Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your California surety bond needs.
Continue reading below to learn more about common California bonding requirements, or use our online form to request a quote now.
Required Surety Bonds in California
Typical California bonds include (click on any for more info):
| Surety Bond | Obligee | Bond Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Appeal Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Attachment Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Auctioneer Bonds | CA Secretary of State | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Auto Dealer Bonds | Division of Motor Vehicles - Dealer Licensing Bureau | Typically $25,000 - $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Bid Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Construction Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Contractor License Bonds | Various State/Municipal Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Court Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Cryptocurrency Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| DMEPOS Bonds | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Encroachment Bonds | Various State Highway Department | Varies | Apply Now |
| ERISA Bonds | Fund Beneficiaries | Often ~ $1,000,000 but may vary | Apply Now |
| Express Script Bonds | Express Scripts (required on a federal level) | $500,000 | Apply Now |
| Fidelity Bonds | Employer | Varies | Apply Now |
| Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 Bonds) | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) | $75,000 | Apply Now |
| Health Club Bonds | The State in which the Health Club operates | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Janitorial/Cleaning Service Bonds | Varies | Varies | Apply Now |
| License & Permit Bonds | Various California state agencies | Varies | Apply Now |
| Lost Instrument Bonds | Issuer of the replacement instrument | Varies | Apply Now |
| Lottery Bonds | Various Lottery Commissions | Varies | Apply Now |
| Maintenance Bonds | Project Owner or Municipality | Varies | Apply Now |
| Marijuana Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Mechanic's Lien Bonds | Property Owner | Varies | Apply Now |
| Money Transmitter Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies by State | Apply Now |
| Mortgage Broker Bonds | Bank Commissioner, Banking Dept. | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Notary Public Bonds | CA Secretary of State | $15,000 | Apply Now |
| Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Payment Bonds | Project Owner, Public Entity or GC Requiring Bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Probate & Fiduciary Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Reclamation Bonds | Various Government Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Solar Decommissioning Bonds | Typically Town/City/State | Varies | Apply Now |
| Subdivision/Site Improvement Bonds | Various Municipal Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Supply Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Title Bonds | State's DMV | Varies | Apply Now |
| Tobacco Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Utility Bonds | Utility Company | Varies | Apply Now |
Don’t see the bond you need listed? Get in touch and let our experts help!
Required Surety Bonds in California
There are three broad categories of California surety bonds—construction and contractor bonds, license and permit bonds, and court bonds. There are also multiple types of surety bonds within each of these categories.
California Construction & Contractor Bonds
The state and individual cities or counties may require contractors to obtain a surety bond as a condition for bidding on or being awarded a public works project. These include bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, maintenance bonds, and other construction-related surety bonds.
California License & Permit Bonds
License bonds are often required by a state or local agency as a condition for obtaining a license or permit to operate a business within the jurisdiction. For example, construction contractors in California must purchase a $15,000 surety bond before a license will be issued by the Contractors State License Board. In addition, both the state of California and municipalities may require contractors to obtain a permit bond before being granted a permit for certain projects.
California Court Bonds
California courts at every level may require a person appealing a court decision or taking on fiduciary responsibilities to have a court bond. For example, a bond is typically required before a person can serve as an executor of an estate, guardian of a minor, or custodian of an adult.
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Our experienced professionals will gladly answer any questions you may have about California surety bonds to help you get the bonds you need. Request a quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three parties to every surety bond agreement, which is a legally binding contract:
- The “obligee” is the state or local agency requiring the surety bond.
- The “principal” is the party required to purchase the bond.
- The “surety” is the company underwriting and issuing the bond.
- The obligee sets the required amount of the bond, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on a claim. The obligee also spells out the conduct required of the principal in order to avoid claims against the surety bond.
Any party who suffers a financial loss because the principal has violated the terms of the bond has the right to file a claim against the bond. The principal is solely responsible for paying all valid claims.
However, the surety will often pay a claim and wait to be reimbursed by the principal. This ensures timely settlement of the claim and gives the principal some time to gather the necessary funds.