Businesses whose principal purpose is to regularly collect or to attempt to collect personal or household debts from New York City residents must have a Debt Collection Agency license no matter where the agency is located, including outside of New York State. This licensing requirement includes:
This description is only a general explanation of which businesses need to have a Debt Collection Agency license. You may refer to New York City Administrative Code Section 20-489 for a complete description
Attention: Attorneys and Law Firms
As a result of the resolution of Eric M. Berman P.C. v. City of New York, 09-cv-3017, slip op. at 1 (E.D.N.Y. February 3, 2016) (order dismissing the case), you or your law firm may require a Debt Collection Agency license from DCWP.
For more information, read DCWP’s October 2016 notice.
See Requirements section for detailed descriptions. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.
Submitting your application does not mean your license is automatically approved.
You must have the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure. Although DCWP does not require submission of your Business Certificate in order to process your application, DCWP may request this document under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.
Sole proprietors operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.
Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at dos.ny.gov/corps.
DCWP will deny your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:
If You File Your Application Between These Dates: | License Fee Option 1 | License Fee Option 2 |
---|---|---|
From February 1 in an odd year to July 31 in an odd year | Pay $150 for a license expiring January 31 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 24 months.) | N/A |
From August 1 in an odd year to January 31 in an even year | Pay $113 for a license expiring January 31 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 18 months.) | N/A |
From February 1 in an even year to July 31 in and even year | Pay $75for a license expiring January 31 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 12 months.) | N/A |
From August 1 in an even year to January 31 in an odd year | Pay $38 for a license expiring January 31 of the soonest or same odd year. (Valid for at most 6 months.) | Pay $188 for a license expiring January 31 of the following odd year. (Valid for at most 30 months.) |
Pay by:
○ Check or money order payable to DCWP. (In person)
○ Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only).
You will be charged a nonrefundable Convenience Fee. (In person or online)
File Online
Important: If you need to file another license application, return to the Apply for a DCWP License page to read requirements and proceed to the next online application.
OR
File In Person
Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center
DCWP LICENSING CENTER
42 Broadway, Lobby
New York, NY 10004
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.
NYC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER
90-27 Sutphin Blvd, 4th Floor
Jamaica, NY 11435
By Appointment Only Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Last appointment: 3:30 p.m.
By Email: LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov
By Phone*: Call (212) 436-0441. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
*This number is to schedule an appointment for in-person service only. For general questions, email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov.
Free Interpretation Services are available on-site. To request a disability-related accommodation, visit our Accommodations page.
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