Surety Bail Bond
Bail or bond is an amount of money in cash or surety bond for the purpose of making sure that a particular person attends all required court appearances. Bail allows an arrested person (defendant) to be released from jail until his or her case is completed.
A surety bail bond agent is a person who is licensed by the Ohio Department of Insurance to sell surety bonds and is authorized to conduct business in the State of Ohio. They are an agent for an insurance company that sells surety bonds. A surety bond is an agreement made between one or more persons and a bond agent where the bond agent agrees to post the necessary bail so that a defendant can be released from jail. The agreement is backed by an insurance company contract that is signed by the person or persons and the bond agent on behalf of the insurance company. Sufficient cash or collateral to cover the full amount of the bail if the defendant misses his or her court date also backs the agreement. Only a person who has been licensed by the Ohio Department of Insurance may post a surety bond.
No person, other than a law enforcement officer, shall apprehend, detain, or arrest a principal on bond, whenever issued, unless that person is qualified, licensed, and appointed as a surety bail bond agent, licensed as a private investigator, or an off-duty peace officer.
Individual Initial Applications
- INDIVIDUAL - INITIAL Surety Bail Bond Applications
- Electronic - Resident Initial Application
- Electronic - Non-Resident Initial Application
- INS3251 - Paper Initial Application
- Checklist for Surety Bail Bond Education, Examination & Other Requirements
Individual Renewal Applications
- INDIVIDUAL - RENEWAL Surety Bail Bond Applications (Effective 1/1/2021, license will expire annually on April 1st)
- Electronic - Resident Renewal Application
- Electronic - Non-Resident Renewal Application
- INS3255 - Paper Renewal Application
- Continuing Education Requirements: Resident individual Surety Bail Bond agents need to complete 7 hours of approved continuing education, 6 of which must be approved as surety bail bond specific and 1 of which must be approved as ethics specific, prior to renewing their license.
Business Entity Initial Applications
- BUSINESS ENTITY - INITIAL Surety Bail Bond Applications
- Electronic - Resident Initial Application
- Electronic - Non-Resident Initial Application
- INS3252 - Paper Initial Application
Business Entity Renewal Applications
- BUSINESS ENTITY - RENEWAL Surety Bail Bond Applications (Effective 1/1/2021, license will expire annually on April 1st)
- Electronic - Resident Renewal Application
- Electronic - Non-Resident Renewal Application
- INS3256 - Paper Renewal Application