Apply to become a debt firm

Find out how to apply to us for authorisation if you’re a debt advice, debt collection or debt purchaser firm, or if you conduct debt administration.

1

Read everything listed below

Start with our main 'how to apply' page for all applicants

2

Prepare your application

Include your business plan and other supporting material

3

Pay the application fee

You must pay this in order to apply

4

Submit your application

You'll do this on our Connect system, so please register first

If you want to engage in regulated activities, you must be authorised by us with the relevant permissions. You'll need to demonstrate that you can consistently deliver good outcomes for retail consumers.

What to read first

Prepare your application

You'll submit your application through Connect, so make sure you register.

Your application must include your:

In your application, you'll need to demonstrate how your firm defines, monitors, evidences and stands behind the outcomes its customers are experiencing. We expect you to be able to identify when customers experience poor outcomes, and the resulting action you'll take to rectify the situation.

Below are the specific things we expect to see in your application, based on your type of firm, in order to demonstrate that you can meet our expectations.

We know we're asking for lots of information, but if you submit everything required in sufficient detail it'll help us assess and determine your application without delays.

You must answer all questions on the application honestly (including, where relevant, on Form As), and provide us with full information regarding any disclosures you make.

If in doubt, let us know as much as possible, even if it may not seem relevant.

If you don't disclose something, we take this very seriously and may consider it to be evidence of dishonesty and/or lack of integrity.

Application fee

You have to pay a fee to submit your application, unless you're a not-for-profit firm. The fee is non-refundable.

Type of firm Application fee
Debt advice

£1,000 (pricing category 3) or £10,000 (pricing category 6)

Not-for-profit debt advice No fee to pay
Debt collector or debt purchaser £5,000 (pricing category 5)
Debt administrator £5,000 (pricing category 5)

Find out more about our authorisation fees, including our pricing categories and how to pay.

Final check and submit

Before you submit everything on Connect, give it one more check to be sure you've included everything.

Our how to apply page has 3 top tips to ensure your application goes smoothly, and explains what happens after you've submitted it.

If you need more help

Please contact us on 0300 500 0597. We're open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, and Thursday 9.45am to 5pm.

Page updates

: Link added Letter to debt advice firms