This license is required of any person who is:
- Engaged in the business of lending money on the deposit or pledge of personal property;
- Purchases personal property with an expressed or implied agreement or understanding to sell it back at a subsequent time at a stipulated price; or
- Lends money upon goods, wares or merchandise pledged, stored or deposited as collateral security.
Prior Approvals
- City of Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax ID
- City of Philadelphia Commercial Activity License
- Zoning Approval (Use Registration Permit) for the location of the business
Additional Information
- License holders are required to register with an online inventory tracking system as determined by the Philadelphia Police Department. The registration process with a link to the provider is available at www.phillypolice.com.
- No pawnbroker shall transact any business on Sunday
- No pawnbroker shall transact any business on before 8:30 A.M. or after 5 P.M., except that pawnbrokers may accept pledges or effect redemptions until 9 P.M. on Friday and until 6 P.M. on Saturday.
- Pawnbrokers must first secure adequate identification from the customer before purchasing an article of personal property, receiving a pledge of personal property from, or exchanging personal property.
- At the time of the transaction, the pawnbroker must take a digital photograph of the customer, obtain a clear imprint of the customer’s left thumbprint and have the customer present photo-identification issued by a state or federal government.
- Pawnbrokers must issue a pawn ticket to every customer delivering a pledge of personal property to the pawnbroker.
Code Library: To read the legal statute, see Chapter 9-603 of the Philadelphia Code.
Pawn Broker License Application – Cost: $500
RETURNED CHECKS: If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds, (1) you authorize The City of Philadelphia or its agent to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account to collect a fee of $20; and (2) The City of Philadelphia or its agent may re-present your check electronically to your depository institution for payment.
License Application and Renewal Online
This license can be renewed online, with a valid email address. Renewals can also be made in the Municipal Services Building – Concourse Level (1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard). In-person renewals will also require an email address.
The Pawn Broker paper form is provided for new license applicants. License holders are encouraged to renew this license online.