California Surety Bond Requirements

Businesses and professionals in many industries across California are legally required to secure a surety bond for various purposes, such as obtaining a license or permit, working on specific projects, or meeting contractual obligations.

The purpose of the surety bond is to provide a financial guarantee ensuring compliance with California regulations, safeguarding consumes, and reinforcing contractual commitment.

Whether you want to sell cars, work as a general contractor, or be a notary in the state of California, understanding your bonding requirements can be crucial to your business.

This guide explains surety bonds in California, including common types, costs, and the application process.

Here are some of the most common California surety bonds, along with brief descriptions of who needs them and their purpose:

Auto Dealer Bonds

New and used car dealers in California are required to file a surety bond with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain their dealer license.

Notary Bonds

A $15,000 notary bond is mandatory for notaries in California to protect the public from financial harm caused by errors, omissions, or misconduct during notarization.

Contractor License Bonds

Contractors in California must secure a $25,000 surety bond to obtain or maintain an active license, as mandated by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

LLC Employee Worker Bonds

LLCs with employees in California must secure this bond to comply with specific state laws, safeguarding worker compensation.

Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84)

Required by the FMCSA for freight brokers to ensure payment to carriers and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Tax Preparer Bonds

These are mandatory for tax preparers in California to guarantee ethical conduct and compliance with state regulations.

Title Bonds

Protect the DMV and future vehicle owners when replacing a lost vehicle title.

You can use the table below to search for your specific bond. If you need help, give us a call at 866.450.3412 to speak with our surety bonds experts.

Find the Bond You Need

The table below contains a list of only the most popular surety bonds. If you can't find yours, fill out our online application and select "Not in the list".

Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84) FMCSA N/A Apply Now
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond Department of Food & Agriculture SURETY BOND / PRODUCE DEALERS ACT Apply Now
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond Sonoma Count PRMD Public Works Bond (Sonoma County Department) Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond City of Los Angeles - Environmental Affairs Dept Waste Collector's Performance Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond Contractors State License Board Contractor's Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond CSLB Bond of Qualifying Individual Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond Structual Pest Control Board Company Registration Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond City of Los Angeles Sewer/Storm Drain Connectin Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond Dept of Industrial Relations Farm Labor Contractor Bond Apply Now
Check Sellers Bond CA Commissioner of Business Oversight Check Sellers Bond Apply Now
Debt Consolidators Bond Attorney General's Office Credit Services Organization Apply Now
Professional Fund Raisers Bond Attorney General - Registry of Charitable Trusts Commercial Fundraiser for Charitable Purposes Bond Apply Now
Insurance Adjusters Bond State of California Bond of Public Insurance Adjuster Apply Now
Insurance Adjusters Bond Producer Licensing Bureau Insurance Adjuster Bond Apply Now
Insurance Agents/Brokers Bond Producer Licensing Bureau Bond for Insurance Broker Apply Now
Insurance Surplus Lines Brokers Bond State of California - Dept of Ins Bond of Surplus Line Broker Apply Now
Insurance Surplus Lines Brokers Bond Producer Licensing Bureau Bond of Special Lines' Surplus Line Broker Apply Now
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations Mortgage Broker Apply Now
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations Finance Lender Apply Now
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations Residential Mortgage Lender and-or Servicer Bond Apply Now
Small Loan Companies Bond Department Of Corporations Deferred Deposit Transaction Law Licensee Apply Now
Title Insurance Agents & Escrow Officers Bond California Department of Corporations Escrow Licensee Apply Now
Defective Title Bond State of California Dept of Motor Vehicles Motor Vehicles Ownership Bond Apply Now
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational Licens Retail Dealer Apply Now
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational Licens Wholesale Dealer Apply Now
Self-Insurers & Financial Responsibility Bond CA DMV Financial Responsibility Bond Apply Now
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational Licens Retail Dealer Apply Now
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond Registration Operations Division Business Partner Automation Apply Now
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond California Registration Operations Division REGISTRATION SERVICE SURETY BOND Apply Now
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond State of California DMV Vehicle Verifier Apply Now
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond State of California DMV Commercial Requester Account Apply Now
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond California Department of Boating and Waterways Yacht and Ship Broker Bond Apply Now
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond Department Of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Div. IRP Bonded Web User Bond Apply Now
Sport Permits Bond State Athletic Commission Professional Club and Promoter's Bond Apply Now
Auctioneers (Other than Livestock) Bond California Secretary of Sate Auctioneer/Auction Company Apply Now
Employment Agencies Bond California Secretary of State Employment Counseling Service Apply Now
Employment Agencies Bond CA Secretary of the State Employment Agencies Apply Now
Nursing Homes Bond CA Health & Human Services Health and Human Services Agency Apply Now
Nursing Homes Bond CA Dept of Public Health Health Facility Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond State Board of Pharmacy Wholesaler or Nonresident Wholesaler Surety Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Structural Pest Control Board Company Registration Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond California State Board of Pharmacy Pharmacy Wholesaler or Non-Resident Wholesaler Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond California Secretary of State Legal Document Assistant Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Department of Industrial Relations Talent Agency Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond City of National City (National City, CA) Pawn Broker Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond California Secretary of State Immigration Consultants Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond CA Dept of Industrial Relations Fee-Related Talent Service Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond USPS Contract Postal Unit Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Department of Industrial Relations Car Wash Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Department of Justice- Second Hand Dealer Pawn Bro Pawnbrokers Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Dept of Social Services-Adoptions Support Unit Adoption Facilitator Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond California Integrated Waste Management Board Waste Tire Hauler Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond State of California DMV Mobile Car Wash Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Secretary of State Foreclosure Consultant Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF Pawnbroker Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond State of California, Public Utilities Commission Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Cemetery and Funeral Bureau Cemetary Broker Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Department of Justice Pawnbroker Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond County Santiation Districts of Los Angeles Waste Hauler Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Department of Corporations Franchise Registration Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Tax Education Council Tax Preparer Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond City of Newport Beach, CA Pawnbroker Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Producer Licensing Bureau Cargo Shipper's Agent Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond State of California, Department of Pesticide Regula Pest Control Business Licensees Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond City of Los Angeles - Office of Finance Parking Occupancy Tax Collection Bond Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond Department of Motor Vehicles Driving School Owner or ATV Safety Training Org Pr Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond Traffic Violator School Monitoring Division - LA Home Study Traffic School Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond Department of Motor Vehicles Traffic Violator School (TVS) Owner Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond Department of Motor Vehicles TRAFFIC VIOLATOR SCHOOL (TVS) OWNER BOND Apply Now
Travel Agencies Bond Dept. of Justice, Seller of Travel Program Seller of Travel Surety Bond Apply Now
Travel Agencies Bond Secretary Of State Seller of Travel Discount Programs Bond Apply Now
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond State of California Dept of Equalization Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Bond Apply Now
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond CA Office of the Attorney General Tobacco Manufacturer and Importer Bond Apply Now
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond California Board of Equalization Diesel Fuel Supplier Bond Apply Now
Miscellaneous Taxes Bond City and County of San Francisco Parking Tax Collection Apply Now
Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond State Board of Equalization Bond of Seller Apply Now
Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond State Board Of Equalization User of Fuel Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond PG&E SURETY BOND / BILL GUARANTY Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Public Utilities Commission Public Utilities Commission Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Southern California Edison Company Edison Company Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Southern California Gas Company Southern California Gas Company Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC SDGE Utility Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Sacramento Municipal Utility District Sacramento Municipal Utility District Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Modesto Irrigation District Modesto Irrigation District Utility Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Southern California Edison Company SCEC Utility Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Southwest Gas Corporation Southwest Gas Corporation Utility Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Department of Water and Power City of Los Angeles Utility Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond California Public Utilities Commission Electric Service Provider Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Public Utilities Commission of California Telephone Corporation Bond (CPUC) Apply Now
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond Allied Waste Transfer Services of California, LLC Disposal Payment Bond Apply Now
Auctioneer's (Net Proceeds Meet Amount) Bond California Secretary of State Auctioneer/Auction Company Bond Apply Now
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond CA District Council Of Iron Workers District Council of Iron Workers Apply Now
Money Transmitter Bond PNB Remittance Center, Inc. Money Order, Money Gram, Buypay Bond Apply Now
Telemarketing/Phone Solicitor Bond Attorney General's Office Telephonic Seller Bond Apply Now
Non-Construction Performance Bond CA Public Utilites Commission CPUC Performance Bond Apply Now

Other California Surety Bonds

Start your surety bond application today! Why us?
  • Quick turnaround - just 1-2 business days
  • Tailor-made advice on building a strong application
  • Exclusive bad credit programs

California Surety Bond Requirements by City

Certain cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego, may impose their own bonding requirements tailored to local regulations. Select your city from the list below to read more:

How Much Is a Surety Bond in California?

California Surety Bond Amount

The cost of a surety bond in California typically ranges from 1% to 10% of the total bond amount. Factors influencing the final premium include:

  • Bond Amount: The higher the bond amount, the higher the premium.
  • Credit Score: Good credit can secure rates as low as 1%-3%. For instance, a $50,000 Auto Dealer Bond may cost between $500 and $1,500 annually.
  • Bond Type: Certain bonds, such as the Freight Broker Bonds, may have higher premiums due to the associated risk.
  • Industry Experience: Extensive experience in your field can result in lower costs.
  • Assets, Liquidity, and Business Financials: Solid financial health, substantial assets, and strong liquidity can significantly lower bond premiums by minimizing the surety's perceived risk during underwriting.

Can I Get Bonded With Bad Credit in California?

Yes, even with bad credit, you can obtain a surety bond in California. Bryant Surety Bonds offers a bad credit bond program with rates between 5%-15% of the bond amount. This program ensures individuals with financial challenges can meet their bonding requirements and maintain compliance.

Get an initial cost estimate by using the calculator below. You can also request a free and exact quote by completing our bond application form.

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Agency License in California

Bryant Surety Bonds is fully licensed to issue surety bonds in California.

Agency License Number: 0N08760


About us:
Bryant Surety Bonds, Inc. is a surety bond agency based in Pennsylvania. Licensed in all 50 states and with access to over 20 T-listed, A-Rated bonding companies, we have the contacts, expertise, and top service to provide you with a hassle-free experience, all while offering competitive rates for your surety bond.