Hunting and Fishing License Agent ($10,000) Bond - Statewide in Alabama

Brief Summary

A hunting and fishing license agent in Alabama handles state license inventory and public money for the county, and the indemnity bond is what makes a probate judge or license commissioner comfortable handing over blank licenses to a retailer. The $10,000 bond on this page is a one page filing with the county office, the premium is a small fraction of the penal sum, and most bait shops and sporting goods stores are quoted the same day.

Alabama lets a retailer that sells hunting and fishing equipment be appointed as a special agent to issue state hunting and fishing licenses, but only after it files an indemnity bond with the county judge of probate or license commissioner who appoints it. Under Code of Alabama 9-11-39 and 9-11-40 the bond is written by a surety authorized in Alabama, is payable to the probate judge or license commissioner, and protects that official for the licenses issued to the agent and the fees the agent collects. The bond on this page is written for $10,000.

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How to Apply for a Hunting and Fishing License Agent ($10,000) Bond:

• Confirm you qualify under Code of Alabama 9-11-38: a business selling hunting and fishing equipment located at the county seat.
• Apply in writing to the judge of probate or license commissioner of your county for appointment as a special agent.
• Ask that office for the required bond amount and whether it uses a prescribed form. The bond on this page is written for $10,000 and the statutory minimum is $1,000.
• Complete the surety application with the business name exactly as it appears on the agent application and the owner's name, address and Social Security number for the credit review.
• Pay the premium and receive the executed indemnity bond naming the judge of probate or license commissioner as obligee.
• File the bond with the county office. Appointment follows receipt of the application and bond, after which the office furnishes blank licenses.

Detailed Information About the Alabama Hunting and Fishing License Agent ($10,000) Bond:

The obligee is the county, not the Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources runs the license system and prints the licenses, but it is not the party that appoints a special license agent or holds the bond. Under Code of Alabama 9-11-38 a person, firm or corporation applies in writing to the judge of probate or the license commissioner of the county, and under 9-11-40 the indemnity bond is made payable to that judge of probate or license commissioner to protect him for the licenses he issues to the special agent. Write the bond to the county official who is appointing you, using that person's exact title, and confirm the required penal sum with that office before the bond is issued. The statute sets the floor at $1,000. The bond offered on this page is written for $10,000.

Who can be appointed

Section 9-11-38 limits special agent status to applicants engaged in the business of selling hunting and fishing equipment who reside at the county seat where the courthouse is located. Once appointed, the agent may issue all resident and nonresident hunting and fishing licenses to anyone who meets the legal requirements for the license, the same as the probate office itself.

What the bond guarantees

Section 9-11-39 requires an indemnity bond from a responsible bonding company authorized to do business in the State of Alabama, and directs the probate judge or license commissioner to appoint the applicant promptly once the application and bond are received. Section 9-11-41 provides for blank licenses to be furnished to the agent, and 9-11-42 sets the agent's duties, including remitting the fees collected to the probate judge or license commissioner. The bond answers for lost or unaccounted license stock and for fees that were collected from the public but never turned in. It is an indemnity bond for the county official, not a guarantee to the license buyer.

How licenses are sold today

Outdoor Alabama directs the public to buy licenses online at MyOutdoorAlabama.com or in person at license agent locations, and the point of sale system is supported by Tyler Technologies. A retailer that wants to be an in person agent still goes through the county probate judge or license commissioner for appointment and files the bond there. Ask that office whether it has its own bond form or will accept a standard surety form naming it as obligee.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Alabama Hunting and Fishing License Agent ($10,000) Bond:

• A surety company authorized to do business in the State of Alabama.
• Indemnity bond payable to the judge of probate or license commissioner of the appointing county, with the bond on this page written for $10,000.
• Principal named exactly as the business applying for appointment.
• Bond conditioned on accounting for license stock furnished to the agent and remitting all fees collected to the county official.
• Owner credit review, which sets the premium rate rather than eligibility at this bond size.

Alabama Hunting and Fishing License Agent ($10,000) Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Alabama Hunting and Fishing License Agent ($10,000) Bond: