License & Permit Bonds · Florida
Florida License & Permit Bonds for Local Businesses
Your local license won't issue until your bond is filed. We find the exact Florida permit bond your city requires, quote it with multiple A-rated sureties, and prepare it for filing.
What is a license and permit surety bond in Florida?
A license and permit surety bond is a financial guarantee required by state agencies or local Florida municipalities. It promises the government that your business will follow all local regulations and protects consumers from fraud or malpractice, allowing you to officially activate your professional license.
Types of License and Permit Bonds in Florida
Most bonds fall into one of four groups. The agency or city that asks for the bond tells you which one.
State license bonds
Required by a state agency before it licenses you, such as dealers and public adjusters.
Permit and right-of-way bonds
Required by a city or county before work on sidewalks, driveways, roads or utilities.
Auto dealer bonds
Required of every Florida motor vehicle dealer each year before the license issues.
Notary and public official bonds
Required of notaries and of officials who handle public money.
Florida Licensing and Bonding Requirements
Some Florida bond amounts are set by statute. Others are set by the city or county that issues the permit. For bonds outside licensing, start with our Florida surety bonds page.
| Who must be bonded | What Florida requires |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicle dealers, new or used | A $25,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit, filed every year before the license issues (§ 320.27(10), Florida Statutes) |
| Notaries public | A $7,500 bond for the full term, payable to anyone harmed by a breach of duty (§ 117.01(7)(a), Florida Statutes) |
| Public adjusters | A $50,000 bond in favor of the Department of Financial Services (§ 626.865(2), Florida Statutes) |
| State-certified contractors | No license bond: the construction board checks your credit report and score instead (Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C.) |
| Contractors pulling local permits | Many counties and cities require a registration or right-of-way bond, in an amount they set |
These are state and local requirements, not a quote. Bond forms and amounts change, so always use the current form from the agency or the city.
How to Get Licensed and Bonded in Florida
Getting a license bond and keeping it active follows four steps.
- Get the bond requirement — Ask the licensing agency or the city for the bond amount and its official form.
- Apply and get approved — The surety checks your credit and quotes a yearly premium, a percentage of the bond amount.
- Sign and file — You sign the bond, and it is filed with the agency or the city with your license or permit application.
- Renew on time — Most license bonds renew every year. A lapsed bond can suspend your license until a new bond is filed.
Have This Ready for Your Permit Bond Quote
- The name of the agency or city requiring the bond and the bond amount.
- The bond form, if the agency or city gave you one.
- Your business name, address and license number, exactly as the agency has them.
- The owners' names and Social Security numbers for the credit check.
Where can I get a permit bond in Miami?
American US Insurance is an independent, bilingual insurance agency headquartered in Kendall that writes license and permit bonds across South Florida. We get the exact requirement from the city, the county or the state agency, so the bond matches the form they accept the first time. Then we compare permit bonds from multiple A-rated sureties and prepare the bond for filing with your application. We bond contractors, dealers and licensed businesses in Miami, Hialeah, Doral and every Florida county.
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Tell us which Florida agency requires the bond and the total amount. We compare multiple A-rated sureties to prepare your license or permit bond, often the same day.
- No obligation, no pressure
- Renewal and claims help after you buy
- A licensed agent compares carriers
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