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e-Li: Electronic Library

Recordkeeping and Notice Requirements

Pawnbrokers are required to keep a consecutively numbered record of each pawn transaction which must correspond in all essential particulars to the detachable pawn ticket attached.  At the time of making a pawn and/or buy sell transaction, the pawnbroker is required to record the following information, in ink and in English, on the pawnshop copy as well as on the pawn ticket:

(1) A clear and accurate description of the property, including the serial number if the pledged article has one;

(2) The date of the pawn transaction;

(3) The amount of cash loan advanced on the pawn transaction;

(4) The exact value of the property as stated by the pledgor;

(5) The maturity date of the pawn transaction, which date shall not be less than thirty (30) days after the date of the pawn transaction; and

(6) The name, race, sex, height, weight, date of birth, residence address, and numbers from the item(s) used as identification.  (Acceptable items of identification are one of the following:  state-issued driver license, state-issued identification card, passport, valid military identification, resident or nonresident alien border crossing card, or U.S. immigration and naturalization service identification.)

T.C.A. §§ 45-6-209, 45-6-213.

In addition to the foregoing, the following language is required to be printed on all tickets:

ANY PERSONAL PROPERTY PLEDGED TO A PAWNBROKER WITHIN THIS STATE IS SUBJECT TO SALE OR DISPOSAL WHEN THERE HAS BEEN NO PAYMENT MADE ON THE ACCOUNT FOR A PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE MATURITY DATE OF THE PAWN TRANSACTION AND NO FURTHER NOTICE IS NECESSARY.

THE PLEDGOR OF THIS ITEM ATTESTS THAT IT IS NOT STOLEN, IT HAS NO LIENS OR ENCUMBRANCES AGAINST IT AND THE PLEDGOR HAS THE RIGHT TO SELL OR PAWN THE ITEM.

THE ITEM PAWNED IS REDEEMABLE ONLY BY THE BEARER OF THIS TICKET.

T.C.A. § 45-6-211.

Both the pledgor and the pawnbroker are required to sign the stub, and the detached pawn ticket must be given to the pledgor.  T.C.A. § 45-6-209.  The records are required to be delivered to the appropriate law enforcement agency, by mail or in person, within forty-eight (48) hours following the day of the transactions.  The records also must be available for inspection each business day, except Sunday, by the sheriff of the county and the chief of police of the municipality (if applicable) in which the pawnshop is located.  Records must be carefully preserved without alterations.  T.C.A. § 45-6-209.  If requested by the law enforcement agency, the pawnbroker is required to transfer the required information electronically in text file format to the law enforcement agency in accordance with T.C.A. § 45-6-221.

Pawnbrokers are also required to furnish to law enforcement agencies, upon request, the names of suppliers from whom the pawnbroker has purchased merchandise for resale.  This information is not to be recorded nor sent to the law enforcement agency, but shall be maintained at the pawnshop for a period of at least one (1) year from the date of purchase.  T.C.A. § 45-6-216.