NC public official bonds.
From $100.

North Carolina requires many elected and appointed officials — treasurers, tax collectors, finance officers, registers of deeds and others — to file a faithful-performance bond before taking office, under Chapter 58, Article 72 and Chapter 128. The governing body sets the amount; pricing starts from $100 with a soft credit check that never affects your score.

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Required before being sworn in — a faithful-performance official bond under G.S. Chapter 58, Article 72

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Amount is set by the governing body or statute for your specific office

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Soft credit pull only — never affects your score, priced at 0.35% of the bond amount, $100 minimum

0.35%of your bond amount, $100 minimumSoft pullnever a hard inquiryFastinstant underwriting for most

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How it works

Three steps to sworn in.

The official bond is one of the documents you file before taking office. Here is the whole process:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your details, the office, the obligee (the entity requiring the bond), the bond amount, and your term dates — plus a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

WITHIN 48 HOURS

Reviewed & approved

Most clear quickly; if underwriting needs anything, you hear from an underwriter within 48 hours. The soft credit pull never affects your score.

1–2 BUSINESS DAYS

File and take office

Receive the executed bond ready to file — official bonds are generally recorded and filed with the Secretary of State or your governing body before you are sworn in.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the official bond actually guarantees

North Carolina’s Official Bonds law (Chapter 58, Article 72), together with provisions in Chapter 128, requires many public officers to give a bond for the faithful performance of the duties of the office. It runs for the term of office and is a condition of taking office for the positions it covers.

The bond protects the public and the governing body — if the officer mishandles public funds or fails to perform the duties of the office, a harmed party can recover against the bond. It is a three-party arrangement: the officer (the principal), the surety, and the unit of government or the State (the obligee).

One honest note on who pays: for many offices, North Carolina lets the county or unit of government pay the premium on the official’s bond — G.S. 58-72-30 authorizes the commissioners to do so. Check with your clerk or finance officer; if your unit pays, you may not owe anything. Where the official pays, pricing starts from $100 with a quick soft credit check that never affects your score.

G.S. Chapter 58, Article 72 (Official Bonds) & Chapter 128North Carolina’s Official Bonds provisions (N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 58, Article 72) and Chapter 128 require many elected and appointed officers to give a faithful-performance bond for the term of office. The required amount is set by the governing body or by the statute that creates the office, and G.S. 58-72-30 lets the unit of government pay the premium. Confirm your office’s required amount and who pays with your clerk or governing body.

You need this bond if you are

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An elected or appointed NC official whose office requires a faithful-performance bond

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A treasurer, finance officer, or tax collector handling public funds

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A register of deeds, clerk, or similar officer required to bond before taking office

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Renewing for a new term and refiling your official bond

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including the obligee and office details and a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. Submit once and your bond is typically issued within 1–2 business days.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the North Carolina public official bond?Pricing is 0.35% of your bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The bond amount itself is set by the governing body or the statute that creates the office. Enter that figure and your exact price appears in the application.

Do I pay, or does the county pay?It depends on your office. North Carolina lets the unit of government pay the premium on many officials’ bonds under G.S. 58-72-30, so you may owe nothing. Check with your clerk or finance officer before you buy.

What does the bond guarantee?Faithful performance of the duties of the office and the honest handling of public funds. If the officer fails and someone is harmed, they can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, the officer repays the surety.

Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score. It helps set your credit-tier price, and the application walks you through it.

When does it expire?The official bond generally runs for the term of office. Failing to keep it in force while in office can result in forfeiture of the position under G.S. 58-72-25 — we send renewal notices so it never lapses over a missed email.

Related bonds

Other North Carolina bonds.

Official bond, before you are sworn in.

Pricing from $100, soft pull only. Enter the amount your office requires and file in 1–2 business days.

Start application

Your premiumfrom $100

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