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    Title: New Bonding Agency
    Alternate Title: Hold
    Description: Minnesota Judicial Branch
    Subject: Bailbondsmen
    Insurance
    Creation Date: 12/20/2012 2:14:13 PM
    Modification Date: 6/17/2025 9:43:15 AM
    Agency Name: Judicial Branch, Minnesota
    Agency URL: https://www.mncourts.gov
    Agency Description: The Minnesota Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the District (Trial) Courts. The Supreme Court is responsible for the regulation of the practice of law and for judicial and lawyer discipline. As the highest court in Minnesota it promulgates rules of practice and procedure for the legal system in the state.
    Agency Phone: 651-297-7650
    Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://www.mncourts.gov
    Agency Address:
    Minnesota Judicial Center
    25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
    St. Paul, MN 55155


    Unit Name: State Court Administrator's Office (SCAO) -Bail Bonds Program, Court Services Division
    Unit URL:
    Unit Description:
    Unit Phone: 651-297-7650
    Unit Fax:
    Contact person(s): Unit URL:
    Unit Address:

    25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 105
    St. Paul, MN 55155


    Audience: Hold Application URL:
    Renewal URL:
    Versa URL:
    Requirements:

    Review Bail Bond Program

    Overview

    Minnesota district courts allow appearance-only bail bonds to be filed for a defendant’s release from jail in criminal matters. Bail bond agents, bonding agencies, and sureties issuing bail bonds in Minnesota's district courts must be approved by the State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO). Approval is based on the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts Rule 702 and the Bail Bond Procedures

    Once approved by SCAO, agents, agencies, and surety companies may issue bail bonds in any district court throughout the state. Approvals are dependent on appropriate licensing by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Approved agents, agencies, and surety companies are listed on the Approved Bail Bond Agents List Bail bonds issued in the district courts must include a completed copy of CRM702 - Bail Bond for Appearance Only and a surety Power-of-Attorney (POA).

    SCAO also oversees the complaint, review, and suspension processes for approved agents, agencies, and surety companies.

     Important Information for Bonding Agencies and Agents

    Revisions to the Bail Bonds Procedures and CRM702 - Bail Bond for Appearance Only went into effect on October 15, 2018. 
    Revisions include:

    • Addition of the Qualifications, Duties, Roles, and Responsibilities sections.
    • New and updated application procedures for bonding agents, agencies, and surety companies.
    • New and updated Standards of Conduct.
    • Remove the requirement of a witness signature on the form. Rule 702(d) requires the use of this form when issuing a bail bond in Minnesota district courts. CRM702 - Bail Bond for Appearance Only 

    Rules: - Refer to the General Rule of Practice for District Court Rule 702 listed in the Requirements section.

    Statutes:
    Forms:

    Applications and Instructions

    Applications

    All applications will be submitted through the Bail Bond Program Database.


    New Bail Bond Agent Application

    An agent must complete this application if one of the following applies:

       - Applicant has never applied to be a bail bond agent with the Minnesota district courts.
       - Applicant was previously approved, but has been inactive for more than six months.
       - Important: Agent applications can only be completed by the applicant. Agencies and sureties cannot complete an application on behalf of an applicant. 

    Important Reminder: The Criminal Background Check form must be sent directly to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The form and instructions are located on the last page of the New Bail Bond Agent Application.

    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Submitting a New Agent Application
    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Approving a New Agent Application   

    Bail Bond Agency and Surety Applications

    Agencies must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and registered with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State to do business in Minnesota district courts. Surety companies must be registered with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

    Agencies and surety companies must be approved by SCAO to issue bail bonds in Minnesota district courts.

    Complete the Bail Bond Agency and Surety Application if:

    • - An agency or surety company has never applied or been approved by the SCAO.
    • - A previously approved agency or surety company has received a Notice of Renewal from SCAO.
    • - A previously approved agency or surety company has been inactive for three months or more.

    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Submitting a New Agency Application
    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Submitting a New Surety Application

    Bail Bond Agency Change of Surety Appointment Request

    Agents, agencies, and sureties must renew their status every two years. When an agent, agency, or surety receives a Notice of Renewal from SCAO, they must complete and submit the Renewal Application Form to SCAO on or before June 1 of the applicant’s renewal year. 

    Agents, agencies, or sureties who submit a renewal application after June 30 will not be reauthorized to issue bail bonds in Minnesota until their application is approved.

    If an agent does not submit a renewal application, the agent’s name will remain on the Approved Bail Bond Agents List with an expired status for 30 days and will then be removed.

    Important: Agent renewal applications must be completed by the agent, and not by the agency or surety the agent is associated with. 

    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Renewing a Bail Bond Application
    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Approving a Bail Bond Application Renewal

    Renewal Bail Bond Agent, Agency, and Surety Application
     
    Agents, agencies, and sureties must renew their status every two years. When an agent, agency, or surety receives a Notice of Renewal from SCAO, they must complete and submit the Renewal Application Form to SCAO on or before June 1 of the applicant’s renewal year. 

    Agents, agencies, or sureties who submit a renewal application after June 30 will not be reauthorized to issue bail bonds in Minnesota until their application is approved.

    If an agent does not submit a renewal application, the agent’s name will remain on the Approved Bail Bond Agents List with an expired status for 30 days and will then be removed.

    Important: Agent renewal applications must be completed by the agent, and not by the agency or surety the agent is associated with. 


    Change of Bail Bond Agency Application     

    Complete the Change of Bail Bond Agency Application if you are an approved bail bond agent who wants to issue bail bonds for a different bonding agency.

    Bail bond agents changing bonding companies are prohibited from engaging in bail bond work until the submitted application has been approved.

    Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Submitting an Agency Change Application 

    Profile Change Request 

    Approved agents, agencies, and surety companies must have valid contact information on file with SCAO. Contact information includes a valid mailing address, email address, and phone number.

    Complete the Profile Change Request if one of the following applies:

         - The contact information for an agent, agency, or surety changes.

     Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Submitting a Profile Change Request


    Fees:

    No fee for application to State Court Administrator’s Office.


    Period of Issuance:

    Length of Determination:
    Other Info:
    Activity: Attorney
    Lawyer
    License Detail URL:

    Bail Bond Program

    State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO)

    Statewide List of Approved Bail Bond Agents

    Minnesota Judicial Branch

       
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