Overview
An Apartment Information Vendor license allows you to engage in the business of claiming, demanding, charging, receiving, collecting, or contracting for the collection of a fee from a customer for furnishing information concerning the location and availability of real property, including apartment housing, which may be leased, rented, shared or sublet as a private dwelling, abode, or place of residence.
An Apartment Sharing Agent license allows you to, for a fee, arrange, conduct, coordinate, handle or cause meetings between a customer and the current owner or occupant of legally occupied real property, including apartment housing, who wishes to share that housing with one or more individuals as a private dwelling, abode or place of residence, but it shall not apply to any person who for another and for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, supervises, organizes, arranges, coordinates, handles or is otherwise in charge of or responsible for the relocation of commercial or residential tenants from buildings or structures that are to be demolished, rehabilitated, remodeled or otherwise structurally altered.
Term of licensure is one year beginning November 1 and ending October 31 of the next year. If you apply within the one year cycle, your license will expire on October 31st.
Requirements
To apply for an Apartment Information Vendor license, you must establish and maintain a special interest-bearing account in the minimum amount of $5,000 in a branch of a national or state chartered banking institution having a place of business within the state, plus $2,500 for each licensed branch office. Additionally, an escrow account as prescribed by Title 19 NYCRR 190.2 must be submitted for approval.
To apply for an Apartment Sharing Agent license, you must establish and maintain a special interest-bearing account in the minimum amount of $2,500 in a branch of a national or state chartered banking institution having a place of business within the state, plus $1,250 for each licensed branch office.
In either case, the account must provide that moneys may not be withdrawn without the written consent of the Secretary of State. Monies will not be released until 6 months from the date of request.
Fees
There are no fees associated with your Apartment Information Vendor or Apartment Sharing Agent license.
Renew or Update
Renew Your License
You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.
Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.
If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.
Update Your License
To update your personal name, business or residence address download, complete and submit the Change Notice (DOS-1473) to the address on the form.
To request a duplicate license certificate, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request (DOS-1508) to the address on the form.
Change Notice
Duplicate License/Registration Request
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Duplicate License/Registration Request (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen)
Tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)Download
Apply
To apply for your Apartment Information Vendor or Apartment Sharing Agent license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.
Credit Card Authorization Form
Contact Contact the Division of Licensing Services
Contact
Mailing Information:
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
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Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1
For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services
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Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures.
Albany: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
*Important note about Apostille and Certification of Authentication Services: Apostille and Certification of Authentication documents may be dropped off for processing. Customers may provide prepaid envelopes for priority returns. Priority appointments based on travel plans within two weeks may be scheduled at our Albany or New York City customer service office. For further information, please visit https://dos.ny.gov/apostille-or-certificate-authentication
Parking
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots, please visit their website.
New York City: This office is open for all services with the exception of walk-in apostille processing. Apostilles will not be processed without a previously scheduled priority appointment.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 3:30pm
*Important note about Apostille and Certification of Authentication Services: Apostille and Certification of Authentication documents may be dropped off for processing. Customers may provide prepaid envelopes for priority returns. Individuals who have a documented emergency circumstance or travel plans within two weeks may schedule an appointment to have their documents completed at our Albany or New York City customer service office. For further information, please visit https://dos.ny.gov/apostille-or-certificate-authentication
Binghamton: Effective July 7, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(518) 474-4429
Buffalo: Effective November 10, 2022, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821
Buffalo, NY 14203
(518) 474-4429
Hauppauge: Effective June 21, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(518) 474-4429
Utica: This office is closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812
(518) 474-4429