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Mortgage licensing / North Carolina

North Carolina Mortgage Branch Registration

branch licence · NMLS NCBRANCH_B · COB

This registration should only be applied for by a company that also holds or is applying for a Mortgage Broker License or Mortgage Lender License and has branch location(s) where North Carolina residential mortgage loan originations will occur. See North Carolina General Statute § 53-244.030(11) regarding the definition of engaging in the mortgage business. A mortgage broker or lender is not required to have a branch office if they are only originating from their principal office. A branch is not required to be within the state border of North Carolina. View our website for Frequently Asked Questions about residential mortgage branches. A branch is defined in the North Carolina General Statute § 53-244.030(4) as: "Branch office - An office of a mortgage broker or mortgage lender that is open to the public, separate and distinct from the principal office, and consists of at least one enclosed room or building of stationary construction from which its employees engage in the mortgage business. A branch office shall not be located at an individual's home or residence."

Requirements (11)

  1. Step 1

    Other Trade Name: If the branch indicates in the MU3 that it will be operating under a name that is different from the applicant’s legal name, that name (“Trade Name”, “Assumed Name” or “DBA”) must be also listed under the Other Trade Names section of the Company Form (MU1) and receive approval (or have already been approved) under the MU1 license record. North Carolina does not limit the number of other trade names. If operating under an “Other Trade Name”, upload an executed copy of a North Carolina Assumed Name Certification regarding ability to do business under that trade name from a North Carolina Register of Deeds office as required under N.C. General Statute Chapter 66, Article 14A. This document should be named North Carolina-Mortgage Broker or Lender License Trade Name – Assumed Name.

    Submitted via: NMLS MU3 and MU1 Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Trade Name/Assumed Name Registration Certificates in the Document Uploads section of the Company Form (MU1).

  2. Step 2

    Branch Manager: A Branch Manager must be designated for each registered location. This individual must have three years of residential mortgage lending experience and meet the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 53-244.050(b). A Branch Manager is an individual who is assigned to, in charge of, and is responsible for the business operations of a branch office of a mortgage broker or mortgage lender. A Branch Manager must hold an active NC MLO license and cannot be under Temporary Authority to Operate. Refer to N.C. General Statute § §53-244.040(f), 53-244.050(b) and North Carolina Administrative Code 04 NCAC 03M.0204

    Submitted via: NMLS

  3. Step 3

    Credit Report: See the Registration Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement. Branch Managers 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 registration request for your company's branch can be filed through NMLS. Branch Managers must meet the financial responsibility requirements defined in N.C. General Statute §53-244.060(4).

    Submitted via: NMLS

  4. Step 4

    MU2 Individual FBI Criminal Background Check Requirements: See the Registration Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement. Branch Managers are required to authorize a FBI criminal background check (CBC) through NMLS. After authorizing a FBI criminal background check through the NMLS, you must schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted if new prints are required. See the Criminal Background Check section of the NMLS Resource Center for more information. See N.C. General Statute requirements § 53-244.060 (2)and (3). Note: If you are able to ‘Use Existing Prints’ to process the FBI criminal background check, you DO NOT have to schedule an appointment. NMLS will automatically submit the fingerprints on file.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  5. Step 5

    Branch Attestation: Submit an executed Prohibited Branch Arrangement Attestation Form (MLA19 – Branch Attestation) through our agency website login. Please note that you cannot access this automated request form until one business day after application through the NMLS. This online form is to be completed by a control person of the company as acknowledgement for current branch applications or any future branches. NOTE: Only one attestation is to be completed by the company, not one for each branch. If the company has already completed the attestation on our system, this step is considered already complete.

    Submitted via: Complete a Branch Attestation on NCCOB’s Website: Login credentials can be requested on the site within one business day of application submission: https://www.nccob.gov/online/Login.aspx. Click on Branch Attestation and complete the online form as prompted – to be completed by a control person of the company as acknowledgement for current or future branches.

  6. Step 6

    Lease Agreement Documents: Submit a copy of the lease agreement for the branch office location that, at a minimum: • clearly states the parties to the lease; • clearly states the terms of the lease; • describes the leased premises; and, • is signed by a company (principal office control person/official) and landlord. If the lease is a sublease, provide written approval from the master lessor that they are aware of and agree to the property being subleased (consent to sublease), along with a copy of the executed master lease. Note: The lease must be in the company’s name, not in the name of the branch manager. A control person or official of the company must sign the lease, not the branch manager. Note: If the branch location is owned by the company; a copy of the deed reflecting the location is a company asset may be submitted in lieu of the lease. Note: A mortgage broker or lender is not required to have a branch office if they are only originating from their principal office. A branch is not required to be within the state border of North Carolina. View our website for Frequently Asked Questions about residential mortgage branches. A branch is defined in the North Carolina General Statute § 53-244.030(4) as: "Branch office - An office of a mortgage broker or mortgage lender that is open to the public, separate and distinct from the principal office, and consists of at least one enclosed room or building of stationary construction from which its employees engage in the mortgage business. A branch office shall not be located at an individual's home or residence." This document should be named [Branch NMLS ID#] Leasing Agreement.

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

  7. Step 7

    Zoning Information. Submit commercial/office zoning information for the branch location (i.e. tax records, Google Streetview, Loopnet (https://www.loopnet.com/), etc. This document should be named [Registration Type] Zoning Documentation.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type State Specific Documentation in the Document Uploads section of the Branch Form (MU3).

  8. Step 8

    Credit Report Explanations: Upload documentation to support payoffs, disputes, or payment arrangements for accounts that have been seriously delinquent (collections, charge-offs, repossessions, foreclosures within the past 3 years or current judgments or liens). Redact account numbers. Items regarding bankruptcy, foreclosure actions, outstanding judgments or liens should be addressed in the Disclosure Explanations section of your Individual Form (MU2). Review the requirements of financial responsibility pursuant to N.C. General Statute §53-244.060(4). This document should be named Credit Report Explanations – Sub Name – Document Creation Date.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Credit Report Explanations in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU2). Items regarding bankruptcy, foreclosure actions, outstanding judgments or liens, or delinquent child support payments should be addressed in the Disclosure Explanations section of your Individual Form (MU2).

  9. Step 9

    Verification of Experience: Provide a license/registration specific resume of the branch manager with detailed job descriptions and/or duties performed evidencing experience in the industry the broker or lender is applying for a branch registration. Detailed job descriptions and duties with all employers need to be incorporated into the resume to demonstrate experience related to the specific state license or registration being applied for. State specific requirements include: • Branch Managers must have 3 years of experience in residential mortgage lending. Refer to N.C. General Statute § §53-244.040(f), 53-244.050(b) and North Carolina Administrative Code 04 NCAC 03M.0204. This document should be named [Resume] – License/Registration Name and can be uploaded to the branch manager's individual NMLS record documents.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Verification of Experience in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU2).

  10. Step 10

    Criminal Background Check Documentation: Submit documentation to show plea, disposition, and severity of incidents (if not reflected clearly on the background check in the NMLS) pursuant to N.C. General Statute 53-244.060(2) and (3).

    Submitted via: NMLS: upload in NMLS in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU2) or disclosure question explanations as applicable. Redact personal information, such as SSN.

  11. Step 11

    Disclosure Questions/Explanations: Provide complete details of all events or proceedings for any “Yes” answer to the disclosure questions for a Branch Manager MU4 filing. Branch Managers are to ensure that disclosure questions, explanations, and documentation are current.

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Disclosure Explanations section of the Individual Form (MU2).

General information

Who is required to have this registration? This registration should only be applied for by a company that also holds or is applying for a Mortgage Broker License or Mortgage Lender License and has branch location(s) where North Carolina residential mortgage loan originations will occur. See North Carolina General Statute § 53-244.030(11) regarding the definition of engaging in the mortgage business. A mortgage broker or lender is not required to have a branch office if they are only originating from their principal office. A branch is not required to be within the state border of North Carolina. View our website for Frequently Asked Questions about residential mortgage branches. A branch is defined in the North Carolina General Statute § 53-244.030(4) as: "Branch office - An office of a mortgage broker or mortgage lender that is open to the public, separate and distinct from the principal office, and consists of at least one enclosed room or building of stationary construction from which its employees engage in the mortgage business. A branch office shall not be located at an individual's home or residence." A residential mortgage loan is defined in the North Carolina General Statute § 53-244.030(30) as "Residential mortgage loan. - Any loan or obligation made or representaed to be made to one or more individuals primarily for personal, family, or household use that is secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, or other equivalent consensual security interest on a dwelling located within this State or residential real estate upon which is constructed or intended to be constructed a dwelling. This term includes reverse mortgage loan under Article 21 of this Chapter and contracts for deed under Chapter 47H of the General Statute. Who is not required to have this registration? • • Branch registrations are not applicable for Mortgage Servicers or Mortgage Origination Support Registrants • Branch registrations are not applicable for locations where only processing, underwriting, or servicing activity is conducted • Exempt entity branch locations Activities Authorized Under This Registration This registration authorizes the following activities: • • The residential mortgage broker or lender may list the same business activities in the NMLS for the branch location as is authorized under the company’s principal office license. Pre-Requisites for Registration Applications • • Licensure: Each residential mortgage broker or lender applying for branch registration must also hold or is also applying for a Residential Mortgage Broker License or Lender License under the NC SAFE Act. A branch location cannot be registered under two different companies. • Branch Location: An office of a mortgage broker or mortgage lender that is open to the public, separate and distinct from the principal office, and consists of at least one enclosed room or building of stationary construction from which its employees engage in the mortgage business. A branch office shall not be located at an individual's home or residence. A copy of the branch lease and documentation of commercial/office zoning is to be uploaded to NMLS documents. • Branch Manager: Each branch office of a residential mortgage broker or lender must have a branch manager who is also licensed as a mortgage loan originator in North Carolina, and has at least three years of experience in residential mortgage lending. They must meet the prelicensing education, MLO test, financial responsibility, and background check requirements of an MLO, and be in charge of, and responsible for, the business operations of the branch location. A branch manager may only manage one branch location. • Registration Cost: $0. There is no cost for branch registrations or renewal; however, fees through the NMLS such as the NMLS processing fee for the registration, and the credit report and criminal background check fees for the branch manager apply. Fees are non-refundable. Additional Information Applications not completed within 30 days of an initial deficiency notification will be deemed withdrawn by applicant and placed in a Withdrawn-Application Abandoned status. If a third party is assisting you with your application, an authorization form (form #MLA20) must be completed and uploaded to your login on our website to allow us to communicate with the third party. Login credentials can be requested on the site within one business day of application submission. The Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs), or MLO applicants in a temporary authority to operate status, must be W2 employees of the residential mortgage broker or lender and must have sponsorship requested by the company and accepted by our agency prior to originating a residential mortgage loan (see MLO checklist). The branch location applying for registration must have an approved registration in North Carolina before an MLO’s sponsorship can be accepted if they are only assigned to that branch location in the State Relationships NMLS screen. Branch Managers may only manage one location and must be a licensed MLO (not with temporary authority). The NC SAFE Act refers to MLOs as employees which is defined in the Act as an individual who has an employment relationship and who is treated as a common law employee for purposes of compliance with federal income tax laws and whose income is reported on IRS Form W-2 (see N.C. General Statutes § 53- 244.030(10), § 53-244.040(a), and § 53-244.100). Additionally, mortgage loan originators shall not be employed simultaneously by more than one mortgage lender, mortgage broker, or mortgage origination support registrant registered under Article 19B of Chapter 53 of the North Carolina General Statutes (see NC General Statute § 53- 244.100(b)). What to Expect After Becoming Registered North Carolina issues paper registrations for this application type; they can be printed by the principal office for the branch one business day following branch registration approval at: https://www.nccob.gov/online/Login.aspx. Licenses and registrations expire annually on December 31st. Renewal of licenses and registrations can be requested through the NMLS November 1st through December 31st (late renewal January 1st through the end of February). The branch manager must have requested renewal of their MLO license, and the company license renewal must be approved before we renew the branch registration. For more information on regular examinations, frequently asked questions, fee information, and more can be viewed on our agency’s website. You may also subscribe to the Mortgage Bulletin Board, view our Mortgage Presentation webinars, etc.: Mortgage | nccob.

Other North Carolina mortgage licenses

Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated September 22, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.

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