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.
Most Popular Bonds in California
Here are some of the most common California surety bonds, along with brief descriptions of who needs them and their purpose:
Auto Dealer Bonds
Notary Bonds
Contractor License Bonds
LLC Employee Worker Bonds
Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84)
Tax Preparer Bonds
Title Bonds
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
- California Sales Tax Bond: Ensures businesses collect and remit sales taxes to the state, complying with California tax laws.
- California Immigration Consultant Bond: Protects clients from fraud or unethical practices by immigration consultants in California.
- California Finance Lender Bond: Required for finance lenders to ensure compliance with state lending regulations and protect borrowers.
- California Auctioneer Bond: Guarantees ethical practices by auctioneers, safeguarding consumers from fraud or misconduct.
- California Credit Repair Services Bond: Protects clients from financial harm caused by fraudulent or unethical credit repair service providers.
- California Escrow Agent Bond: Ensures escrow agents adhere to state laws and protects clients from potential financial losses.
- California Farm Labor Contractor Bond: Protects agricultural workers by ensuring labor contractors comply with state labor laws.
- California Foreclosure Consultant Bond: Safeguards homeowners from fraudulent practices by foreclosure consultants.
- California Insurance Broker Bond: Guarantees ethical conduct and compliance with California insurance regulations by brokers.
- California Money Transmitter Bond: Ensures money transmitters comply with financial regulations and protects consumers from fraud.
- California Process Server Bond: Protects clients and courts by ensuring process servers comply with legal requirements.
- California Public Adjuster Bond: Protects policyholders by ensuring public adjusters act ethically and comply with California laws.
- California Seller Of Travel Bond: Protects consumers from fraud or financial loss when purchasing travel services from registered sellers.
- California Talent Agency Bond: Ensures talent agencies adhere to state laws and protects clients from unethical practices.
- California Wholesale Dealer Bond: Protects the public by ensuring wholesale dealers comply with California motor vehicle laws.
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?
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.
Get Your California Surety Bond in 4 Simple Steps
- Apply Online. Complete a quick online form with your information.
- Get a FREE Quote. Receive the lowest possible quote in just minutes.
- Pay for your premium securely online.
- Receive your bond immediately or get it mailed within 24 hours.
Agency License in California
Bryant Surety Bonds is fully licensed to issue surety bonds in California.
Agency License Number: 0N08760