Pawn Shop Forms — Complete Guide for Pawnbrokers
A pawnbroker's daily business generates several distinct forms, each with its own legal requirements, copy counts, and retention rules. This page explains each form type, what it must contain, where to obtain printed copies, and how Pawnbroker Pawn Shop Software handles them automatically.
The Five Core Pawn Shop Form Types
1. Pawn Ticket (Pawn Loan Form / Pledge Receipt)
The pawn ticket is the cornerstone document of every pawn transaction. It is simultaneously a loan agreement, a receipt for the pledged property, and a Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA/Regulation Z) disclosure. State law dictates the exact wording, copy count (usually 2–4 parts), and the information the ticket must capture.
Fields required on virtually every state's pawn ticket:
- Pawnshop name, address, and phone number
- Unique sequential ticket number
- Transaction date and maturity date ("last day of grace" in many states)
- Pledgor's full name, address, date of birth, and phone number
- Government-issued ID type, issuing agency, and ID number
- Physical description of the pledgor (height, weight, hair/eye color, sex, race) — required in most states
- Complete description of the pledged item: brand, model, serial number, color, engravings, and any other identifying marks
- Amount loaned (amount financed)
- Finance charge, total of payments, and Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
- Pledgor's signature and pawnbroker's signature or initials
- Statement that the pledgor is the lawful owner of the property
- Notice of forfeiture rights (if not redeemed by the due date)
2. Buy-Outright / Second-Hand Purchase Form (Buy Ticket)
When a pawn shop purchases an item outright rather than lending against it, a separate form is required — distinct from the pawn ticket. This is often called a "Buy Ticket," "Purchase Agreement," or "Second-Hand Dealer Form." It documents the item purchased and the seller's identity, and a copy is typically filed with local law enforcement on the same schedule as pawn transactions.
3. Check-Cashing Form
Pawn shops that cash checks must issue a receipt capturing the check amount, fee charged, check number, maker, and the customer's identification. Some states regulate check-cashing separately from pawn transactions and require a distinct form.
4. Payday / Title Loan Form
Short-term consumer loans — whether payday advances or title loans — require their own TILA-compliant disclosure forms. These are separate from pawn tickets and are governed by both state consumer-finance laws and the federal Truth-in-Lending Act.
5. MLA Disclosure Form (Military Lending Act)
Federal law (effective October 3, 2016) requires that active-duty military personnel and their dependents receive a written Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) disclosure in addition to the standard pawn ticket. This is a two-part form — one copy for the borrower, one for the pawnbroker's records. The form must reference the pawn ticket number and bear the customer's signature confirming receipt both in writing and orally.
Printed Pawn Forms — Burrell Printing
The industry's leading supplier of pre-printed, state-specific pawn forms is Burrell Printing Company, Inc., Pflugerville, TX. Their forms carry the required state-law language pre-printed, so the pawnbroker (or their software) only needs to fill in the variable data for each transaction. This is especially important in states like Florida where the form itself must be state-approved.
Burrell offers pawn forms in two physical formats:
- Laser / Sheet forms — single-sheet, printed by a standard laser or inkjet printer, typically in a carbonless multi-part set
- Continuous-feed / Dot-matrix forms — tractor-feed forms for impact printers, used where multi-part copies must be produced simultaneously
Free sample pawn forms/tickets are also available from Burrell. Call (800) 531-5234 and ask for a copy of the ticket applicable to your state.
| State / Form Type | Burrell Form Number | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida — Pawn Ticket | 10-0909 | Laser (sheet) | State-approved; required for Florida pawn transactions when using pre-printed forms |
| Florida — Pawn Ticket | 10-0920 | Continuous-feed (dot matrix) | State-approved continuous-feed version for impact printers |
| Florida — Pawn Ticket | 10-0924 | Continuous-feed (dot matrix) | Alternate continuous-feed format; Florida-approved |
| MLA / MAPR Disclosure | 11-55-MLA-MAPR | Sheet (2-part) | Federal MLA disclosure for active military borrowers; all states |
| All other states | Call for form number | Laser or continuous-feed | Burrell produces state-specific tickets for most U.S. states. Call (512) 990-1188 or visit burrellprinting.com and ask for the ticket applicable to your state. |
Plain-Paper Tickets vs. Pre-Printed Burrell Forms
In most states, pawnbrokers have a choice between printing tickets on standard copy paper using pawn software, or ordering pre-printed forms from a supplier like Burrell. Here is how the two options compare:
| Factor | Plain-Paper (via software) | Pre-Printed Burrell Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per ticket | Lowest — only paper and ink | Higher — pre-printed forms plus shipping |
| State approval | May need to submit sample to state with application | Already known and approved (especially Florida) |
| Law changes | Update the software template; no wasted stock | Unused inventory may need to be discarded |
| Police acceptance | Generally accepted; some jurisdictions prefer standard format | Widely recognized by law enforcement |
| Printer required | Any inkjet or laser printer | Laser (sheet forms) or dot-matrix (continuous forms) |
| Florida | Plain-paper allowed but form must be state-approved first | Burrell forms are pre-approved — simplest path |
Police Department Reporting Procedures
Requirements for reporting pawn and second-hand transactions to local police vary by jurisdiction. Most states require pawnbrokers to report every pawn and second-hand purchase transaction to local law enforcement, typically on a daily or weekly basis. The reporting method varies:
- Printed forms handed to officers — Some police departments send officers to the shop regularly to collect printed transaction copies.
- PDF or spreadsheet emailed to police — Many departments accept electronic submissions; your software can typically export in the required format.
- LEADS Online (national database) — A growing number of jurisdictions require pawnbrokers to upload transactions to this national database. Contact LEADS Online at 800-311-2656 for enrollment and technical requirements.
Check with your local police department to confirm the exact format and submission frequency required in your jurisdiction before opening for business.
Looking for Pawn Software?
Every edition of Pawnbroker Pawn Shop Software includes built-in, fully editable form templates that can be customized to meet your state's exact requirements and printed on plain paper with any inkjet or laser printer — eliminating the ongoing cost of pre-printed forms in most states.
Forms included in PPSS:
- Pawn ticket — customizable for any state; compliant with TILA/Regulation Z disclosures
- Buy-outright / second-hand purchase form
- Check-cashing form
- Payday / title loan form
- Electronic ATF/gun log
- Police and LEADS Online reports — exported in the required format for your jurisdiction
Burrell's pre-printed forms can also be used with PPSS in any state (a one-time customization fee applies). For Florida, PPSS is pre-configured to print onto Burrell's state-approved Florida pawn ticket forms (10-0909 laser or 10-0920 / 10-0924 continuous-feed).
PPSS is tiered in features and price, from a simple pawn program ($695) to the full-featured edition ($995). It is not available in California, Massachusetts, or Texas. The program costs considerably less in part because the price is not padded with prepayment for support — there are no fixed prepayments for "support" (customer contact), resulting in lower ongoing costs.
A live demo is available prior to purchase to ensure customer satisfaction. The software demo may be downloaded from https://www.resell4.me/ppss-24k.exe or call 800-710-6184 to arrange a guided walkthrough.
An overview video is also available here.
Pawn Shop Licensing Requirements
No unofficial privately-owned website should put the owner of the site in the position of giving legal advice. Every state publishes its pawn laws and legal paperwork requirements online. Simply search "pawn laws [your state's name]" — the government website should appear at the top of search results. Consult your state's pawn laws for all required fields and form specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pawn Shop Forms
What is a pawn ticket?
A pawn ticket is the legal contract and receipt issued to a customer when they pledge property as collateral for a short-term loan. It serves simultaneously as a Truth-in-Lending Act disclosure, a property receipt, and the document the customer presents to reclaim their item. State law specifies every field the ticket must contain.
What is the difference between a pawn ticket and a buy ticket?
A pawn ticket documents a collateralized loan — the customer can reclaim the item by repaying the loan plus fees. A buy ticket (second-hand purchase form) documents an outright purchase where the shop buys the item from the seller. Both transactions require police reporting, but on separate forms.
What are "agreements" in the context of pawn shops?
"Agreements" generally means the same thing as "pawn tickets" or "pawn forms," but can also apply to purchases made directly from individuals (second-hand or buy-outright transactions). Pawn shops are required to report such purchases on forms separate from pawn transactions.
Where do I get pre-printed pawn forms for my state?
Burrell Printing Company is the leading supplier of state-specific pre-printed pawn forms. Visit burrellprinting.com or call (512) 990-1188. Ask for the pawn ticket and second-hand purchase form applicable to your state and specify whether you need laser/sheet format or continuous-feed for a dot-matrix printer. Free samples are available by calling (800) 531-5234.
What are the confirmed Burrell form numbers for Florida?
For Florida: laser/sheet format is Burrell form 10-0909; continuous-feed (dot matrix) formats are 10-0920 and 10-0924. These are state-approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For all other states, call Burrell directly for the applicable form number.
Can I print pawn tickets on plain paper instead of buying pre-printed forms?
In most states, yes — pawn software like PPSS can produce fully compliant tickets on standard copy paper using any inkjet or laser printer. Florida is the main exception: while plain-paper tickets are technically permitted, the form must first be approved by the State, and most Florida pawnbrokers find it simpler to use Burrell's pre-approved forms.
What is the MLA Disclosure form and when is it required?
The Military Lending Act (MLA) Disclosure — Burrell form 11-55-MLA-MAPR — is a written statement of the Military Annual Percentage Rate that must be given to active-duty military borrowers and their dependents, in addition to the standard pawn ticket. It applies in all states. Violations can result in voided tickets and civil liability of not less than $500 per violation.
How do pawn shops report transactions to local police?
Reporting methods vary by jurisdiction: printed forms picked up by officers, PDFs or spreadsheets emailed to a police department, or electronic upload to a national database like LEADS Online (800-311-2656). Check with your local police department to confirm the required format and submission schedule.
What fields does every pawn ticket need to include?
At minimum: shop name and address, sequential ticket number, transaction and maturity dates, pledgor's name/address/ID information/physical description, complete item description with serial numbers, loan amount, finance charge, APR, total of payments, signatures, and an ownership statement from the pledgor. Many states require additional fields — consult your state's pawn laws for specifics.
What types of forms are included with Pawnbroker Pawn Shop Software?
Every edition of PPSS includes built-in editable pawn forms (tickets) customizable to your state's requirements, plus second-hand purchase forms, check-cashing forms, payday loan forms, and an electronic gun log. All forms can be printed on plain paper (except Florida).
Does PPSS support Burrell's pre-printed forms?
Yes. PPSS can print onto Burrell forms in any state (a one-time customization fee applies). For Florida, PPSS is specifically pre-configured to align with Burrell's approved Florida pawn ticket forms.
Is PPSS available in all states?
PPSS is not available in California, Massachusetts, or Texas. It is available in most other states. Call 800-710-6184 to confirm availability in your state.
What is the price range for PPSS?
PPSS is tiered in features and price, ranging from a simple pawn program ($695) to all current features ($995). This pricing structure allows you to pay only for the features you need.
Why is PPSS less expensive than other pawn software?
The program costs considerably less because the price is not padded with prepayment for support. There are no fixed prepayments for "support" (customer contact), resulting in lower ongoing costs.
How can I try PPSS before purchasing?
A live demo is available prior to purchase to ensure customer satisfaction. You can download the software demo from https://www.resell4.me/ppss-24k.exe, or call 800-710-6184 to arrange a guided walkthrough. You can also view an overview of the program in the video demonstration.