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:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Financial Services Division, Escrow Law
320 West 4th Street, Suite 750
Los Angeles, CA 90013-2344
Phone: (213) 576-7500
Fax: (213) 576-7178
Email: Ask.DFPI@dfpi.ca.gov
Announcements
- 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 037Passcode: 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)
Note: Adobe Reader 7.x or higher is required
Actions and Orders pursuant to Escrow Law
Actions, Orders and Administrative Hearing Decisions
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.