Bennisha

Expert

Published on: Jul 30, 2026

Money Lender License

A money lender is someone who lends small amounts of money at a higher rate of interest. The reason for charging higher rates of interest is that the money lender faces a higher risk of default than normal banks due to various reasons. People who are desperately in need of money but at the same time do not have a bank account, people with bad credit histories and those who can’t get money from friends or relatives approach a money lender for credit facilities. In India, money lenders are governed by the Money Lenders Act in different states. The Tamil Nadu Government controls the money lending process in accordance with the Money Lenders Act, 1957.  It is mandatory for every money lender to have a license. In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining Money Lender License.

Factors to issue a license

Money Lender License is usually granted by the Revenue Department within 3 to 4 months from the date of submission of the application form. Once the application is received, it is valid for one year. However, there are a few factors that have to be taken into consideration while issuing/renewal/endorsement of a license:

  • Whether the person has the competency to run a money lending business.
  • Whether the applicant’s premise is an apt place to run the business.
  • Whether granting the permission would be against the public interest.

Documents Required

The following documents are required to obtain the money lending license.

  • Form A application form.
  • Passport size photographs.
  • Three specimen signatures mentioning the money lenders name or his nominee.

How to Apply

The following steps have to be followed to obtain a money lending license.

Step 1: Visit the Tahsildar Office The applicant has to visit the nearest Tahasildar office Step 2: Receive the application The applicant has to pay a fee of Rs. 100 to receive the application form from the Tahasildar. Step 3: Enter the details The applicant has to enter the required details in the application form. Step 4: Submission of the form The form has to be submitted to the Tahasildar's office.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Money Lender License in Tamil Nadu.

A money lender is someone who lends small amounts of money at a higher rate of interest, typically to individuals who may not qualify for loans from traditional banks due to factors such as lack of credit history or collateral.
Money lenders charge higher interest rates because they face a higher risk of default from borrowers who may not have access to traditional lending sources. The higher interest rates help compensate for this increased risk.
People who are desperately in need of money but do not have a bank account, have bad credit histories, or cannot get money from friends or relatives typically approach a money lender for credit facilities.
In India, money lenders are governed by the Money Lenders Act, which is implemented differently in each state. For example, in Tamil Nadu, the money lending process is controlled by the Money Lenders Act, 1957.
Yes, it is mandatory for every money lender to have a license in Tamil Nadu, according to the Money Lenders Act, 1957.
The competency of the applicant to run a money lending business, the suitability of the applicant's premises, and whether granting the license would be against public interest are factors considered before issuing a money lender license.
The required documents include a duly filled Form A application form, passport size photographs, and three specimen signatures mentioning the money lender's name or their nominee's name.
According to the article, it usually takes 3 to 4 months from the date of submission of the application form to obtain a money lender license in Tamil Nadu.
The article states that once the application for a money lender license is received, it is valid for one year.
The first step in applying for a money lender license in Tamil Nadu is to visit the nearest Tahsildar office.