1. (a) Applications for a title service license may be submitted Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Hidalgo County Tax Office located at 2804 S. US HWY 281, Edinburg, Texas 78539 or online at the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector's website at: http://www.hidalgocountytax.org.

2. (b) An applicant for a motor vehicle title service license must complete all forms required by the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector. The applicant must sign the application form and pay the license fee. An application must include:

   1. (1) the applicant's name, business address, and business telephone number;
   2. (2) the name under which the applicant will do business;
   3. (3) the physical address of each office from which the applicant will conduct business (a P.O. Box will not be accepted) and a corresponding photo of each building where business is being conducted;
   4. (4) a statement indicating whether the applicant has previously applied for a license under this section, the result of the previous application, and whether the applicant has ever been the holder of a license under this section that was revoked or suspended in any Texas county;
   5. (5) the applicant's federal tax identification number;
   6. (6) the applicant's state sales tax number; and
   7. (7) the name of all individuals who have an ownership interest in the applicant motor vehicle title service company;
   8. (8) if applicable, motor vehicle license information for each individual who has an ownership interest in the applicant's motor vehicle title service company.
3. (c) Following the submission of an application, an applicant must submit to a criminal background check in conformance with policies adopted by the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector.
4. (d) An applicant must present a valid, government-issued picture identification at the time of application. Lack of identification shall prevent the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector from granting a person's application for a title service license.
5. (e) An applicant must be at least 18 years of age on the date the application is submitted to apply for a title service license.
6. (f) Applicants will be notified of the outcome of an application within 30 days of the application being submitted to the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector. This notification will be mailed to the business address listed on the application.
7. (g) All licenses are issued for a period of one year and must be renewed each year thereafter. A renewal application has the same requirements as a new application.
8. (h) A license may not be issued under a name that is fictitious; a name that is similar to or may be confused with the name of a governmental entity; or a name that is deceptive or misleading to the public.

Source Note:The provisions of this §401.4 adopted to be effective June 29, 2016, 41 TexReg 4650.