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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 6Ch. 2§ 17213 Escrow Agent Licensing Rules

§ 17213 Escrow Agent Licensing Rules

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 17213 Escrow Agent Licensing Rules

This law says an escrow company must do business under its official name and its license can’t be sold or given to someone else; if more than 10% of its ownership changes, it usually has to apply for a new license.

Key Takeaways

  • •Use only the name that appears in the company’s official filing.
  • •The escrow license stays with the company; it can’t be sold, given away, or bought through stock deals.
  • •If ownership of 10% or more of the company changes, a new license application is usually required, except when the shares move between two current owners who already each hold at least 10%.

Example

A escrow firm called "SafeHold Inc." wants to start using the name "SafeHold Services" and a new investor wants to buy 15% of the company’s stock.

The firm must keep using the name "SafeHold Inc." because the law says it can only use the name in its articles of incorporation. Also, because the investor would own more than 10% of the company, the firm would have to file a new license application unless the shares are just moving between two existing owners who already each own at least 10%. The license itself can’t be handed over or bought with the stock.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 17213 Escrow Agent Licensing Rules

(a) An escrow agent shall not transact business pursuant to this division under any other name than that set forth in the articles of incorporation as filed with the commissioner. (b) An escrow agent’s license is not transferable or assignable. Further, no license may be acquired, either in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, through stock purchase, foreclosure pursuant to a pledge or hypothecation, or other devices without the consent of the commissioner. Prior to the transfer of 10 percent or more of the shares of an escrow agent, the escrow agent shall file a new application for licensure as required by Section 17201. However, a new application for licensure shall not be required to be filed by the escrow agent if the transfer of 10 percent or more of the shares of the escrow agent will be made by an existing shareholder to another existing shareholder who also owns 10 percent or more of the shares of the escrow agent before the transfer. (Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 174, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1999.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

escrow agentarticles of incorporationlicensetransferableassignablecommissionersharesnew application for licensure

Related Statutes

  • § 100005 Debt Collector Enforcement Actions
  • § 100006.3 Licensing System Filing Requirements
  • § 100011 License Issuance Requirements
  • § 100014 License Validity Period
  • § 14100 Credit Union Incorporation Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 17213.
View Official Source