View the recordkeeping requirements for bail bond agencies and learn how to self-audit.
Recordkeeping requirements
If you're a bail bond agent or have a bail bond agency, you must:
- Keep all the following types of records for at least 3 years.
- Have these records readily available so we can audit them.
Records you must keep
For an overview of recordkeeping requirements and audit procedures, see Audits and Recordkeeping Procedures.
Financial records
- Bank trust account records
- Duplicate receipt books or receipt journals
- Prenumbered checks
- Check registers or cash disbursement journals
- Validated bank deposit slips
- Reconciled monthly bank statement (client liability versus bank statement)
- All canceled and voided checks
- A transaction folder or file containing a copy of all agreements, invoices, billings, and related correspondence for each transaction
- Records of all collaterals, securities, or monetary instruments received or held in bail bond business transactions
Client records
- Defendant's name
- Application form
- Transaction records, including transaction dates, the amount received, the amount disbursed, current balance, check number, and items covered
- Indemnitor and indemnity agreements
- Premium receipts
- Collateral receipts
- Letters of forfeiture or surrender forms
- Letters of demand and affidavits, if surrendered before a forfeiture occurs
- Any written information or communications that may influence the bail bond or collateral
Bail bond exoneration records
- Court, citation, or case number
- Date the bail was issued
- Defendant's name, address, and telephone number
- Amount of the bond
- Name of the court
- Date of exoneration of the bond
Employee records
- Training and continuing education records for each bail bond agent you employ
Self-audit checklist
Use the Self-Audit Checklist to see if you could pass a recordkeeping audit.