Escrow Agents - DFPI
Source: https://dfpi.ca.gov/regulated-industries/escrow-law
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
Escrow Agents - DFPI
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Escrow Agents
The Escrow Law protects members of the public who entrust their money or other assets to independent escrow agents in California. Through licensing, regulation, and oversight of these agents, DFPI supports a healthy and trusted financial marketplace.
The Escrow Law is contained in Division 6 (commencing with Section 17000) of the
California Financial Code
. The regulations are contained in Subchapter 9, Title 10,
California Code of Regulations
commencing with Section 1700 (10 C.C.R. § 1700, et seq.).
The Escrow Law protects members of the public who entrust their money or other assets to independent escrow agents in California. Escrow agents, joint control agents and Internet escrow agents are subject to the provisions of the Escrow Law.
Visit
About Escrow Law page
to know more information.
Announcements
3/2/2026
– The next Escrow Law Advisory Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PST. The meeting will be held at the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Los Angeles office located at 320 West 4th Street, 7th floor video conference room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Meeting may also be attended virtually at the following link:
https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 215 268 369 134 91
Passcode: j3hn9i7t
Or telephonically
Please contact Assistant Deputy Commissioner Paul Liang in the Los Angeles office at (213) 823-3364 if you have any questions. The
AGENDA for the March 17, 2026 meeting (PDF)
and the
MINUTES for the December 10, 2025 meeting (PDF)
are available.
For Archives Click Here
Laws & Regulations
About the Escrow Law
General Definitions
Escrow Law Advisory Committee
Escrow Agents: Employee Disciplinary Actions
Regulations & Legislation
Publications
Escrow Law Reports (2007, 2009, 2010, 2025)
DFPI and DRE Joint Bulletin – June 30, 2025 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – February 11, 2025 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – June 2010 – Issue 34 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – March 2009 – Issue 33 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – January 2007 – Issue 31 (PDF)
Forms
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is pleased to provide links to the following forms listed below. To find which is the proper office to file your application and or notice, please refer to Commissioner’s Release 13-G (Revised) (PDF)
The table below contains a list of Escrow Law Forms
Form Number
Form Title
Format
DFPI-512 SIQ
Statement Of Identity & Questionnaire
PDF
DFPI-EL 8018
Request for Live Scan Service – Applicant Submission
PDF
DFPI-EL 301
Application for License under the Escrow Law
PDF
DFPI-EL 301A
General Information regarding the Application for Escrow Agents, Joint Control, and/or Internet Escrow Agents License
PDF
DFPI-EL 302
Application for a License to Establish a Branch Office
PDF
DFPI-EL 303
Bond of Escrow Licensee and Instructions for Completion of Surety Bond Form
Notice to Escrow Applicants and Licensees New Escrow Surety Bond Form Requirements Effective January 1, 2014
PDF
DFPI-EL 303A
Bond of Escrow Agent (For Fidelity Bond Deductible)
PDF
DFPI-EL 314
Instructions for Establishing Records and Accounts Pursuant to the Escrow Law
PDF
DFPI-EL 315
California Escrow Law Audit Report
PDF
DFPI-EL 321
Assignment To Commissioner of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
PDF
DFPI-EL 321A
Instructions for Deposit of Cash in Lieu of Surety Bond
PDF
DFPI-EL 323A
Time Certificate or Certificate of Deposit
PDF
DFPI-EL 326
Application for Authorization to Change Ownership
PDF
DFPI-EL 330
Escrow Agent Manager Questionnaire
PDF
DFPI-EL 336
Subordination Agreement
PDF
DFPI-EL 338
General Information on the Licensing and Regulation of Independent Escrow Agents
PDF
DFPI-EL 339
Revised Notice of Fingerprint Processing Requirements Under the Escrow Law
PDF
DFPI-EL 805
Consent to Service Process
PDF
DFPI-EL 17213
Request for Consent to Transfer an Interest in an Escrow Agent’s License
PDF
DFPI-EL 1726
Notice of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Employees or Other Persons Directly or Indirectly Compensated by Escrow Agents
PDF
DFPI-EL-1726A
Affidavit
PDF
DFPI-EL 17419
Statement of Identity and Employment Application
PDF
DFPI-ESC 17213.1
California Escrow Law Change of Address Form
PDF
DFPI-LE 500.262
Customer Authorization of Disclosure of Financial Records
PDF
DFPI-LF 596
Summary of Personnel
PDF
Note
:
Adobe Reader 7.x
or higher is required
Licensee Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Escrow Law
Who is required to obtain a license?
How do I apply for a license?
Requirements after an Escrow license has been issued
Actions & Orders
Actions and Orders
List of individuals that have been censured, suspended, or barred by the California Department of Corporations pursuant to Financial Code Section 17423 of the Escrow Law from January 1, 1991 to 2012. (PDF)
To check the name of an individual who may have been disciplined by the Department of Corporations under Financial Code section 17423 prior to January 1, 1991 please contact the Consumer Services Office toll free at 1-866-275-2677.
For further information of any of the Department’s actions noted, please contact the Consumer Services Office toll free at 1-866-275-2677. Also, please visit the
California Department of Insurance
and
California Department of Real Estate
databases for additional information.
Resources
Consumer Information
Online Escrow Companies
California Escrow Association
Escrow Institute of California
Search for Enforcement Actions taken by California Department of Real Estate
Search for Enforcement Actions taken by California Department of Insurance
Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation (EAFC)
“
Self-Service DOCQNET Portal
– Escrow applicants and licensees can submit annual escrow liability report information, and update contact information.”
How to reach us:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Financial Services Division, Escrow Law
320 West 4th Street, Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90013-2344
Phone:
(213) 576-7500
Fax:
(213) 576-7178
Exam and compliance inquiries:
[email protected]
Licensing inquiries:
[email protected]
Escrow manager application inquiries:
[email protected]
Annual CPA audit report inquiries and submission:
[email protected]
Annual liability report inquiries and submission:
[email protected]
News & Info Links
Newsroom
Press Releases
Monthly Bulletins
Important Notices
Skip to Main Content
Escrow Agents
The Escrow Law protects members of the public who entrust their money or other assets to independent escrow agents in California. Through licensing, regulation, and oversight of these agents, DFPI supports a healthy and trusted financial marketplace.
The Escrow Law is contained in Division 6 (commencing with Section 17000) of the
California Financial Code
. The regulations are contained in Subchapter 9, Title 10,
California Code of Regulations
commencing with Section 1700 (10 C.C.R. § 1700, et seq.).
The Escrow Law protects members of the public who entrust their money or other assets to independent escrow agents in California. Escrow agents, joint control agents and Internet escrow agents are subject to the provisions of the Escrow Law.
Visit
About Escrow Law page
to know more information.
Announcements
3/2/2026
– The next Escrow Law Advisory Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PST. The meeting will be held at the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Los Angeles office located at 320 West 4th Street, 7th floor video conference room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Meeting may also be attended virtually at the following link:
https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 215 268 369 134 91
Passcode: j3hn9i7t
Or telephonically
Please contact Assistant Deputy Commissioner Paul Liang in the Los Angeles office at (213) 823-3364 if you have any questions. The
AGENDA for the March 17, 2026 meeting (PDF)
and the
MINUTES for the December 10, 2025 meeting (PDF)
are available.
For Archives Click Here
Laws & Regulations
About the Escrow Law
General Definitions
Escrow Law Advisory Committee
Escrow Agents: Employee Disciplinary Actions
Regulations & Legislation
Publications
Escrow Law Reports (2007, 2009, 2010, 2025)
DFPI and DRE Joint Bulletin – June 30, 2025 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – February 11, 2025 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – June 2010 – Issue 34 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – March 2009 – Issue 33 (PDF)
Escrow Bulletin – January 2007 – Issue 31 (PDF)
Forms
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is pleased to provide links to the following forms listed below. To find which is the proper office to file your application and or notice, please refer to Commissioner’s Release 13-G (Revised) (PDF)
The table below contains a list of Escrow Law Forms
Form Number
Form Title
Format
DFPI-512 SIQ
Statement Of Identity & Questionnaire
DFPI-EL 8018
Request for Live Scan Service – Applicant Submission
DFPI-EL 301
Application for License under the Escrow Law
DFPI-EL 301A
General Information regarding the Application for Escrow Agents, Joint Control, and/or Internet Escrow Agents License
DFPI-EL 302
Application for a License to Establish a Branch Office
DFPI-EL 303
Bond of Escrow Licensee and Instructions for Completion of Surety Bond Form
Notice to Escrow Applicants and Licensees New Escrow Surety Bond Form Requirements Effective January 1, 2014
DFPI-EL 303A
Bond of Escrow Agent (For Fidelity Bond Deductible)
DFPI-EL 314
Instructions for Establishing Records and Accounts Pursuant to the Escrow Law
DFPI-EL 315
California Escrow Law Audit Report
DFPI-EL 321
Assignment To Commissioner of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
DFPI-EL 321A
Instructions for Deposit of Cash in Lieu of Surety Bond
DFPI-EL 323A
Time Certificate or Certificate of Deposit
DFPI-EL 326
Application for Authorization to Change Ownership
DFPI-EL 330
Escrow Agent Manager Questionnaire
DFPI-EL 336
Subordination Agreement
DFPI-EL 338
General Information on the Licensing and Regulation of Independent Escrow Agents
DFPI-EL 339
Revised Notice of Fingerprint Processing Requirements Under the Escrow Law
DFPI-EL 805
Consent to Service Process
DFPI-EL 17213
Request for Consent to Transfer an Interest in an Escrow Agent’s License
DFPI-EL 1726
Notice of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Employees or Other Persons Directly or Indirectly Compensated by Escrow Agents
DFPI-EL-1726A
Affidavit
DFPI-EL 17419
Statement of Identity and Employment Application
DFPI-ESC 17213.1
California Escrow Law Change of Address Form
DFPI-LE 500.262
Customer Authorization of Disclosure of Financial Records
DFPI-LF 596
Summary of Personnel
Note
:
Adobe Reader 7.x
or higher is required
Licensee Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Escrow Law
Who is required to obtain a license?
How do I apply for a license?
Requirements after an Escrow license has been issued
Actions & Orders
Actions and Orders
List of individuals that have been censured, suspended, or barred by the California Department of Corporations pursuant to Financial Code Section 17423 of the Escrow Law from January 1, 1991 to 2012. (PDF)
To check the name of an individual who may have been disciplined by the Department of Corporations under Financial Code section 17423 prior to January 1, 1991 please contact the Consumer Services Office toll free at 1-866-275-2677.
For further information of any of the Department’s actions noted, please contact the Consumer Services Office toll free at 1-866-275-2677. Also, please visit the
California Department of Insurance
and
California Department of Real Estate
databases for additional information.
Resources
Consumer Information
Online Escrow Companies
California Escrow Association
Escrow Institute of California
Search for Enforcement Actions taken by California Department of Real Estate
Search for Enforcement Actions taken by California Department of Insurance
Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation (EAFC)
“
Self-Service DOCQNET Portal
– Escrow applicants and licensees can submit annual escrow liability report information, and update contact information.”
How to reach us:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Financial Services Division, Escrow Law
320 West 4th Street, Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90013-2344
Phone:
(213) 576-7500
Fax:
(213) 576-7178
Exam and compliance inquiries:
[email protected]
Licensing inquiries:
[email protected]
Escrow manager application inquiries:
[email protected]
Annual CPA audit report inquiries and submission:
[email protected]
Annual liability report inquiries and submission:
[email protected]
News & Info Links
Newsroom
Press Releases
Monthly Bulletins
Important Notices