Types of Surety Bonds — Find the Bond You Need
There are four main categories of surety bonds: license and permit bonds, contract bonds, court bonds, and commercial bonds. Each one protects a different party for a different reason. Use the directory below to find the specific bond your state, court, or contract requires — then get an instant quote.
Not Sure Which Bond You Need?
Start with why you need a bond. The answer points you to the right category.
Getting a business license or permit?
Your state or city requires a bond before they will issue or renew your license. This applies to contractors, auto dealers, mortgage brokers, notaries, and dozens of other professions.
Browse License & Permit Bonds →Bidding on or starting a construction project?
Public projects (and many private ones) require bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds. Federal projects over $150,000 require them by law under the Miller Act.
Browse Contract Bonds →Involved in a court case or managing an estate?
Courts require bonds for appeals, injunctions, and when someone is appointed to manage another person's money or property (executors, guardians, trustees).
Browse Court & Fiduciary Bonds →Need a bond for taxes, customs, or compliance?
ERISA bonds, sales tax bonds, customs bonds, warehouse bonds, and vehicle title bonds fall into this category. These cover specialized business obligations.
Browse Commercial Bonds →Still not sure? Tell us what you need and we will point you to the right bond.
Get Help Finding Your Bond →4 Main Surety Bond Categories
Every surety bond falls into one of these categories
License & Permit
60%+
Largest category by volume. Contractor, notary, auto dealer, freight broker, and other professional license bonds.
Contract
$6.5B+
Highest dollar value. Performance, payment, and bid bonds for public and private construction projects.
Court & Fiduciary
10,000+
Court-ordered bonds per year. Appeal, probate, guardianship, and fiduciary bonds protecting legal proceedings.
Commercial
50+ Types
ERISA, customs, sales tax, warehouse, vehicle title, and other specialized compliance bonds.
Source: Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) market reports. License bonds represent the majority of bond count; contract bonds dominate by premium volume.
License & Permit Bonds
Required by state and local governments before you can get or renew a business license. These bonds protect the public if a licensed professional breaks the rules. Most are affordable and many qualify for instant approval.
View All License & Permit Bonds →Contractor License Bonds
Required in most states before you can pull a contractor license.
Notary Bonds
Required in most states for notaries — protects the public from notary errors.
Auto Dealer Bonds
Required for new and used car dealers in every state.
Freight Broker Bonds
FMCSA-required $75,000 BMC-84 bond for freight brokers.
Permit Bonds
Tied to specific city or county permits like building or encroachment.
Mortgage Broker Bonds
State-required for mortgage brokers and loan originators.
Pest Control Bonds
Required for pest control operators in many states.
Alcohol & Beverage Bonds
Required to manufacture, distribute, or sell alcohol under state ABC/TABC rules.
Public Adjuster Bonds
Required to license public insurance adjusters in most states.
Pawnbroker Bonds
Required to license a pawnshop — protects customers and secures compliance.
Auctioneer Bonds
Required by most states to license auctioneers and auction houses.
Security Guard Bonds
Required for licensed security companies and private security officers.
Private Investigator Bonds
Required to obtain a private investigator license in most states.
Process Server Bonds
Required for licensed process servers who serve legal documents.
Collection Agency Bonds
Required by most states to license debt collection agencies.
DMEPOS Medicare Bonds
Federal $50,000 CMS bond required per NPI for Medicare DMEPOS suppliers.
Legal Document Preparer Bonds
Required to legally prepare legal documents in CA, NV, and AZ without practicing law.
Investment Advisor Bonds
Required by many states for registered investment advisers (RIAs) handling client funds.
Marijuana Business Bonds
Required by state cannabis regulators to license marijuana businesses.
Medicaid Provider Bonds
Required by many states for Medicaid providers billing for services or supplies.
Professional Solicitor Bonds
Required to legally solicit charitable donations on behalf of nonprofits.
Transient Merchant Bonds
Required to legally operate as an itinerant vendor, peddler, or transient merchant.
Third Party Administrator Bonds
Required by state insurance departments for third-party claims administrators.
Travel Agency Bonds
Required "seller of travel" bond for licensed travel agencies in most states.
Oversize/Overweight Permit Bonds
Required by state DOTs for oversize and overweight highway load permits.
Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Bonds
Required to license dealers and finance companies that carry vehicle financing.
Appraisal Management Company Bonds
Required by state appraisal boards to register an AMC.
Manufactured Home Bonds
Required for manufactured and mobile home dealers, brokers, and installers.
Employment Agency Bonds
Required to license employment agencies, staffing firms, and talent recruiters.
Private School Bonds
Required to license private postsecondary and vocational schools — protects student tuition.
Escrow Agent Bonds
Required by state regulators to license independent escrow agents and companies.
Waste Hauling Bonds
Required for licensed waste haulers and refuse collection contractors.
Lottery Bonds
Required by state lotteries before retailers can sell lottery tickets.
Tax Preparer Bonds
California’s $5,000 CTEC bond for paid tax preparers — the only state that requires one.
Registration Service Bonds
Fixed $25,000 California DMV bond for registration service occupational licenses.
Contract Bonds
Required on construction projects to guarantee the work gets done and everyone gets paid. Federal projects over $150,000 require these by law (the Miller Act), and most state and municipal projects have similar rules.
View All Contract Bonds →Performance Bonds
Guarantees the contractor will complete the project per the contract.
Payment Bonds
Guarantees subcontractors and suppliers get paid.
Performance & Payment Bonds
Both bonds issued together — the standard for public construction.
Bid Bonds
Submitted with your bid to guarantee you will honor the price.
Court & Fiduciary Bonds
Ordered by courts or required when someone manages another person's money or estate. These bonds protect beneficiaries, heirs, and parties in legal disputes from financial harm.
View All Court & Fiduciary Bonds →Appeal Bonds
Required to appeal a court judgment — guarantees the original award.
Court Bonds
Ordered by a judge during legal proceedings like attachments or injunctions.
Probate Bonds
Required for executors and administrators of an estate.
Fiduciary Bonds
For guardians, trustees, and others managing someone else's assets.
Public Official Bonds
Guarantees faithful performance of elected and appointed officials handling public funds.
Commercial & Specialty Bonds
A broad category covering tax compliance, employee benefit plans, customs, and other specialized business obligations. If your bond does not fit neatly into another category, it likely falls here.
View All Commercial & Specialty Bonds →ERISA Bonds
Federally required for anyone handling employee benefit plan funds.
Sales Tax Bonds
Required by state tax authorities to guarantee sales tax payments.
Fuel Tax Bonds
Required by state tax authorities for motor fuel distributors and suppliers.
Liquor Tax Bonds
Required by state tax authorities to guarantee alcohol excise tax payments.
Warehouse Bonds
Protects stored goods — required for public warehouse operators.
Financial Guarantee Bonds
Guarantees a financial obligation will be paid as promised.
Vehicle Title Bonds
Needed when a vehicle title is lost, damaged, or has a lien issue.
Temporary Import Bonds
Required by U.S. Customs for goods temporarily imported into the country.
Money Transmitter Bonds
Required for licensed money transmitters and payment companies through NMLS.
Talent Agency Bonds
Required for licensed talent and modeling agencies that collect client fees.
Health Club Bonds
Protects prepaying members if a gym or studio closes before delivering services.
Insurance Broker Bonds
Required by state insurance departments to license insurance brokers and agents.
Mortgage Lender Bonds
Required by state regulators for licensed mortgage lenders and servicers.
Tobacco Tax Bonds
Required by state tax authorities for cigarette and tobacco distributors.
Utility Deposit Bonds
Replaces cash utility deposits for businesses opening commercial utility accounts.
Wage & Welfare Bonds
Guarantees union wage and benefit fund contributions under collective bargaining agreements.
Official Government Bond Resources
Authoritative information on surety bond requirements
Official list of Treasury-certified surety companies authorized to write federal bonds
Federal surety bond guarantee programs for small businesses
Watch: Surety Bonds 101: Every Type Explained in 10 Minutes (2026)
Every type of surety bond explained in plain English — contract, license, court, and commercial — so you know exactly which one you need before you buy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Surety Bond Resources
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and verified before publication. BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-certified, A-minimum rated surety carriers serving all 50 states.
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