Missouri Surety Bonds Overview
Surety bonds are required in Missouri for several purposes. To obtain a business license, you may need to get bonded before the licensing agency issues your license. Similarly, as a contractor, in order to work on a state or federal construction project over a certain dollar amount, you may be asked to get bonded.
What is the purpose of the bond?
Surety bonds guarantee that the bonded party, called the bond principal, will comply with the conditions of the bond. These conditions usually include compliance with state laws and specific responsibilities and obligations of the principal.
The bond also acts as protection for one or several parties, called the bond obligee, which is usually the state but often also the public of the state. The obligee can file a claim against the bond if a principal’s actions have led to their suffering losses or damages. The bond guarantees that claimants can receive financial compensation when filing a claim.
To find out more about why bonds are required and how they work, see our ‘What is a surety bond’ guide!
If you know what type of surety bond you need, scroll through the table below, select your bond and get started with your application process!
If you are not sure what type of bond you need then have a look at the section below that explains the different types of bonds in Missouri, their cost and how to get yours.
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 |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | City of Joplin | General Contractor License Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | City of Neosho | City of Neosho Electrical Contractor Bond | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | City of Dexter | Contractor License Bond (City of Dexter, MO) | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission | Performance Bond (Construction) | Apply Now |
Insurance 3rd Party Administrator Bond | State of Missouri | Third Party Administrator | Apply Now |
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond | Commissioner of Finance | Residential Mortgage Brokers (In Lieu of Audit) | Apply Now |
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond | Commissioner of Finance | Residential Mortgage Loan Broker Bond | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | Commissioner of Finance | Mortgage Lender | Apply Now |
Small Loan Companies Bond | Truman State Office Bldg. | Title Loan Lenders | Apply Now |
Small Loan Companies Bond | Commissioner of Finance | Consumer Credit Lenders Bond in Lieu of Audit | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | Motor Vehicle Bureau - Dealer Licensing Section | Motor Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | Motor Vehicle Bureau - Dealer Licensing Section | Motor Vehicle Dealer | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | City of Springfield License Divisio | Used Vehicle Dealer Bond (Springfield, MO) | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | Office of Athletics | License Bond For Boxing, Martial Arts, Or Wrestlin | Apply Now |
Health Spas/Health Clubs Bond | Office Consumer Protection | Health Club | Apply Now |
Health Spas/Health Clubs Bond | Office of Consumer Protection | Health Club License Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Missouri Department of Finance | Consumer Credit Lenders | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Missouri Dept of Insurance | Service Contract Provider Bond | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | City Of Jennings | Sign Installation Bond (Jennings, MO) | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | MO Coordinating Board for Higher Education | Proprietary School | Apply Now |
Alcohol (Retailers) Bond | Director of Revenue | Corporate Bond (Intoxicating Liquor, Wine & 5% Bee | Apply Now |
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond | Carter Energy | Carter Energy | Apply Now |
Miscellaneous Taxes Bond | Missouri Department of Revenue | Transient Employer Bond | Apply Now |
Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond | Missouri Dept of Revenue & Taxation Division | Sales & Use Tax Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Empire Electric | The Empire District Company | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | White River Valley Electric Cooperative | Utility Guarantee | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | City of Columbia Finance Dept | City of Columbia, Utility Customers Bond | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | KCP&L | Electrical Service Bond | Apply Now |
Indemnity (Miscellaneous - Not Listed) Bond | Kansas City Southern Railway Company | Kansas City Southern Railway Company Hauling Bond | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | Painter's District Council #2, Saint Louis | Painters' District Council #2 | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | Insulators & Allied Workers Local No. | Employer's Wage, Expense, Dues Check Off, and Vaca | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | CEMENT MASONS LOCAL 527 & CEMENT MASONS LOCAL 527 | Pension, Welfare and Vacation Funds Bond | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | Glaziers Local 513 | Guaranteed Payment into Miscellaneous Benefit Fund | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | Construction Laborers' Benefit Office | Construction Laborers' Benefit Office Wage and Wel | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 | Employer Contributions to Employee Benefit Plans | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | IUOE Local 513 | IUOE Local 513 Wage Contribution Payment Bond | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | Labors Local #110 | Wage and Welfare Funds Bond (Labors Local #110) | Apply Now |
Fringe Benefits Only Bond | Operating Engineers Local 101 | Operating Engineers Local 101 Employer Benefits Bo | Apply Now |
Fringe Benefits Only Bond | Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36 | Employer Contributions To Employee Benefit Plans | Apply Now |
Lottery Bond | Missouri Lottery Commission | Lottery/Lotto | Apply Now |
Money Transmitter Bond | Director of Finance | Check Issuer | Apply Now |
Appraisal Management | State of Missouri | Appraisal Management Company Bond | Apply Now |
Types of Missouri Bonds
There are three main types of surety bonds that are typically required. These are:
- License and permit bonds - required for licensing purposes
- Contract bonds - required for contracting purposes
- Court bonds - required for various court purposes
License & Permit Bonds
It is customary that businesses who want to obtain a license or permit must submit a surety bond along with their application. The purpose of these bonds is to guarantee that each business will comply with their responsibilities and obligations as defined in state law. For example, before they can open a dealership, car dealers in Missouri need to get an auto dealer bond. Many other businesses in the state also need to get licensed.
Whether you need to get licensed or not is determined by the Missouri state agency such as the state Department of Revenue. Make sure to check with your licensing agency to find out about the bonding requirements you may need to comply with.
Contract Bonds
Contractors in Missouri will often be required to obtain contract bonds. These bonds will be requested by project owners, whether they are private owners or the state government. They serve to guarantee that contractors will perform in accordance with the bid they have submitted and adhere to the conditions of their contract.
Court Bonds
Missouri courts may sometimes require appellants or fiduciaries to post court bonds. If such a bond is needed, a court will order that it is obtained before an appeal is granted to an already made judgement or a fiduciary is appointed.
If you are not sure whether your surety bond falls under any of the above categories, feel free to call us at 866.450.3412. Our agents will be able to provide you with advice and directions.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Bonded in Missouri?
How much a Missouri surety bond costs is determined by the type of bond and its full amount as well as by the applicant’s credit score and other financial statements.
What is the bond amount?
The amount of every surety bond represents how much coverage a surety company will extend to obligee if there is a legitimate claim to file against the bond. This amount is determined by state agencies that require the bond.
The actual cost to obtain a bond is not the same as the bond amount. The cost of your surety bond is a percentage of the full bond amount. What percentage or premium rate you have to pay depends on a few things.
How is the cost of my bond determined?
Applicants are usually put in two general groups when applying for a surety bond based on their financial capacities and strength. The main factor that surety bond companies take into consideration when determining the rate of an applicant’s surety bond is their personal credit score. Along with that, sureties also take into account:
- Business financial statements
- Personal financial statements
- Applicants’ industry experience
- Additional financial factors
Those applying for a Missouri surety bond who have a high credit score are offered so-called standard market rates which vary between 1%-4% of the total amount of their bond.
Those who have a lower credit score are also able to apply, though the rates that they are offered vary between 5%-15% of the total amount of the bond. This is so because applicants with less-than-perfect credit are riskier to get bonded.
To get an estimate of your bond cost, try the surety bond calculator below!
If you would like to know more about surety bond rates before applying, have a look at our Surety Bond Cost page.
How to Get Bonded in Missouri
Ready to get bonded? See below for instructions, depending on the bond you need.
License bond application
If you require a license bond, complete and submit our online bond application form. We will process your application within a short amount of time and get in touch to provide you with a free quote on your bond, along with further information.
Contract Bond Application
If you want to apply for a contract bond, complete the online application and provide the required information. We will be in touch with you as soon as we’ve reviewed it!
If you have any unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at 866.450.3412 anytime!