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Check Cashing Services - Financial Regulation

Last reviewed/updated: September 9, 2024

A Check Cashing Service is a business that accepts or cashes, for compensation, a payment instrument (check or a draft ordering a person to pay money) regardless of the date of the payment instrument. A License is generally required for the principal executive office of any person (defined in Md. Code Ann., Fin. Inst. § 1-101) engaging in check cashing services. Refer to Md. Code Ann., Fin. Inst. § 12-101 et seq. for legal requirements. For more detailed information on this license type please proceed to the NMLS Resource Center.

License Requirements and Fees

Effective July 1, 2023, individual licenses for locations other than the principal executive office are not required and will not be issued. Maryland business may be conducted at these locations under the license issued for the principal executive office if these locations are disclosed to the Commissioner. To disclose these locations, prepare the form below, or a list in substantially similar form, and upload it to NMLS in accordance with the instructions on the form. A new form must be uploaded whenever an additional location is opened, closed, or moved, or if there is a change in a trade name used at an additional location.

A business may obtain a Registration in lieu of a license, if the business provides check cashing services that are incidental to the retail sale of goods or services, and the business meets certain statutory standards.  Refer specifically to Md. Code Ann., Fin. Inst. § 12-105.1, and generally to Md. Code Ann., Fin. Inst. § 12-101 et seq.

Registration Requirements and Fees

Industry Alerts and Advisories

Information and FAQs for Senate Bill 939 (2020): New Licensing and Registration Requirements for Providers of Check Cashing Services in Maryland (effective October 1, 2020)

Laws, Rules, and Regulations

Applicants and licensees are expected to be knowledgeable about and in compliance with the Check Cashing Services Law, and any other applicable State or Federal statutes, rules, and regulations. Maryland laws, rules, and regulations can be found by accessing the Annotated Code of Maryland and Rules and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).  Certain relevant Maryland laws, rules, and/or regulations include (Note: this is not a comprehensive list):