of completion of the LiveScan printing.

• Read instructions
• Download the Universal Form (Version 3.0) (PDF) *Must be completed prior to reservation with vendor
• Make a reservation with vendor (Sagem Morpho Inc.)
• Frequently Asked Questions

Criminal History Background Investigation

New Jersey law requires that every applicant and any officer, director, partner or owner of a controlling interest of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership applying for a Check Casher, Money Transmitter/Foreign Money Transmitter, Pawnbroker or Licensed Lender license issued by the Division of Banking, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance must submit fingerprints and written consent for a criminal history record check. Previously, fingerprinting involved the manual ink and roll method; however new technology allows for electronic impressions.

To provide for a timely and efficient criminal history background review, the Department will be utilizing the State Police coordinated non-criminal justice fingerprinting process known as Live Scan. The State of New Jersey has contracted with a vendor, Sagem Morpho Inc., to perform this service. The company has established permanent sites throughout the State as well as several mobile units available to meet their contractual agreement.

Appointment scheduling is available via the Internet 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The Department encourages everyone to schedule their appointment using the Sagem Morpho web site to avoid telephone holding times.

For applicants who do not have internet access, appointments are available through the toll-free call center at 1-877-503-5981 on a first call, first served basis Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Hearing impaired scheduling is available at 1-800-673-0353. English and Spanish operators are available through the Call Center.

Processing Fee

All applicants must pay the criminal history record check fee directly to Sagem Morpho. The total cost for this process is $70.25. Payment will be required at the time of scheduling. Personal Checks are NOT accepted by Sagem Morpho. Sagem Morpho will accept Money Orders, Bank Checks, and Credit Cards. Payment instructions are relayed during the scheduling process but do have the credit card or Bank check or money order ready prior to contacting Sagem Morpho.

Cancellation Fee

A fee of $11 is charged to cover the cost of a scheduled appointment for applicants who do not cancel by noon on the business day prior to your scheduled appointment (Saturday noon for Monday appointments). The $11 fee also applies to applicants who are turned away from the printing sites due to their inability to present proper ID or who fail to present the proper and current version of the Universal Fingerprint form. All refunds are issued by Sagem Morpho.

Selecting the Proper Universal Form

The Division of Banking issues four license types that require fingerprinting. The proper Universal Form (Version 3.0) (PDF) must be completed for scheduling and presented at the appointment or you will be turned away from the scanning center and charged a $11 fee, as described above. Each license type is identified in field #4 of the Universal Form. In addition, please be sure to use the most current version of the form.

Proper Identification

ID must be issued by a Federal, State, County, or Municipal entity for identification purposes and must include photo, name, address (home/employer) and date of birth. Examples of acceptable identification include: (1) a photo driver's license or photo identification card issued by any State DMV; (2) passport or immigration ID; (3) Federal State, County, or Municipal Employment ID.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you live, work or go to school in New Jersey you MUST be fingerprinted in person at one of the Sagem Morpho facilities. 

If you do NOT live, work or go to school in New Jersey and if you are NOT located within ten miles of one of New Jersey’s borders, you must contact the Licensing Services Bureau, Banking in writing by fax at (609) 633-0822 or by e-mail at blic@dobi.state.nj.us for appropriate information and forms for completion of the required fingerprinting.

More information...  

Who needs to schedule a fingerprint scan for criminal history purposes as a condition of receiving a Division of  Banking license?

If an individual has been fingerprinted in the State of New Jersey for another purpose, is the individual required to go through the process again?

How do I begin the process?

What do I bring to the scanning center?

When should I schedule the fingerprint scan?

What must I do to have my fingerprints processed if I do NOT live, work or go to school in New Jersey OR within ten (10) miles of any of New Jersey’s borders?

Who needs to schedule a fingerprint scan for criminal history purposes as a condition of receiving a Division of  Banking license?

• All new applicants for New Jersey Licensed Lender individual licenses with mortgage banker or correspondent mortgage banker or mortgage broker and/or secondary lender business authority (ies).
• Any individual who will serve as an officer, director, member, partner, manager or owner of a controlling interest of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership applying for a license to conduct business as a New Jersey Check Casher, Money Transmitter, Foreign Money Transmitter, Pawnbroker or Licensed Lender (includes mortgage banker, correspondent mortgage banker, mortgage broker, secondary lender, consumer lender, and sales finance company authorities) entity.
• Any new applicant for a sole proprietorship New Jersey Check Casher, Money Transmitter, Foreign Money Transmitter, Pawnbroker or Licensed Lender license (includes mortgage banker, correspondent mortgage banker, mortgage broker, secondary lender, consumer lender and sales finance company authorities).
• Any new individual applying to become licensed as an individual licensee in affiliation with an existing Licensed Lender business entity with mortgage banker or correspondent mortgage banker or mortgage broker and/or secondary lender authority (ies).
• Any new individual who will serve as an officer, director, member, partner, manager or owner of a controlling interest of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership that is an existing licensed New Jersey Check Casher, Money Transmitter, Foreign Money Transmitter, Pawnbroker or Licensed Lender (includes mortgage banker, correspondent mortgage banker, mortgage broker, secondary lender, consumer lender and sales finance authorities).
• All individuals to be employed by a licensed New Jersey Check Casher.

If an individual has been fingerprinted in the State of New Jersey for another purpose, is the individual required to go through the process again?

Yes.  Regulations concerning dissemination of criminal history information prohibit its use outside the intended purpose. Federal and State security and privacy regulations dictate that dissemination of this information may only be for the purpose expressed in the form field identified as "Reason Fingerprinted." Sharing of criminal history information is therefore prohibited.

How do I begin the process?

The first step is to download the current version of the Universal Form (Version 3.0) (PDF). Following completion of the proper Universal Form, contact Sagem Morpho, the LiveScan fingerprint vendor for New Jersey, to schedule an appointment. We strongly suggest that you use the Sagem Morpho web site at www.bioapplicant.com/nj. Don't forget to have your credit card, bank check, or money order ready when scheduling the appointment.

What do I bring to the scanning center?

Scanning centers are located throughout the State. You may identify the most convenient location by accessing Sagem Morpho's web site.

1. You must bring to the scanning center photo identification issued by a Federal, State, County, or Municipal entity for identification purposes. It must include your name, address (home/employer) and date of birth. Examples of acceptable identification include: (1) photo driver's license or photo identification card issued by any State DMV; (2) passport or immigration ID; or (3) Federal, State, County, or Municipal Employment ID.
2. You must also bring a properly completed Universal Form (Version 3.0) (PDF).
3. The bank check or money order identified during the scheduling process, if you did not opt to pay by credit card.

When should I schedule the fingerprint scan?

The Department suggests that the following guidance be used in scheduling fingerprint scans for individuals who live, work or go to school in New Jersey OR live, work or go to school within ten (10) miles of any border of New Jersey:

• Any individual who will serve as an officer, director, member, partner, manager or owner of a controlling interest of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership applying for a license to conduct business as a New Jersey Check Casher, Money Transmitter, Foreign Money Transmitter, Pawnbroker or Licensed Lender (includes mortgage banker, correspondent mortgage banker, mortgage broker, secondary lender, consumer lender, and sales finance company authorities) entity should schedule an appointment in sufficient time to have the fingerprint scan completed prior to the submission of the license application.
• An applicant for an individual New Jersey Licensed Lender license should schedule the fingerprint scan immediately after passing the State Licensed Lender examination since such individual must apply for a license prior to the eligibility expiration date as it appears on the passing score report (within 180 days of passing the examination).
• All individuals to be employed by a licensed New Jersey Check Casher should schedule the fingerprint scan at the time of accepting such employment.
• Any individual in a category listed above who does NOT live, work or go to school in New Jersey OR live, work or go to school within ten (10) miles of any New Jersey border – see below for instructions on completing a fingerprint process.

The scheduled appointment will be within 7 to 10 days of completing the scheduling process. Remember that we suggest you take advantage of Sagem Morpho's online registration process.

What must I do to have my fingerprints processed if I do NOT live, work or go to school in New Jersey OR within ten (10) miles of any of New Jersey’s borders?

If you do NOT live, work or go to school in New Jersey OR if you do NOT live, work or go to school within ten (10) miles of any of New Jersey’s borders, you must contact the Licensing Services Bureau, Banking in writing by fax at (609) 633-0822 or by e-mail at blic@dobi.state.nj.us for appropriate information and forms for completion of the required fingerprinting. The written request MUST include the name and mailing address of the company as well as identification of the individuals who will need fingerprinting and a contact telephone number. NOTE: This process will include the use of “ink and roll” fingerprint cards that can be obtained ONLY through the Licensing Services Bureau, Banking, and that must be taken to the individual’s local police/state police jurisdiction for completion.

Individuals must follow the instructions in the letter they will receive from this Department regarding items to be returned.

IMPORTANT: The above process MUST be completed prior to the submission of a license application. Therefore, you MUST allow sufficient time for this process to be completed prior to the filing of an application as fingerprinting is now a condition of licensure.  You are REMINDED that it is your responsibility to ensure that there is adequate processing time available before any anticipated date for commencement of licensed business.