Most Popular Bonds
There are many types of surety bonds required in California, and the three main categories are:
- License bonds needed for various professions such as contractors and tax preparers to operate legally.
- Contractor bonds for public construction projects.
- Court bonds required by California courts for various purposes.
Some of the most common surety bond types required include:
- Contractor license bonds: allow you to legally perform contracting work such as general contracting, electrical contracting, etc.
- Auto dealer bonds: allow you to obtain a license and legally operate your dealership/sell vehicles.
- Freight broker bonds: allow you to legally operate as a freight broker and obtain your authority form the FMCSA.
- Bid bonds: allows you to bid on bonded jobs and protects the public.
- Performance & payment bonds: allows you to perform work on a project once you are awarded the job.
Find Your Surety Bond
California (National City, CA) Pawn Broker Bond | City of National City | National City | Apply |
California Adoption Facilitator Bond | Dept of Social Services-Adoptions Support Unit | Sacramento | Apply |
California Auctioneer/Auction Company Bond | California Secretary of Sate | Sacramento | Apply |
California Bill Guaranty Bond (PG&E) | PG&E | Sacramento | Apply |
California Bond of Public Insurance Adjuster | State of California | Sacramento | Apply |
California Bond of Qualifying Individual | CSLB | Sacramento | Apply |
California Bond of Seller | State Board of Equalization | Sacramento | Apply |
California Bond of Special Lines' Surplus Line Broker | Producer Licensing Bureau | Sacramento | Apply |
California Bond of Surplus Line Broker | State of California - Dept of Ins | Sacramento | Apply |
California Business Partner Automation Bond | Registration Operations Division | Sacramento | Apply |
California Business/Dealer Bond (City of Hawthorne, CA) | City of Hawthorne | Hawthorne | Apply |
California Car Wash Bond | Department of Industrial Relations | San Francisco | Apply |
California Cargo Shipper's Agent Bond | Producer Licensing Bureau | Sacramento | Apply |
California Cemetary Broker Bond | Cemetery and Funeral Bureau | Sacramento | Apply |
California Check Sellers Bond | CA Commissioner of Business Oversight | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Bond | State of California Dept of Equalization | Sacramento | Apply |
California City of Los Angeles Utility Bond | Department of Water and Power | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Commercial Fundraiser for Charitable Purposes Bond | Attorney General - Registry of Charitable Trusts | Sacramento | Apply |
California Commercial Requester Account Bond | State of California DMV | Sacramento | Apply |
California Company Registration Bond | Structual Pest Control Board | Sacramento | Apply |
California Contract Postal Unit Bond | USPS | Frazier Park | Apply |
California Contractor's Bond | Contractors State License Board | Sacramento | Apply |
California County Sanitation Contractor License PP Bond | County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles | Whittier | Apply |
California CPCN or WIR Telephone Corporation Bond | California Public Utilities Commission | San Francisco | Apply |
California CPUC - NDIEC Telephone Corporation Bond | Public Utilities Commission of California | San Francisco | Apply |
California Credit Services Organization Bond | Secretary of State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law Licensee Bond | Department Of Corporations | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Diesel Fuel Supplier Bond | California Board of Equalization | Sacramento | Apply |
California Disposal Payment Bond | Allied Waste Transfer Services of California, LLC | Santa Fe Springs | Apply |
California District Council of Iron Workers Bond | CA District Council Of Iron Workers | Roseville | Apply |
California Driving School Owner or ATV Safety Training Org Principal Bond | Department of Motor Vehicles | Sacramento | Apply |
California Edison Company Bond | Southern California Edison Company | Rosemead | Apply |
California Electric Service Provider Bond | California Public Utilities Commission | San Francisco | Apply |
California Employment Agencies Bond | CA Secretary of the State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Employment Counseling Service Bond | California Secretary of State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Escrow Licensee Bond | California Department of Corporations | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Farm Labor Contractor Bond | Dept of Industrial Relations | San Francisco | Apply |
California Fee-Related Talent Service Bond | CA Dept of Industrial Relations | San Francisco | Apply |
California Finance Lender Bond | Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Financial Responsibility Bond | CA DMV | Sacramento | Apply |
California Foreclosure Consultant Bond | Secretary of State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Foreign Vehicle Ownership Bond | State of California Dept. of Motor Vehicles | Sacramento | Apply |
California Franchise Registration Bond | Department of Corporations | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Guarantee Payment of Taxes in Subdivisions Bond | Auditor-Collect/Treas/Tax Coll/Prop Tax Div | San Bernardino | Apply |
California Health and Human Services Agency Bond | CA Health & Human Services | Sacramento | Apply |
California Health Facility Bond | CA Dept of Public Health | Sacramento | Apply |
California Home Study Traffic School Bond | Traffic Violator School Monitoring Division - LA | Monterey Park | Apply |
California Immigration Consultants Bond | California Secretary of State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Insurance Adjuster Bond | Producer Licensing Bureau | Sacramento | Apply |
California Insurance Broker Bond | Producer Licensing Bureau | Sacramento | Apply |
California IRP Bonded Web User Bond | Department Of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Div. | Sacramento | Apply |
California Legal Document Assistant Bond | California Secretary of State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Lessor-Retailer Bond | State of California Department of MVD | Sacramento | Apply |
California Meter Reader Contract Bond | The City of Needles | Needles | Apply |
California Mobile Car Wash Bond | State of California DMV | Rancho Cucamonga | Apply |
California Modesto Irrigation District Utility Deposit Bond | Modesto Irrigation District | Modesto | Apply |
California Money Order, Money Gram, Buypay Bond | PNB Remittance Center, Inc. | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Mortgage Broker Bond | Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Motor Vehicles Ownership Bond | State of California Dept of Motor Vehicles | Sacramento | Apply |
California Motorcycle Dealer, Motorcycyle Lessor-Retailer, All-Terrain Vehicle Dealer, or Wholesale-Only Dealer (Less Than 25 Vehicles Per Year) Bond | Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational Licensing | Sacramento | Apply |
California Northern California Drywall Finishers Bond | Dist 16 Northern CA Health & Welfare Trust Fund | Oakland | Apply |
California Parking Lot License Bond | City of Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Parking Occupancy Tax Collection Bond | City of Los Angeles - Office of Finance | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Parking Tax Collection Bond | City and County of San Francisco | San Francisco | Apply |
California Pawnbroker Bond | RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF | Riverside | Apply |
California Pawnbrokers Bond | Department of Justice- Second Hand Dealer Pawn Bro | Sacramento | Apply |
California Pest Control Business Licensees Bond | State of Califonia, Department of Pesticide Regula | Sacramento | Apply |
California Pharmacy Wholesaler or Non-Resident Wholesaler Bond | California State Board of Pharmacy | Sacramento | Apply |
California Professional Club and Promoter's Bond | State Athletic Commission | Sacramento | Apply |
California Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | State of California, Public Utilities Commission | San Francisco | Apply |
California Public Utilities Commission Bond | Public Utilities Commission | San Francisco | Apply |
California Public Works Bond (Sonoma County Department) | Sonoma Count PRMD | Santa Rosa | Apply |
California REGISTRATION SERVICE SURETY BOND | California Registration Operations Division | Sacramento | Apply |
California Residential Mortgage Lender and-or Servicer Bond | Commissioner of Corporations, Dept of Corporations | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Retail Dealer Bond | Department of Motor Vehicles - Occupational Licensing | Sacramento | Apply |
California Roofers Health and Welfare Trust Bond | Roofers Health and Welfare Trust Fund of California | Downey | Apply |
California Sacramento Municipal Utility District Bond | Sacramento Municipal Utility District | Sacramento | Apply |
California Sales, Use & Consumer Tax Bond | State Board of Equalization | Irvine | Apply |
California San Francisco Street Excavation Bond | Dept of Public Works San Francisco ca | San Francisco | Apply |
California SCEC Utility Deposit Bond | Southern California Edison Company | Covina | Apply |
California SDGE Utility Deposit Bond | SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC | San Diego | Apply |
California Seller of Travel Discount Programs Bond | Secretary Of State | Sacramento | Apply |
California Seller of Travel Surety Bond | Dept. of Justice, Seller of Travel Program | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Sewer/Storm Drain Connectin Bond | City of Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Apply |
California SMWIA Performance Bond | SMWIA, Local 104 | San Jose | Apply |
California Southern California Gas Company Bond | Southern California Gas Company | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Southwest Gas Corporation Utility Bond | Southwest Gas Corporation | Victorville | Apply |
California Southwest Gas Corporation Utility Deposit Bond | Southwest Gas Corporation | Victorville | Apply |
California Streetwork and Excavation Bond (City of Fresno) | City of Fresno | Fresno | Apply |
California Subdivision Tax Bond (County of Alameda, CA) | County of Alameda | Oakland | Apply |
California SURETY BOND / PRODUCE DEALERS ACT | Department of Food & Agriculture | Sacramento | Apply |
California Talent Agency Bond | Department of Industrial Relations | San Francisco | Apply |
California Tax Preparer Bond | Tax Education Council | Sacramento | Apply |
California Telephonic Seller Bond | Attorney General's Office | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Third-Party Logistics Provider or Nonresident Third-Party Logistics Provider Bond | California State Board of Pharmacy | Sacramento | Apply |
California Tobacco Manufacturer and Importer Bond | CA Office of the Attonrey General | Sacramento | Apply |
California Traffic Violator School (TVS) Owner Bond | Department of Motor Vehicles | Sacramento | Apply |
California User of Fuel Bond | State Board Of Equalization | Sacramento | Apply |
California Vehicle Verifier Bond | State of California DMV | Sacramento | Apply |
California Wage & Welfare Bond | Sprinkler Fitters UA Local #709 | Whittier | Apply |
California Waste Collector's Performance Bond | City of Los Angeles - Environmental Affairs Dept | Los Angeles | Apply |
California Waste Hauler Bond | County Santiation Districts of Los Angeles | Whittier | Apply |
California Waste Tire Hauler Bond | California Integrated Waste Management Board | Sacramento | Apply |
California Wholesaler or Nonresident Wholesaler Surety Bond | State Board of Pharmacy | Sacramento | Apply |
California Yacht and Ship Broker Bond | California Department of Boating and Waterways | Sacramento | Apply |
Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84) | FMCSA | N/A | Apply |
Auto Dealer Bond (motor vehicle dealer bond) | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Contractor License Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Mechanics Lien Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Customs Bond | CBP | N/A | Apply |
Health Club Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Medicare/Medicaid Bond (DMEPOS) | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Insurance Broker Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Public Adjuster Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Surplus Lines Broker Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Title Agency Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Mortgage Broker Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Mortgage Lender Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Vehicle Title Bond (bonded title) | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Reclamation Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Alcohol/Liquor Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Brewers Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
CPEO Bond (Certified Professional Employer Organization) | IRS | N/A | Apply |
Collection Agency Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Fuel Tax Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Funeral Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Immigration Consultant Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Lottery Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Marijuana Surety Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Private School Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Process Server Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Public Official Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Money Transmitter Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Sales Tax Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Small Loan Companies Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Telemarketing Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Tobacco Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
ARC Bond | ARC | N/A | Apply |
Travel Agency Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Union Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Utility Bond | Varies | Varies | Apply |
Business Service Bond (Fidelity Bond) | N/A | N/A | Apply |
Employee Dishonesty Bond (Fidelity Bond) | N/A | N/A | Apply |
Janitorial & Cleaning Bond (Fidelity Bond) | N/A | N/A | Apply |
Financial Institution Bond (Fidelity Bond) | N/A | N/A | Apply |
ERISA Bond | Employee Retirement Income Security Act | N/A | Apply |
Bid Bond (Contract Bond) | Varies | N/A | Apply |
Performance Bond (Contract Bond) | Varies | N/A | Apply |
Payment Bond (Contract Bond) | Varies | N/A | Apply |
Supply Bond (Contract Bond) | Varies | N/A | Apply |
Maintenance Bond (Warranty Bond) | Varies | N/A | Apply |
Subdivision Bond | Varies | N/A | Apply |
Bankruptcy Trustee Bond (Court Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
Fiduciary Bond (Probate Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
Guardian Bond (Court Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
Injunction Bond (Court Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
Receiver Bond (Court Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
Supersedeas Bond (Appeal Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
Replevin Bond (Court Bond) | Court Requirement | N/A | Apply |
What Do California Surety Bonds Cost?
Surety bonds generally cost 1-15% of the required bond amount. Surety bond costs vary drastically depending on the bond amount required of you and your rate (which is the percentage of the full bond amount you must pay). You can get a ballpark estimate by using our bond premium calculator, or you can apply online to get a firm bond quote.
Getting License and Permit Bonds
California requires license and permit bonds in order to obtain and file licenses/permits for various professions such as a California tax preparer bond (sometimes referred to as a CTEC bond), a contractor’s license bond, a seller of travel surety bond or an auto dealer bond. You can find the full list of license and permit bonds that are required by using our bond requirement search tool.
California Contractors Bond for Your License
The most commonly needed license bond is the California contractor bond required by the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) for contractors to get their license. If you're a contractor, it's possible that you need both a California contractor’s license bond and contractor bonds for public jobs depending on the type of work and where you're performing it.
Getting a Contractor's Bond in California for Public Jobs
Construction bonds such as bid bonds and performance bonds are required to bid bonds and work on public construction jobs. However, they're usually required by cities or municipalities rather than the state. Learn more about how you can get bonded for projects by reading our construction bond guide. As mentioned above, contractors who want to get their license also need contractor’s license bonds in California.
Can You Get Bonded with Bad Credit?
It's possible to get surety bonds in California with bad credit, but it will depend on the bond type that you need and how severe your credit issues are. You can get approved for most license and permit bonds regardless of your credit issues.
Getting Court Bonds in California
Lastly, court bonds are less commonly needed, but can be required by California courts if you need to appeal a court decision, become a legal guardian of a minor or operate as a fiduciary of an estate. You can also read the most frequently asked surety bond related questions.
City-level Bonding Requirements
Choose your city from the list below if you wish to learn more about its bonding requirements. For an overview of all bonds in the state, keep reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply, get approved online, submit the indemnity agreement, and pay for the bond online. Then we will ship the original bond to you using your preferred method of shipping.
Yes. We have exclusive programs that allow us to write these bonds, even if you have credit issues. You can apply and get a quote instantly.
Yes. Due to the large volume of bonds written, we provide the lowest rates possible. Apply on our website and receive an online approval instantly.
You need to contact the surety company's claims department and present proof that the claim is false.
No, many do not. You can view our full list of state bond requirements. It is also wise to contact your state directly to determine any requirements youm ust meet.
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