Nebraska Collection Agency License Guide

In Nebraska, any entity who – directly or indirectly – engages in debt collection from associations, firms, corporations, or individuals must first obtain a Collection Agency license.

Licensed collection agencies are authorized to solicit owed or due claims. Licensees can sell or give away systems, letters, or forms used in the debt collection by entities other than the owner/creditor of the claim.

The Nebraska Secretary of State (Licensing Board) regulates and issues all Collection Agency licenses.

All applicable forms are available on NE Secretary of State Collection Agencies page , under Licensing Forms.

• Collection Agency License application form available here .

Note: As document links are updated regularly, they may have expired. If you cannot access the form you need, go directly to the Secretary of State licensing page .

In order to become licensed as a Collection Agency in Nebraska, you will need to provide the following:

• Financial Statements: All applicants must provide a completed current financial statement. Note that the Licensing Board will obtain credit reports on individual and partnership applications.
• Articles of Incorporation : Corporation applicants are required to submit a certified copy of the articles of incorporation, as well as the name and address of the resident agent.
• Solicitors List : Applicants must provide an alphabetical list of all solicitors or collectors to be licensed, as well as any alias used by them along with their date of hire.
• Relevant Documentation:
  • Corporations and LLCs : The application must include all names and addresses of the president, vice president, secretary, and any other officer who has management control in the collection agency.
  • Individuals and Partnerships : Applications must provide three personal reference letters.

All out-of-state applicants are required to have an office in Nebraska, and must provide a list of the states/agencies who issued the applicant’s license. Out-of-state applicants who already operate in another state must include a list of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of ten prior and/or current customers.

All Collection Agency license applicants in Nebraska are required to furnish a corporate surety bond. The amount of the surety bond depends on the number of solicitors employed by the Collection Agency.

• Bond Amount:
  • $5,000 surety bond for less than 5 solicitors
  • $10,000 surety bond for 5-15 solicitors
  • $15,000 surety bond for more than 16 solicitors

The fees must be submitted along with the application. The investigation fee is not refundable.

• Collection Agency Licensing Fee : $200
• License Investigation Fee : $200
• Solicitor’s Certificate : $1

Please note that the NE Licensing Board reviews collection agency licenses quarterly each January, April, July, and October. Be sure that the Board receives your application no later than the first of the month of the scheduled review.

Mail your completed license application together with all additional documents and fees to:

Mailing Address:

State Capitol

1201 N Street, Suite 120

Lincoln, NE 68508

For information regarding Nebraska Collection Agency licensing, you may contact the Secretary of State at [email protected] or (402) 471-8606.