Public Official Bond

A Guide to Bonding Public Officials

SuretyBonds.com is legally licensed to issue public official bonds nationwide. No matter where you take your oath as a public official, SuretyBonds.com can help.

Some public offices involve the handling of public funds, so government agencies require individuals to get bonded before being sworn in. These bonds guarantee that officials will perform duties according to law. The surety experts at SuretyBonds.com know bonding can be confusing, so we’ve developed this guide to public official bonds.

Pay A Low Rate For Your Public Official Bond

The cost for this type of surety bond varies on a case-by-case basis. Your exact premium will be based on the following factors:

• Your county, city or state's required bond amount
• The risk associated with your specific position
• Your personal credit score
• Your other application information

Public officials typically need a minimum credit score of 650 to qualify for bonding services. The higher your credit score, the lower your surety bond cost will be. In most cases, qualified applicants can expect to pay a premium that’s calculated at 1-4% of the bond amount. The best way to determine what you’ll pay is by getting a free surety bond quote with no obligation.

Work With An Experienced Surety Expert

When you’re ready to purchase your public official bond, contact a surety expert online 24/7 or by phone at 1 (800) 308-4358 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST. You’ll be connected with an expert surety specialist who will guide you through the process and give you a free price quote.

Your bond will be issued as soon as your payment is processed. You’ll receive a copy of your bond immediately via email, and your original bond form will arrive in the mail via your preferred shipping method. We even offer an overnight shipping option in case you’re in a rush! Contact us now to expedite the process!

Learn More About Bonding

As employees of the government, public officials are licensed to serve others. Consequently, they’re typically required to be bonded as a way to hold them financially accountable for their decisions and actions. Positions that typically require a public official bond at the state, county or city level can include (but are not limited to):

• Court clerks
• Judges
• Mayors
• Sheriffs
• Tax collectors
• Treasurers
• Township managers or directors
• Deputies
• Constables
• Homeowner association leaders

Like other types of surety bonds, public official bonds function as legal contracts that bind three parties together.

• Principal: The official who purchases the bond is the principal party. The bond guarantees that the official will fulfill obligations according to the law while in office.
• Obligee: The county, city or state that requires the official to purchase the bond is the obligee party. The bond protects the obligee in the event that the principal does not fulfill the bond’s obligation.
• Surety: The agency that provides the bond for the principal is the surety party. The surety works with the principal throughout each step of the bonding process to ensure the obligation stated in the bond form is upheld.

Although insurance companies frequently underwrite public official bonds, it’s important to remember that surety bonds aren’t insurance; they’re a form of credit. Any claim paid on a bond will have to be repaid by the offending official; the insurance underwriter will not simply assume the loss as is the case with most other forms of insurance.