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Renewal FAQs

Renewal FAQs

I'm trying to renew my registration but your website won't let me. Why?
You may be entering the wrong credential number or PIN.  You can find information about how to double check your credential number and PIN in questions #6 and #7, below.  If your credential number and PIN are correct, then you may be unable to access the renewal for one of the following reasons:

  • You are trying to renew your organization's registration before the annual renewal period.  The online renewal period is from June 1st through September 30th for most organizations.  Our database won't permit a registrant to renew its registration outside of this period. 
  • Your organization's registration has expired.  An organization can only renew its registration within 60 days after the registration expires.  If an organization's registration is expired, it will need to re-apply if it wants to conduct any activities in Wisconsin that require registration.  You can find out if your organization's registration has expired by looking up the organization on our website at http://www.wdfi.org/ice/berg/Registration/OrganizationCredentialSearch.aspx.

Is the renewal reminder email I received from the Department of Financial Institutions legitimate?
It is.  We try to email all renewal reminder notices around June 1st of each year.  If you would prefer not to click on the links in the email, you can always access the online renewal directly from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions' website. 

When is the last day I can complete the online renewal without having to pay a $25 late fee?
 Charitable organizations and Professional employer organizations must complete the online renewal on or before July 31st to avoid a late fee.  Professional fundraisers must complete the online renewal on or before August 31st to avoid a late fee.

My computer isn't allowing me to access the online renewal. What should I do?
Try accessing the online renewal using a different web browser or try changing your security settings.

Am I required to renew my registration online?
Yes.  However, if you would prefer not to make your payment online, we ask that you log on to your online account, answer the renewal questions, close out of the renewal application when you get to the payment screen and then send our department a check for the renewal fee.  Checks should be made payable to the Department of Financial Institutions and the organization's credential number or FEIN should be written in the memo section of the check. 

Your database requires that I enter my organization's credential number in order to log into our online account. Where can I find the credential number?
The credential number was included on the renewal reminder notice that was emailed to all registered organizations.  You can also look up your organization's credential on our website at http://www.wdfi.org/ice/berg/Registration/OrganizationCredentialSearch.aspx.  You will need to choose a profession from the drop down menu, enter a portion of your firm name, and click on "Search."  The screen will then display a "License#" for your organization.  The terms "License #" and "Credential #" are used interchangeably on the look-up screen.

Your database requires that I enter a PIN (personal identification number) in order to log into our online account. How can I find out what my PIN is?
You can look up your organization's PIN on our website at http://www.wdfi.org/ice/berg/PinLookup/PINLookup.aspx.  You will need to know your organization's credential number and federal employer identification number (FEIN) to look up the PIN.

Why am I getting an error message when I try to pay by e-check?
You are probably trying to enter a User ID and Password on the webpage that says "Welcome to the Electronic Payment System."  Return to that webpage, delete the User ID and Password, and click on "Pay Without Registering" instead.

What zip code do I enter when I pay by e-check?
Use the zip code that is associated with your organization's mailing address.

Was my credit card payment accepted? My computer appears to be taking a long time to process the transaction.
It likely has been accepted.  We recommend closing the payment screen when this happens.  There are then three ways to verify that your payment was processed:

  • Wait two business days after you make your payment, look up your organization at http://www.wdfi.org/ice/berg/Registration/OrganizationCredentialSearch.aspx and click on the "Payments" tab.  The "Payments" tab identifies all payments our department received during the current renewal cycle.
  • Call our department at 608-267-1711 and ask if it was received.
  • Call your credit card company and ask the payment has been processed.

Do you accept American Express?
Yes

When do I get my certificate?
You can print your certificate for free on our website.  Simply go to http://www.wdfi.org/CharitableOrganizations/default.htm, click on "Print/Download a Certificate", and follow the instructions.  If you would like our department to send you a certificate, please submit a written request for the certificate and a $10 check made payable to the Department of Financial Institutions.  The statutes indicate that a registrant must pay a $10 fee if they want our department to provide them with a wall certificate. 

I paid my renewal fee.  Why is the expiration date on my certificate still 8/1/2016?
It typically takes 2 business days to process a renewal.  The expiration date on the certificate won't be updated until the renewal has been processed.  If you renewed more than one week ago and the certificate still has a 2016 expiration date, please call our department at 608-267-1711.

Is there a difference between a charitable organization annual report and a charitable organization registration renewal?
Yes.  The annual report and the renewal are two different filings.

  • The online renewal registration must be filed before July 31st of each year. The online renewal involves answering a few online questions and paying the renewal fee.     
  • The annual financial report must be submitted to the division within 12 months after the organization's fiscal year-end.  The annual report does not have a fee associated with it.  There are three annual report forms to choose from (form #'s 1952, 1943, and 308).  A description of each form can be found on the division's website at http://www.wdfi.org/fi/ProfessionalOrganizations/forms.htm.  The annual report form cannot be submitted online.

What do I have to do if my organization chooses not to renew?
If you choose not to pay the renewal fee, your organization's registration will expire and it will no longer be able to conduct any business in Wisconsin for which registration is required.  A late renewal reminder notice will be sent to you after your organization's registration expires; however, there is no need to submit additional paperwork to our office unless our department has requested that your organization submit information pertaining to a consumer complaint.

I work for a firm that provides registration services to many charitable organizations that are registered in Wisconsin. Can I sign the online renewal form on behalf of my clients?
Yes, as long as your clients have given you permission to do so and provided that you are aware of all disciplinary action that has been taken against your client since the previous Wisconsin renewal registration was completed.

I work for a firm that provides registration services to many charitable organizations that are registered in Wisconsin. Can I submit one check to pay the renewal fee for all of my clients?
No

How do I update my organization's phone number/email address/mailing address, etc.?
The online renewal form provides you with an opportunity to update these items; however, you can also change this information at any time by logging on to your organization's online account through our website.  Simply go to http://www.wdfi.org/CharitableOrganizations/default.htm and click on "Name & Address Change".

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