How to find a licensed bondsman
Skip the billboards and sponsored results. The authoritative source is the county Bail Bond Board's approved list, which only includes bondsmen the board has licensed.
In Texas, bail bond sureties are licensed and regulated at the county level under Occupations Code Ch. 1704. A county with a population of 110,000 or more must have a Bail Bond Board (§1704.051), and that board is required to keep and make available a list of licensed bondsmen (§1704.105). That approved list is the single best place to start, because a name on it is, by definition, currently licensed and accountable to the board.
- Identify the countyFind out which county jail is holding the person. Bonds are written for a specific county's court, so you need the bondsman who is licensed in that county — a Collin County bondsman cannot bond someone out of the Dallas County jail.
- Open that county's approved listUse the county grid below to open the board's approved list of bondsmen. Some counties post it online; others give it out by phone through the board or Sheriff's office.
- Confirm the bondsman is on itMatch the company or individual name to the list before you discuss money. If a bondsman is not on the county's list, treat that as a red flag.
- Get the terms in writingAsk for the total premium, any fees, the collateral required, and a written receipt (§1704.305) before you hand over anything.
Why “licensed” matters
A license is not a formality. It means the bondsman has met financial and character requirements and answers to a county board — and that the board can act if something goes wrong with your money.
To hold a license under Ch. 1704, a bondsman must meet experience, character, and financial requirements and post security with the county. Just as important, a licensed bondsman is bound by the statute's rules of conduct. Section 1704.304 prohibits a range of conduct designed to protect people in a vulnerable moment, including:
- Using “runners” or other people to solicit bonding business on the bondsman's behalf in unauthorized ways.
- Soliciting at the jail or in courthouse areas where the law restricts it, or recommending a particular attorney in exchange for business.
- Giving anything of value to a jail or law-enforcement employee to steer bond business.
If an unlicensed operator takes your money and disappears, or refuses to return collateral you are owed, you have no county board to file a complaint with — your only path is civil court. With a licensed bondsman, the Bail Bond Board provides a complaint and discipline process (§1704.251–.254). For what a bondsman can and cannot do and how to push back, see our guide on complaints and your rights against a bondsman.
Find a bondsman by county
Each of these 13 DFW-area counties has a Bail Bond Board. Open your county's board and approved list below, then cross-check the bondsman's name. Where no public list is posted, the board or Sheriff's office can confirm licensure by phone.
| County | Bail Bond Board | Approved list | FCA county hub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collin | Board page | Contact board — or see the full Collin County bail bonds directory | /collin-county/ |
| Dallas | Board page | Contact board (214-653-2756) | /dallas-county/ |
| Denton | Board page | Online list | /denton-county/ |
| Tarrant | Board page | Contact board | /tarrant-county/ |
| Rockwall | Contact the county Bail Bond Board / Sheriff | Contact the county / Sheriff | /rockwall-county/ |
| Kaufman | Board page | Approved companies (PDF) | /kaufman-county/ |
| Ellis | Board page | Contact board | /ellis-county/ |
| Johnson | Contact the Bail Bond Board / District Clerk | Contact the county / Sheriff | /johnson-county/ |
| Hunt | Board page | Bail bond companies | /hunt-county/ |
| Parker | Contact the board (817-596-9200) | Approved bonding companies (PDF) | /parker-county/ |
| Wise | Board page | Contact board | /wise-county/ |
| Hood | Board page | Licensed bondsmen | /hood-county/ |
| Grayson | Board page | Contact board (903-813-4200) | /grayson-county/ |
The full statewide pillar — bail & bonds in North Texas — and the dedicated county Bail Bond Boards directory collect every board, approved-list, complaint, and Sheriff-bond link in one place if you want the full reference.
What to ask before you sign
A bond agreement is a contract, and the indemnitor (co-signer) takes on real financial risk. Get clear answers and a written agreement before any money changes hands.
Once you have confirmed a bondsman is licensed in the right county, the conversation is about terms. Bring these questions, and do not rely on verbal promises:
- What is the total premium and are there other fees?
- The premium is typically 10–15% of the bond amount. Confirm the exact figure and whether there are additional charges (posting, transfer, or payment-plan fees) on top of it.
- Exactly what collateral do you require?
- Collateral can be cash, a vehicle title, or property. Confirm what is required, how it is documented, and the condition for getting it back.
- How and when is collateral returned?
- By §1704.301, collateral must be returned within 30 days after the bond is discharged. Get that commitment in writing.
- What happens if the defendant misses court?
- Understand the indemnitor's exposure if the bond is forfeited and what the bondsman will do (for example, surrender the defendant). See forfeiture & co-signer liability.
- Will I get a written receipt?
- Yes — §1704.305 requires the bondsman to give a receipt. If a bondsman refuses, walk away.
Alternatives: cash bond, PR bond, and attorney bond
A surety bondsman is one route out of jail, but not the only one. Depending on the charge and the court, a cash bond, a personal bond, or an attorney bond may be a better fit.
Hiring a surety bondsman makes sense when you cannot post the full bail amount in cash. But it is worth knowing the alternatives, because each has a different cost and refund profile:
| Option | How it works | Cost / refund |
|---|---|---|
| Surety bond | A licensed bondsman posts the full bond for a fee; you (and any co-signer) sign an indemnity agreement. | Premium of ~10–15% — non-refundable; collateral returned per §1704.301 |
| Cash bond | You post the full bond amount directly with the county. | Refundable to the depositor at case end, minus any court costs or fees applied |
| Personal / PR bond | The court releases the defendant on a written promise to appear, with no money up front (sometimes a small fee). | No premium; granted at the court's discretion at magistration |
| Attorney bond | Under §1704.163, a licensed Texas attorney representing the defendant may execute the bond without a bondsman license. | Set by the attorney; typically tied to also retaining the lawyer for the case |
A personal bond (often called a PR bond) and the amount of bail are both set by the court, not a bondsman. If the bail itself is too high, the answer is a motion to the court, not a different bondsman. That is a defense matter — L and L Law Group handles bail bond reduction when the goal is to lower the bail amount.
Find-a-bondsman FAQ
How do I find a licensed bail bondsman near me?
Start with the county's Bail Bond Board, not a search ad. Each board licenses and posts an approved list of bondsmen under Texas Occupations Code §1704.105. Find the county where the person is jailed, open that board's approved list (links are in the county grid on this page), and confirm the bondsman's name appears before you pay anything.
Why does it matter if a bail bondsman is licensed?
A licensed surety has met the experience, character, and financial requirements of Occupations Code Ch. 1704 and is accountable to the county board. Section 1704.304 bans practices like using runners and soliciting at the jail. An unlicensed operator gives you no board to complain to if something goes wrong with your money or collateral.
How do I check the county's approved bail bond list?
Texas Occupations Code §1704.105 requires each Bail Bond Board to keep and make available a list of licensed bondsmen. Many counties post it online; others give it out by phone. In the county grid on this page, use the approved-list link where one exists, or contact the board or Sheriff's office where no public list is published.
Can an attorney post a bail bond instead of a bondsman?
Yes. Under Occupations Code §1704.163, a licensed Texas attorney may execute a bail bond for a client they represent without holding a bondsman license. This is sometimes called an attorney bond. It is usually tied to the lawyer also handling the criminal case rather than a stand-alone bonding service.
Is a bail bond premium refundable?
No. The premium — typically a 10 to 15 percent fee paid to a surety bondsman — is the bondsman's earned fee and is non-refundable, even if the case is later dismissed. That is different from collateral, which must be returned under §1704.301 within 30 days after the bond is discharged, and from a cash bond posted with the county, which is refundable at case end minus court costs.
What should I ask a bail bondsman before I sign?
Confirm the bondsman is on the county's approved list, get the total premium and any fees in writing, ask exactly what collateral is required and how and when it is returned, and ask what happens if the defendant misses court. Get a written receipt — §1704.305 requires the bondsman to give one — and never hand over money based on a phone promise alone.
Have a question this page didn't answer? Browse more DFW jail, bond & court FAQs.
Need to lower the bail, not just post it?
If the bail amount itself is the problem, that's a motion to the court — not a bondsman call. L&L Law Group can review the case and pursue a bond reduction. Free and confidential.