Licensing and Surety Bonds for Michigan Collection Agencies

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Michigan collection agencies

Michigan collection agencies need to be licensed and get a surety bond to legally operate in the state. Here’s a quick look at the licensing process and why the bond is required.

Getting Licensed as a Michigan Collection Agency

Michigan collection agencies are licensed by LARA, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. In order to be eligible for a license, the applicant must:

Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Owner-managers submit their manager applications alongside the agency application. Here’s some of the information the agency application asks for:

  • Agency name, address, and phone number
  • Manager’s personal information
  • Surety bond
  • $225 new license fee

Michigan collection agencies’ licenses expire each year on June 30, and the state issues license renewals 60 days prior to that. Renewal is $125. Each agency branch needs its own separate license and surety bond.

Questions about licensure? LARA compiled a list of FAQs for applicants—see if your question is answered.

Why do collection agencies need a bond?

Michigan collection agencies need a surety bond to protect the state and the individuals from whom the agency collects. In their first year of being licensed, agencies need to get a $5,000 bond�one for each business license or location. In subsequent years, the bond amount is based on the agency’s average monthly business numbers as filed in their Annual Report of Business and Operations.

This�surety bond protects individuals in the event that an agency falsely collects money from them, or if the agency fails to report on funds that were collected. It serves as the collection agency’s promise to obey all applicable laws regarding the business, and the agency is liable if it violates those terms. That means if the surety has to pay out any claims on the bond, the bondholder is on the hook for reimbursement.

Ready to get the licensing process started? Get a quote for your Michigan surety bond today!�

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