DC · Money services businesses
Money transmitters in District of Columbia
Money transmitter / money-services license
Money transmitter license requirements by state is the national page. This page is District of Columbia only.
District of Columbia generally requires this license: Money transmitter / money-services license. File through NMLS.
The regulating agency is the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
Fee: Money Transmitter License: application fee $0. License registration fee $500. NMLS processing fee $120. Statute cited on the chart: DC Code 26-1001.
Bond: Money Transmitter License: minimum surety bond on the NMLS chart is $50,000. The chart allows an alternate security device upload in place of an electronic surety bond. Statute cited on the chart: DC Code 26-1001.
Related pages
Fee, bond, and timeline
Each cell cites a state regulator, a statute, or the NMLS License Requirements and Fees Chart. If a figure could not be verified, the cell says Varies, see regulator and links the agency.
| Item | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | Money Transmitter License: application fee $0. License registration fee $500. NMLS processing fee $120. Statute cited on the chart: DC Code 26-1001. | NMLS License Requirements and Fees Chart |
| Bond | Money Transmitter License: minimum surety bond on the NMLS chart is $50,000. The chart allows an alternate security device upload in place of an electronic surety bond. Statute cited on the chart: DC Code 26-1001. | NMLS License Requirements and Fees Chart |
| Timeline | Varies, see regulator | District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, NMLS License Requirements and Fees Chart |
Last verified:
LicenseStore cost page for District of ColumbiaLicenseStore compareLicenseStore sources
Who needs this in District of Columbia
A business that receives money or monetary value from District of Columbia customers and transmits it to another person, sells payment instruments, or holds customer funds for later payment generally needs a money-transmitter license from District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. Agent-of-payee and payment-processor exemptions are statutory and fact-specific.
Where to file
Request the District money-transmitter license on NMLS with DISB. FinCEN MSB registration is a separate federal filing and never replaces the District of Columbia license.
How to handle a money transmitter filing in District of Columbia
- Confirm the money transmitter activity in District of ColumbiaA business that receives money or monetary value from District of Columbia customers and transmits it to another person, sells payment instruments, or holds customer funds for later payment generally needs a money-transmitter license from District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. Agent-of-payee and payment-processor exemptions are statutory and fact-specific.
- Open the agency checklistOpen District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking and read the current checklist before you apply. The agency page is linked on this screen.
- File on the path this page namesRequest the District money-transmitter license on NMLS with DISB. FinCEN MSB registration is a separate federal filing and never replaces the District of Columbia license.
- Use the fee, bond, and timeline tableRead each cell and open its source. If the cell says Varies, see regulator, use the agency link on that row.
Federal overlay
FinCEN MSB registration and the Bank Secrecy Act are federal duties. They never substitute for a required state money-transmitter license. Unlicensed money transmission can also be a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1960.
Questions
Who needs a money transmitter license in District of Columbia?+
A business that receives money or monetary value from District of Columbia customers and transmits it to another person, sells payment instruments, or holds customer funds for later payment generally needs a money-transmitter license from District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. Agent-of-payee and payment-processor exemptions are statutory and fact-specific.
Where do you file in District of Columbia?+
Request the District money-transmitter license on NMLS with DISB. FinCEN MSB registration is a separate federal filing and never replaces the District of Columbia license.
What fee, bond, and timeline apply in District of Columbia?+
A figure is shown when a state regulator, a statute, or the NMLS License Requirements and Fees Chart states it. If the cell says Varies, see regulator, open the agency link before you pay or set a date.
Sources
Money transmitters in other states
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Money transmitter license requirements by stateAll District of Columbia licensesNMLS guide
Cornerstone on money transmitters
Fee, bond, and timeline cells cite a state regulator, a statute, or the NMLS chart. If a figure could not be verified, the cell says Varies, see regulator and links the agency. License categories and exemptions change. Confirm the current checklist on the official site before you apply. This is not legal advice.