Idaho Legal Code
Idaho Statutes: Title 41, Chapter 27:
Rules:
18.05.01 Rules for Title Insurance Regulation
Definitions
Title insurance: the certification or guarantee of title or ownership, or insurance of owners of property or others having an interest therein or liens or encumbrances thereon, against loss by encumbrance, or defective titles, or invalidity, or adverse claim to title. This definition shall not be deemed to apply as to the business of preparing and issuing abstracts of, but not certifying, guaranteeing, or insuring, title to or ownership of property or certifying to the validity of documents relative to such title.
A title insurer may also insure:
For a full list of insurance licensing terms please click here.
Surety Bond
Title agents are required to carry a Surety Bond in order to obtain and maintain a license in Idaho.
The minimum amount for the bond is $10,000 per county in which the title insurance agent is licensed.
The bond must increase in increments $10,000 with each additional escrow officer in the county up to the maximum bond amount of $50,000.
The manager or supervisor of the title insurance agent’s principal office in a county does not count as an escrow officer in determining the amount of the title insurance agent’s bond.
How to Apply
Please follow the guide below to apply for a Title Agent License.
Step One: Prepare your application packet. This packet will need to contain:
- The completed application.
- Plant Information, if a new plant, it must be inspected and approved by the Department prior to license issuance. If purchasing or leasing an existing plant, attach a copy of the purchase and sales agreement.
- Non-refundable Application License Fee of $50 via check or money order made out to “Idaho Department of Insurance”.
- Certified Copy of an escrow surety bond.
- If the title agent is a Limited Liability Company (L.L.C), include the Limited Liability Addendum.
- Copy of business filing with the Secretary of State.
- Documentation of verifiable experience in the title insurance industry.
- Documentation of familiarity and understanding of applicable sections of the Idaho Code and Rules.
Step Two: Mail Completed and Signed Application (w/any additional required items) to:
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 W. State Street, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho; 83720-0043
Renewal Requirements
Idaho title agent’s licenses expire on January 1st. There is a non-refundable fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) to renew the license.
- If the renewal fee is not paid by the 1st of January the license will not be considered renewed.
- If the renewal fee is not paid on time the license will be considered invalid at the end of business on December 31st.
- If the license lapses the agent may then be required to appear at a hearing before the Director of the Department of Insurance (Idaho Code § 41-2710(5)) and/or be subject to a non-refundable late fee of two dollars ($2.00) a day up to a maximum of one hundred dollars ($100) before the license can be renewed.
- Each County needs to submit a separate renewal packet.
To renew a Title license the Title Insurance Agent Renewal Packet needs to be completed and mailed to the Department of Insurance along with the non-refundable $50.00 renewal fee. Please make checks and money orders out to “Idaho Department of Insurance”
Please send completed form to
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 W. State Street, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho; 83720-0043
Current Escrow Rates by County
Annual Escrow Rates Filling Instructions
Licensed title agents conducting escrow closings are required to file escrow rates, including a minimum and negotiable rate, rates for maintaining an interest-bearing escrow account for earnest money and rates for long term escrow accounts by March 15 to be effective on April 15 of each year.
If a title agent conducts escrow closings in multiple counties, a filing must be submitted for each county.
As part of the review process, the Department will be reviewing escrow rate filings of minimum negotiable rates to ensure that they are in compliance with IDAPA 18.05.01.022 and IDAPA 18.05.01.031. As in the past, the Department will consider a minimum negotiable rate filing that is calculated by applying the filed rate to the average price of a residential sale in the county of licensure. This average price can be based on individual title insurance agent data or an average that incorporates data from various sources, i.e. other title insurance agents. Please specify your basis of the average price in your filing.
Example Calculation of Minimum Negotiable Rate
File rate, $45.00 base rate, $3.00 rate per thousand, and an average residential sales price in the county of $200,000.00.
Calculation: $45.00 + $3.00(200) = $645 minimum negotiable rate
The Department of Insurance may request documentation of how the average residential sales price was determined prior to approval of a minimum negotiable rate)
All escrow rate filings and any supporting documents should be sent to:
Title Section
Phone: 208-334-4321, FAX: 208-334-4398
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 W. State Street, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho; 83720-0043
If sent by email, a portable document format (pdf) is required.
5 Year Market Conduct Examinations
Operations and Management
This includes a review of management and control, contracting authority, surety bond, claims, and financial interests of the title entity management and ownership.
Advertising and Marketing
This includes a review of the title agent’s marketing and sales practices. This includes a review of all accounts involving contributions, donations, sales expenses, travel and meal expenses, title agent/staff function expenses, as well as samples of listing packages or property profiles.
Title Files
This includes a review of title insurance rates charged, the correct insured amount of the owner’s and mortgagee’s policies, proper countersignatures, double sales, proper use of the Standards of Liability and liens and encumbrance rules, and unique kind or class of risk and any business interests of the title officers.
Escrow Fiduciary Accounts
This includes a review of the fiduciary accounts utilized during the examination period. The accounts are reviewed for correct labeling, separation from operating funds, reconciliation, and negative balances.
Escrow Files
This includes a review of the adequacy of written instructions, conformity to the written instructions by the title agent, escrow rates charged as filed, signed settlement statements, receipt and disbursement ledgers, evidence of receipts and disbursements made, file overdrafts, and any business interests of the escrow officers.
After the examination is complete the Department prepares an examination report and provides it to the title agent being examined affording them up to twenty-eight (28) days within which to review, comment and request a hearing. Unless a hearing is requested in accordance with Chapter 2, Title 41, Idaho Code, the examination report shall be adopted by order of the Director and deemed available to the public notwithstanding the exemptions from disclosure provided in Chapter 1, Title 74, Idaho Code.
Market Conduct Examination Reports and Orders
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Ada County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Adams County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bannock County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bingham County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Blaine County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Boise County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bonner County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bonneville County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Canyon County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Caribou County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Cassia County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Clark County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Custer County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Elmore County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Fremont County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Gem County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Jefferson County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Jerome County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Kootenai County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Lemhi County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Madison County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Nez Perce County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Owyhee County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Payette County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Power County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Shoshone County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Teton County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Twin Falls County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Valley County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Washington County)
Boundary Abstract Co, Ltd (Boundary County)
Community Title, LLC (Boundary County)
Empire Title LLC – Canyon County
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Ada County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Adams County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bannock County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bingham County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Blaine County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Boise County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bonner County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Bonneville County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Canyon County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Caribou County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Cassia County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Clark County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Custer County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Elmore County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Fremont County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Gem County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Jefferson County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Jerome County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Kootenai County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Lemhi County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Madison County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Nez Perce County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Owyhee County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Payette County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Power County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Shoshone County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Teton County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Twin Falls County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Valley County)
Alliance Title & Escrow Corporation (Washington County)
Boundary Abstract Co, Ltd (Boundary County)
Community Title, LLC (Boundary County)
Empire Title LLC – Canyon County
Amerititle, Inc [Adams County]
Amerititle, Inc [Bannock County]
Amerititle, Inc [Bingham County]
Amerititle, Inc [Blaine County]
Amerititle, Inc [Boise County]
Amerititle, Inc [Bonner County]
Amerititle, Inc [Bonneville County]
Amerititle, Inc [Canyon County]
Amerititle, Inc [Caribou County]
Amerititle, Inc [Cassia County]
Amerititle, Inc [Clark County]
Amerititle, Inc [Custer County]
Amerititle, Inc [Elmore County]
Amerititle, Inc [Freemont County]
Amerititle, Inc [Jefferson County]
Amerititle, Inc [Jerome County]
Amerititle, Inc [Kootenai County]
Amerititle, Inc [Lemhi County]
Amerititle, Inc [Madison County]
Amerititle, Inc [Nez Perce County]
Amerititle, Inc [Owyhee County]
Amerititle, Inc [Payette County]
Amerititle, Inc [Power County]
Amerititle, Inc [Shoshone County]
Amerititle, Inc [Teton County]
Amerititle, Inc [Twin Falls County]
Amerititle, Inc [Valley County]
Amerititle, Inc [Washington County]
Blaine County Title Inc [Blaine County]
Lewis County Abstract Company, Ltd.
TitleOne Corporation [Bonneville County]
TitleOne Corporation [Butte County]
Amerititle, Inc [Adams County]
Boundary Abstract Company, LTD. [Boundary County]
Clearwater County Land Title Company, Inc. [Clearwater County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Bannock County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Benewah County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Bingham County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Blaine County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Boise County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Bonner County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Bonneville County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Boundary County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Butte County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Camas County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Caribou County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Cassia County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Clark County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Custer County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Franklin County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Fremont County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Gooding County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Jefferson County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Jerome County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Kootenai County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Lincoln County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Madison County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Minidoka County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Nez Perce County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Power County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Shoshone County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Teton County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Twin Falls County]
First American Title Company, Inc. [Valley County]
Northwest Title, LLC, dba Nextitle [Ada County]
TitleOne Corporation [Minidoka County]
TitleOne Corporation [Cassia County]
Stewart Title Company [Ada County]
Stewart Title Company [Boise County]
Stewart Title Company [Canyon County]
Stewart Title Company [Gem County]
Title Financial Specialty Services, Inc
Amerititle, Inc [Payette County]
Amerititle, Inc. [Washington County]
First American Title Company [Ada County]
First American Title Company [Bannock County]
First American Title Company [Butte County]
First American Title Company [Canyon County]
First American Title Company [Custer County]
First American Title Company [Power County]
Idaho County Title Company, Inc. [Idaho County]
Land Title and Escrow, Inc. [Gooding County]
Land Title and Escrow, Inc. [Jerome County]
Land Title and Escrow, Inc. [Lincoln County]
Northern Title Company of Idaho Inc. [Bear Lake County]
Northern Title Company of Idaho Inc. [Franklin County]
Northern Title Company of Idaho Inc. [Oneida County]
Northwest Title, LLC, dba Nextitle [Kootenai County]
Pioneer Title Company of Ada County, Inc. [Ada County]
Pioneer Title Company of Ada County, Inc. [Boise County]
Pioneer Title Company of Bannock County, Inc. [Bannock County]
Pioneer Title Company of Bannock County, Inc. [Power County]
Pioneer Title Company of Blaine County, Inc. [Blaine County]
Pioneer Title Company of Blaine County [Twin Falls County]
Pioneer Title Company of Bonneville County [Bonneville County]
Pioneer Title Company of Canyon County, Inc. [Canyon County]
Pioneer Title Company of Canyon County [Owyhee County]
Pioneer Title Company of Gem County, LLC [Gem County]
Pioneer Title Company of Kootenai County [Kootenai County]
Pioneer Title Company of Payette County, LLC [Payette County]
TitleFact, Inc. [Blaine County]
TitleFact, Inc. [Cassia County]
TitleFact, Inc. [Gooding County]
TitleFact, Inc. [Jerome County]
TitleFact, Inc. [Minidoka County]
Reporting of Actions
Independent Adjusters (both individuals and agencies) have a duty to report any criminal or administrative actions to the Idaho Department of Insurance within 30 days per §41-5819
The Department encourages producers to use the NIPR Reporting of Actions Warehouse at www.nipr.com as a convenient means to post their documents and explanations to report to any state in which they are licensed.
Resources
Application Form, Title Insurance Agent
Appointment Form, Title and Escrow Agent
Appointment Form, Title Insurance Agent Endorsement
Financial Interest Notice, Title Insurance
LLC Addendum, Title Insurance Agent Entities
Title Plant Addendum, Exhibit A
Renewal Packet, Title Insurance Agent
Have more questions?
Contact the Licensing Team