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Surety bonds are required in a wide variety of professions and industries in California. Often part of the professional licensing process, these bonds help to protect the public and government bodies from fraudulent or unscrupulous business practices.
Types Of Surety Bonds In California
There are three main types of surety bonds required in the state of California. These are:
- Commercial bonds (also known as license bonds or permit bonds)
- Contract bonds (also known as performance bonds or service bonds)
- Court bonds
License Bonds
Commercial, or license bonds, are required if you want to get a professional license for a number of specific roles. A wide range of careers require commercial bonds. These include:
- Auto dealer
- Legal document assistant
- Mortgage broker
- Notary
- Finance lender
- Escrow licensee
- Pest control officer
- Process server
- Motor vehicle wholesaler
- Line broker
You may also need to get a commercial bond if you want to open an employment agency, a credit services organization and even a car wash.
A commercial bond guarantees that the party seeking the bond (also known as the principal) will comply with the relevant rules and regulations governing their industry.
Contract Bonds
Contract bonds are often required for contracting businesses that want to participate in public or private construction projects. A contract bond is designed to ensure that the terms of a contract are fulfilled. If the contracted party (the principal) fails to realize its duties, the owner of the project can use the bond to cover any financial losses from the surety company. The surety company will then recover this money from the principal.
Court Bonds
Court bonds can be required by a court if you wish to appeal a ruling or be appointed another person’s guardian. Court bonds are essentially judicial surety bonds that are used protect plaintiffs, dependants and, occasionally, defendants, from any losses incurred as the result of a court proceeding
Determining Your California Surety Bond Type
California, like many states, has a wide variety of surety bond requirements. Within these three main categories of California surety bonds are a lot of other unique options ranging from auctioneer bonds to freight broker bonds.
Obtaining the right bond from a surety company is essential if you want to properly secure your contract, earn your professional license or protect yourself from losses. So, before applying for a bond, it’s important to determine the exact type of bond you require.
The best way to do this is to contact the party that has asked you to obtain a bond. This party is known as the obligee, and is likely to be an entity like a government department, a court or a licensing board.
The obligee should be able to tell you which bond form is needed, and let you know your required bond amount. Having these two pieces of information will speed up the process and ensure you get the right bond for your requirements.
Find Your California Surety Bond
Check out the table below to find the bond you need:
Find Your California Surety Bond
Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84) | N/A | FMCSA | Apply Now |
General license & permit bond (not listed) | N/A | N/A | Apply Now |
Agricultural (Non-Livestock) Bond | SURETY BOND / PRODUCE DEALERS ACT | Department of Food & Agriculture | Apply Now |
Contractor License (No P&P Language) Bond | Public Works Bond (Sonoma County Department) | Sonoma Count PRMD | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | Waste Collector's Performance Bond | City of Los Angeles - Environmental Affairs Dept | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Contractor's Bond | Contractors State License Board | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Bond of Qualifying Individual | CSLB | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Company Registration | Structual Pest Control Board | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Sewer/Storm Drain Connectin Bond | City of Los Angeles | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Farm Labor Contractor Bond | Dept of Industrial Relations | Apply Now |
Check Sellers Bond | Check Sellers Bond | CA Commissioner of Business Oversight | Apply Now |
Debt Consolidators Bond | Credit Services Organization | Attorney General's Office | Apply Now |
Professional Fund Raisers Bond | Commercial Fundraiser for Charitable Purposes Bond | Attorney General - Registry of Charitable Trusts | Apply Now |
Insurance Adjusters Bond | Bond of Public Insurance Adjuster | State of California | Apply Now |
Insurance Adjusters Bond | Insurance Adjuster Bond | Producer Licensing Bureau | Apply Now |
Insurance Agents/Brokers Bond | Bond for Insurance Broker | Producer Licensing Bureau | Apply Now |
Insurance Surplus Lines Brokers Bond | Bond of Surplus Line Broker | State of California - Dept of Ins | Apply Now |
Insurance Surplus Lines Brokers Bond | Bond of Special Lines' Surplus Line Broker | Producer Licensing Bureau | Apply Now |
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond | Mortgage Broker | Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | Finance Lender | Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | Residential Mortgage Lender and-or Servicer Bond | Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations | Apply Now |
Small Loan Companies Bond | Deferred Deposit Transaction Law Licensee | Department Of Corporations | Apply Now |
Title Insurance Agents & Escrow Officers Bond | Escrow Licensee | California Department of Corporations | Apply Now |
Defective Title Bond | Motor Vehicles Ownership Bond | State of California Dept of Motor Vehicles | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | Retail Dealer | Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational License | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | Wholesale Dealer | Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational License | Apply Now |
Self-Insurers & Financial Responsibility Bond | Financial Responsibility Bond | CA DMV | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | Retail Dealer | Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational License | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Business Partner Automation | Registration Operations Division | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | REGISTRATION SERVICE SURETY BOND | California Registration Operations Division | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Vehicle Verifier | State of California DMV | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Commercial Requester Account | State of California DMV | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Yacht and Ship Broker Bond | California Department of Boating and Waterways | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | IRP Bonded Web User Bond | Department Of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Div. | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | Professional Club and Promoter's Bond | State Athletic Commission | Apply Now |
Auctioneers (Other than Livestock) Bond | Auctioneer/Auction Company | California Secretary of Sate | Apply Now |
Employment Agencies Bond | Employment Counseling Service | California Secretary of State | Apply Now |
Employment Agencies Bond | Employment Agencies | CA Secretary of the State | Apply Now |
Nursing Homes Bond | Health and Human Services Agency | CA Health & Human Services | Apply Now |
Nursing Homes Bond | Health Facility Bond | CA Dept of Public Health | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Wholesaler or Nonresident Wholesaler Surety Bond | State Board of Pharmacy | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Company Registration Bond | Structural Pest Control Board | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pharmacy Wholesaler or Non-Resident Wholesaler | California State Board of Pharmacy | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Legal Document Assistant | California Secretary of State | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Talent Agency | Department of Industrial Relations | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | (National City, CA) Pawn Broker Bond | City of National City | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Immigration Consultants | California Secretary of State | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Fee-Related Talent Service Bond | CA Dept of Industrial Relations | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Contract Postal Unit | USPS | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Car Wash | Department of Industrial Relations | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pawnbrokers | Department of Justice- Second Hand Dealer Pawn Bro | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Adoption Facilitator | Dept of Social Services-Adoptions Support Unit | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Waste Tire Hauler | California Integrated Waste Management Board | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Mobile Car Wash | State of California DMV | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Foreclosure Consultant Bond | Secretary of State | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pawnbroker | RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of California, Public Utilities Commission | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Cemetary Broker | Cemetery and Funeral Bureau | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pawnbroker | Department of Justice | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Waste Hauler Bond | County Santiation Districts of Los Angeles | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Franchise Registration Bond | Department of Corporations | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Tax Preparer Bond | Tax Education Council | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pawnbroker Bond | City of Newport Beach, CA | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Cargo Shipper's Agent Bond | Producer Licensing Bureau | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pest Control Business Licensees Bond | State of Califonia, Department of Pesticide Regula | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Parking Occupancy Tax Collection Bond | City of Los Angeles - Office of Finance | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Driving School Owner or ATV Safety Training Org Pr | Department of Motor Vehicles | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Home Study Traffic School | Traffic Violator School Monitoring Division - LA | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Traffic Violator School (TVS) Owner | Department of Motor Vehicles | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | TRAFFIC VIOLATOR SCHOOL (TVS) OWNER BOND | Department of Motor Vehicles | Apply Now |
Travel Agencies Bond | Seller of Travel Surety Bond | Dept. of Justice, Seller of Travel Program | Apply Now |
Travel Agencies Bond | Seller of Travel Discount Programs Bond | Secretary Of State | Apply Now |
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond | Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Bond | State of California Dept of Equalization | Apply Now |
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond | Tobacco Manufacturer and Importer Bond | CA Office of the Attonrey General | Apply Now |
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond | Diesel Fuel Supplier Bond | California Board of Equalization | Apply Now |
Miscellaneous Taxes Bond | Parking Tax Collection | City and County of San Francisco | Apply Now |
Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond | Bond of Seller | State Board of Equalization | Apply Now |
Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond | User of Fuel Bond | State Board Of Equalization | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | SURETY BOND / BILL GUARANTY | PG&E | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Public Utilities Commission | Public Utilities Commission | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Edison Company | Southern California Edison Company | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Southern California Gas Company Bond | Southern California Gas Company | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | SDGE Utility Deposit Bond | SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Sacramento Municipal Utility District Bond | Sacramento Municipal Utility District | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Modesto Irrigation District Utility Deposit Bond | Modesto Irrigation District | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | SCEC Utility Deposit Bond | Southern California Edison Company | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Southwest Gas Corporation Utility Bond | Southwest Gas Corporation | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | City of Los Angeles Utility Bond | Department of Water and Power | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Electric Service Provider Bond | California Public Utilities Commission | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Telephone Corporation Bond (CPUC) | Public Utilities Commission of California | Apply Now |
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond | Disposal Payment Bond | Allied Waste Transfer Services of California, LLC | Apply Now |
Auctioneer's (Net Proceeds Meet Amount) Bond | Auctioneer/Auction Company Bond | California Secretary of State | Apply Now |
Wages & Fringe Benefits Bond | District Council of Iron Workers | CA District Council Of Iron Workers | Apply Now |
Money Transmitter Bond | Money Order, Money Gram, Buypay Bond | PNB Remittance Center, Inc. | Apply Now |
Telemarketing/Phone Solicitor Bond | Telephonic Seller Bond | Attorney General's Office | Apply Now |
Non-Construction Performance Bond | CPUC Performance Bond | CA Public Utilites Commission | Apply Now |
Lance Surety Bonds offers all types of surety bonds in all 50 states. We’re experts in the field and can help you find the bond you need.
How to Get a California Surety Bond
Obtaining a California surety bond is an easy and straightforward process. If you’d like to get bonded, just follow these three simple steps:
Apply Online
The first step in obtaining a surety bond is to complete our short online application. The application process is quick and easy. All we need is a few basic details about you (the applicant) and about the bond you require.
Get a Quote
As soon as we have your details, we’ll start searching through our large surety partner network to find the top bonding options for your needs. When we have a bond that’s right for you, we’ll send you a free, no obligation quote. This bond quote will outline the surety bond cost and give you more information on exactly what you’re getting.
Buy Your Bond
If you’re happy with your free quote, all you need to do to complete the process is pay your bond premium. As soon as the premium is paid, we’ll email you confirmation and you’ll receive a digital copy of your bond straight away. If you need a hard copy, we can provide you with a paper bond as well.
If you’d like to learn more about the bonding process, we offer a range of excellent resources including an in depth guide on How to Get Bonded. To learn more about how exactly the bond price is set, take a look at our How Much Does a Surety Bond Cost? Guide.
Most Popular Surety Bonds in Сalifornia
If you plan to become a motor vehicle dealer, you’ll need to get a California Dealer License from the state Department of Motor Vehicles. In order to obtain this license from California DMV, you’ll need a $10,000 or $50,000 surety bond. The cost of the bond will depend on the type of motor vehicles you’d like to sell.
California contractors are required to provide a $15,000 bond in order to obtain a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). A Contractor License protects the CSLB by transferring the cost of damages that result from a licensed business breaking California's Contractor License Law to a surety bond company.
If you’re a mortgage broker that wants to work with lenders licensed under the California Finance Lenders Law, you’ll need to get a $25,000 mortgage broker bond. Obtaining this bond allows mortgage brokers to get their license from the Department of Business Oversight (DBO).
The California Secretary of State requires auction companies to post a $20,000 surety bond. Auctioneer bonds protect buyers from fraud, including the substitution of goods and the misrepresentation of auction items, by the auction company.
Money transmitter bonds are surety bonds required by the government in order to obtain a money transmitter license. Individuals and businesses that want to sell or issue payment instruments, or stored value, as a money transmitter in California will need a bond of between $500,000 and $2 million. If you want to receive money for transmission, you’ll need a bond of between $250,000 and $7 million.
To register with the California Department of Justice as a credit services organization, you’ll need to post a $100,000 bond.
California immigration consultants are required to get a $10,000 immigration consultant bond in order to obtain a license from the Secretary of State.
Insurance brokers in California need a $10,000 bond to get licensed with the state’s Department of Insurance. In some locations, it’s the insurance companies that hold the bond, while in others, the individual insurance broker is required to take out a bond themselves.
California public adjusters have to get a license from the state Department of Insurance and post a $20,000 bond in order to practice. The public adjuster bond is designed to ensure an insurance adjuster will follow the laws that govern their trade.
If you plan to start a telemarketing business in California, you’ll need to obtain a telemarketing bond from the state Attorney General’s Office. The required bond amount for this profession is $100,000.
Talent agents in the state need to obtain a $50,000 talent agency bond as a part of their licensing process with the Department of Industrial Relations.
How Much Does a California Surety Bond Cost?
While the exact amount a bonding company will charge for each bond will vary, in general you’ll pay 1% to 10% of the bond amount or required coverage.
There are a number of factors that impact the cost of a California surety bond. The most important is risk. If a bond is considered ‘low risk’ it means that the surety company believes there’s only a small chance it will have to pay out. Low risk bonds are generally issued instantly and at a fixed price.
If a surety company considers a bond is ‘high risk’, it means that they believe there’s an increased chance that a claim will be made against the bond. In these cases, underwriting consideration may be required and the bonding company may perform a review of the applicant’s credit history and bond amount.
Can I Get a California Surety Bond With Bad Credit?
Because a surety bond is a type of financial guarantee, applicants with financial problems have a more difficult time getting bonded.
To help those with bad credit get the bonds they need, Lance Surety Bonds runs a bad credit surety bonds program. This program is designed to provide you with a bonding option if you’re struggling with a low credit score or other financial issues.
Due to the higher bonding risk involved in bonding those with poor credit, the rates you can expect to pay are slightly higher. Generally, you’ll be asked to pay between 5%-15% of the required bond amount. Our bad credit surety bonds program is a great way to get the bond you need to take the next step in your professional career.
Additional Resources
If you want to get a professional license in California, take a look at our licensing guides for the most common fields:
- How to Get a California Dealer License
- How to Get a Used Car Dealer License in California
- Simple Guide To Getting A California Contractor License
- Your Guide To Becoming A Mortgage Broker In California
- How to Get a California Money Transmitter License [2021 Guide]
- How to Open a California Credit Services Organization [2021 Guide]
- How to Become a California Immigration Consultant (2021)
- How to Get an Insurance Broker License in California
- Your Guide to Liquor License Costs in California
City-Level Bonding Requirements
Choose your city from the list below to learn more about its bonding requirements. Or keep reading to get an overview of all California bond requirements.
What Our Clients Have To Say?
Quick response times and turn around for issuing bonds. Great customer service and very knowledgeable. We have used Lance Surety multiple times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend them and Collette!
Long story short, these guys cut through the B.S. and get the job done. Responsiveness, excellent! Communication, excellent! Respect for their industry partners, excellent! John, Collette, Ryan, you're all-stars! Thank you!
We decided for Lance Surety Bond's quote for 2 reasons; Price and Customer Service. Our Representative Ryan was just SUPERB!! [...] I highly recommend Lance Surety Bond for all your Bonding needs! I'll definitely come back for all of mine. :-) Thanks Ryan!
Quick response times and turn around for issuing bonds. Great customer service and very knowledgeable. We have used Lance Surety multiple times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend them and Collette!
Long story short, these guys cut through the B.S. and get the job done. Responsiveness, excellent! Communication, excellent! Respect for their industry partners, excellent! John, Collette, Ryan, you're all-stars! Thank you!
We decided for Lance Surety Bond's quote for 2 reasons; Price and Customer Service. Our Representative Ryan was just SUPERB!! [...] I highly recommend Lance Surety Bond for all your Bonding needs! I'll definitely come back for all of mine. :-) Thanks Ryan!
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