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Applying for a State Company License
This section explains what the Company Form (MU1) is and how to apply for a state license or registration for your company in NMLS.
Filing the Initial Company MU1 Form for a New Application
Explains the idea of creating a new Company Form (MU1) filing in NMLS when applying for a new license or registration, as well as the distinction between your NMLS record and a filing in NMLS. Provides context around the relationship between the Company Form (MU1), Individual Form (MU2), and Branch Form (MU3).

Applying for a State Company License
This section explains what the Company Form (MU1) is and how to apply for a state license or registration for your company in NMLS.
- Filing the Initial Company MU1 Form for a New Application
  Explains the idea of creating a new Company Form (MU1) filing in NMLS when applying for a new license or registration, as well as the distinction between your NMLS record and a filing in NMLS. Provides context around the relationship between the Company Form (MU1), Individual Form (MU2), and Branch Form (MU3).
- Creating a Company MU1 New Application Filing
  How to create a new Company Form (MU1) filing in NMLS.
- Selecting Relevant Business Activities
  Choose the business activities that accurately reflect the services your company provides to ensure proper license application and regulatory oversight.
- Requesting a Company License or Transition
  Learn how to request a company license or transition an existing license onto NMLS.
- Adding Other Trade Names
  Enter any additional trade names your company uses to ensure they are properly recorded and displayed in NMLS and on public records.
- Identifying Resident Agents
  Provide the contact details of registered agents authorized to receive legal and regulatory documents on behalf of your company in each state where a license is requested.
- Identifying Contact Employees
  Learn how to add or edit company contact employees in the Contact Employees section of the Company (MU1) Form in NMLS.
- Providing Books and Records Information
  List the location(s) where the company’s books and records are stored, along with contact details and related information, in the MU1 filing.
- Providing Approvals and Designations
  Identify and document all approvals and designations held by the company in the MU1 filing, including any required explanations or related business disclosures.
- Indicating Legal Status
  Enter your company's legal status, fiscal year-end, and formation details as required for a new Company (MU1) filing.
- Identifying Affiliates and Subsidiaries
  Learn how to complete the Affiliates and Subsidiaries section of the MU1 form by disclosing related entities that share common ownership or control with your company.
- Identifying Financial Institutions
  Learn how to complete the Financial Institutions section of the MU1 form by listing banks, credit unions, and other financial entities affiliated with your company.
- Answering Disclosure Questions
  Learn how to accurately respond to the Disclosure Questions on the MU1 form to report any legal, financial, or regulatory issues affecting your company or its principals.
- Providing Disclosure Explanations
  Provide explanations for all disclosure questions answered “Yes,” optionally clarify selected “No” responses, and manage supporting documentation in the MU1 filing.
- Identifying Direct Owners and Executive Officers
  Identify all individuals and entities that meet NMLS definitions for direct owners and executive officers, and complete the required fields in the MU1 filing.
- Identify Indirect Owners
  Use the Indirect Owners section of the Company (MU1) Form to disclose any individuals or entities that indirectly own or control 25% or more of the applicant.
- Identifying Qualifying Individuals
  Identify and maintain the company’s Qualifying Individual (QI) in the MU1 filing; updates may require advance notice and trigger an MU2 filing for the individual.
- Managing Document Uploads
  Learn how to upload, organize, and manage the required supporting documents within NMLS to complete your license application successfully.
- Managing MU2 Forms for Company Representatives on the Company MU1 Form
  Learn how to manage MU2 forms for company representatives by linking and updating their information within your company’s MU1 form in NMLS.
- Attesting and Submitting a New MU1 Application
  Complete the final step of the MU1 new application process by legally attesting to the filing information and submitting it to state regulators through NMLS.
- Submitting Your Initial Financial Statement in NMLS
  Submit your company’s initial financial statement in NMLS when applying for a new license to meet state requirements.
- Managing Individual MU2 Filings (Company)
  Understand the process for managing individual MU2 filings, including submitting, updating, and tracking licensing information for company representatives in NMLS.
- Completing Application Requirements Submitted Outside of NMLS
  Understand the application requirements that companies must complete outside of NMLS, including fingerprinting, background checks, and submitting state-specific documentation.
- Determining Application Status
  Learn how to determine your company’s application status using the Composite View and Company Dashboard in NMLS for easy tracking and management.
- Responding to License Items
  Review and internally respond to license items placed on your company, branch, or sponsored individual licenses.
- Managing NMLS Electronic Surety Bonds for Licensees
  Understand how electronic surety bonds are managed within NMLS for company licensees, including submission, tracking, and compliance requirements.

Filing the Initial Company MU1 Form for a New Application

Explains the idea of creating a new Company Form (MU1) filing in NMLS when applying for a new license or registration, as well as the distinction between your NMLS record and a filing in NMLS. Provides context around the relationship between the Company Form (MU1), Individual Form (MU2), and Branch Form (MU3).

In NMLS, a company maintains a single core record that contains its identifying and organizational information. This is known as the one record concept. Regardless of how many states the company is licensed in or how many license types it holds, this foundational record remains the same.

A filing refers to a submission of that core record—or parts of it—to a state regulator as part of a license application, amendment, renewal, or surrender. Filings are how companies share updated or required information with regulators, but they do not create new records; they are instances of sharing or updating the existing record.

The MU Forms serve different roles in building and maintaining this one record:

MU1 – Company Form: The main form used to create and manage a company’s core record. The MU1 is filed when applying for new licenses or updating key company information.
MU2 – Individual Form: Completed by individuals who are Control Persons, Executive Officers, Qualifying Individuals, or Branch Managers associated with the company. MU2 records are linked to the company’s MU1 filing and are required in most new license applications.
MU3 – Branch Form: Used to manage and report on branch locations. Companies complete an MU3 for each branch location conducting licensed activity. These are tied to the MU1 record but are filed separately for each branch.

Together, these forms represent different aspects of a company’s NMLS record. The MU1 provides the central structure, while the MU2 and MU3 add individual and branch-level detail. When submitting a license application, companies create a coordinated filing using these forms as required by the regulator.

The first step to applying for a new company license or registration is to create a Company Form (MU1) filing.

Contact the NMLS Call Center with any questions: 1-855-665-7123
Monday - Friday from 9:00AM to 9:00PM ET
Available from all U.S. States and Territories.