WA public official bonds.
From $100.

Washington requires many elected and appointed officers to file an official bond under RCW 42.08, conditioned on faithfully performing the duties of office and accounting for any public money they handle. The penal sum is set by the office or local policy; premiums are 0.35% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum, shown at the application.

Required under RCW 42.08 (and statutes for specific offices, e.g. RCW 36.16.050 for county officers)
Amount is set by law or local policy for the office — not a single statewide figure
A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score
From $100your price at applicationSoft pullnever a hard inquiryFastinstant underwriting for most
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Capital
McKinney
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Triple Five
Georgetown
How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

Enter the amount your office requires, consent to a soft pull, and file before you take office. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply once, online

Your details, the penal sum the office requires, and the effective date — 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 credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score.

1–2 BUSINESS DAYS

File and take office

Pay online and receive the executed bond, ready to file with the clerk or appointing authority before you enter upon your duties. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the official bond actually guarantees

Washington's RCW 42.08 governs official bonds. All official bonds required by law are joint and several, payable to the State of Washington, in the penal sum and with the conditions the law requires. They are conditioned on the officer faithfully performing the duties of office and properly handling any public funds that come into the officer’s possession.

Many offices have their own bonding statute that names the amount or method — for example, county officers under RCW 36.16.050 must furnish a bond before entering upon their duties, conditioned on faithful performance, accounting for public money, and delivering records to a successor. The required penal sum is set by that statute or by local policy, not by a single statewide number.

It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays a valid claim, you repay the surety. For many local-government positions, the public body pays the premium (RCW 48.28.040). Confirm the amount your office requires, enter it, and we issue the bond from $100, with a quick soft credit check that never affects your score.

RCW 42.08 (official bonds)RCW chapter 42.08 governs Washington official bonds: they are joint and several, payable to the State of Washington, in the penal sum and conditions required by law, and are in force and obligatory upon the principal and sureties for injuries caused by the officer’s wrongful act or default in an official capacity (RCW 42.08.080). Specific offices carry their own bonding statutes (e.g., county officers under RCW 36.16.050). The required amount is set by the governing statute or local policy. Confirm the penal sum for your office.

You need this bond if you are

An elected officer a statute or local policy requires to be bonded before taking office
An appointed official or employee handling public funds in a bonded position
A county, city, or district officer under RCW 36.16.050 or a comparable office statute
A treasurer, clerk, or fiscal officer whose office conditions service on a faithful-performance bond

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including 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 Washington public official bond?Premiums are 0.35% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The penal sum is set by the statute or local policy for your specific office — there is no single statewide figure. Enter that amount and your exact price appears at the application.
What does the bond guarantee?That you will faithfully perform the duties of your office and account for and pay over any public money that comes into your hands. Official bonds are payable to the State of Washington under RCW 42.08.
Who sets the amount?The governing statute or local policy for your office. Many positions — county officers under RCW 36.16.050, for instance — have a specified bond requirement. Send us your office and required amount and we will confirm.
Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply as part of underwriting — never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score. Premiums are 0.35% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum.
Who pays the premium?For many local-government positions, the public body pays the bond premium under RCW 48.28.040. Confirm with your jurisdiction; either way your price is 0.35% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum.
Related bonds

Other Washington bonds.

Bonded before you take office.

From $100, short application, e-signed bond in 1–2 business days. Free until issued.

Your premiumfrom $100
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