Escrow Law

The Escrow Law is contained in Division 6 (commencing with Section 17000) of the California Financial Code . The regulations are contained in Subchapter 9, Title 10, California Code of Regulations commencing with Section 1700 (10 C.C.R. § 1700, et seq.).

The Escrow Law protects members of the public who entrust their money or other assets to independent escrow agents in California. Escrow agents, joint control agents and Internet escrow agents are subject to the provisions of the Escrow Law.

Visit About Escrow Law page to know more information.

How to reach us:

Announcements

• 7/8/2024 – There are three openings on the Escrow Advisory Committee as follows:
  • a representative for companies that have other ownership, such as companies owned by a real estate broker or title insurance company. Managers or corporate officers of independent escrow companies are eligible to serve on the committee.
  • a representative for small-sized escrow companies.
  • a CPA who has escrow agent clients.

  The Committee is established in Financial Code Section 17214. The Committee’s purpose, as provided in statute, is to assist the Commissioner in the implementation of the Commissioner’s duties under the Escrow Law. The Committee is comprised of eleven members, including the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee. The Commissioner appoints the Committee members, other than those representing Escrow Institute of California and Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation. The Committee meets quarterly at the Department’s office.

  If you qualify for one of the open positions, you are encouraged to apply by sending a letter of qualifications and resume to the attention of Paul Liang, Assistant Deputy Commissioner at 320 West 4th Street, Suite 750, Los Angeles, California 90013. The deadline for submission is on July 26, 2024. Should you have any questions, please contact Paul Liang at (213) 576-7535 or Paul.Liang@dfpi.ca.gov.

• 6/7/2024 – The next Escrow Law Advisory Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. PST. The meeting will be held at the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Los Angeles office located at 300 S. Spring St., 15th floor video conference room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Meeting may also be attended online at the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting

  Meeting ID: 226 598 621 607

  Passcode: BhfmDh

  Or telephonically

  Please contact Assistant Deputy Commissioner Paul Liang in the Los Angeles office at (213) 576-7535 if you have any questions. The AGENDA for the June 18, 2024 meeting (PDF) and the MINUTES for the March 12, 2024 meeting (PDF) are available.

• 3/1/2024 – The next Escrow Law Advisory Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. PST. The meeting will be held at the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Los Angeles office located at 300 S. Spring St., 15th floor video conference room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Meeting may also be attended online at the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting

  Meeting ID: 245 248 173 037

  Passcode: wRcG8b

  Or telephonically

  Please contact Assistant Deputy Commissioner Paul Liang in the Los Angeles office at (213) 576-7535 if you have any questions. The AGENDA for the March 12, 2024 meeting (PDF) and the MINUTES for the December 5, 2023 meeting (PDF) are available.

• For Archives Click Here

Licensee Information

• Frequently Asked Questions about Escrow Law
• Who is required to obtain a license?
• How do I apply for a license?
• Requirements after an Escrow license has been issued

Publications and Forms

• Escrow Law Reports (2007, 2009, 2010)
  • Escrow Bulletin – June 2010 – Issue 34 (PDF)
  • Escrow Bulletin – March 2009 – Issue 33 (PDF)
  • Escrow Bulletin – January 2007 – Issue 31 (PDF)
• Escrow Law Forms

Laws and Regulations

• About the Escrow Law
• General Definitions
• Escrow Agent’s Advisory Committee Meetings
• Escrow Agents: Employee Disciplinary Actions
• Regulations, Legislation, Opinions, Releases, Notices

Service Portal DOCQNET

Escrow applicants and licensees may access the Self-Service DOCQNET Portal to submit annual escrow liability report information, and update contact information.

Other resources

• Consumer Information
• Online Escrow Companies
• California Escrow Association
• Escrow Institute of California
• Search for Enforcement Actions taken by California Department of Real Estate
• Search for Enforcement Actions taken by California Department of Insurance
• Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation (EAFC)

Escrow Law Forms

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is pleased to provide links to the following forms listed below. To find which is the proper office to file your application and or notice, please refer to Commissioner’s Release 13-G (Revised) (PDF)

Actions and Orders pursuant to Escrow Law

Actions, Orders and Administrative Hearing Decisions

List of individuals that have been censured, suspended, or barred by the California Department of Corporations pursuant to Financial Code Section 17423 of the Escrow Law from January 1, 1991 to 2012. (PDF)

To check the name of an individual who may have been disciplined by the Department of Corporations under Financial Code section 17423 prior to January 1, 1991 please contact the Consumer Services Office toll free at 1-866-275-2677.

For further information of any of the Department’s actions noted, please contact the Consumer Services Office toll free at 1-866-275-2677. Also, please visit the California Department of Insurance and California Department of Real Estate databases for additional information.