Surety Bond Encyclopedia

Bail Solicitor ($1,000) Bond - Statewide in California

Brief Summary

A bail solicitor needs a $1,000 bond in their own name, even though the employing bail agent's bond already reaches money collected by licensed solicitors. The Department of Insurance will not issue the solicitor license until form LIC 437-11 is filed along with an appointment from the bail agent or bail permittee you will work for.

Under California Insurance Code section 1803, a bail solicitor license cannot be issued until the applicant files a $1,000 bond conditioned on the proper application and disposal of all money the solicitor collects or receives, in favor of the people of the State of California. CDI requires the Bond of Bail Solicitor on form LIC 437-11, executed by a California admitted surety, and an appointment filed by a licensed bail agent or bail permittee.

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How to Apply for a Bail Solicitor ($1,000) Bond:

Arrange employment with a licensed bail agent or bail permittee who will file your appointment.
Complete at least 20 hours of approved bail prelicensing classroom study.
Pass the written examination prepared and administered by the Department of Insurance.
Submit fingerprints, which CDI requires of all unlicensed bail applicants.
Obtain the $1,000 Bond of Bail Solicitor on form LIC 437-11 from a California admitted surety.
File form LIC 431-1, the bond and form LIC 438 with the $622 initial fee and $62 exam fee.

Detailed Information About the California Bail Solicitor ($1,000) Bond:

Two bonds, two layers

A bail solicitor transacts bail as the employee of a bail agent or bail permittee. Insurance Code section 1802(a) already conditions the employing agent's $1,000 bond on the handling of money collected by the agent's licensed solicitors. Section 1803 still requires the solicitor to file a separate $1,000 bond before the license is issued. The employer's coverage does not stand in for yours.

What section 1803 requires

The bond is a flat $1,000 with no tiers. It is conditioned on the proper application and disposal of all money the solicitor collects or receives, and it runs in favor of the people of the State of California. CDI's form is LIC 437-11, Bond of Bail Solicitor, executed by a California admitted surety.

The license also depends on an appointment. A solicitor license will not be issued until a bail agent or bail permittee files an appointment of the solicitor with the Commissioner. The solicitor may transact only the kinds of bail the appointing license holder is licensed to transact, and in every bail matter the law conclusively presumes the solicitor acted for and under the instructions of that license holder. CDI notes that a solicitor working for multiple partnership entities needs a separate LIC 437-23 from each employer, with an additional filing fee for each.

Fees, training and term

CDI lists a $622 initial fee for a two-year license, a $62 examination fee and a $188 renewal fee, plus fingerprint processing fees. Applicants complete at least 20 hours of approved prelicensing classroom study and pass a written exam prepared and administered by the Department. Before each renewal the solicitor needs at least 12 hours of approved continuing education.

Eligibility and Requirements for a California Bail Solicitor ($1,000) Bond:

Flat $1,000 penal sum under Insurance Code section 1803.
Bond runs in favor of the people of the State of California.
Executed by a California admitted surety.
An unrevoked appointment by the employing bail agent or permittee on file with the Commissioner.
At least 12 hours of approved continuing education before each renewal.

California Bail Solicitor ($1,000) Bond FAQs:

My employer's bond already covers solicitors. Do I still need my own?

Yes. Section 1802(a) makes the bail agent's bond cover money collected by the agent's licensed solicitors, but section 1803 separately requires every solicitor applicant to file a $1,000 bond before the license is issued.

Can I write any kind of bail once I am licensed?

No. Your appointment and license let you transact only the undertakings of bail or bail bonds that your appointing license holder is licensed to transact.

What if I work for more than one employer?

CDI says a solicitor working for multiple partnership entities needs a separate LIC 437-23 from each employer, plus an additional filing fee for each one.

Who can cancel the bond?

Only the surety company. CDI states that a licensee or an employer cannot request cancellation of a bail bond on file.

How long does the license last?

Bail licenses are issued for two years. CDI lists a $188 renewal fee, and you need at least 12 hours of approved continuing education before each renewal.