Surety Bond Encyclopedia

Private Investigator ($25,000) Bond - City of Montgomery, AL in Alabama

Brief Summary

Before you buy a $25,000 bond for Montgomery, check one thing. Alabama law limits what a city can demand from a state licensed private investigator, and that may change what you actually need to file. If the City of Montgomery still asks for this bond in your situation, it can be issued quickly for an annual premium.

This $25,000 bond is listed for private investigators working in the City of Montgomery, with the city as obligee. Since 2013, Alabama Code 34-25B-19(a) has said no licensee or applicant under the Alabama Private Investigation Regulatory Act shall be required to post a bond in any municipality, county or other political subdivision to engage in activity regulated under that chapter. The city may still charge a business license fee or occupational tax. Confirm with the City of Montgomery whether it requests this bond from you before it is issued.

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How to Apply for a Private Investigator ($25,000) Bond:

Hold a current license from the Alabama Private Investigation Board.
Obtain or renew a City of Montgomery business license.
Ask Montgomery License and Revenue whether the city requests this bond from you, given Ala. Code 34-25B-19.
If the city requests it, get the current bond form and apply in the exact name on your license.
Pay the premium and file the executed $25,000 bond with the city.

Detailed Information About the Alabama Private Investigator ($25,000) Bond:

Start with the state statute

Private investigators in Alabama are licensed by the Alabama Private Investigation Board under Chapter 25B of Title 34, the Alabama Private Investigation Regulatory Act, enacted by Act 2013-306. Section 34-25B-19 deals directly with local requirements:

Subsection (a): no licensee or applicant shall be required to obtain any authorization or license from, or pay any other fee or post a bond in, any municipality, county or other political subdivision of this state to engage in any activity regulated under the chapter.
Subsection (b): a municipality, county or other political subdivision may still impose a bona fide occupational tax or business license fee on a licensee.

In plain terms, a state licensed investigator still pays Montgomery's business license, but the state statute speaks directly to a city bond for investigative work. Since 2023, investigation agencies are also licensed by the Board under Article 2 of the same chapter.

Security work is treated the same way

If your business provides contract security officers rather than investigations, a different chapter applies. Alabama Code 34-27C-18 bars local governments from enacting legislation on contract security companies or security officers other than a bona fide business or occupational tax, and says the state chapter supersedes conflicting local ordinances.

When this bond is used

The bond names the City of Montgomery as obligee and guarantees that the principal will conduct business in line with the law and the terms of any city license, paying valid claims up to $25,000. Call Montgomery License and Revenue at 334.625.2036 and ask whether the city requests this bond from you, and on what form, before the bond is issued.

Premium

When the bond is written, the surety sets the premium after reviewing the applicant, mainly personal credit and licensing history.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Alabama Private Investigator ($25,000) Bond:

City of Montgomery named as obligee.
Bond amount of $25,000.
Name on the bond matching the state license and the city business license.
Personal credit review by the surety.

Alabama Private Investigator ($25,000) Bond FAQs:

I hold an Alabama private investigator license. Can Montgomery make me post a bond?

Alabama Code 34-25B-19(a) says no licensee or applicant shall be required to post a bond in any municipality to engage in activity regulated under the Private Investigation Regulatory Act. Ask the city directly whether it requests this bond from you before you buy it.

Do I still need a Montgomery business license?

Yes. Section 34-25B-19(b) lets a city impose a bona fide business license fee or occupational tax on a licensed investigator.

What if my company provides security officers?

Contract security is covered by Chapter 27C. Alabama Code 34-27C-18 limits local governments to a bona fide business or occupational tax for security companies and officers.

Who licenses private investigators in Alabama?

The Alabama Private Investigation Board, 60 Commerce St., Suite 1440, Montgomery. It licenses individual investigators, apprentices and investigation agencies.