City Requirements
Atlanta
What is a Georgia Surety Bond?
A surety bond is a binding contractual agreement between three sides: a principal, an obligee and a surety. The principal is the one who needs to post the bond, while the obligee usually is the state government or a state agency which requires it. The third side, the surety, backs the agreement and assumes responsibility in case the principal breaches the contract.
To find whether you need a surety bond in Georgia, read on below about the different types of bonds in the state, what your surety bond rate will be and how you can get bonded.
If you know what bond you need, you can search for it in the table below.
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 Agriculture | Warehouseman's | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | Commissioner of Agriculture c/o Bonding Section | Grain Dealer | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | Lincoln County Planning and Zoning | Lincoln County Electrician Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | Dept of Agriculture - Pesticide Section | Pesticide Ground Contractor Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | Augusta Richmond County | Electrical Contractor Bond (Augusta Richmond Count | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | Cobb County Development & Inspections | Cobb County Code Compliance Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | State Board for General and Residential Contractor | Residential & General Contractors | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | GA EPD-Dept of Natural Resources | Water Well Pump Installers Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | GA EPD-DEPT OF NATURAL RESOURCES | Performance Bond For Water Well Contractors and Dr | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Dept of Agriculture - Pesticide Section | Pesticide Ground Contractor Bond | Apply Now |
Excess Weight, Other Highway & Street Permit Bond | STATE OF GEORGIA | DOT Performance Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Fund Raisers Bond | Secretary of State of the State of Georgia | Paid Solicitor Registration | Apply Now |
Insurance Adjusters Bond | Georgia Insurance Commissioner | Public Adjuster | Apply Now |
Insurance Agents/Brokers Bond | OFFICE OF INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER | Insurance Counselor Bond | Apply Now |
Insurance 3rd Party Administrator Bond | Office of Commissioner of Insurance | Third Agency Bond | Apply Now |
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond | Dept of Banking and Finance | Mortgage Broker | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | Dept of Banking and Finance | Mortgage Lender | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | Dept of Banking & Finance | Residential Mortgage | Apply Now |
Real Estate Agents/Brokers Bond | GA Real Estate Appraisers Board | Real Estate Appraisers | Apply Now |
Defective Title Bond | Department of Revenue | Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Bond | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | State Board of Registration - Used Motor Vehicle | Used Motor Vehicle & Parts Dealer | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | State Board of Registration - Used Parts Division | Used Parts Dealer | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | Georgia Athletic Regulatory Commission | Athlete Agent Regulatory Commission | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | Elder's Entertainment center | Athlete Agent Regulatory Commission | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | GA Athletic and Entertainment Commission | Match/Event Permit | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | GA Athletic & Entertainment Commission | Promoters License | Apply Now |
Health Spas/Health Clubs Bond | CITY OF JOHNS CREEK | (City of Johns Creek, GA) Massage License Bond | Apply Now |
Detectives Bond | GA Board of Private Detective & Security Agencies | Private Detective & Security Agencies | Apply Now |
Employment Agencies Bond | Department of Labor | Employee Leasing Company's Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Professional Licensing Boards | Immigration Assistance Provider Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Governor's Office of Consumer Protection | Buying Service License | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of Georgia | Scrap Tire Carrier Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Ralph T. Hudgens, Ins. Comm. State of Georgia | Consumer Products or Home Warranty Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of GA Dept of Natural Resources Environmental | Scrap Tire Processor Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | GA DOR TAX LAW AND POLICY | Private Salvage and Assembled Vehicle Inspector Bo | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission | NonPublic Post Secondary Education Institution | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Georgia Department of Driver Services | Driver Training School | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Georgia Department of Driver Services | Driver Improvement Clinic | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Georgia Department of Driver Services | DUI, Alcohol Or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Georgia Department of Driver Services | Driver Training School | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Manufacturers, Warehouses, Wholesalers) Bond | Georgia Department of Revenue | Malt Beverage License | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Manufacturers, Warehouses, Wholesalers) Bond | Georgia Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco | Winery Manufacturer, Broker, Importer | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Manufacturers, Warehouses, Wholesalers) Bond | Georgia Dept. of Revenue | Liquor Manufacturer Distillery Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Manufacturers, Warehouses, Wholesalers) Bond | Macon-Bibb County | Wholesale and/or Retail Liquor Bond (Macon-Bibb, G | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Manufacturers, Warehouses, Wholesalers) Bond | Georgia Department of Revenue | Malt Beverage Wholesalers Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Retailers) Bond | Georgia Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & tobacco Tax Uni | Retailers and Consumption Performance and Tax | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Retailers) Bond | Macon-Bibb County | Retailer's Malt Beverage and/or Wine Bond (Macon-B | Apply Now |
Alcohol (All Others) Bond | GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE ALCOHOL & TOBACCO | Manufacturers Distilled Spirits License Performanc | Apply Now |
Alcohol (All Others) Bond | Georgia Dept of Revenue, Alcohol & Tobacco Divisio | Importers Distilled Spirits License Performance an | Apply Now |
Alcohol (All Others) Bond | Georgia Dept of Revenue | Brokers Distilled Spirits Performance and Tax Liab | Apply Now |
Alcohol (All Others) Bond | Georgia Dept of Revenue | Liquor Broker Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Alcohol (All Others) Bond | Georgia Department of Revenue | Liquor Wholesalers Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond | Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Divisio | Cigar, Cigarette, Loss & Smokeless Tobacco Manu | Apply Now |
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond | State of Georgia | Motor Fuel Distributor's | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Snapping Shoals | Georgia Utility Deposit | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Georgia Power Company | Georgia Power Company, McDonough, GA | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Walton EMC | Financial Guarantee | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | GreyStone Power Corporation | Utility Service Guaranty | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | The City of Madison | Gas Utility Deposit | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Snapping Shoals | Snapping Shoals Utility Payment Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Jackson EMC | Jackson Electric Membership Corporation Electric S | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Marietta Board of Lights and Water | Marietta BLW Service Agreement Bond | Apply Now |
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond | Governor of the State of Georgia | Public Official Bond | Apply Now |
Concessionaires Bond | The Home Service Store, Inc | Concessionaires Bond | Apply Now |
Indemnity (Miscellaneous - Not Listed) Bond | GA Department of Driver Services | Ignition Interlock Provider Center Bond | Apply Now |
Fringe Benefits Only Bond | Carpenters Local 256 | Southeastern Carpenters Millwrights Fringe Benefit | Apply Now |
Lottery Bond | Georgia Lottery Corporation | Lottery/Lotto Retailer | Apply Now |
Money Transmitter Bond | GA Department of banking and Finance | Sale of Payment Instruments or Money Transmission | Apply Now |
Telemarketing/Phone Solicitor Bond | Georgia Secretary of State | Charitable Solicitations Act Paid Solicitor Regist | Apply Now |
Warranty Bond | State of Georgia | Consumer Products or Home Warranty Bond Major Appl | Apply Now |
Types of Surety Bonds in Georgia
Based on their purpose, surety bonds in the state can be separated into the following three main categories.
License and Permit Bonds
If you are looking for a surety bond in Georgia, it probably belongs to this category. License and permit bonds are required from a number of businesses as part of their licensing and license renewal procedures. In most cases they need to remain in force for as long as the business is active.
Auto dealers, contractors, freight brokers, money transmitters and telemarketers are just some of the businesses that are required to post a surety bond. The purpose of each bonds depends is specific, but typically the purpose is to provide a safety net for both customers of the business and the state.
Contract Bonds
A contract bond can be required of construction contractors working on a public project owned or funded by the state of Georgia. There are several types of contract bonds. They protect against contract breaches, such as defaulting on a project, and provide a mechanism through which subcontractors, suppliers and laborers can get compensated in case of contractor default or non-compliance.Many private construction projects may also required contractors to obtain a contract bond.
Do not confuse contract bonds with contractor license bonds. These are bonds that contractors need when applying for a license in their state or county.
Court Bonds
Sometimes required by businesses or individuals, court bond serve different purposes. Fiduciaries or appellants in Georgia courts are often required to post court bonds as part of the requirements of appellate or probate courts and for the protection of the public.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Bonded in Georgia?
How much your surety bond will cost is determined on the basis of the bond’s full amount. Each surety bond has a total amount, determined by the state, which puts a cap on the maximum sum of the claims that can be made against it. Out of that total amount, principals pay a premium which is a percentage of the full amount.
Here are the total bond amounts of some commonly required bonds in the state:
- Contractors license bonds: $25,000 (plus varying requirements by location)
- Used Car Dealer Bonds: $35,000
- Private Detective and Security Agencies Bonds: $25,000
- Mortgage Broker/Lender Bond: Starts at $50,000
- Appraisal Management Company Bond: $20,000
Factors that determine your premium
How much you pay to obtain your bond can vary depending on the type of bond you are applying for as well as a number of financial factors that the surety takes into account. Your personal credit score is the most important factor determining your surety bond cost. Other factors that sureties consider when determining the cost of your Georgia surety bond are:
- Personal and business financial statements
- Your personal industry experience
- How long your business has been operating
- Further financial and business factors
Bad Credit Surety Bonds
Most applicants who have bad credit will still be able to get bonded, though at a slightly higher premium - between 5% and 15%.
While this is mostly true for license bonds, contract bonds are considered too high-risk, which is why most underwriters don’t sign contract bonds for bad credit applicants.
To get a ballpark estimate on your Georgia surety bond, try our surety bond calculator below. If you would like to get a precise quote on your bond, follow the application link and you we will contact you with further details.
If you have further questions about how surety bond rates are determined, visit our surety bond cost page, which will provide you with detailed information.
How to Get Bonded in Georgia
The application process is simple and straightforward. There are two different application forms, depending on what kind of bond you need to obtain.
License Bonds Application
To apply for a license bond, you can complete the online application. Shortly afterwards we will contact you with your free quote as well as further information about what else you need to do to get bonded. Depending on the bond you need, we may ask you to submit a few additional documents before issuing it. Applying takes only a few minutes.
Contract Bonds Application
You can apply for a contract surety bond via our online application. We will contact you soon thereafter with more details about your bond.
If you need to consult yourself with someone before you apply call us at 866.450.3412 anytime! Our knowledgeable experts will be able to tell you everything you want to know about your Georgia surety bond.
Further Reading