Registration.

(1) In order to file claims as a claimant representative, receive a distribution of fees and costs for approved claims from the department, and obtain information regarding abandoned property dollar amounts and numbers of reported shares of stock held by the department, an individual must meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Be one of the following:

1. A Florida-licensed private investigator holding a Class “C” individual license under chapter 493;

2. A Florida-certified public accountant; or

3. A Florida-licensed attorney.

(b) Have obtained a certificate of registration from the department.

(2) An application for registration as a claimant representative must be submitted in writing on a form prescribed by the department and must be accompanied by all of the following:

(a) A legible color copy of the applicant’s current driver license showing the full name and current address of such person. If a current driver license is not available, another form of photo identification must be provided which shows the full name and current address of such person.

(b) If the applicant is a private investigator:

1. A legible copy of the applicant’s Class “A” business license under chapter 493 or that of the applicant’s firm or employer which holds a Class “A” business license under chapter 493; and

2. A legible copy of the applicant’s Class “C” individual license issued under chapter 493.

(c) If the applicant is a certified public accountant, the applicant’s Florida Board of Accountancy number.

(d) If the applicant is a licensed attorney, the applicant’s Florida Bar number.

(e) The business address, telephone number, tax identification number, and state of domicile or incorporation of the applicant’s firm or employer.

(f) The names of agents, employees, or independent contractors, if any, who are designated or authorized to act on behalf of the applicant, together with a legible color copy of their photo identification issued by an agency of the United States, or a state, or a political subdivision thereof.

(g) A statement that the applicant has not, during the 5-year period immediately preceding the submission of the application, violated any part of the Florida Disposition of Abandoned Personal Property Act.

(h) A statement that the applicant has not been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude; dishonesty; deceit; or breach of fiduciary duty, including theft, attempted theft, falsification, tampering with records, securing writings by deception, fraud, forgery, or perjury.

(i) Sufficient information to enable the department to disburse funds by electronic funds transfer.

(j) The applicant’s notarized signature immediately following an acknowledgment that any false or perjured statement subjects the applicant to criminal liability under the laws of this state.

(3) Information and documents already on file with the department before the effective date of this provision need not be resubmitted in order to complete the registration.

(4) If a material change in the status of a registration occurs, the claimant representative must, within 30 days, provide the department with the updated documentation and information in writing. Material changes include, but are not limited to, the following: a designated agent or employee ceasing to act on behalf of the designating person; a surrender, suspension, or revocation of a license; or a license renewal.

(a) If a designated agent or employee ceases to act on behalf of the person who has designated the agent or employee to act on such person’s behalf, the designating person must, within 30 days, inform the department in writing of the termination of agency or employment.

(b) If a registrant surrenders the registrant’s license or the license is suspended or revoked, the registrant must, within 30 days, inform the division in writing of the surrender, suspension, or revocation.

(c) If a private investigator’s Class “C” individual license under chapter 493 or a private investigator’s employer’s Class “A” business license under chapter 493 is renewed, the private investigator must provide a copy of the renewed license to the department within 30 days after the receipt of the renewed license by the private investigator or the private investigator’s employer.

(5) An applicant’s claimant representative’s firm or employer may not have a name that might lead another person to conclude that the claimant representative’s firm or employer is affiliated or associated with the United States, or an agency thereof, or a state or an agency or political subdivision of a state. The department shall deny an application for registration or revoke a registration if the applicant’s or claimant representative’s firm or employer has a name that might lead another person to conclude that the firm or employer is affiliated or associated with the United States, or an agency thereof, or a state or an agency or political subdivision of a state. Names that might lead another person to conclude that the firm or employer is affiliated or associated with the United States, or an agency thereof, or a state or an agency or political subdivision of a state, include, but are not limited to, the words United States, Florida, state, bureau, division, department, or government.

(6) The licensing and other requirements of this section must be maintained as a condition of registration with the department.

(7) To maintain active registration under this section, a claimant representative must file and obtain payment on at least 10 claims per calendar year following the date of initial registration.

(a) If a claimant representative fails to meet this requirement, the department must notify the claimant representative in writing and provide 30 days to demonstrate compliance or good cause for noncompliance.

(b) If the claimant representative does not cure the deficiency or demonstrate good cause within the time provided, the department must revoke the registration.

(c) A claimant representative whose registration is revoked under this subsection may not reapply for registration under this section for a period of 1 year following the effective date of the revocation.