City Requirements

Charlotte

If you are looking for specific information about surety bonds in Charlotte, visit our dedicated page.

North Carolina Surety Bonds Overview

Obtaining a professional license in North Carolina often entails posting a surety bond as one of the major requirements in the process. Similarly, in order to perform on state or federal projects, NC contractors are typically also required to obtain a bond.

Why is a bond required?

Surety bond agreements guarantee that the party that obtains the bond (the bond principal) will comply with various conditions. For example, bonds for licensing purposes guarantee compliance with state laws governing the type of business. Bond for contracting purposes guarantee performance according to contract conditions and timely payments to subcontractors.

If the principal violates the agreement and causes harm or losses to the party that requires the bond (the bond obligee), a claim can be filed against the bond to secure financial compensation.

To find out more about how bonds work, see our ‘What is a surety bond’ guide!

Start your bond application by finding the bond you need in the following table.

If you need more information about bonds in North Carolina, see the sections 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 NC Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Serv. Grain Dealer's Bond Apply Now
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond NC Irrigation Contractors Licensing Board Irrigation Contractor's License Apply Now
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Servic Land Use and Construction Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond City of Greensboro Privilege License Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond Obligee info for this request was wrong Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) B Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond NC Manufactured Housing Board Set-Up Contractor License Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond State of North Carolina, County of Wake Home Warranty Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond North Carolina Department of Insurance Modular Building Set-Up Contractor License Bond Apply Now
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond NC Landscape Contractors Board Landscape Contractors' Licensing Compliance Bond Apply Now
Investment Advisor (Blue Sky) Bond NC Secretary of State Investment Advisor's Apply Now
Collection Agency Bond Dept of Insurance 2013-2014 New Domestic Collection Agency Bond Apply Now
Debt Consolidators Bond Attorney General Credit Repair License Apply Now
Professional Fund Raisers Bond NC Sec. of State: Charitable Solicitation Section Solicitors Apply Now
Insurance Adjusters Bond North Carolina Dept of Insurance Public Adjuster Insurance Apply Now
Insurance Agents/Brokers Bond Commissioner of Insurance Broker Insurance Apply Now
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Broker Surety Apply Now
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond Commissioner of Banks Reverse Mortgage Bond Apply Now
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Broker Bond Apply Now
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender Apply Now
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond Commissioner of Banks Mortgage Lender Apply Now
Small Loan Companies Bond North Carolina Secretary of State Loan Broker Apply Now
Defective Title Bond NC DMV Vehicle Title Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title Indemnity Bond Apply Now
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond Division of Motor Vehicles - License & Theft Burea Motor Vehicle Dealer Apply Now
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond Dept of Insurance Division of Motor Vehicle Manufactured Housing Dealers Apply Now
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond Division of Motor Vehicles - License & Theft Burea Motor Vehicle Dealer Apply Now
Sport Permits Bond Dept. of Crime Control & Public Safety, Alcohol La Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts Promoter's Surety Bond Apply Now
Employment Agencies Bond Department of Insurance Professional Employer Organization Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond NC Department of Crime Control & Public Safety Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond NC Department of Crime Control & Public Safety Precious Metals Dealer (CC&PS Form 7) Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond State of North Carolina Business Opportunity Surety Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond Attorney General Prepaid Entertainment Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond City of Asheville - Public Works Department City of Asheville License Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond North Carolina Utilities Commission Public Utility Franchise Bond Apply Now
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond NC Department of Public Safety Precious Metal Dealer Bond Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond State Board of Community College Community College License Bond Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond NC Division of Motor Vehicles Commercial Driver Training School and Instructors Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond Board of Barber Examiners Barber School Guaranty Bond Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond State Board of Community College Cosmetic Art Examiners Guaranty Apply Now
Schools (All) Bond North Carolina State Approving Agency Private School Bond Apply Now
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond North Carolina Dept. of Revenue Tax Bond for Tobacco Products Other Than Cigarette Apply Now
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond NORTH CAROLINA DEPT OF REV Tax Bond for Cigarettes Apply Now
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond North Carolina Department of Revenue Motor Fuels Tax Liability Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Duke Energy Duke Energy Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. Utility Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Kinston Public Services Utility Guarantee Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Union Power Cooperative Union Power Cooperative Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Dominion North Carolina Power Utility Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Duke Energy Florida, Inc Utility Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond City of New Bern In Lieu of Deposit Bond Apply Now
Utility Deposit Bond Duke Energy Progress (Duke Energy) Electric Service Bond Apply Now
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond The North Carolina Community College System GUARANTY Apply Now
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond North Carolina Community College System Guaranty Apply Now
Lottery Bond North Carolina Lottery Commission Education Lottery Bond Apply Now
Lottery Bond North Carolina Lottery Commission Education Lottery Bond Apply Now
Appraisal Management North Carolina Appraisal Board Appraisal Management Company Bond Apply Now

Types of Surety Bonds in North Carolina

Typically one of the following three main types of surety bonds is required in NC:

  • If you are undergoing a professional licensing process, you might be asked to post a license and permit bond
  • If you are a construction contractor bidding on public or private projects, you will likely be asked to post contract bonds
  • More rarely, you might be required to obtain court bonds by a state court

License & Permit Bonds

When you are applying for a professional license with the state, local, or city authority that governs your trade, in many cases you are asked to post a license and permit bond. This is a prerequisite for obtaining the right to operate in your trade.

Just like in other states, North Carolina surety bonds serve an important function in guaranteeing the legal operation of businesses. Bonds safeguard the interests of the regulating authorities, and the general public.

You can think of your surety bond as an additional line of credit for your company. It guarantees you will follow applicable rules. If you transgress them, an affected party can make a claim on the bond. On proven claims, you might have to reimburse claimants up to maximum amount of the bond.

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

Contract Bonds

Construction contractors bidding on private and public construction projects need to obtain different types of contract bonds. Unlike license bonds, contract bonds are required in relation to a specific project only.

The purpose of contract bonds is to guarantee the proper and timely performance of contractors. They protect project owners from non-completion, or low-quality work.

The usual kinds of contract bonds include:

  • Bid bonds
  • Performance bonds
  • Payment bonds
  • Maintenance bonds

Court Bonds

A North Carolina state or local court, in specific cases, might ask you to obtain a court bond.

The typical situations in which you might have to get a court bond are:

  • You can be asked to get a supersedeas bond, also known as an appeal bond, if you want to bring a case to an appellate court
  • You are likely to be asked for a fiduciary bond if you have been assigned by a state probate court to act as a guardian of another person’s assets or property

Call us at 866.450.3412 if you have any questions whatsoever about these bonds!

How Much Does a Bond Cost in North Carolina?

It is important to differentiate between this amount and your actual bond cost. The bond amount is the highest possible reimbursement that affected parties can receive on proven claims.

Your surety bond cost, on the other hand, is only a fraction of this amount. It is referred to as the bond premium, and is a percentage of this full amount.

What determines my bond cost?

When you apply for your bond, your surety examines your personal and business financials, and determines the risk involved in getting you bonded. The stronger your overall finances are, the lower your bond premium is likely to be.

The most important factors that are examined are:

  • Your personal credit score
  • Business financials
  • Assets and liquidity
  • Professional experience

Applicants who have a high credit score and strong finances can expect to be offered a bond at between 1% and 4% of the bond amount.

Can applicants with low credit get bonded?

Applicants with a low score can also get bonded. Rates for such applicants are higher due to the perceived greater risk that surety assume when issuing bonds to them.

Typically bonds rates for low credit applicants range between 5%-15% of the total bond amount.

Find out more about getting a bond with a lower credit score through our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program page.

For an estimate of the cost of your bond, try our surety bond cost calculator below!

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Surety Bond Cost Calculator

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You can learn more about what influences bond cost and why on our detailed Surety Bond Cost page.

How to Get Bonded in North Carolina

To apply for a bond, you need to complete the right bond application and submit it to us. We’ll get in touch with you to provide you with a free quote and further information on completing the bonding process!

License bond application

To apply for a license bond, complete our simple online bond form.

Start your surety bond application today! Why us?
  • The lowest possible rates
  • A 100% money-back guarantee
  • Access to specialty programs, not available to small agencies

Contract Bond Application

To apply for a contract bond, complete the online application depending on the bond type you need for your contract. We will contact you shortly with more information on your bond quote.

Our experts are here to help you out with your bond application. Call us at 866.450.3412 anytime.

Further Reading


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.