Skip to main content
BSB
Last Updated:|Reflects current Texas surety bond requirements
✓ 2026 Requirements Verified
Texas Surety Bonds

Texas Surety BondsThe Second-Largest Bond Market

With a $2.4 trillion economy and 3.1 million small businesses, Texas generates massive demand for surety bonds. The state takes a unique approach: no general contractor license or bond at the state level, but TDLR regulates specific trades while 254 counties and hundreds of cities layer on their own rules. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin each run independent contractor licensing systems. Add in $10,000 notary bonds, $25,000 auto dealer bonds, and one of the busiest court bond markets in the country, and Texas requires a surety partner who knows every jurisdiction.

Same-Day Approval
254 Counties
A-Rated Carriers

Get Your Texas Bond

TDLR bonds, city bonds, and all bond types

Trusted Bond Specialists
⚡ Quick Response Guaranteed
Secure|No Obligation|Takes 2 Minutes
Get Your Notary Quote in Minutes
Join thousands who trust us to find the best rates from A- minimum rated carriers

Which describes your situation best?

Instant Bonds Available
24-hour approval
A- minimum rated carriers

Official Texas Requirements

"Each person appointed as a notary public shall execute a bond... in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) payable to the governor."
Texas Secretary of State • Tex. Gov. Code § 406.010
$10K
Notary Bond
$25K
Dealer Bond
254
Counties Served
1 Day
Typical Approval

Most-Requested Texas Bonds

Accepted by TDLR, TxDMV, SOS, and every Texas municipality

Texas Notary Bonds

Starting at $50

Required $10,000 bond for all Texas notaries under Texas Government Code § 406.010. Filed with the Secretary of State for a 4-year commission term.

  • $10,000 bond amount
  • 4-year term
  • SOS filing
  • Instant approval
Get Your Bond

Texas Contractor Bonds

Starting at $100

Texas does not license general contractors at the state level, but TDLR regulates certain trades (electricians, HVAC, plumbers). Cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin add their own contractor bonding.

  • TDLR-regulated trades
  • Houston city bonds
  • Dallas city bonds
  • Austin city bonds
Get Your Bond

Texas Court Bonds

Quote required

Appeal bonds, probate bonds, guardian bonds, and fiduciary bonds for Texas district courts, county courts at law, and probate courts across 254 counties.

  • District courts
  • Probate courts
  • County courts at law
  • 254 counties
Get Your Bond

Texas License & Permit Bonds

Varies by type

Auto dealer bonds ($25,000 per TxDMV), mortgage company bonds, money services bonds, and professional license bonds through TDLR and other state agencies.

  • Dealer bonds ($25K)
  • Mortgage bonds
  • Money services
  • Tax bonds
Get Your Bond

How to Get Your Texas Bond

1

Tell Us What You Need

Provide your bond type, trade, and location. Texas requirements vary by TDLR regulation, TxDMV rules, and local municipality -- we sort it all out.

2

Get Approved Same Day

Notary bonds are instant. TDLR trade bonds, dealer bonds, and contractor bonds are typically quoted and approved the same business day.

3

File and Go

Download your bond certificate formatted for the SOS, TDLR, TxDMV, or local building department. We file on your behalf when needed.

All Texas Bond Categories

Construction Bonds

Court & Fiduciary

Business & Professional

Serving All of Texas

Houston
San Antonio
Dallas
Austin
Fort Worth
El Paso
Arlington
Corpus Christi
Plano
Laredo
Lubbock
Frisco

Texas Surety Bond Questions

TDLR, TxDMV, and municipal bonding rules

Does Texas require a statewide general contractor bond?
No. Texas does not license or bond general contractors at the state level. However, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) does regulate and require bonds for specific trades including electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers. Beyond TDLR, cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth each have their own contractor licensing and bonding requirements that vary by trade and project type.
What trades does TDLR regulate and bond in Texas?
TDLR regulates electricians (master and journeyman), air conditioning and refrigeration contractors, plumbers, and other specialty trades. Each regulated trade has its own bonding or insurance requirement. For example, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors must carry insurance and may need bonds depending on their license class. Check TDLR's website for current requirements for your specific trade.
How much is the Texas notary bond?
Texas requires a $10,000 notary bond under Government Code § 406.010. The bond costs $50-$75 for the full 4-year commission term. No credit check is required and approval is instant. The bond is filed with the Texas Secretary of State as part of your notary application.
What is the Texas auto dealer bond amount?
Texas requires a $25,000 surety bond for motor vehicle dealers, filed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301. This applies to franchised (new) dealers, independent (used) dealers, and wholesale dealers. The bond protects consumers from dealer fraud, failure to transfer titles, and other statutory violations.
Does Houston require separate contractor bonds?
Yes. The City of Houston requires contractors to be licensed and bonded through the Houston Permitting Center. Different trades (general building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) have different bond requirements. Houston is independent from state TDLR requirements, so contractors working in Houston may need both state and city bonds depending on their trade.
Can I get a Texas surety bond with poor credit?
Yes. Notary bonds require no credit check. For TDLR trade bonds, auto dealer bonds, and municipal contractor bonds, applicants with credit scores below 600 can still get approved through specialty sureties. Rates will be higher -- typically 5-10% of the bond amount rather than the 1-3% that applicants with strong credit pay.

Official Texas Resources

Government sources for Texas bond requirements

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Trade licensing, bonding, and insurance requirements for regulated professions

TxDMV -- Dealer Licensing

$25,000 dealer bond requirements and licensing procedures

Written by BuySuretyBonds.com
Surety bond specialists operating nationwide with direct integrations to Treasury-certified surety carriers. Our platform enables instant approval for license and notary bonds, with 24-48 hour underwriting for commercial bonds. All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and reviewed by bond industry experts.

Other Texas Bonds

Additional surety bonds available in Texas

Texas Notary Bond

Notary public bond

Texas Contractor License Bond

Contractor licensing

Texas Auto Dealer Bond

DMV dealer licensing

Get Your Texas Surety Bond Today

Notary bonds, TDLR trade bonds, dealer bonds, and every Texas bond requirement

Get Your Quote Talk to a Specialist