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Mortgage licensing / Georgia

Georgia Mortgage Branch Approval

branch licence · NMLS GABRANCHAPP_B · DBF

Each licensee who intends to operate and maintain an additional office in Georgia shall file an application with the Department of Banking and Finance requesting approval to open an additional Georgia office. A branch manager must be designated and approved for each licensed location. Out-of-State locations do not require approval. In addition, Registrants are not required to have Georgia in-state branches approved.

Requirements (8)

  1. Step 1

    Other Trade Name/DBA: If the branch will operate under a name that is different from the company’s legal name, that name (“Trade Name” or “DBA”) must be listed under the Other Trade Names section of the Branch Form (MU3). Applicants and licensees must include ALL Other Trade Names identified on a Branch Form on the Company Form of the Company Form (MU1).

    Submitted via: NMLS

  2. Step 2

    Branch Manager: A branch manager must be designated and approved for each licensed location in Georgia. The Branch Manager must have a completed Individual Form (MU2) filed at the same time as the Branch Form (MU3).

    Submitted via: NMLS

  3. Step 3

    Credit Report: Branch managers are required to authorize a credit report through NMLS. Individuals will be required to complete an Identity Verification Process (IDV) along with an individual attestation before a license request for can be filed through NMLS. See the License Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  4. Step 4

    MU2 Individual FBI Criminal Background Check Requirements: Branch managers indicated on the Branch Form (MU3) are required to authorize an FBI criminal background check (CBC) through NMLS. A criminal background increases the difficulty of making a favorable finding on an application. No individual that has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony (a) within the previous seven years or (b) at any time, if such felony is a disqualifying crime as defined by O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1000(7.1), is eligible to serve as a branch manager unless the felony has been remedied with a pardon pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1004(i). See the License Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  5. Step 5

    Credit Report Explanations: Submit a line by line, detailed letter of explanation of all derogatory credit accounts along with proof of payoffs, payment arrangements and evidence of payments made according to the payment arrangements, or evidence of any formal dispute filed (documents must be dated). Accounts to address include, but are not limited to: collections items, charge offs, accounts currently past due, accounts with serious delinquencies in the last 3 years, repossessions, loan modifications, etc.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Credit Report Explanations in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU2).

  6. Step 6

    State Background Check Authorization: Branch managers are required to upload an executed original copy of the Background Check Authorization Form consenting to a criminal history record check on the proposed control persons. Click here to download the Background Authorization form. Note: This is separate from the NMLS federal background check for the submission of the Individual Form (MU2). This document should be named [State Abbreviation] – BC Authorization.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type State Background Check Authorization in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU2).

  7. Step 7

    Branch Lease: Upload a copy of the signed lease agreement between the property owner and the licensee authorizing it to work out of the physical location. Lease agreements must be between the property owner and the company licensee. Lease agreements should not be in the branch manager's name. This document should be named Branch Lease – Document Creation Date.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Branch Written Agreement in the Document Uploads section of the Branch Form (MU3).

  8. Step 8

    Branch Office Questionnaire: Answers to the Mortgage Branch Office Questionnaire should be typed. If additional answer space is required, please include additional pages and attach to this application. Click here to download the Branch Questionnaire. This document should be named GA Branch Office Questionnaire – Document Creation Date.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Branch Written Agreement in the Document Uploads section of the Branch Form (MU3).

General information

GENERAL INFORMATION Who is required to have this approval? Each licensee who intends to operate and maintain an additional office in Georgia shall file an application with the Department of Banking and Finance requesting approval to open an additional office. Each location must be separately approved and will require a filing of Form MU3 through the NMLS. Branches located outside the State of Georgia do not require the Department’s approval. A location, including a personal residence, shall be considered a branch for purposes of the Georgia Residential Mortgage Act (GRMA) if any of the following conditions are met: • The location address is printed on or contained in letterheads, business cards, announcements, advertisements, solicitations for business, flyers, brochures, or the like; • Georgia consumers are received at the location or are directed to deliver any information by any means to the location; • Loan files, applications (approved, denied, pending and pre-qualification) and any other books and records required by Georgia Residential Mortgage Act or Department rules are located at the location; • The location is used to meet the licensing standards in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1003.1 and Department Rule 80-11-1-.03; • The licensee directly or indirectly reimburses for rent, utility bills or other expenses incurred for use of a location as a branch; or • An independent contractor of a licensed mortgage broker operates from the location and all of the conditions for the exemption contained in O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1001 (a)(17) are satisfied. What do I need to know before I apply? A branch manager must be designated and approved for each licensed location in Georgia. The branch manager is an individual who supervises daily activities in Georgia of a of a mortgage broker/processor or mortgage lender licensee, whether at a main or branch location, and regardless of job title. Branch manager shall include an independent contractor of a mortgage broker as contemplated under O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1001 (a)(17) if such independent contractor works from a branch under 80-11-1-.03(3)(e). An MU2 must also be completed in NMLS on the Branch Manager with this application. No individual may serve as the branch manager of more than one location of a licensee. This restriction is in place to ensure that the branch manager can effectively manage the branch location and adequately supervise the daily functions performed by the employees at the location. Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) Requirement:Branch Managers are required to be licensed as Georgia Mortgage Loan Originators. [See Department Rule 80-11-1-.04(2)]. Net Branching: Net Branching is not acceptable and net branches will not be approved. Refer to the Department’s FAQs on this subject for further information. Also, see Department Rule 80-11-1-.03 Place of Business Requirements; Definitions. Activities Authorized Under This Approval This approval grants the licensee to perform the business activities authorized for the type of mortgage company license held in Georgia. Among those activities may be the following: • First mortgage brokering • Second mortgage brokering • First mortgage lending • Second mortgage lending • First mortgage servicing • Third party first mortgage servicing • Subordinate lien mortgage servicing • Third part subordinate lien mortgage servicing • Master servicing • Mortgage loan purchasing • Foreclosure consulting/foreclosure rescue • Home equity lending/lines of credit • Reverse mortgage brokering • Reverse mortgage lending • Reverse mortgage servicing • High cost home loans • Third party mortgage loan underwriting • Lead generation • Short sale • Manufactured housing financing • Mortgage loan modifications • Third party mortgage loan processing Georgia does not issue a separate license or license certificate for each mortgage branch. Pre-Requisites for Applications • A branch application should only be submitted by a company that also holds or is applying for a Georgia Mortgage Broker/Processor or Mortgage Lender License. Helpful Resources • Branch Form (MU3) Filing Quick Guide • Document Upload Descriptions and Examples • Payment Options Quick Guide • License Status Definitions Quick Guide

Other Georgia mortgage licenses

Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated June 26, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.

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