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Bail Bond Agent

License Requirements

In order to obtain a Bail Bond Agent license an individual must be at least 18 years of age; must be deemed by the Commissioner to be competent, trustworthy and financially responsible; have passed a written examination; be appointed by a sponsoring insurer and submit a license application and fees.

Note: a Bail Bond Agent must be approved to act as a surety or on behalf of a surety by the Vermont Court Administrator before he or she can execute a bond or post bail.

Check out the fee schedule for initial or renewal licenses.

How to Apply for a License

Nonresident Application

  • Nonresident Bail Bond Agents who hold a Resident Bail Bond Agents license in their resident state can apply electronically using NIPR.
  • Complete the online application process and pay the relevant fees.
    • If your application is routine, and does not require any additional information, the license is generally issued within 48 hours.
    • If your application is not routine, you will be notified on-line that additional information must be submitted directly by you to the department. All additional information that must be submitted is outlined on the application, and can be faxed to 802-828-1633. Your license application will be reviewed after all required information has been received.
  • Review the Social Security Disclosure (Attachment 1) for your information.

Application Submission Note: A license cannot be issued without an appointment. Only an Insurer is authorized to submit an appointment. You should contact the Insurer that is appointing you so once you submit your application, they can submit the required appointment.

Resident Application

  • Electronic Application
    • Resident Bail Bond Agents who hold a Resident Bail Bond Agents license in their resident state can apply electronically using NIPR.
    • Complete the online application process and pay the relevant fees.
      • If your application is routine, and does not require any additional information, the license is generally issued within 48 hours.
      • If your application is not routine, you will be notified on-line that additional information must be submitted directly by you to the department. All additional information that must be submitted is outlined on the application, and can be faxed to 802-828-1633. Your license application will be reviewed after all required information has been received.
    • Review the Social Security Disclosure (Attachment 1) for your information.
  • Paper Submission

Application Submission Note: The sponsoring Insurer will attach the NAIC Appointment Form to the application and submit it to the department. Once you are licensed, additional Insurers can submit subsequent appointments without any additional documentation from you.

How to Renew Your License

The Bail Bond Agent License term is April 1st to March 31st of odd years. The department will send out renewal notices for existing licensees at the beginning of the odd year. Note: license fees are not prorated and the license term is fixed, regardless of time of application.

Submit your renewal using the third party vendor services of NIPR. Once online, please use the following criteria below to find your license renewal. 

  • Choose renew your license; 
  • Enter your resident state; and
  • Enter your resident state license number.

Note: DFR does not send out a renewed license. A licensee can confirm that their license has been renewed or issued, by checking their License Status. Here you can print a copy of your license information for your records. The department does not require a licensee to possess a paper copy of their license.

Paper Renewals

Paper renewals are only accepted if the electronic renewal option is not available for your license type listed above, or you have requested, and been granted a Hardship Exception to the electronic processing. At the bottom of this page you will find the NAIC Uniform Renewal/Continuation Application. Checks should be made payable to the VT Dept of Financial Regulation. All paper renewal applications must be in our office prior to March 31, 2019. For answers to additional questions, send an email to dfr.producerlicensing@vermont.gov. Please be sure to provide a telephone number where we can contact you.

Submit to: 

Vermont Department of Financial Regulation
Insurance Division – Producer Licensing
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
(802) 828-3303 Telephone
(802) 828-1633 Fax

FAQs

Do I need approval from the Vermont Court Administrator before I begin acting as a Bail Bond Agent?
What is the license term?
What is the renewal fee?
Who must have a Bail Bond Agent license?
Is Vermont an appointment state?
When must a Bail Bond Agent be appointed as an insurer’s agent?
Does Vermont require Bail Bond Agents to have a trust account?

Do I need approval from the Vermont Court Administrator before I begin acting as a Bail Bond Agent?

Yes. See Title 13 §7554a. 

Approval of fidelity companies and agents; duty of court administrator.  The court administrator, after consultation with the Commissioner of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Health Care Administration, may approve an entity that is licensed or authorized under the provisions of Chapter 111 of Title 8, and any agent who is licensed under the provisions of Chapter 131 of Title 8, to act as a surety, or on behalf of a surety, in this state to execute a bond in the form established by the court administrator under subsection 7554(i) of this Title, or post bail as required as a condition of release, and if so approved, the entity or agent shall not need to be approved by any court, judicial officer or any other person. 

What is the license term?

The license term is April 1st to March 31st of odd years. The Department will send out renewal notices for existing licensees at the beginning of the odd year. Note, license fees are not prorated and the license term is fixed, regardless of time of application.

What is the renewal fee?

The 2017 renewal period begins January 5th. See the renewal fee chart.

Who must have a Bail Bond Agent license?

Anyone who intends to sell, solicit or negotiate bail bonds must be licensed as a Bail Bond Agent.

Is Vermont an appointment state?

Yes, Vermont is an appointment state. If an insurer does business with a Bail Bond Agent as its agent, the insurer must appoint the Bail Bond Agent as its agent. Without the appointment, a Bail Bond Agent cannot hold a license.

When must a Bail Bond Agent be appointed as an insurer’s agent?

A Bail Bond Agent must be appointed at the time of application.

Does Vermont require Bail Bond Agents to have a trust account?

Yes. Many transactions involving collateral require a trust account. For more information about trust account requirements see Regulation 95- 1.

For answers to additional questions that have not been addressed in the FAQs above, send an email to dfr.producerlicensing@vermont.gov please be sure to provide a telephone number where we can contact you.

Vermont Department of Financial Regulation
Insurance Division – Producer Licensing
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
(802) 828-3303 Telephone
(802) 828-1633 Fax