License & Permit Surety Bonds

Get the bond your license requires — fast, and done right.

Contractors, dealers, notaries, brokers — if a state, city, or licensing board told you to “get bonded,” BF Bond makes it simple. Complete one short application and a licensed agent matches you with the right license or permit bond at a competitive rate. Most bonds are quoted the same business day.

The Basics

What is a license & permit bond?

A license and permit bond is a type of surety bond that many states, cities, counties, and licensing boards require before they’ll issue or renew a professional license or permit. It isn’t insurance for you — it’s a guarantee to the public that you’ll follow the rules that govern your license.

Every bond involves three parties: you (the principal, who buys the bond), the obligee (the government agency that requires it), and the surety (the company that backs the guarantee). You pay a small premium — typically a fraction of the total bond amount — and the bond stays on file with the obligee for as long as your license needs it.

Who Needs One

Common industries & bond types we handle

Bond names and amounts vary by state and obligee — these are some of the most common. Don’t see yours? We write hundreds of license and permit bond types nationwide.

Contractors & Trades

Contractor license bonds, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and specialty trade permit bonds required by state and city licensing boards.

Auto Dealers

Motor vehicle dealer bonds for new, used, and wholesale dealers — a DMV requirement in nearly every state.

Notaries & Professionals

Notary public bonds, insurance adjuster bonds, private investigator and security agency bonds, auctioneer bonds, and more.

Tax & Alcohol Permits

Sales tax bonds, fuel tax bonds, cigarette and tobacco tax bonds, and liquor or alcohol beverage permit bonds.

Transportation & Freight

Freight broker (BMC-84) bonds, motor carrier permit bonds, and DMV-related transportation bonds.

Financial Services

Mortgage broker and lender bonds, collection agency bonds, money transmitter bonds, and finance company bonds.

Retail & Consumer

Health club and membership bonds, telemarketing bonds, travel agency bonds, and pawnbroker bonds.

Something Else?

From ARC travel bonds to utility deposit bonds — if an obligee requires it, we can almost certainly write it. Just ask.

Simple By Design

From application to issued bond in four steps

Apply online

Complete our guided application in about 5 minutes — or save your progress and finish later. No documents needed to start.

We match your bond

A licensed agent confirms the exact bond form and amount your obligee requires and shops our A-rated carriers for your best rate.

Approve your quote

Review your quote — most license and permit bonds are quoted the same business day. Pay securely and you’re set.

Receive & file your bond

We issue your bond and walk you through filing it with the obligee, so your license stays on track — and we’ll remind you at renewal.

Why BF Bond

A bond partner, not a bond vending machine

Since 1949, businesses have trusted BF Bond to get bonding right the first time. When your license is on the line, you don’t want a call center — you want a specialist who knows what your obligee expects and answers the phone when you call.

75+ years of surety expertise

Family-rooted agency guiding businesses through bonding since 1949 — we've seen nearly every obligee requirement there is.

Multiple A-rated carriers

As an independent agency we shop your bond across top-rated sureties, so you get the right form at a competitive premium.

Fast, human service

Same-business-day quotes on most license bonds, and a real licensed agent — not a queue — when you have questions.

Renewals handled for you

We track your bond's renewal date and reach out before it lapses, so your license never gets caught without coverage.

Good To Know

License & permit bond FAQs

How much does a license & permit bond cost?

You pay an annual premium, not the full bond amount. For most applicants the premium is a small percentage of the bond amount — often between 1% and 5% — based on the bond type, the amount your obligee requires, and underwriting factors. Many common bonds cost as little as $100 per year. Submit an application and we’ll give you an exact quote, usually the same business day, with no obligation.

Is a surety bond the same as insurance?

No — and it’s the most common mix-up we see. Insurance protects you; a surety bond protects the public and the obligee. If a valid claim is paid on your bond, the surety expects to be reimbursed by you. The good news: for licensees who follow the rules of their license, bonds simply sit quietly on file year after year.

How fast can I get my bond?

Most license and permit bonds are quoted the same business day, and many can be issued the same day you approve the quote and pay the premium. Larger or more complex bonds can take a little longer. If you’re up against a licensing deadline, call us at (800) 921-1008 and we’ll prioritize it.

Can I get bonded with credit issues or a past bankruptcy?

In most cases, yes. Credit history affects pricing on some bond types, but a low score, past bankruptcy, or old liens rarely means a decline. Because we work with multiple carriers — including programs designed for challenged credit — we can almost always find an option. Answer the surety history questions on the application honestly and we’ll take it from there.

When does my bond renew, and what happens if it lapses?

Most license and permit bonds run for a one-year term and renew annually, though some follow your license cycle. If a bond lapses, the obligee is notified and your license can be suspended — which is why BF Bond tracks your renewal date and contacts you well before it comes due.

What's an obligee, and how do I know what bond I need?

The obligee is the government agency or licensing board that requires your bond — they set the exact bond form and dollar amount. It’s usually named in your license paperwork. Not sure? Just tell us who’s asking for the bond on the application (or give us a call) and we’ll identify the correct form and amount for you.

Your license is waiting. Let's get you bonded.

Five minutes now, and a licensed BF Bond agent takes it from there. Save and finish later if you need to — your progress is kept safe either way.