Bears LendingWhat you need to apply, loan by loan.
Requirements are short because the loans are simple. Most customers finish in one visit with what's already in their wallet. Here's the exact list for each loan, plus the documents we accept.
customers need
Four checklists cover every loan
Payday & installment loans
- Government-issued photo ID
- Most recent pay stub or proof of benefits
- Active checking account (statement or voided check)
- Working phone number
- Age 18+ (FL, GA) · 19+ (AL)
Title loans & title pawn
- Lien-free vehicle title in your name
- The vehicle, for a 10-minute inspection
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of residence (utility bill or lease)
- No credit check · no income verification
Pawn loans
- The item — complete, working, with accessories
- Government-issued photo ID
- Age 18+ (FL, GA) · 19+ (AL)
- Proof of ownership for firearms and high-value electronics
- No application · no income check · no bank account
Personal, bad credit & consolidation
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number (soft inquiry)
- Proof of income of $1,000+ per month
- Active checking account for deposit
- Consolidation: a statement for each debt
What counts as ID, and what counts as income
If it's on this list, it works. If you're not sure, bring it anyway — the store can tell you in a minute.
Photo ID
Driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, permanent resident card. Must be current and match the name on your income and bank documents.
Any oneProof of income
Pay stub from the last 30 days, benefits award letter (SSI, SSDI, VA, pension), unemployment statement, or 60 days of bank deposits for self-employed and gig income.
Any oneBank account
Most recent statement, a voided check, or a live bank connection during the online application. The account must be open and in your name.
Cash loans & onlineProof of residence
Utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address, dated within 60 days. Needed for title loans.
Title loansVehicle title
Original title, lien-free, in your name. Duplicate titles from the state DMV are accepted; photocopies are not.
Title loansProof of ownership
Receipt, box or serial registration for firearms and electronics over $1,000. Protects you and satisfies the NPA reporting rules.
Pawn, some itemsWho can apply, by state
Two rules that differ by state, and one that doesn't.
Age 18+
Any resident 18 or older with a photo ID. Out-of-state ID is accepted for in-store loans with a Florida or Georgia proof of residence.
- 18 or older
- FL or GA resident
- Out-of-state ID + local residence OK
Age 19+
Alabama's age of majority is 19, so every loan requires the borrower to be 19 or older. Same ID and residence rules otherwise.
- 19 or older
- AL resident
- Same documents
Things you won't be asked
If any lender asks for these, walk away.
Upfront fees
No application fee, processing fee or "insurance" before funding. Fees are only ever part of the loan, never paid to get one.
NeverGift cards or wire transfers
No legitimate lender takes payment by gift card, prepaid card or wire. That's a scam signature.
NeverYour online banking password
The online application uses a read-only bank connection. Nobody at Bears Lending will ask for your login.
NeverA co-signer
None of our loans require one.
NeverYour employer's permission
We may verify employment with a one-question call. We never discuss your loan with your employer.
NeverA credit score minimum
No product has a minimum score. Personal loans price by score band; everything else ignores it.
NeverQuestions about this page
Do I need a bank account?
For online loans and same-day deposit, yes. In-store payday loans in Florida also require one. Pawn loans and check cashing don't.
Can I apply with benefits income?
Yes. SSI, SSDI, VA benefits, pensions and unemployment all count. Bring the award letter or a bank statement showing the deposit.
I'm self-employed — what proof of income works?
60 days of bank statements showing deposits, or a 1099 plus recent statements. Cash-only income is harder to document; a pawn or title loan needs no income proof at all.
Can I use an out-of-state ID?
Yes, for in-store loans, with a local proof of residence (utility bill or lease).
What if my title has a lien on it?
We can't lend against a financed vehicle. An installment loan is the alternative; it doesn't need collateral.
Your ID and a pay stub.
That's usually it.
Bring what's on the list for your loan and most applications are finished in one visit. Or apply online in five minutes.
- One visit
- No upfront fees
- No co-signer
- No minimum score
Not sure what you have qualifies? Call (855) 555-0199 and ask — it takes a minute.
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