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ALERT: Effective February 1, 2009, the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions will no longer accept paper mortgage applications - applications will only be accepted online through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). If your company currently holds a mortgage license or registration and you need to add a new branch location or mortgage loan originator, you must first transition your company to the NMLS and have your transition approved by the Department. After your transition is approved, you may apply to add a new branch or mortgage loan originator. Click HERE to access the NMLS.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINGERPRINT INSTRUCTIONS FOR MORTGAGE APPLICANTS

Effective January 1, 2009, mortgage lender/broker/servicer company applicants (including certain company control persons) and mortgage loan originators must undergo a fingerprint criminal background check by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  See below for a list of company control persons who must be fingerprinted.  Do not call the Department to ask about the results of your background check - applicants will be notified only if there is a finding.  If a background check cannot be completed due to smudged or poor quality fingerprints, the applicant may be asked to be reprinted and have their prints resubmitted to Cogent Systems.  Cogent Systems does not charge for a second fingerprint submission, although local fingerprinting fees may still apply.

ALL FINGERPRINTING MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF ANY APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION FORM(S)!  FINGERPRINT RESULTS DATED 90 DAYS OR MORE FROM THE DATE OF APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

Fingerprints must be submitted through Cogent Systems using one of the two following options:

OPTION 1 - ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINT SCAN (only available in Tennessee):

  1. Registration
  • Register online at www.tennessee.cogentid.com or call 1-877-862-2425.
  • Make sure that your Social Security Number is correctly entered.
  • Agency ORI #: TN920717Z (required for registration).
  • Transaction Type: “FI” (required for registration).
  • NOTE:  Any registration errors must be corrected by re-registration online or by phone prior to fingerprinting.  No errors can be corrected once the fingerprints are taken.
  1. Fees - The processing fee for an electronic fingerprint scan is $48.00.
  1. Payment
  • Credit or debit card payments can be submitted online at www.tnprints.com or by calling the payment processing center at 1-800-964-7690.
  • At the fingerprint site you can pay ONLY by Money Order or Cashier’s Check made payable to “Cogent Systems”.
  • Cash and personal checks are NOT accepted.
  1. Fingerprinting
  • Fingerprint scan facilities are located throughout Tennessee.  Go to the facility          nearest you - no appointment necessary.  Find locations at www.tennessee.cogentid.com.
  • At the fingerprint scan facility, you must provide a State or Federal government-issued identification and your registration number.  You must also provide either a payment confirmation number or a money order made payable to “Cogent Systems.”
  • Fingerprints are electronically forwarded to the TBI and the FBI.
  • Fingerprint background check results are provided ONLY to the Department.

OPTION 2 - FINGERPRINT CARDS (only option for out-of-state):
*Fingerprint cards cannot be processed without a Money Order or Cashiers Check and an Authorization/Certification form.

  1. Obtain Fingerprint Card
  • You MUST use BLUE-LINED FBI fingerprint cards provided by the Department - these cards contain pre-printed Department information.
  • To Request Cards:  your company must email askmortgage.licensing@tn.gov or call the Licensing Division at 615-741-2236.  Cards are provided to the company ONLY.  For a company application, see list below for control persons who must be fingerprinted.
  • Once you obtain a fingerprint card from your company, complete all blocks of the card, making sure that Name, Address and Social Security Number are entered correctly and clearly, and that you have signed the card.
  1. Fingerprinting and Certification
  • Take the BLUE-LINED fingerprint card to a local law enforcement agency to be fingerprinted.  Local fingerprint fees may also apply.
  • You must provide a State or Federal government-issued identification to be fingerprinted.
  1. Fees
  • The processing fee for a fingerprint card background check is $56.00 (local law enforcement fingerprinting fees may also apply). 
  • Payment is ONLY accepted by a Money Order or Cashier’s Check made payable to Cogent Systems.  
  • Do NOT send cash, a check, or any other form of payment!
  1. Submission of Fingerprint Card and Payment
  • Give your company the completed fingerprint card.  Your company should mail these items and the fingerprint fees to Department of Financial Institutions with the other state-specific application or registration materials, within five (5) days of filing the application or registration through the NMLS.
  • The Department will forward all of the company’s fingerprint cards and fingerprint fees to Cogent Systems.  Cogent will electronically scan the cards for the TBI/FBI.
  • Fingerprint background check results are provided ONLY to the Department.

If you are submitting a company application, the following Control Persons must be fingerprinted:

  • Managing Principal – the individual identified as the “Qualifying Individual” on the MU1 form of the NMLS application.  This individual is in charge of and responsible for the company actions.
  • Branch Managers
  • Managing Member(s), if an LLC
  • Executive Officers – including, but not limited to, the CEO, COO, CFO, President, Vice President(s), Secretary, and Treasurer.
  • General Partners – including for general and limited partnerships.
  • Equitable 25% Or More Owners – individuals owning directly or indirectly, with participation rights, a 25% or more interest in the company (including all individuals listed on Schedule A of the NLMS application with a 25% or more ownership).
  • NOTE:  The Department reserves the right to require fingerprints from any other individual (not covered above) who directs the affairs of the company or establishes policy.

To Mortgage Companies:  Mail the completed fingerprint cards and fingerprint fees (paid by money order or cashier’s check ONLY) to the Department of Financial Institutions with any other state-specific application or registration materials (see NMLS checklist).  These materials should be sent within five (5) days after filing your application or registration form(s) through the NMLS.  If any materials are missing, the application may be returned to the company or denied.

Mailing Address:                Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions
                                           Attn:  Fingerprint Section
                                           414 Union St., Ste. 1000
                                           Nashville, TN  37219

Fax:                                    (615) 532-1018

Questions:                          Email askmortgage.licensing@tn.gov