WI dating service bonds.
$250. Five minutes.

Wisconsin requires a dating service that collects more than $100 in advance to establish proof of financial responsibility of not less than $25,000 under Wis. Stat. 100.175, on file with DATCP. A surety bond is one accepted form — ours is $250 flat, the price you see is the checkout price.

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Required under Wis. Stat. 100.175 — when you charge more than $100 before services are received

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Fixed price, fixed amount — $25,000 bond, $250, no quote process

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Multi-year terms available — set it up once for up to 3 years

A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantunderwriting process1–3 yrterms available

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How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

Proof-of-responsibility bonds are simple. Here's the entire process:

NOW · 5 MINUTES

Apply online

Business details and an effective date. That's the application — no financials and no credit section on this bond.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Pay & e-sign

Fixed-amount consumer-protection bonds like this often issue right after purchase. At most, 1–2 business days.

SAME DAY

File with DATCP

Your executed bond arrives by email, ready to file with DATCP as your proof of financial responsibility. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) enforces Wis. Stat. 100.175, the dating-service contracts law. A dating service may not collect (or contract to collect) more than $100 before a buyer receives services unless it maintains proof of financial responsibility of not less than $25,000.

The security is established in favor of the state for the benefit of any buyer who is owed but does not receive a refund. So if a dating service takes advance money and the consumer is entitled to a refund they never get, the consumer can recover against the bond.

It is not insurance for you. If the surety pays a valid claim, you repay the surety. A surety bond is one of the accepted forms — usually cheaper than tying up $25,000 in a CD, escrow, or letter of credit, because you pay the $250 premium instead of the full amount.

Wis. Stat. 100.175Wis. Stat. 100.175 bars a dating service from collecting more than $100 in advance of services unless it establishes proof of financial responsibility of not less than $25,000, in favor of the state for the benefit of any buyer owed a refund. Accepted forms include a surety bond, certificate of deposit, escrow account, or irrevocable letter of credit, filed with DATCP. Confirm the amount and form on your DATCP filing.

You need this bond if you're

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A dating or matchmaking service collecting more than $100 before delivering services

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Selling memberships or packages paid in advance under a dating-service contract

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A matchmaking agency that charges upfront enrollment or retainer fees

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Renewing your DATCP filing as your prior security expires

Five minutes. The whole thing.

These are the actual issuing fields — the application collects no credit information for this bond.

Start the application →

FAQs

Common questions.

If yours isn't here, the bond team can usually answer within the hour.

How much is the Wisconsin dating service bond? ▾

The premium is $250 flat, the price you see is the checkout price, the same for every dating service. The $25,000 minimum is set by Wis. Stat. 100.175, so there is no quote process.

Do I always need it? ▾

Only if you collect more than $100 from a buyer before they receive (or have the chance to receive) services. A dating service that charges $100 or less in advance is not required to post the security under Wis. Stat. 100.175.

Do I pay the $25,000? ▾

No. You pay $250. The $25,000 is the maximum the surety could pay out to harmed buyers — it is not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

Can I use a CD or letter of credit instead? ▾

Yes — the statute accepts several forms of financial responsibility. A surety bond is usually the cheapest, because you pay the $250 premium instead of tying up the full $25,000 in cash or bank collateral.

Is there a credit check? ▾

Not on this bond — the application has no credit section. Fixed-amount consumer-protection bonds like this one don't need one.

Related bonds

Other Wisconsin bonds.

Satisfy DATCP today.

$250 flat, five-minute application, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.

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