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Last updated: General Georgia surety bond information — confirm current requirements with the licensing authority.
Georgia Surety Bonds

Georgia Surety Bonds— Tax Bonds, Biennial Dealer Renewals & More

Georgia stands out for its nonresident contractor tax bond -- a 10% surety bond on every out-of-state contract over $10,000. The state also runs biennial dealer bond renewals, requires some of the largest flat-rate mortgage broker bonds in the Southeast, and is one of the few states that does not require a notary bond at all. We place bonds with Treasury-listed carriers on the form your Georgia agency or court requires.

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Tax bonds, dealer bonds, contractor bonds, and more

Quick answer
Georgia requires out-of-state contractors to post a surety bond of at least 10% of any contract of $10,000 or more. Dealers post $35,000 per location and mortgage brokers post $150,000. Georgia does not require a notary bond.
  • Who requires it: The Georgia Department of Revenue (O.C.G.A. 48-13-32), O.C.G.A. 43-47-8 (dealers) and the Department of Banking and Finance (mortgage brokers).
  • Amount: 10% of the contract price for nonresident contractors (contracts of $10,000 or more), $35,000 dealer, $150,000 mortgage broker.
  • Typical cost (estimate): about 1-3% of the bond amount with good credit. The surety sets the final price.
  • Timing: We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes within one business day.
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Official Georgia Requirements

"Every nonresident contractor... shall be required to post a bond... in a sum equal to at least 10 percent of the contract price."
Georgia Department of Revenue • O.C.G.A. 48-13-32
10%
Nonresident Tax Bond
Of contract value
$35K
Dealer Bond
Biennial renewal
$0
Notary Bond
Not required
$150K
Mortgage Broker
Flat amount

Georgia's Nonresident Contractor Tax Bond

The bond that catches most out-of-state contractors off guard. If you are new to surety bonds, start with our overview, or browse every bond type on our surety bonds hub.

How the 10% Tax Bond Works

1
Trigger
Any contract performed in Georgia by a nonresident contractor worth $10,000 or more triggers the requirement under O.C.G.A. 48-13-32.
2
Bond Amount
The bond must equal at least 10% of the contract price. A $200,000 contract requires a $20,000 bond; a $1 million contract requires $100,000.
3
Purpose
Guarantees the nonresident contractor will pay Georgia income taxes on project earnings. Filed with the Georgia Department of Revenue before work begins.
4
Subcontractors
Nonresident subcontractors on contracts exceeding $250,000 may also need a separate sales tax bond based on expected material purchases.

Common Mistake

Out-of-state contractors often confuse this with the separate $25,000 contractor license bond. You may need both -- the license bond for your state credential and the tax bond for each Georgia project.

Premium Estimate

For a $500,000 contract, the bond amount is $50,000. With good credit, expect to pay 1-3% of the bond amount ($500-$1,500) in premium. Use our license bond calculator for a quick estimate.

Georgia Bonds by Regulatory Agency

Georgia bond requirements are spread across multiple agencies. Here is where each bond is filed and what it costs.

Secretary of State -- Professional Licensing Boards

Contractor License Bond$25,000

One of several financial responsibility options under O.C.G.A. 43-41-1. Filed with the State Licensing Board for Contractors.

Auctioneer Bond$20,000

Required for licensed auctioneers. Apprentice auctioneers need a separate $5,000 bond.

Private Detective / Security$25,000

Required under O.C.G.A. 43-38-5 for private investigators and security guard companies.

Department of Revenue

Used Motor Vehicle Dealer$35,000

O.C.G.A. 43-47-8. Biennial license renewal every March 31 of even years. Required per location.

Parts Dealer Bond$10,000

Required for businesses dealing in used motor vehicle parts.

Nonresident Contractor Tax10% of contract

O.C.G.A. 48-13-32. Applies to contracts over $10,000 by out-of-state contractors.

Sales Tax BondMin $5,000

Required by DOR for businesses with sales tax collection obligations.

Vehicle Title Bond2x value

O.C.G.A. 40-3-28. Must equal twice the vehicle value (min $5,000). 4-year term.

Department of Banking and Finance

Mortgage Broker Bond$150,000

O.C.G.A. 7-1-1003.2. Flat amount -- among the highest in the Southeast.

Mortgage Lender Bond$250,000

Higher than the broker bond. Filed with DBF for Georgia mortgage lender licensure.

Money Transmitter Bond$250K-$2M

O.C.G.A. 7-1-684. Amount scales with transaction volume. One of the highest ranges in the region.

Other State Agencies

Public Adjuster Bond$5,000

O.C.G.A. 33-23-43.1. Filed with the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

Surplus Lines Broker$50,000

O.C.G.A. 33-5-31. Required for brokers placing insurance with non-admitted carriers.

PEO / Employee Leasing2.7% payroll

O.C.G.A. 34-8-172. Greater of $10,000 or 2.7% of total annual payroll.

Postsecondary Education$1M per $10M

O.C.G.A. 20-3-250.10. GNPEC requires $1 million in bonding for every $10 million in tuition revenue.

Pawnbroker Bond$10,000

Required at the local/county level for pawnbroker business licenses.

Biennial Dealer Bond Renewal

Unlike most states with annual renewals, Georgia motor vehicle dealer bonds operate on a two-year cycle under O.C.G.A. 43-47-8. Key details:

  • Renewal date: March 31 of even-numbered years (next: March 31, 2028)
  • Bond amount: $35,000 per location
  • Coverage: Used, new franchise, and wholesale dealers
  • Multi-location: Each dealership location requires a separate $35,000 bond

Georgia Does Not Require a Notary Bond

Georgia is one of a small number of states with no notary bonding requirement. Notary commissions are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court in the applicant's county of residence.

What Georgia Notaries Do Need

  • Application through county Clerk of Superior Court
  • Georgia residency or qualifying office in Georgia
  • Commission filing fee

While no bond is mandated, Georgia notaries may voluntarily purchase errors and omissions insurance. Compare this to neighboring Florida, which requires a $7,500 notary bond, or North Carolina, which requires $10,000.

Georgia Court and Probate Bonds

Set by the presiding judge under O.C.G.A. Title 53

Administrator Bonds

Required when a person dies without a will. Bond amount typically equals the estate value.

Executor Bonds

Required when the will does not explicitly waive the bond requirement.

Guardian Bonds

For guardians of minors or incapacitated persons. Amount set by the court based on ward's assets.

Appeal Bonds

Required to stay enforcement of a judgment during appeal. Usually 125% of the judgment amount.

All Court Bonds Probate Bonds Appeal Bonds Fiduciary Bonds

Atlanta and Local Bond Requirements

Georgia cities and counties can impose bonding requirements that exceed state minimums. Atlanta and Augusta are the most common.

City of Atlanta

  • 100% of contract value for projects over $20,000
  • Both performance and payment bonds typically required
  • Applies to both public and permitted private construction

City of Augusta

  • Commercial contractors: $20,000 bond
  • Residential contractors: $15,000 bond
  • Specialty trades: $5,000 bond

Other Georgia cities -- including Savannah, Columbus, and Macon -- may have their own bonding ordinances. Contact us for local requirements.

How to Get Your Georgia Surety Bond

1

Identify Your Bond

Determine which agency requires your bond and the exact amount. Georgia bonds range from $5,000 (sales tax) to $2 million (money transmitter). We help you identify the correct bond for your license or project.

2

Apply and Get Quoted

Submit your business details and we match you with Treasury-listed sureties licensed in Georgia. Most bonds are quoted within one business day. Nonresident tax bonds require contract details; PEO bonds require payroll figures.

3

Receive and File

Your bond is issued on the form accepted by the relevant Georgia agency -- SOS, DOR, DBF, or court. We email it as soon as the carrier issues it, or mail the original for filing.

Serving All 159 Georgia Counties

Atlanta
Augusta
Columbus
Macon
Savannah
Athens
Sandy Springs
Roswell
Johns Creek
Albany
Warner Robins
Alpharetta

Georgia Surety Bond Questions

Covering tax bonds, dealer bonds, and Georgia-specific rules

What is Georgia's nonresident contractor tax bond?
Under O.C.G.A. 48-13-32, any nonresident contractor performing work in Georgia on a contract of $10,000 or more must post a surety bond equal to at least 10% of the contract price with the Georgia Department of Revenue. The bond guarantees the contractor will pay Georgia income taxes on project earnings. For example, a $500,000 contract requires a $50,000 bond. This is separate from the contractor license bond and must be filed before work begins.
Why does Georgia auto dealer bond renewal happen every two years?
Georgia used motor vehicle dealer licenses run on a biennial cycle ending March 31 of even-numbered years, and the bond runs concurrently with the licensing period. The $35,000 bond is required per location under O.C.G.A. 43-47-8 and covers used dealers, new franchise dealers, and wholesale dealers. Because the renewal is not annual, dealers must plan for a two-year premium payment and ensure their bond remains active through the full cycle to avoid license suspension.
Does Georgia require a notary bond?
No. Georgia is one of a handful of states that does not require notaries public to obtain a surety bond. Notary commissions are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court in the applicant's county of residence. While no bond is mandated, notaries may voluntarily purchase errors and omissions insurance to protect against claims arising from notarial acts.
How does the Georgia contractor license bond differ from other states?
Georgia gives contractors a choice for proving financial responsibility under O.C.G.A. 43-41-1. A $25,000 surety bond is just one of several options -- contractors can alternatively show $25,000 in net worth, provide a bank credit reference with 24 months of history, a $25,000 line of credit, or a $25,000 letter of credit. Most applicants who cannot meet the net worth requirement choose the surety bond because it requires the least capital upfront.
How much is the Georgia mortgage broker bond?
Georgia requires mortgage brokers to post a flat $150,000 surety bond under O.C.G.A. 7-1-1003.2, filed with the Department of Banking and Finance. Mortgage lenders face an even higher requirement of $250,000. These are among the largest flat-rate bond amounts of any state for mortgage professionals. Premiums typically range from 1-5% of the bond amount depending on credit and financials.
What bond do Georgia money transmitters need?
Under O.C.G.A. 7-1-684, Georgia money transmitters must post a surety bond ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000. The exact amount depends on transaction volume and is determined by the Department of Banking and Finance. The bond protects consumers if the transmitter fails to deliver funds. This is one of the highest money transmitter bond ranges in the Southeast.
What is a Georgia PEO/employee leasing bond?
Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) operating in Georgia must post a surety bond equal to the greater of $10,000 or 2.7% of their total annual payroll under O.C.G.A. 34-8-172. For a PEO with $10 million in payroll, this means a $270,000 bond. The bond protects employees against the PEO's failure to pay wages, taxes, or benefits on behalf of client companies.
Does Atlanta require separate contractor bonds?
Yes. The City of Atlanta requires contractors working on projects exceeding $20,000 to post a surety bond equal to 100% of the contract value. This is in addition to the state-level contractor license bond. Augusta has its own requirements as well -- $20,000 for commercial contractors, $15,000 for residential, and $5,000 for specialty trades. Always verify local bonding requirements before bidding on municipal projects.
How do I get a Georgia surety bond?
Request a quote with the form on this page. A licensed agent submits your application to a Treasury-listed surety carrier; once the carrier issues your bond, file it as the requiring agency directs.
What happens after I apply?
We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes come back within one business day. The carrier decides approval and the final premium, and you pay only when your bond is issued.

Official Georgia Resources

Government sources for Georgia bond requirements

Georgia DOR -- Nonresident Contractor Requirements

Official guide to the 10% nonresident contractor tax bond and filing procedures

Georgia SOS -- Contractor Licensing Board

Licensing requirements, bond forms, and financial responsibility options

Georgia DBF -- Mortgage Licensure

Mortgage broker ($150K) and lender ($250K) bond requirements

GAC 40-30-3 -- Contractor Bond Rules

Administrative rules governing bond cancellation and 30-day notice requirements

U.S. Treasury Surety Bond List

Federal listing of Treasury-listed surety companies authorized to write bonds for U.S. government contracts

Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.

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Georgia Bond Pages at a Glance

The most-requested Georgia bonds each have a dedicated page. Start with the one your license, contract or court order names.

BondTypically required for
Georgia contractor license bondContractor licensing and registration
Georgia performance bondPublic and private construction contracts
Georgia auto dealer bondMotor vehicle dealer licensing
Georgia probate bondExecutors, administrators and guardians appointed by a court
Georgia freight broker bondProperty brokers registering with FMCSA
Georgia mortgage broker bondMortgage broker and lender licensing

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Other Georgia Bonds

Additional surety bonds available in Georgia

Georgia Contractor License Bond

Contractor licensing

Georgia Auto Dealer Bond

DMV dealer licensing

Georgia Mortgage Broker Bond

NMLS mortgage licensing

Georgia Performance Bond

Construction & service contracts

Georgia Probate Bond

Executors, administrators & guardians

Georgia Freight Broker Bond

FMCSA broker authority

Nearby States

Surety bonds in neighboring states

Alabama Surety Bond

Alabama requirements, statute, and bond amount

Florida Surety Bond

Florida requirements, statute, and bond amount

North Carolina Surety Bond

North Carolina requirements, statute, and bond amount

South Carolina Surety Bond

South Carolina requirements, statute, and bond amount

Tennessee Surety Bond

Tennessee requirements, statute, and bond amount

More Georgia bond requirements

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Tax bonds, dealer bonds, contractor bonds, mortgage bonds, and court bonds -- written on the form your Georgia agency requires

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