Check Seller of Travel Registration
Four states require sellers of travel to register or be licensed. Checking takes minutes and screens out risky operators.
Match Me With a SpecialistA handful of states require businesses that sell travel to their residents to register or be licensed, and some require consumer protections such as bonds or trust accounts. Checking registration takes a few minutes and is one of the simplest ways to screen out a fly-by-night operator. Here is how in the four states most often named.
State by State
| State | Agency | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| California | California Attorney General’s Seller of Travel Program | Sellers of travel register with the Attorney General and must show their registration number in all advertising. Use the online Seller Search, or ask to see the registration acknowledgement and check its expiration date. |
| Florida | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Sellers of travel register with the department each year unless exempt. Ads should include “Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No.” Check a seller with the department’s Business License Lookup. |
| Washington | Washington Department of Licensing | The department issues seller of travel licenses. Ask the business for its license number and check it with the department. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii DCCA business check | Travel agencies register with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs under the state’s travel agency law, which includes client trust account rules. Use the DCCA business check. |
Why It Matters Even If You Live Elsewhere
These laws generally aim to protect the residents of each state, and some apply to sellers that do business with those residents wherever the seller is based. If you live in one of these states, ask any advisor for their registration number. If you live elsewhere, an advisor who is registered in these states is at least used to meeting consumer-protection rules.
Registration is a minimum standard, not a mark of quality. California says plainly that registration does not mean the state approves the business. Combine a registration check with the questions on our red flags page.
How to Check in Three Steps
- Ask the advisor or agency for its seller of travel registration number and the state that issued it.
- Look the number up on the state agency’s website, using the full company name and address.
- Check that the registration is current and that the name matches the business taking your money.
If something does not match, ask why before you pay. A legitimate seller will be glad you checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states require seller of travel registration?
California, Florida, Washington and Hawaii are the states most often named as requiring sellers of travel to register or be licensed. Requirements change, so check with each state agency.
Does registration mean the state approves the agency?
No. California, for example, states that registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the state. It is a legal requirement, not an endorsement.
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