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M. BURR KEIM AGENCY · Public Official Bonds · Reviewed November 2026

Individual Public Official Bond

An individual public official bond is a surety bond required for an elected or appointed official who handles public money or performs a statutory duty. It protects the government and the public if the official fails to faithfully account for funds or perform the duties of office.

Apply for This Bond Online How to Apply Questions

At a glance

Product
Individual Public Official Bond
Category
Public Official Bonds
Required amount
The bond amount is set by statute, charter, ordinance, or the government entity. Common amounts range from $10,000 to $150,000 or more depending on the office and the amount of public money handled. Confirm the exact amount and obligee with the government entity or its attorney.
Online issue
Instant issue up to $150,000. Acceptable credit and additional underwriting review may be required over $150,000. Some offices or bond forms require additional review regardless of the amount.
Term
The bond term is usually tied to the term of office or a one-year period. Some governments require a bond that runs for the full term, while others require annual renewal. Follow the statute or appointment documents for the required term.

Who needs an individual Public Official Bond?

  • Elected or appointed officials such as treasurers, tax collectors, clerks, and finance officers required to file a bond.
  • A public official whose statue, city charter, or appointment requires a bond before taking office.
  • Candidates and officeholders confirming the bond amount and obligee required by the government entity.

Why is an individual Public Official Bond required?

Public official bonds protect the government and the public from loss when an official handles public money or property. The bond gives the government a recovery source if the official misappropriates funds or fails to perform the duties of the office.

The bond is required by statute, charter, ordinance, or the appointing authority. It is not a substitute for the official’s own surety or fidelity insurance, and the bond form and obligee must match the government’s requirement.

How much bond do I need?

The bond amount is set by statute, charter, ordinance, or the government entity. Common amounts range from $10,000 to $150,000 or more depending on the office and the amount of public money handled. Confirm the exact amount and obligee with the government entity or its attorney.

Instant issue up to $150,000. Acceptable credit and additional underwriting review may be required over $150,000. Some offices or bond forms require additional review regardless of the amount.

Bond amount is not the premium. The required amount is the maximum the surety could pay under the bond. The premium you pay is a separate charge based on the bond amount, the risk, the term, and your credit. The online application shows the premium before you bind coverage.

How much does an individual Public Official Bond cost?

Premium depends on the bond amount, the office, the government entity, the term, and the applicant’s credit. Public official bonds are typically inexpensive relative to the bond amount. Apply online for the current premium and the required form.

How to apply online

  1. Confirm the bond amount and obligee. Use the amount and legal name of the agency, court, client, or government entity that requires the bond. The obligee name must match the requiring party’s records.
  2. Gather the application information. Have the legal business or entity name, address, license or case number, ownership information, and the required bond amount ready.
  3. Start the CNA Surety application. Use the online application link on this page. The link includes the M. BURR KEIM AGENCY app code and agency code, so the application is routed to our agency.
  4. Pay the premium and bind coverage. If the bond is eligible for instant issue, the application will show the premium and let you complete the purchase online. Otherwise, the surety will review the application and contact you if additional information is needed.
  5. File the bond. Provide the issued bond to the agency, court, client, or government entity that requires it, and keep a copy for your records.
Apply for This Bond Online All Bonds

Individual Public Official Bond term and renewal

The bond term is usually tied to the term of office or a one-year period. Some governments require a bond that runs for the full term, while others require annual renewal. Follow the statute or appointment documents for the required term.

Good to know

  • The obligee is the government entity or the state, not the individual official. Confirm the exact legal name of the obligee before applying.
  • If the official handles multiple funds or offices, confirm whether a single bond or a separate bond for each office is required.

Individual Public Official Bond questions

An individual public official bond is a surety bond required for an elected or appointed official who handles public money or performs a statutory duty. It protects the government and the public if the official fails to faithfully account for funds or perform the duties of office.

Elected or appointed officials such as treasurers, tax collectors, clerks, and finance officers required to file a bond. A public official whose statue, city charter, or appointment requires a bond before taking office. Candidates and officeholders confirming the bond amount and obligee required by the government entity.

Premium depends on the bond amount, the office, the government entity, the term, and the applicant’s credit. Public official bonds are typically inexpensive relative to the bond amount. Apply online for the current premium and the required form.

The bond amount is set by statute, charter, ordinance, or the government entity. Common amounts range from $10,000 to $150,000 or more depending on the office and the amount of public money handled. Confirm the exact amount and obligee with the government entity or its attorney. Instant issue up to $150,000. Acceptable credit and additional underwriting review may be required over $150,000. Some offices or bond forms require additional review regardless of the amount.

Apply online through CNA Surety using the application link on this page. The link includes the M. BURR KEIM AGENCY app code and agency code, so the application is routed to our agency. Complete the application, pay the premium online if the bond is eligible for instant issue, and then file the bond with the agency, court, or client that requires it.

The amount is set by statute, city charter, ordinance, or the government entity appointing or electing the official. The government’s bonding instructions should state the exact amount and obligee. Confirm the requirement before applying.

No. A public official bond is a surety bond required by the government to guarantee an official’s faithful performance. A fidelity bond protects an employer from employee dishonesty. The government entity may require one or both.

Online application and important note

Bond requirements, forms, amounts, and fees are set by the requiring agency, court, or carrier and can change. This page is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current requirement with the agency, court, client, or your attorney before applying. M. BURR KEIM AGENCY is an insurance and surety bond agency; the bond or policy is issued by the carrier named on the document.