Bail Bond Agency

1. Are paper Appointments accepted?
   Yes, only for Bail bond appointments
2. What are the requirements to be a bail bond agency? Bail bond agencies must be owned only by licensed and appointed bail bond agents and the agency must file the name of the agency with the department, along with the name and license number of the bail bond agent designated as the primary bail bond agent. In addition, the agency must be open and accessible to the public for at least 8 hours during the normal work day, which is defined as 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
3. Do I need a sign for my agency? Yes. The sign must be visible from the street to identify the location of your agency to the public. If your agency is located in a corporate office building, the agency must be listed in the building’s business directory.
4. Does my agency address need to be in my advertisement? Yes. Florida Statutes §648.44 requires the full street address of the bail bond agency to be in every advertisement for that agency, including the business cards for bail bond agents working with the agency. This address must be the same address that is on file with the department.
5. Can I use the word “FREE” in my agency name? No. Florida Statutes §648.44 prohibits the use of the word “free” in any bail bond agency name. It also prohibits the agency from using any wording that implies a reduced premium rate.
6. Do I need a different primary bail bond agent for each agency I own? Yes.
7. Do I need a different primary bail bond agent for each location of my bail bond agency? Yes.
8. Where can I find the primary bail bond agent designation form? On the forms page. The "Designation or Deletion of Primary Bail Bond Agent" form is #DFS-H2-1541.
9. What are the requirements for a primary bail bond agent? The primary bail bond agent designated at an agency must be a licensed and appointed bail bond agent working at the same address as the named agency. A bail bond agent may be designated as the primary bail bond agent for only one bail bond agency.
10. How do I change the address of my agency? The agency address must be corrected using the
    Designation or Deletion of Primary Bail Bond Agent" form (#DFS-H2-1541), which is located on the forms page.
11. Can I use an outside bail bond agent to assist with performing apprehensions or pick-ups for my agency? Yes. However, the agent you select must be a licensed and appointed bail bond agent.
12. Can I use a bounty hunter to assist with performing apprehensions or pick-ups for my agency? No. Bounty hunters are not permitted in Florida. (See Florida Statutes §648.30)
13. How long must the agency keep records? Records must be kept for at least 3 years after the liability on the bond has been terminated.
14. How do I close my bail bond agency? To close your bail bond agency, you must first contact all insurers you represent. Advise them of your decision and ask them for guidance on the proper handling of the records for the bonds issued for their company. Then send a letter to the department advising of the date your agency will close and the location of your agency’s records. This letter must also advise the department of the location of the collateral accepted by your agency and how consumers will receive the return of their collateral at the conclusion of their cases. The letter of termination should be mailed to:
    Florida Department of Financial Services
    Bureau of Investigation, Bail Bond Section
    200 East Gaines Street
    Tallahassee FL 32399-0320
    
15. What happens if the bail bond agency owner dies? The personal representative or legal guardian may be issued a temporary permit to manage the affairs of the bail bond agency for up to a maximum of 24 months. The person receiving the permit may not act as a bail bond agent, and they must file a revised designation of primary bail bond agent form to identify the bail bond agent in charge of that agency.
16. What if I have other questions not listed above? Questions may be emailed to Bailbond@myfloridacfo.com.

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