Bail Bond Program

Overview

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 Active Bail Bond Agent and Agency Report. 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 go 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.
• Revisions to CRM702 - Bail Bond for Appearance Only 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.

 

Statewide List of Approved Bail Bond Agents
 

The Approved Bail Bond Agents List includes all agents, agencies, and surety companies approved by the State Court Administrator's Office (SCAO) to issue bail bonds in Minnesota district courts. If an agent, agency, or surety company is not listed they are not allowed to issue bail bonds in district courts.

All bonding privileges are subject to renewal according to the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts, Rule 702(a).

The Bail Bond Procedures set bail bond program policies that are applicable to applicants, agents, agencies, and surety companies.

Bail Bond Procedures - effective 03/01/2022 (pdf)

The Bail Bond Program Notices are applicable to all bail bond agents, agencies, and surety companies and provide guidance on notification requirements set by the Bail Bond Procedures.

If you have questions about the Program Notices or Procedures, contact the Bail Bond Program.

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.

Please watch the training video below and refer to the Quick Reference Guides listed on this page for assistance in navigating the system. 

Bail Bond Program Database Training Video
 

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)

Important Note: If you are an existing agent, agency, or surety, you need to confirm your account with the confirmation code sent to you by email during the week of August 15th, 2022. Do not create a new profile in the database. If you need your confirmation code to be sent to again, then contact the Bail Bond Program via the Contact Us form on this page.

Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Creating a MyCourtMN User Account with Multi-Factor Verification
Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Logging in, Resetting a Password and Updating a Profile
                 
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.

 

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: Agent applications can only be completed by the agent. Agencies and sureties cannot complete an application on behalf of an agent. 

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   
 

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.

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

Renewal Bail Bond Agent, Agency, and Surety Application

Agents, agencies, and sureties must renew their status every two years. When an agent, agency, or surety receives a Notice of Renewal from SCAO, they must complete and submit the Renewal Application Form to SCAO on or before June 1 of the applicant’s renewal year. 

Agents, agencies, or sureties 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.

Important: Agent renewal applications must be completed by the agent, and not by the agency or surety the agent is associated with. 

Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Renewing a Bail Bond Application
Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Approving a Bail Bond Application Renewal

Change of Bail Bond Agency Application

Complete the Change of Bail Bond Agency application if any of the following applies:

• You are an approved bail bond agent who wants to issue bail bonds for a different bonding agency.
• You are an approved bail bond agent who wants to add or remove a surety association. Remember you must have at least one valid surety assocation in order to issue bail bonds in Minnesota. 

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

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.

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

 

How do I know if someone is approved to issue bail bonds in Minnesota district courts?

Bail bond agents, agencies, and sureties approved to issue bail bonds in Minnesota district courts are listed on the Approved Bail Bond Agents List. The list is used to verify an agent's approval to issue bail bonds and to verify the agency and surety for whom the agent is authorized to issue bail bonds.

 

How do I become a bail bond agent in Minnesota?

Individuals must obtain approval from the State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO) to issue bail bonds in Minnesota districts courts as a bail bond agent. Applicants must obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, submit a New Bail Bond Agent Application through the new Bail Bond Program Database, and a criminal background check from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Applicants must also maintain a bonding agency affiliation and at least one surety appointment to be considered for approval.

I am an approved bail bond agent. Why is my name not listed on the Approved List?

Bail bond agent names may be removed for various reasons, including:

• Failure to meet Bail Bond Agent Qualifications (Bail Bond Procedures, section III)
• Expired approval status
• Loss of Department of Commerce licensure
• Loss of sole surety appointment
• Disciplinary sanctions

I have a criminal history. Can I be approved to work as bail bond agent?

SCAO requires each agent applicant to submit a criminal background check report from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. SCAO staff review criminal history reports along with the other application materials to determine whether an agent’s application should be approved or denied. Criminal convictions are not a basis for automatic denial, but are factored into the application decision. Standards for Denial of bail bond applications are provided in Section V.A.4. of the Bail Bond Procedures.
 

What are the Standards of Conduct for agents and agencies?

Bonding agencies, agents and surety companies are expected to conduct themselves ethically and professionally while doing business with the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Each has a responsibility not only to the defendants, defendant’s families and the courts, but also to the continuing improvement of bail bond services. Bonding agents, agencies, and sureties are responsible for their personal conduct or the conduct of their agents while conducting bail bond business with and in the courts. The Bail Bond Procedures Standards of Conduct are provided in section VI.

How do I get a bail bond agency approved to issue bonds in Minnesota district courts?

Bonding agencies must obtain approval from the SCAO to issue bail bonds in Minnesota districts courts as a bonding agency. To apply, bonding agencies must obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and submit a New Agency Application through the new Bail Bond Program Database. Applicants must maintain at least one surety appointment to be considered for approval.

How do I change bail bond agencies?

Agents must submit a Change of Agency Application Form through the new Bail Bond Program Database to SCAO who will approve or deny the application. A Change of Agency application must be approved before an agent may begin issuing bail bonds for the new bonding agency.

What information am I required to report to the SCAO?

Bail bond agents are required to report changes to their contact information or criminal charges or convictions. Details and timelines for reporting information to SCAO are noted in the Bail Bond Program Notices and required by the Bail Bond Procedures.

How do I file a complaint against an agent or agency?

Complaints related to violations of the Bail Bond Procedures' Standards of Conduct by bail bond agents and bonding agencies, may be submitted to the SCAO according to section VII. Complaints will be evaluated to determine whether the allegations, if true, would constitute grounds for discipline. 

How do I log in to the Bail Bond Program Database?

The secure log in process includes 4 steps:
1.  Register for a MyCourtMN account.
2.  Verify registration via email
Quick Reference Guide (QRG) - Creating a MyCourtMN User Account with Multi-Factor Verification
3. Authenticate account with a one-time code
4. Confirm with second code to login (To be used by existing agents, agencies and sureties)

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.
 

What should I do if I need a disability accommodation?

If you need an accommodation, go to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations page.   
 

Why does my screen reader stop reading?

Please ensure you are using the latest release or version of NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA).  Also, the preferred browser of the Bail Bond Program Database is Google Chrome.
 

I am experiencing issues with “Talk Back” for Android, or “Voice Over” for iOS, what can I do?

Submit a Technical Support Request for help with your Digital Accessibility issue. Include message and contact information and details.