Okaloosa County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Transaction register
- entry required within 24 hours (§ 12-65)
- Sheriff reporting
- daily copy of prior day's register (§ 12-66)
- Minimum pledge age
- 18 years (§ 12-67)
- Jewelry/metal holding period
- 5 days before melting or resale (§ 12-69)
- Penalty
- $100-$500 fine, up to 6 months jail (§ 12-70)
Summary
Okaloosa County's Pawnbroker and Secondhand Dealers Ordinance requires every pawnshop to keep a full transaction register, report daily to the sheriff, refuse pledges from anyone under 18, and hold pledged jewelry five days before melting or reselling it.
Every person engaged in the business of pawnbroker, pawnshop or secondhand dealer shall keep and maintain a complete and true register or book of all transactions involving the pawn, pledge, exchange or purchase of jewelry composed of precious metals or gems, cameras, radios, stereo equipment, televisions, coins exceeding face value, precious metals, handguns, musical instruments, or silverware... These entries shall be made as soon after any transaction as possible, in no event allowing more than 24 hours to elapse after such transaction before making the above required entry concerning the same. The books or records and the articles themselves so pledged, pawned or sold shall be subject to inspection and examination by any law enforcement officer of the county or city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Article III of Chapter 12, cited as the "Pawnbroker and Secondhand Dealers Ordinance of Okaloosa County, Florida," requires a license or permit before conducting the business under Section 12-64, and controls wherever it imposes a greater restriction than other law under Section 12-62. Section 12-65 requires every pawnbroker to keep a complete, true register of every pawn, pledge, exchange or purchase of jewelry, cameras, electronics, coins, precious metals, handguns, musical instruments or silverware, recording the item's description, serial number, the transaction date, and the seller's name, address, age, physical description and driver's license, social security, or taxpayer ID number, entered within 24 hours of the transaction.
Section 12-66 requires a full daily copy of the prior day's transcript be delivered to the sheriff's office (Monday's covering Saturday). Section 12-67 bars any pledge, pawn, exchange or purchase from a person under 18. Section 12-69 bars remounting, melting, cutting up or otherwise altering secondhand jewelry or precious metals, or removing them from the premises, for five days after receipt. Section 12-68 makes an out-of-county business's local agent personally responsible for the principal's compliance.
Violations & Fines
Section 12-70 makes any violation of this article a misdemeanor, fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 per offense, with discretionary jail time up to six months. Books, records and pledged items are subject to inspection by any county or city law enforcement officer at any time under Section 12-65.
Frequently Asked Questions
What records must an Okaloosa County pawnshop keep?
Does an Okaloosa County pawnbroker have to report to law enforcement?
How long must a pawnshop hold jewelry before melting it down?
Can a pawnbroker take an item from a minor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Okaloosa County
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