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.
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.
Bail Bond Agency Change of Surety Appointment Request
Bail Bond agencies that want to add/remove a surety appointment for their agency or agents must complete the Change of Surety Affiliation Form. This form is not available under the agency dashboard in the bail bond database. Attach a list of all agents affected by the change to the form. Include a new QPOA for each agent if adding a new surety appointment. This form must be completed by agencies only.
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.
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:
No fee for application to State Court Administrator’s Office.
State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO)
Statewide List of Approved Bail Bond Agents
