When Do I Need a Surety Bond In Florida?
Surety bonds are financial guarantee agreements that ensure compliance with state regulations or contractual obligations. In the state of Florida, you may be required to get a surety bond if you want to start a business, get licensed or work on a construction job. See our ‘What is a surety bond’ guide for a detailed explanation of how bonds work.
Three main types of surety bonds are available in Florida:
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If you want to obtain a permit or business license in Florida, you may have to post a license and permit bond. This type of bonds, also known as commercial bonds, are often part of the licensing process with a local or state authority.
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If you need to get bonded to bid or work on construction projects, you will need to obtain bid bond, performance bond or payment bond. These are some of the main types of contract bonds that are required of contractors and they serve to provide security for the project owner.
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court bonds are requested by a court in certain situations. To appeal a judgment, for example, you may be asked to obtain a court bond. Alternatively, when being appointed someone’s guardian or fiduciary, you may also be required to obtain such a bond.
Fidelity bonds are also a popular type of surety bond that is often obtained by company owners to protect their businesses from employee misconduct, theft, fraud and other dishonest actions.
Popular Surety Bonds in Florida
Florida Auto Dealer Bond
Freight Broker Bond
Florida Contractor License Bond
Florida Telemarketing Bond
Florida Seller of Travel Bond
Florida Private Auto Tag Agency Bond
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 |
Market Agencies/Dealers Bond | Commissioner of Agriculture | Agricultural Products Dealer Bond | Apply Now |
Market Agencies/Dealers Bond | Dept of Agricultural & Consumer Services | Citrus Fruit Dealer's | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser | Agricultural Products Dealer | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | Florida Department of Agricultural | Agricultural Products Dealer | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | Florida Commissioner of Agriculture | CITRUS FRUIT DEALER’S | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | FLORIDA DEPT OF AGRICULTURE | BOND OF CITRUS FRUIT DEALER (PAYMENT OF CITRUS EXC | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | FLORIDA DEPT OF CITRUS | BOND OF CITRUS FRUIT DEALER (PAYMENT OF CITRUS INS | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer | Fertilizer Dealer Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | Florida Department of Business and Prof Reg. | Registered Contractor Qualifying Business | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board | Construction License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | Hernando County Development Department | Hernando County Contractor License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | Governor of The State of Florida | Hillsborough County Contractor's Code Compliance B | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | City of Kissimmee, FL | Contractor License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | Palm Beach County Construction Industry Lic Board | Contractor License Bond (Palm Beach County, FL) | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | City of Anna Maria -Public Works Dept | (Anna Maria, FL) Public Works Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Construction Industry Licensing Board | Financially Responsible Officer | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Dept of Business and Professional Regulation | Statement of Bonding Limits (Application for Trans | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | General Construction License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Certified Contractor Qualifying Business (General) | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Construction License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Florida Dept of Business and Professional Reg | Construction License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business & Professional Regulation | Certified Contractor Qualifying Business (Plumbing | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Dept of Business and Professional Regulation | Certification of Registered Contractor Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Additional Business Entity Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Construction License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board | Certified Contractor Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Registered Contractor Qualifying Business Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Dept of Business and Professional Regulation | Statement of Bonding Limits (Change of Status of Q | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Dept of Business and Professional Regulation | Certified Contractor as an Individual (Commerical | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Construction License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Contractor License Bond (Registered Contractor as | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Certified Contractor Qualifying Business (Building | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Construction License Bond (Change of Status - Inac | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | State of Florida Dept of Business and Professional | Construction Industry Licensing Bond(Financially R | Apply Now |
Collection Agency Bond | Office of Financial Regulation | Collection Agency | Apply Now |
Debt Consolidators Bond | Division of Statutory Revision | Credit Service Organization Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Fund Raisers Bond | FL Dept. of Agricultural and Consumer Services Div | Professional Solicitor Bond | Apply Now |
Insurance Adjusters Bond | Florida Department of Financial Services | Public Adjuster's | Apply Now |
Insurance Agents/Brokers Bond | Bureau of Licensing | Insurance Broker | Apply Now |
Insurance Surplus Lines Brokers Bond | Department of Financial Services State of Florida | Surplus Lines Agent | Apply Now |
Title Insurance Agents & Escrow Officers Bond | Florida Dept. of Financial Services | Title Agency Bond | Apply Now |
Franchise Ordinance Bond | City of Jacksonville | Solid Waste Material Collection Bond | Apply Now |
Franchise Ordinance Bond | City of Jacksonville | City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Disposal Service | Apply Now |
Defective Title Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Title for a Motor Vehicle Bond | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Motor Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Recreational Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | State of Florida | Franchise Motor Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | FL - Mobile Home Installer Bond | Mobile Home Installer Bond | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Motor Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Recreational Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles | Mobile Home Dealer | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Recreational Vehicle Manufacturer, etc. | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | State of Florida, Dept of Business and Professiona | Yacht and Ship Broker's or Salesperson's | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles - Divisio | Private Rebuilt Vehicle Inspection Bond | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | Florida State Boxing Commission | Promoter | Apply Now |
Health Spas/Health Clubs Bond | Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Health Studio Bond | Apply Now |
Health Spas/Health Clubs Bond | Dept of Agriculture and Consumer | Health Studio Bond | Apply Now |
Retail Stores & Service Shops | City of Boca Raton | Consignment Shops | Apply Now |
Medicare & Medicaid (Durable Equip, State) Bond | EDS Provider Enrollment, 2671 | Medicaid Provider Surety | Apply Now |
Medicare & Medicaid (All Other, State) Bond | EDS Provider Enrollment | MEDICAID PROVIDER SURETY | Apply Now |
Nursing Homes Bond | Agency for Health Care Administration | Nursing Homes Patient Trust | Apply Now |
Nursing Homes Bond | Agency for Health Care Administration | Adult Assisted Living Facility | Apply Now |
Nursing Homes Bond | Agency for Health Care Administration | Agency for Health Care Administration Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Dept of Business and Professional Regulation | TALENT AGENCY | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | US Postal Service - Attn: CPU Coordinator | CONTRACT POSTAL UNIT | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs | Pawnbroking | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Governor of the State of Florida | Professional Guardian | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of Florida | Department of Health Drugs, Devices, and Cosmetics | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of Florida | Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Program | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Class I Wildlife | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Department of Business and Professional Regulation | Prescription Drug Wholesale Distributor | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Dance Studio Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Household Moving Services Performance Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Lake County Zoning Department | Trailer Removal License | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of Florida Board of Acupuncture | Acupuncture License Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | FL Department of Transportation, Office of Comptro | Account Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Orange County Utilities Department | Waste Tire Performance Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | City of Jacksonville | City of Jacksonville Sign Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Palm Beach County Engineering & Public Works | Palm Beach County Roadside Vendors Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Fish & Wildlife Conservation License Agent | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Florida Dept of Education | Private Educational Institution Bond | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Florida Dept of Education | Schools (All) Bond | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor V | Traffic School Bond | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Florida Department of Education | Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Institution Bond | Apply Now |
Travel Agencies Bond | Agriculture and Consumer Service State of Florida | Seller of Travel | Apply Now |
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond | State of Florida | Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Surety | Apply Now |
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond | Florida Dept of Revenue | Fuel or Pollutants Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond | Florida Department of Revenue | Sales and Use Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Games of Chance Bond | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser | Game Promotion Bond | Apply Now |
Games of Chance Bond | City Of Jacksonville, Environmental/Compliance Dep | Game Promotion Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative | Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Jacksonville Electric Authority | Electric and/or Water Service Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Orlando Utilities Commission | OUC Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Florida Power Light Company | Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Lakeland Electric | Utility Deposit Guaranty Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Hillsborough County, FL | Hillsborough County Water and/or Wastewater Servic | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Gainesville Regional Utilities | GRU Utility Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Gulf Power Company | Gulf Power Company Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Progress Energy Florida - Credit Dept ? BAY 71 | Progress Energy Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Florida Public Utilities | Utility Payment Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | City of St. Cloud,OUC | Orlando Utility Commission Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Tampa Electric Company | TECO Electric Utility Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Emerald Coast Utilities Authority | Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Indemnifying Bon | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | TECO Peoples Gas | TECO Gas Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Beaches Energy Services | Utility Services Furnished by Beaches Energy Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | ORANGE COUNTY UTILITIES SERVICES | Orange County Utilities Services Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. | Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Duke Energy Florida, Inc. | Duke Energy Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | KISSIMMEE UTILITY AUTHORITY | Kissimmee Utility Authority Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | City of Tallahassee | City of Tallahassee Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | City of Winter Park | City of Winter Park Utility Deposit Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Utility Commission for New Smyrna Beach | In Lieu of Deposit Bond Utility Commission for New | Apply Now |
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond | Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles | Traffic School Bond | Apply Now |
Concessionaires Bond | Greater Orlando Aviation Authority | Orlando International Airport Non-Concessionaire P | Apply Now |
Indemnity (Miscellaneous - Not Listed) Bond | City of Hollywood Florida | Public Construction Bond | Apply Now |
Lottery Bond | Florida Lottery | Lottery Bond | Apply Now |
Lottery Bond | 7- Eleven Inc | 7-11 Preformance Bond | Apply Now |
Money Transmitter Bond | Financial Services Commission, Dept of Fin Serv | MONEY SERVICES BUSINESS SURETY BOND FORM | Apply Now |
Telemarketing/Phone Solicitor Bond | Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Telemarketing Bond | Apply Now |
How Much Does a Surety Bond in Florida Cost?
The surety bond amount depends on the specific bond type and on the field in which you operate. For license bonds, the bonding amounts are usually fixed by the state, while for contract bonds they will be specified in the construction project requirements. In some cases, the bond amounts are the same across the country.
Your surety bond cost is a fraction of the total bond amount. It depends on a few individual factors, such as your credit score, your industry experience and personal and business financials. Applicants with high credit score usually are offered a low rate on their bond, also known as a standard market rate. If you qualify for such a rate, your premium will be between 1%-4% of the total bond amount.
If you want more details about how your surety bond cost is determined, please consult our Surety Bond Cost page.
To get an initial ballpark estimate, you can use our surety bond calculator below.
You can also request a free and exact quote by completing our bond application form.
What If I Have Bad Credit?
If you have low credit, tax liens, bankruptcies or civil judgments you can still get bonded, though at somewhat higher rates. Applicants with lower credit scores usually are offered a rate between 5%-15%, in order to compensate for the higher risk involved.
To learn more about getting a bond under these conditions, see our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program page.
How Do I Get Bonded?
If you need a license or construction bond, you can complete our simple 2-min online application form. We will then contact you with your free, tailor-made quote. Afterwards you’ll need to complete your full application, along with the state required bond form.
For a fidelity bond application, select one of the bond forms here, based on the specific bond you need and send it to us.
If you need to obtain a court bond, visit our court bond application page to start your application process.
Our surety bonds experts are here to help you. If you need assistance or have questions, call us at 866.450.3412.