Tex. Local Gov’t Code ch. 82-86 · Gov’t Code ch. 604

Texas Public Official Bond: County Office Bonds

Elected county officials in Texas must post an official bond before taking office. A surety company provides that bond. Tell us your office and county and we will work on your quote. You pay only when your bond is issued.

Rules as of Sep 30, 2026

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Last updated: October 4, 2026|General Texas public official bond information — confirm current requirements with the licensing authority.

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Quick answer

Elected county officials in Texas must post an official bond before taking office, and a surety company provides it. The commissioners court sets the exact amount within the statutory limits for each office. You pay a premium that is a small percentage of the bond amount, not the full amount; the surety sets the final price.

Who requires it: The county commissioners court, which approves the sheriff, constable, county treasurer and county clerk bonds under Tex. Local Gov’t Code chapters 82, 83, 85 and 86.
Amount: Sheriff $5,000 to $30,000; constable $500 to $1,500; county treasurer up to 0.5% of the largest budgeted general M&O amount, between $5,000 and $500,000; county clerk at least 20% of the maximum fees collected, between $5,000 and $500,000.
Timing: Same-day submission; most quotes within one business day.

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Texas county official bond amounts by office

Office	Statutory amount	Approved by	Statute
Sheriff	Set by commissioners court, not less than $5,000 or more than $30,000	Commissioners court	LG 85.001
Constable	Set by commissioners court, not less than $500 or more than $1,500	Commissioners court	LG 86.002
County treasurer	Up to 0.5% of the largest budgeted general M&O amount in the preceding term, not less than $5,000 or more than $500,000	Commissioners court	LG 83.002
County clerk	At least 20% of the maximum fees collected in any year of the preceding term, not less than $5,000 or more than $500,000	Commissioners court	LG 82.001

Your county's commissioners court sets the exact amount within these limits. Confirm it before you apply.

Sources: Tex. Local Gov't Code 82.001, 83.002, 85.001, 86.002 (rules as of Sep 30, 2026).

Office by office

Sheriff

Payable to the governor, executed before beginning the duties of office.
Conditioned on faithful performance, accounting for fines, forfeitures and penalties collected, returning process, and repaying county funds illegally paid to the sheriff.
Not void on the first recovery: it can be sued on until the full amount is recovered (LG 85.001).

Constable

Payable to the governor and the governor's successors, conditioned on faithful performance.
The bond and oath are deposited and recorded with the county clerk (LG 86.002).

County treasurer

Requires a surety company authorized to do business in Texas, payable to the county judge (LG 83.002).

County clerk

Four or more good and sufficient sureties, or a surety company authorized in Texas; the county may self-insure instead.
Payable to the county. Deputy clerks and employees also need coverage unless the county self-insures (LG 82.001, 82.002).

Who can be the surety?

Gov't Code 604.002 allows two or more good and sufficient sureties, or a solvent surety company authorized to do business in Texas.
Some offices, such as the county treasurer, require a surety company.
Gov't Code 604.001 requires the bond to be filed with the officer's oath.

More: public official bonds in other states and Texas surety bonds.

How to get your bond

Fill in the short form above with your office and county.
Tell us the amount the commissioners court set.
Review your quote and sign. We shop multiple Treasury-listed surety carriers.
Pay when your bond is issued.
File the bond with your oath and have the commissioners court approve it.

The premium is typically a small percentage of the bond amount per year; the carrier sets the final price. Any price we give is an estimate until your bond is issued.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Texas sheriff bond?

The commissioners court sets the bond amount, between $5,000 and $30,000 (Loc. Gov’t Code 85.001). Your cost is a premium on that amount, quoted as an estimate.

How much is a Texas constable bond?

The amount is set between $500 and $1,500 (Loc. Gov’t Code 86.002).

How is the county treasurer bond amount set?

Up to 0.5% of the county’s largest budgeted general maintenance and operations amount for any fiscal year in the preceding term, but not less than $5,000 or more than $500,000 (83.002).

Does a county clerk always need a bond?

Not always. The county may self-insure in place of the clerk’s bond (82.001). Ask your county first.

Who approves the bond?

The commissioners court approves the sheriff, constable, treasurer and clerk bonds.

Can I use individuals instead of a surety company?

For some offices the statute allows two or more good and sufficient sureties (Gov’t Code 604.002). The county treasurer’s bond requires a surety company (83.002). Check with your commissioners court.

When do I pay?

You pay when your bond is issued.

Do I need the bond before taking office?

Yes. The statutes require the bond before beginning the duties of office (Loc. Gov’t Code 82.001, 83.002, 85.001, 86.002).

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