Pawnshop License Information
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department Civil Enforcement Section is responsible for the administration and issuance of Pawnbroker Licenses in accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 44-1627.
Effective December 1, 2011, there are new procedures in effect to either obtain an initial license or to renew a Pawnbroker License in Pima County. An Affidavit of Request to Obtain or Renew a Pawnbroker License must be filled out, notarized and returned to our office, by each proprietor, partner, designated agent, corporate officer, director, and any stockholder owning 10% or more of the corporation. Please make copies of the enclosed affidavit form for each person required to submit an affidavit.
An annual background investigation will be performed on each person to ensure that the applicant has not, within the last five years, been convicted of a felony involving trafficking in stolen property, fraudulent schemes, forgery, theft, extortion, conspiracy to defraud or a felony involving moral turpitude. This is required to ensure that the applicant meets the requirements of Arizona Revised Statute 44-1627.H.
Applicants should be very familiar with all aspects involving the licensing of pawnbrokers and ensure that they and their establishment satisfy all the requirements as stated in ARS 44-1627. One requirement of special note is that the agent/owner must be a bona fide resident of Arizona.
The following is the procedure of how to apply for a Pawnbroker License:
1). Fill out the applicable forms that are downloadable in this website:
- Pawnbroker License Non- Corporate Initial Application for Proprietorship and Partnerships
- Primary Owner or Managing Partner will need to fill out the application.
- Pawnbroker License Corporate Initial Application for Corporations
- Agent will need to fill out the application.
- Affidavit of Request to Obtain or Renew a Pawnbroker License
Every proprietor, partner, designated agent, corporate officer, director, and any stockholder owning 10% or more of the corporation and the designated agent will need to fill out an Affidavit of Request to Obtain a Pawnbroker license.
2). Each applicant initially applying for a Pawnbroker license will need to have a fingerprint card submitted.
- Fingerprint cards can be obtained at:
- Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Civil Enforcement Section located at 32 N. Stone Ave 16 floor (520) 351-6000.
- Pima County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers located at 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B (520) 351-4971.
- Applicant(s) will need to be fingerprinted using the fingerprint cards by the Civil Enforcement Section or Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers at:
- At any Law Enforcement agency of their choice
- Pima County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers 1650 E. Benson Highway, Suite B (520) 351-4971.
- There is a $10.00 fingerprinting fee at the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer location.
- Please call for days and hours of operation
3). Submit a cashier’s check or money order for each of the following:
- $1,000.00 license fee made out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Dept. for each license submitted.
- $24.00 fingerprint fee made out to the Arizona Department of Public Safety for each fingerprint card submitted. (Effective March 19, 2012, new reduced fingerprint fee made out to the Arizona Department of Public Safety will be $22.00)
4). Submit the Application, Affidavit(s), fingerprint card(s), license fee and fingerprint card fee either in person, or mail to our office:
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Civil Enforcement Section
32 N. Stone Ave. 16th, fl.
Tucson, Az. 85701
DT-LSB16-205
5). Please allow up to 60 days to process the application and fingerprint background check.
6). If approved, licenses can be picked up in person at our office or delivered in the mail.
7). If you will be handling firearms, you will need to contact the ATF for an application. If your business is located within a municipality, please check with them for any additional restrictions or requirements.
First year license fee= $1,000.00.
Second year license fee= $500.00 prorated amount at approximately $42.00 a month.
Third year and subsequent years license fee= $500.00.
Licenses cannot be sold or transferred without approval from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department; a new license fee will apply. Any change request will need to be done in writing and submitted to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. In order to process your paperwork in a timely manner, ensure that all questions on the application and Affidavit(s) are filled out completely. Please make copies of the enclosed affidavit for each person required to submit one.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our Pawnbroker License coordinator at (520) 351-4343.
Any questions regarding pawn shops or pawned items that are not related to licensing, can be directed to 520-351-4810.
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