A Georgia bail bondsman license is the county sheriff’s written approval that lets you post bail bonds for a fee, and in Fulton County you get it by filing the FCSD BS-1 and FCSD BS-2 Professional Bondsperson Application with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office under O.C.G.A. § 17-6-50. You must be at least 18, a Georgia resident for one year, of good moral character, and free of any felony or crime of moral turpitude.
The catch is that Georgia runs two approvals at once. The state knows bail bondsmen as casualty insurance agents, so you first earn a Casualty Insurance Agent License from the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, then take that license to your county sheriff for local approval. Miss one step, sign one box wrong, or leave one arrest off the form, and your application stalls or gets denied outright. In Fulton County alone, the filing fee is $150 plus a $45 fingerprint fee, and that money is non-refundable even if you are rejected.
In this guide, you will learn:
- 📋 What the Professional Bondsperson Application is and who must file it
- 🗂️ Every document you must gather before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of all 41 questions, with sample entries
- 👥 Three full filled-out examples using real-life scenarios
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get applications denied and how to dodge them
What the Georgia Bail Bondsman License Application Is and Who Must File It
The Professional Bondsperson Application is the form a county sheriff uses to decide whether to let you write bail bonds inside that county. In Fulton County the packet is split into the FCSD BS-1 (the qualification policies and checklist) and the FCSD BS-2 (the personal data form). It is the local gatekeeping document required because O.C.G.A. § 17-6-15 gives each sheriff the power to set and enforce bonding rules for that county.
Anyone who wants to act as a professional bondsperson, work as an agent for a professional bonding company, or own any interest in a bonding entity must file it. That includes a brand-new agent joining a company, an owner opening a bonding business, and a current bondsman renewing every year. If you skip this step and write a bond anyway, the sheriff can refuse to accept your bonds, and you can face criminal exposure for acting without authority.
The form sits inside a larger system of agencies and laws. The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner issues the underlying state insurance license, the county sheriff grants local approval, and O.C.G.A. § 17-6-50 sets the baseline qualifications. Bail recovery agents (bounty hunters) are governed by a separate law, O.C.G.A. § 17-6-56, which requires a recovery agent to be a U.S. citizen who is at least 25 years old. These pieces interlock: no state license means no county approval, and no county approval means you cannot write a single bond.
A common misconception is that one statewide license lets you write bonds anywhere in Georgia. It does not. Approval is county by county, so a bondsman approved in Fulton must file a fresh application with DeKalb, Cobb, or any other county where they want to work.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the form, because the Fulton County checklist requires all eleven items to accompany your application, and a missing piece means the packet is not processed. Walk into the Justice Center Tower at 185 Central Ave., 9th Floor, Atlanta with a complete folder, not a half-finished one.
- Certified birth certificate. This proves your age and identity; without it the sheriff cannot confirm you meet the 18-year-old minimum.
- Credit report. Bonding is a financial business, so the office reviews your credit; a missing report leaves your financial fitness unverified.
- Valid Georgia driver’s license. This is your primary photo ID and residency proof; an out-of-state license signals you may not meet the one-year residency rule.
- High school diploma or G.E.D. This confirms basic eligibility; leaving it out is an automatic incomplete file.
- Social Security card. The number is cross-checked against federal records; a name mismatch triggers a processing hold.
- Power of Attorney (with recorded date). This shows the surety authority behind your bonds; without a recorded POA you cannot legally bind a bond.
- Georgia Insurance License number. This is the state casualty agent license; no number means the county will not even start review.
- DD-214 (if you served in the military). This documents your discharge type; an unfavorable discharge can affect the moral-character review.
- Two Affidavits of Good Conduct from two Georgia residents. These vouch for your character as O.C.G.A. § 17-6-50 demands; without them you are legally barred from approval.
- Employer’s Request for Approval letter. This is the bonding company asking the sheriff to approve you; an agent cannot self-sponsor.
- Copies of permits from other municipalities, if you hold any. These show your history elsewhere; hiding a prior county permit looks like concealment.
- Filing fees: a $150 non-refundable filing fee and a $45 non-refundable fingerprint fee, paid only by postal money order or cashier’s check payable to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the Fulton County packet directly from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Bonding Administration, which oversees the BS-1 and BS-2 forms. A fillable version of the Professional Bondsperson Application is posted online and is the 2021 revision; confirm you are using the 2021 version so your field numbers match this guide. Other counties post their own forms, such as the Bibb County Bail Bonding Application and the Marietta Police bondsman permit.
Before you can complete the county form, you need the state license number for question 8 of the checklist. You earn that by passing the Georgia Property and Casualty exam through Pearson VUE for a $42 fee and then filing the Casualty Insurance Agent License Application with a $115 state fee. The state license is good for two years and requires continuing education to renew, so plan to finish the exam and the state license before you visit the sheriff.
You may pick the packet up in person at the 9th floor of the Justice Center Tower, 185 Central Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, or print the fillable PDF at home. Either way, the sheriff’s office accepts the completed packet in person, since fingerprinting and notarized affidavits are part of the process. Call 404-612-5100 first to confirm current hours and any updated fees, because county fees change without much notice.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Fulton County Professional Bondsperson Application Line by Line
The form moves from a cover sheet, through the BS-1 checklist, the consent form, the employer request, then the long BS-2 personal data form with 41 numbered questions, and finally the affidavits. Fill it out in ink, print clearly, and answer every box. Below, each field gets its own walkthrough.
Cover Sheet: Name, Business, and Original vs. Renewal
The cover sheet asks for your name, the legal name of your business, the operating or trade name, the business address, and whether this is an ORIGINAL or RENEWAL filing. Print your full legal name and the company’s exact registered name, then check one box for Original or Renewal. For example, Marcus Bell writes his name, lists Peachtree Surety Bail Bonds, LLC as the legal name, Peachtree Bail Bonds as the trade name, and checks ORIGINAL. If you operate under no trade name, write the legal name in both lines rather than leaving the trade-name line blank. A common mistake is checking Renewal when your prior approval already lapsed, which kicks the file into the slower original-review track. People wrongly believe the trade name is optional; the sheriff matches it against your bonds, so a blank line can delay approval.
BS-1 Checklist Items 1–11: Required Attachments
This checklist asks you to confirm, with a checkmark, that you have attached each of the eleven required items, and to write your license numbers where asked. Check each box only after the document is physically in the packet, and write your driver’s license number on line 4, Social Security number on line 6, the Power of Attorney recorded date on line 7, and your Georgia Insurance License number on line 8. For example, Marcus Bell checks every box, writes GA DL 0581 47213 on line 4, and writes Insurance Lic. 1234567 on line 8. If an item like the DD-214 does not apply to you because you never served, write N/A rather than leaving it blank. A common mistake is checking boxes for documents you “plan” to bring later, which makes the file look complete when it is not and triggers a rejection at intake. Many filers think a checkmark alone satisfies the requirement; the actual document must be attached or the check means nothing.
Consent Form: Criminal History Release
The consent form authorizes the Fulton County Sheriff’s Bonding Administration to pull your criminal history from any state or local agency, and it collects your name, address, physical description, DOB, driver’s license, and Social Security number. Fill in every identifier exactly as it appears on your government ID, then sign and date at the bottom. For example, Marcus Bell writes his height as 5‘11”, weight as 190, DOB as 07/22/1990, and signs in the signature box. If you use a maiden name, enter it in the marked space so the background check captures records under both names. A common mistake is leaving the SSN blank out of privacy concern, which stops the background check cold and freezes your file. Some filers think signing this form waives their rights; it only authorizes a records check, nothing more.
Employer’s Request for Approval of Employee
This section is the bonding company formally asking the sheriff to approve you as its agent, and it lists the agency name, address, phone, and an authorized owner or manager’s notarized signature. The company owner, not you, fills in the agency details and signs in front of a notary. For example, Peachtree Surety Bail Bonds, LLC fills in its address, and owner Denise Akers signs and has it notarized, requesting that Marcus Bell be approved. If you are applying as a business owner with no separate employer, you sign as the authorized owner of your own agency. A common mistake is submitting this page without a notary stamp, which voids the request and bounces the whole packet. People often think the agent can sign this section; the employer must sign because the company accepts civil and criminal liability for the agent.
BS-2 Question 1: Last Name, First, Middle, Maiden
Question 1 asks for your full legal name broken into last, first, middle, and maiden. Print each part in its own box, in all caps if the form is hand-completed, matching your Social Security card exactly. For example, Aisha Coleman writes COLEMAN / AISHA / RENEE and leaves maiden blank because she has never married. If you legally changed your name, list the current legal name here and list the former name in question 8. A common mistake is using a nickname like “AJ” instead of the legal first name, which causes the SSA cross-check to fail and holds processing. Filers wrongly assume the maiden box only applies to women; it applies to anyone whose birth surname differs from their current one.
BS-2 Questions 2–3: Address, Phone, City, County, State, Zip
These ask for your residential address, residence phone, other phone, city, county, state, and zip. Enter your current physical home address, not a P.O. Box, and spell out the county name. For example, Aisha Coleman writes 418 Oak Hill Dr., Atlanta, Fulton, GA, 30331. If you recently moved, use your present address here and list prior addresses in question 37. A common mistake is entering a business address instead of a home address, which conflicts with the residency check and raises questions. People think a P.O. Box is fine for privacy; the sheriff needs a verifiable physical residence to confirm the one-year Georgia residency rule.
BS-2 Questions 4–5: Physical Description, Date and Place of Birth
Question 4 asks your race, sex, height, weight, hair, and eyes, and question 5 asks your date and place of birth. Match these to your driver’s license, and write the date as MM/DD/YYYY. For example, Aisha Coleman writes 5‘6”, 140, Black, Brown eyes, DOB 03/14/1988, place of birth Macon, GA. If you were born outside the U.S., write the city and country, which ties into the citizenship question next. A common mistake is rounding height or weight far from your ID, which flags an inconsistency during the fingerprint match. Some filers think place of birth is trivial; it is part of identity verification and a blank box can delay the records search.
BS-2 Question 6: U.S. Citizenship and Social Security Number
Question 6 asks whether you are a U.S. citizen and for your Social Security number. Check Yes or No truthfully and print all nine SSN digits. For example, Aisha Coleman checks Yes and writes 252-XX-XXXX. If you are a lawful permanent resident rather than a citizen, check No and be ready to discuss eligibility, since O.C.G.A. § 17-6-50 and county rules weigh citizenship and residency heavily. A common mistake is transposing SSN digits, which breaks the federal cross-check and stalls the file for weeks. People believe checking “No” is an automatic denial; it triggers added review, not a guaranteed rejection.
BS-2 Questions 7–8: Driver’s License, Occupation, and All Names Used
Question 7 asks your Georgia driver’s license number and occupation, and question 8 asks you to list every name you have used. Copy the license number exactly and list maiden names, prior married names, and known aliases. For example, Aisha Coleman writes her DL number, Bail Bonds Agent as occupation, and lists Aisha Renee Davis as a former married name. If you have only ever used one name, write None rather than leaving question 8 blank. A common mistake is hiding an old alias that appears on a past record, which the background check finds anyway and treats as concealment. Filers think listing an alias makes them look guilty; omitting one that surfaces later is far more damaging to credibility.
BS-2 Questions 9–15: Employment and Bonding Company
These questions capture your full-time employer, position, address, phone, supervisor, and the name of the bonding company you will represent. List your sponsoring bonding company in question 12 exactly as it appears on the employer request. For example, Marcus Bell writes Peachtree Surety Bail Bonds, LLC in question 12 and Agent in question 13. If the bonding company is also your full-time employer, repeat the same details in both blocks rather than leaving the second blank. A common mistake is naming a company that has not signed the employer request, which creates a mismatch the sheriff cannot approve. People assume any bonding company name will do; it must match the notarized employer request page exactly.
BS-2 Questions 16–19: Arrest, Conviction, and Probation Record
These ask if you have ever been arrested or detained, the crime charged, date, agency, and disposition, plus whether you have a felony conviction or have been on probation. Answer truthfully and give full details for every event, even old or dismissed ones. For example, David Nguyen checks Yes on question 16, writes Misdemeanor DUI, 06/2015, Cobb County PD, disposition Pled guilty, completed probation. If a charge was dismissed or expunged, list it and note the disposition rather than hiding it. A common mistake is reporting only convictions and omitting arrests, but question 16 asks about any arrest or detention, and the records check will surface it. Many filers believe a dismissed case need not be disclosed; the form asks about arrests, so omission reads as a false statement and is grounds for denial.
BS-2 Questions 20–24: Peace Officer Status, Family Ties, and Bonding History
These cover whether you are a certified peace officer, whether relatives work for the Fulton County Sheriff, whether you have owned a bonding company, whether a sheriff ever refused to approve you, and whether you have worked for a bonding company. Answer each Yes/No and add the requested details. For example, David Nguyen checks No on peace officer, No on family ties, and Yes on question 24, listing his last employer. If a sheriff in another county once denied you, you must explain why in question 23 honestly. A common mistake is answering No to question 23 when a prior denial exists, which the sheriff can verify and treat as fraud. People think a past denial bars them forever; an honest explanation can still lead to approval, but a hidden one rarely does.
BS-2 Questions 25–29: Employment History and Family in the Business
These ask for your last fifteen years of bonding-related employment, the source of funds used to acquire any ownership interest, and whether relatives are in the bail bonding business. Fill each employment block with dates, employer, address, supervisor, and reason for leaving. For example, Marcus Bell lists 01/2021 – Present, Atlas Bail Bonds, position Agent, reason for leaving Current. If you need more space than the three blocks allow, attach additional sheets as the form invites. A common mistake is leaving gaps in the timeline, which the sheriff reads as hidden employment and questions. Filers assume only bonding jobs count; the form asks for your employment history, so account for the full period without gaps.
BS-2 Questions 30–35: Marital Status and Spouse Information
These ask your marital status and your spouse’s name, date of birth, occupation, employer, phone, and address. Check one status box and complete the spouse fields if you are married, separated, or widowed. For example, David Nguyen checks MARRIED and writes his spouse’s name Linda Nguyen, occupation Teacher. If you are single or divorced with no current spouse, check the box and write N/A in the spouse lines. A common mistake is skipping the spouse’s employer, which the office uses as part of the financial and character review. People think spouse details are private and optional; on this form they are part of the required background record.
BS-2 Questions 36–39: Family History, Residences, and Personal References
These ask for your immediate family members, all residences for the last ten years, and two personal references who are not relatives or employers. List each family member’s name, relation, address, phone, and occupation, and give complete reference contacts. For example, Aisha Coleman lists her mother and brother, her two prior addresses, and references Rev. James Hart and coworker Tanya Brooks. If a reference has only a cell phone and no business address, write the cell number and note retired or self-employed rather than leaving it blank. A common mistake is listing a relative as a personal reference, which violates the instruction and weakens the file. Filers think references are a formality; the sheriff often calls them, so pick people who will actually respond.
BS-2 Questions 40–41: Military Service and Discipline
These ask whether you served active duty, your branch, service number, rank, dates, and discharge type, and whether you faced any court-martial or Article 15 action. Complete these only if you served, and attach your DD-214. For example, Marcus Bell checks Yes, writes U.S. Army, Honorable discharge, and No to question 41. If you never served, check No on question 40 and leave the rest blank. A common mistake is claiming an honorable discharge when the DD-214 says otherwise, which the attached document immediately contradicts. People think a less-than-honorable discharge bars them; it is one factor in the moral-character review, not an automatic disqualifier.
Fingerprint and Photograph Agreement
This page is your signed consent to be fingerprinted and photographed for the background check, with payment of the cost. Sign and date it, knowing the $45 fingerprint fee is part of your packet. For example, Aisha Coleman signs and dates the agreement the same day she submits the packet. If you have prints on file from another county, you still must consent here, because Fulton runs its own check. A common mistake is submitting the packet without scheduling fingerprinting, which leaves the background check unstarted. Filers think old prints from a peace-officer job carry over; each county captures its own set.
Affidavits, Authorization to Release Information, and Notarization
The packet ends with an applicant affidavit certifying that all answers are true, an authorization to release personal and financial information, and a final affidavit of applicant, each requiring your signature before a notary. Read each affidavit, sign only in front of a notary, and have the notary complete the sworn-to-and-subscribed block. For example, Marcus Bell signs all three before notary Karen Pope, who stamps each. If you sign before reaching the notary, most notaries will make you re-sign, so wait. A common mistake is signing the affidavits but skipping the notary blocks, which voids the sworn statements and the entire packet. People believe one signature covers the whole form; each affidavit is a separate sworn statement and each needs its own notarized signature.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common filers, each walked through the key sections of the Fulton County packet.
Example 1: Marcus Bell, First-Time Agent Joining a Company
Marcus just passed the state exam and is joining an established agency.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Cover sheet – Original/Renewal | Checks ORIGINAL, business Peachtree Surety Bail Bonds, LLC |
| Checklist line 8 – Insurance License | Insurance Lic. 1234567 |
| Employer’s Request | Owner Denise Akers signs, notarized |
| Q1 – Name | BELL / MARCUS / JAMES |
| Q6 – Citizenship / SSN | Yes, SSN provided |
| Q12 – Bonding company | Peachtree Surety Bail Bonds, LLC |
| Q16 – Arrest record | Checks No |
| Q24 – Worked for a bonding company | Yes, lists Atlas Bail Bonds |
| Affidavit of Applicant | Signs before notary Karen Pope |
Example 2: Aisha Coleman, New Bonding Business Owner
Aisha is opening her own agency and sponsoring herself.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Cover sheet – Business name | Coleman Bonding Co., checks ORIGINAL |
| Checklist – Power of Attorney | Box checked, Date Recorded 02/10/2026 |
| Employer’s Request | Signs as authorized Owner of her agency |
| Q1 – Name / Maiden | COLEMAN / AISHA / RENEE, maiden blank |
| Q8 – Names used | Lists former name Aisha Renee Davis |
| Q22 – Owned a bonding company | No (first business) |
| Q28 – Source of funds | Personal savings and small business loan |
| Q38–39 – References | Rev. James Hart, Tanya Brooks |
| Fingerprint agreement | Signs, pays $45 |
Example 3: David Nguyen, Applicant With a Prior Record
David has an old misdemeanor and wants to disclose it correctly.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Cover sheet | Checks ORIGINAL |
| Q1 – Name | NGUYEN / DAVID / TRAN |
| Q16 – Arrested or detained | Yes: Misdemeanor DUI, 06/2015, Cobb County PD |
| Q16 – Disposition | Pled guilty, completed probation |
| Q18 – Felony conviction | No |
| Q19 – Probation | Yes, 12 months, completed 2016 |
| Q23 – Ever refused by a sheriff | No |
| Q30 – Marital status | MARRIED, spouse Linda Nguyen |
| Affidavit of Applicant | Signs before notary, full disclosure attached |
How to File the Completed Form
Fulton County accepts the bondsperson packet in person, since fingerprinting and notarized affidavits are part of the process. Deliver the full packet to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Bonding Administration at the Justice Center Tower, 185 Central Ave., 9th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, phone 404-612-5100. Bring the completed BS-1 and BS-2, all eleven attachments, both affidavits, and your two payments.
Pay the $150 filing fee and the $45 fingerprint fee using only postal money orders or cashier’s checks made payable to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, with your company’s name written on the bottom of the check. Personal checks and cash are not accepted, and both fees are non-refundable, so confirm your packet is complete before you pay. Keep a copy of every money order receipt as proof of payment.
Before the county step, you must already hold the state license, which you file separately with the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner for a $115 fee after passing the Pearson VUE exam for $42. For proof of filing, ask the bonding administration clerk to note the date received on your copy, and keep your stamped copy, money order stubs, and a photo of the full packet. Processing time varies, so ask the clerk for the current turnaround when you submit.
What Happens After You File
Once you submit, the bonding administration runs your fingerprints and pulls your criminal history through the consent form you signed. The office reviews your moral character under O.C.G.A. § 17-6-50, verifies your state insurance license, and confirms your two Affidavits of Good Conduct. The “For Office Use Only” block on the cover sheet is where the office records the file number, date received, and approval or denial.
If approved, the sheriff issues a Certificate of Authority and an identification card that you must use only for bonding work and return when you leave the agency. The certificate number is recorded on the cover sheet, and you may then begin writing bonds in Fulton County. Keep your state license current, because the county approval depends on it.
If denied, the fees are not refunded, and you may need to correct the issue, often a disclosure or document gap, and reapply. A prior denial must be disclosed on any future application in question 23. Renewals require filing again and keeping your continuing education and state license active, so calendar your renewal date well ahead of time.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Checking attachment boxes before the documents are in the packet, which causes rejection at intake.
- Using a nickname in question 1 instead of your legal name, which breaks the SSA cross-check and holds the file.
- Leaving the Social Security number blank on the consent form, which stops the background check entirely.
- Listing only convictions in question 16 while omitting arrests, which the records check exposes as a false statement.
- Hiding an alias in question 8, which surfaces in the background check and reads as concealment.
- Submitting the employer’s request without a notary stamp, which voids the request and the packet.
- Naming a bonding company in question 12 that did not sign the employer request, which creates a fatal mismatch.
- Answering No to question 23 when a prior sheriff denied you, which can be verified and treated as fraud.
- Leaving employment gaps in questions 25–27, which the sheriff reads as hidden history.
- Signing the affidavits without a notary, which voids every sworn statement on the form.
- Paying with a personal check or cash, which the office rejects outright.
- Filing the county packet before earning the state insurance license, which makes question 8 of the checklist impossible to complete.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do match every name and number to your Social Security card and driver’s license, because the office cross-checks them.
- Do disclose every arrest, charge, and probation, because honesty survives a background check and omissions do not.
- Do gather all eleven attachments before filing, because a missing item halts processing.
- Do earn your state casualty license first, because the county requires the license number.
- Do sign all affidavits in front of a notary, because unsworn affidavits are void.
- Do keep copies and money order stubs, because they are your only proof of filing.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a P.O. Box for your home address, because the residency check needs a physical address.
- Don’t pay with cash or a personal check, because only money orders and cashier’s checks are accepted.
- Don’t leave any box blank; write N/A instead, because blanks look like omissions.
- Don’t assume one approval covers all counties, because each county requires its own application.
- Don’t list relatives as personal references, because the form forbids it.
- Don’t sign before reaching the notary, because you will likely have to re-sign.
Pros and Cons of Applying on Your Own vs. With a Sponsoring Company
| Applying on Your Own (Business Owner) | Applying Through a Sponsoring Company |
|---|---|
| Pro: You control your own agency and bonds, so profits are yours. | Pro: The company signs the employer request and accepts liability, easing your path. |
| Pro: No employer can drop your approval, so your status is independent. | Pro: You learn the trade and build surety contacts before going solo. |
| Con: You must self-fund collateral and the Power of Attorney, which is costly. | Con: The company holds your ID card and can request its return on separation. |
| Con: You shoulder all civil and criminal liability for your bonds. | Con: Your approval is tied to the company, so leaving may end your local status. |
| Pro: You set your own fee within the legal 12–15% cap on bond premiums. | Pro: The company often handles renewals and continuing education tracking. |
| Con: A new owner faces deeper financial review under question 28. | Con: You depend on the owner to file an accurate, notarized request. |
FAQs
Do I need a state insurance license before applying to the county?
Yes. Georgia treats bondsmen as casualty insurance agents, so you must hold the state license and pass the Pearson VUE exam before the county will process your application.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to be a bail bondsman in Georgia?
Yes for full eligibility under most county rules, though the bondsperson form asks citizenship and weighs it; bail recovery agents must be U.S. citizens aged 25 or older.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Question 1?
No, not the maiden name in the main slots; put your current legal last name in Question 1 and enter your maiden name in the labeled maiden box.
Do I have to disclose an arrest that was dismissed in Question 16?
Yes. Question 16 asks about any arrest or detention, so list it and write the disposition; omitting it reads as a false statement.
Do I list aliases in Question 8 if I have used only one name?
No need to invent one, but write None in the box rather than leaving it blank so the office sees you answered it.
Do I use my home address or business address in Questions 2–3?
No business address; enter your physical home address so the office can verify the one-year Georgia residency requirement.
Do I need two affidavits of good conduct?
Yes. O.C.G.A. § 17-6-50 requires affidavits from two Georgia residents affirming your good moral character before any approval.
Do the filing fees come back if I am denied?
No. Both the $150 filing fee and the $45 fingerprint fee are non-refundable, even if the sheriff denies your application.
Do I have to apply in every county where I want to write bonds?
Yes. Each county sheriff grants approval separately under their own rules, so one county’s approval does not transfer.
Do I need a notary for the affidavits?
Yes. The applicant affidavits and the employer’s request must be signed before a notary, or the sworn statements are void.
Do I have to renew my bondsman license?
Yes. The state license runs two years and needs continuing education, and county approval depends on keeping that state license current.
Do bail recovery agents file this same form?
No. Bail recovery agents fall under O.C.G.A. § 17-6-56 and a separate process requiring U.S. citizenship and a minimum age of 25.
Do I have to report a discharge that was not honorable in Question 40?
Yes. Report your true discharge type and attach your DD-214, since the document will contradict any false claim and harm your file.
Do I pay the county with a personal check?
No. Fulton County accepts only postal money orders or cashier’s checks payable to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, with your company name on the check.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Georgia Petition for Letters of Administration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California CDI Bail Bond Agent License (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington DOL Bail Bond Agent License Application (With Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington DOL Bail Bond Agent License Application (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the North Carolina DOI Bail Bondsman License Application (+ FAQs)
- How to Fill Out the Georgia Surplus Lines Broker License Application (GID-109) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington OIC Surplus Line Broker License + FAQs