Process for becoming a certificate holder

Applications to become a certificate holder must be made to the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Licensing Authority.

Applying for a Certificate

Your application must be on the form approved by the Licensing Authority.

Individual applicants

You will have to provide certain details in your application. These will include your:

• full name;
• date of birth; and
• contact address.

You must complete a statutory declaration as to the truth of the information supplied in the application.

Your application must be submitted to Authority with:

• the prescribed fee; and
• two appropriately authenticated photographs.

How does the Authority handle the application?

The Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Licensing Authority will make whatever inquiries are necessary to determine whether you are disqualified from holding a certificate. Your criminal history will be checked.

Police’s power to object

New Zealand Police can object to any application on the basis that the applicant is "not a fit and proper person" to hold a certificate.

The grant of a certificate

The Authority must issue you a certificate unless:

• you are automatically disqualified (and you have not been granted a waiver);
• the Authority upholds a Police objection against you; or
• you failed to comply with one of the requirements for the application, eg you did not pay the prescribed application fee.

Refusal to issue a certificate

If your application for a certificate is refused, the Licensing Authority will notify you in writing and give reasons for the refusal.

If you have any queries about applying for a certificate you should contact the Ministry of Justice.