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License · performance · fidelity

Get a surety bond. License. Performance. Fidelity.

Surety bonds guarantee an obligation: a license bond guarantees you will comply with state regulations, a performance bond guarantees you will complete a construction project, a fidelity bond protects against employee theft. State licenses for contractors, transportation, alcohol sales, and many other industries require bonds. We compare quotes from 30+ surety carriers and route to the best fit for your industry and credit profile.

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All 50 states + DC 60-day money-back SOC 2 Type II
How it works

How we handle Surety Bond, end-to-end.

Surety bonds guarantee an obligation: a license bond guarantees you will comply with state regulations, a performance bond guarantees you will complete a construction project, a fidelity bond protects against employee theft.

1

Bond identification

We identify what bond you need: state license bond (state regulation), federal bond (federal contractor or import), performance bond (construction project), fidelity bond (employee theft), other commercial bond.

2

Credit + business profile

Surety underwrites based on personal credit (for small businesses), business financials, and bond type. We collect needed info: credit score, financial statements, business history.

3

Quote from 30+ carriers

We submit to 30+ surety carriers. Different carriers favor different industries and credit profiles. Same-day indicative quotes; binding next day.

4

Bond issuance

After binding, surety issues the bond. Original sent to obligee (state agency, construction project owner, etc.) and copy to you. Some bonds renew annually; some are project-specific.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Pricing

Transparent surety bond pricing.

Government fees pass through at cost. No upsells.

Single bond

$149
One bond filed.

Service fee for one bond. Bond premium passes through (1-5% of bond amount typical). State filing fees pass through.

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Multiple bonds

$299
2-5 bonds coordinated.

Multiple bonds (different states or different types) sourced and filed in parallel. Common for multi-state contractors, multi-license operations.

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Bond program

$999
Annual subscription.

For businesses with multiple ongoing bonds (construction companies, freight brokers, multi-state contractors). Annual renewals, re-quoting, and new bond placement throughout the year.

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FAQ

About the Surety Bond Filing Service.

What is a surety bond?
A surety bond is a guarantee, often required for licensing or contracts, in which a surety company backs your obligation to perform or comply, protecting the party requiring the bond if you fail. Many contractors, license applicants, and businesses must post one. We flag when your business needs a bond and keep your entity organized around it.
When do I need a surety bond?
Commonly when a state license, a government contract, or a regulation requires one, such as for contractors, certain license holders, and some businesses, so it depends on your industry and activities. We flag whether your licensing or contracts require a bond so you post it where it is needed.
How does a surety bond work?
A surety company issues the bond guaranteeing your obligation, and if you fail to perform or comply, a claim can be paid by the surety, which you then must reimburse, so it protects the obligee, not you directly. We flag how the bond works so you understand it is a guarantee you stand behind, not insurance for yourself.
What types of surety bonds are there?
There are license and permit bonds, contract or performance bonds, and various other bond types depending on the requirement, so the bond you need matches the obligation. We flag which type your licensing or contract requires so you obtain the right bond rather than the wrong one.
How much does a surety bond cost?
You pay a premium, typically a percentage of the bond amount based on your credit and risk, so the cost depends on the bond size and your qualifications, and the bond amount is set by the requirement. We flag how bonding requirements fit your situation and coordinate with the surety provider.
Does my business's credit affect bonding?
Often yes: surety companies assess your credit and financials when setting the premium and deciding to issue a bond, so a stronger profile helps, which ties into building business credit. We flag how your business's standing affects bonding so you are prepared when a bond is required.
Is a surety bond the same as insurance?
No: insurance protects you, while a surety bond protects the party requiring it and you must reimburse paid claims, so despite being sold by similar providers, they work very differently. We flag the distinction so you understand a bond is a guarantee you back, not coverage for your own losses.
How does a bond fit with licensing?
Many licenses require a surety bond as a condition, so obtaining the bond is part of getting licensed for certain businesses, especially contractors. We flag your licensing requirements, including any bond, so your business meets all the conditions to be licensed.
Can File.Business help with surety bond requirements?
We keep your entity and licensing organized, flag when your licenses or contracts require a surety bond and what type, and coordinate with the surety provider, so the bonding requirement is handled as part of getting your business properly licensed and set up.

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SOC 2 Type II audited
220,000+ businesses. 60-day money-back. State fees passed through at cost.
Your operating system, not a transaction
Every deadline auto-tracked across your entities. Compliance Score visible year-round.
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No upsells at checkout. State fees disclosed upfront.

Start your business in the next 5 minutes.

No state-fee markup. Pay only the state fee. 60-day money-back guarantee.

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