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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: 8/16/2024 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

    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:

    Bail Bond Program Database

    Applications

    All applications will be submitted through the Bail Bond Program Database. Log in to submit the
    following applications:

    Bail bond agents, agencies, and surety companies must be approved and on the Approved Bail Bond Agents List before issuing bail bonds in Minnesota district courts. See the Minnesota General Rules of Practice, Rule 702(a).

    By submitting an application to the     State Court Administrator's Office (SCAO), you acknowledge that you have read and understand the Bail Bond Program Notices and that you will comply with the requirements after approval. Failure to comply with the Bail Bond Program Notices may result in the denial or revocation of approval.

    Applications are processed when the application is complete and all required documentation is received. Each application form includes a list of required documentation. Approval notifications are sent electronically to the agent, agency, and surety company.

    If you do not understand the information in the Bail Bond Program Notices or you have questions about the application process, contact the Bail Bond Program.

    Bail Bond Program Database

    The Minnesota Judicial Branch has launched a new Bail Bond Program Database. The Bail Bond Program Database allows agents, agencies and sureties to electronically submit applications and update contact information at any time.

    Log in Information:

    The secure log in process includes 4 steps:

    1. Register for a MyCourtMN account
    2. Verify registration via email
    3. Authenticate account with a one-time code
    4. Confirm with second code to login (To be used by existing agents, agencies and sureties)

                          Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Creating a MyCourtMN User Account with Multi-Factor Verification
                            Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Updating MyCourtMN Profile

    Please note, for agencies and sureties, the Authorized Contact should set up a MyCourtMN     account. The Authorized Contact is the person submitting the application and is authorized to act on behalf of the agency or surety. They will receive notifications and certify that all of the information submitted in the application and attachments are true and complete.

    Applications
    All applications will be submitted through the Bail Bond Program Database. Log in to submit the following applications:

    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 three months.

    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     

    Renewal Bail Bond Agent Application

    Approved agents must renew their approval every two years. When an approved agent receives a Notice of Renewal from SCAO, the agent must complete and submit the Agent Renewal Application Form to SCAO on or before June 1 of the applicant’s renewal year. Agents 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.

    Change of Bail Bond Agency Application

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

    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.
                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.

              A new surety is added to a agent’s or agency's information.

                        Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Submitting a Profile Change Request
                               Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Adding Court Involvement Information

    *New* Bail Bond Agency and Surety Application
     
    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.    Forms are available at click on the applications and inst    Bail Bond Program, Forms are available at

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

    Forms are available at Bail Bond Program, click on the applications and Instructions tab.


    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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