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Bail Bond Program

Access Court Forms

BAIL BOND FORM – APPEARANCE ONLY (also known as FORM 702)

Overview

All bail bond applications, renewals and suspensions are processed through the Minnesota State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO) in accordance with the General Rules of Practice for the District Courts, Rule 702 (Go to: Title VIII: Rules Relating to Criminal Matters, Rule 702).  The purpose of centralizing the bail bond process is to simplify and standardize the approval process.  In practical terms, this means that applicants no longer apply for bonding privileges in each judicial district in the state in which they wish to issue bail bonds.  Once an applicant is approved by SCAO the individual is authorized to write bonds in any court in the state.


Important Information for Bonding Agencies and Agents

From time to time, SCAO will post information here that is important for bonding agencies and agents to know in relation to conducting bail bond business with the Courts.
 
  • Updated Bail Bond Procedures Released Effective April 1, 2010:  The State Court Administrator has implemented revised Bail Bond Procedures which are applicable to all bonding agencies, agents and surety companies.  You may view the procedures by clicking on the Bail Bond Procedures tab.
  • New Form 702 available for use Form 702, also known as the "Appearance Form", has been updated to fit on one page and to include a space to identify the bonding agency associated with the bond.  Rule 702(d) requires the use of this form and it is very important that all agencies and agents begin exclusively using the standard form provided by the courts in order to assure uniformity across the state.
  • Addition to the Application Approval process Effective immediately, SCAO will not approve applications where the agent is not properly appointed by the Surety Company with the Department of Commerce.  Please read this Memorandum for more information.
The following procedures were recently adopted by the Minnesota State Court Administrator and are effective as of April 1, 2010.  The procedures are applicable to all bail bond agencies, agents and surety companies.

Revisions to the Bail Bonds Procedures were added to the Bail Bond Procedures effective August 2014. The revised version of the Procedures is available below:
All approved bail bond agents are identified on this Statewide List of Approved Bail Bond Agents.  Agents approved by one or more judicial districts before February 1, 2005, will be included on the Statewide List of Approved Bail Bond Agents. All bonding privileges shall be subject to renewal in accordance with Rule 702 (a) of the General Rules of Practice.

Statewide List of Approved Bail Bond Agents
 

New Agent Application Form

In accordance with Rule 702 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for District Courts, Title VIII. Rules Relating to Criminal Matters, before procuring bail bonds in the State of Minnesota, agents must complete an application and approval process.  Questions about the application process should be directed to the State Court Administrator's Office (SCAO) at (651) 297-1096. 

Instructions can be found on the first pages of the Application Form.  Applications will not be processed until the entire application is complete and all required documentation is received.  When an application is approved, notification of approval will be sent to the approved agent, the Bonding Agency the agent works for, and the Surety Company(ies) insuring the approved agent.
If you wish to apply to become an approved bail bond agent, please complete the Application Form:

Agent Renewal Application Form

Rule 702(a), as amended effective February 1, 2005, states:  “Approved applicants are required to apply for renewal of approval within a time period (not less than one year) established by the State Court Administrator’s Office.” 

Approval to issue bail bonds is subject to renewal every two years. All agents are assigned to a renewal group. Renewal Group A expires on June 30th of even numbered years and Renewal Group B expires on June 30th in odd numbered years.

Renewal Notices are sent no later than 60 days before the expiration of an agent's approval. The renewal notice is sent to the agent's last known home address on file with SCAO.  Notice is also sent to the agent's bonding company at the bonding company's last known business address on file with the SCAO.

Renewal Application Deadline:  Your renewal application must be submitted to SCAO on or before June 1 of your renewal year for approval of your application prior to the June 30th expiration date.

Consequences of Failure to Submit a Timely Renewal Application:  If you do not submit a timely renewal application, you will not be authorized to issue bail bonds in Minnesota beginning July 1.  Your name will remain on the Approved List showing an “Expired” status for one month, and thereafter will be removed from the list.  In the event that you do not submit a renewal application by June 1, you may be required to complete a New Agent Application Form, including the full BCA criminal background check, in order to obtain approval and have your name included on the Approved List.

 Renewal Instructions and Application Form

Change of Information Form

Approved Agents, Bonding Agencies and Surety Companies are obligated by the Bail Bond Program Notices to promptly advise the SCAO of any changes in information, insolvency, and criminal background. 

The Change of Information Form should be used to inform SCAO of any of the following changes:
  • contact information changes for an agent, Bonding Agency or Surety Company;
  • an agent is changing Bonding Agencies;
  • a new Surety Company is added to an agent or Bonding Agency's record.
Please submit the Change of Information Form to report changes in an agent, agency, or surety’s status to the SCAO.

New Bonding Agency Application Form

In order for a Bonding Agency to be approved to conduct bail bond business in Minnesota District Courts, the Agency must be licensed with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and have registered the Agency name with the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office.  Once the Agency has completed these processes, application can be made to the SCAO.
Bail Bond Agents, Bonding Agencies and Surety Companies must promptly notify the State Court Administrator's Office (SCAO) of changes in information under certain circumstances. 

The Bail Bond Program Notices are applicable to all approved agents, Bonding Agencies and Surety Companies.

The Bail Bond Program Notices also outline the circumstances under which an agent, Bonding Agency or Surety Company may be removed from the Approved List. If you have questions about the Notices, please contact the SCAO using the form on the Contact Us tab.