2023 Bail Bond Registration Form

Bail Bond Agents,

We want to welcome you to the upcoming Bail Bond Agent Registration Event for the period covering April 1, 2023- March 31, 2025. Registration consists of filing (1) a completed registration form for each Surety and/or Agency for whom the agent writes bail bonds; (2) a certified copy of the recorded power of attorney from each insurer the agent represents; and (3) copy of the agent’s license.

The Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court, in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, is providing a new and convenient option for a “One Stop Shop” to streamline the registration process for all bond agents. You are invited to visit us during any of our four open houses to finalize your registration paperwork in downtown Tampa. We will have deputy clerks available to assist you.

During our upcoming open houses, bail bond agents can record and purchase certified copies of their power of attorney, and then file the registrations and required supporting documentation with the Clerk and Sheriff in a single location. We’ve designed the events to provide excellent customer service and save you time.

Location:
Clerk’s Office Official Records Department
419 Pierce St.  1st Floor, Room 140 (Pat Frank Courts Building)

Dates/times:

• Friday  February 10th  1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• Friday  February 17th  8:00 am – 12:00pm
• Friday  March 10th  1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• Friday  March 17th  8:00 am – 12:00pm

Upon arriving at the Official Records Department, the bail bond agent will select the “Bail Bondsman” option at the self-service check-in kiosk. The Recording Clerk will assist you with recording the Appointments, and prepare the certified copies of the recorded documents.  Notary and copy services will be available if you choose.

Service Charges (Personal Check, Money Order, Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover):

• Recording Appointment:  $10.00 1st page / $8.50 each additional page
• Certified Copy of Appointment:  $3.00 per certified document
• Copies of Agent’s Valid State License:  $1.00  per copy
• Notary Services:  $10.00 per document notarized

Once you have completed recording your appointments, you will be directed to see representatives from the Clerk’s Bond Department and the Sheriff’s Office FSD Department. They will review and accept your completed registration packet for the 2023-2025 Registration Period.

We hope to assist you on one of the above open house dates. However, if you are unable to attend, you may still follow the previous process of recording your appointments in official records and mail them along with the registration forms and copy of agent license to the addresses below. You may also file your Clerk registration form in person at the Customer Service Center located at 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33601, Room 101 in the Edgecomb Courthouse.

Clerk of Circuit Court
c/o Bond Department
P. O. Box 3371
Tampa, Fl 33601-3360

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
FSD Department c/o AP Unit
P.O. Box 3360
Tampa, Fl 33601-3371

§648.42, Florida Statute requires bail bond agents to register with both the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Clerk of Court & Comptroller before they can issue bonds in Hillsborough County. Registration renewals must be completed by April 1st of each odd-numbered year.

The “certification” on the power can be by the insurer. If the agent cannot provide a certification by the insurer, the agent can record the original power of attorney and purchase certified copies from official records for filing with the Clerk and Sheriff.

Once the Clerk’s Office verifies an agent is licensed and the paperwork is satisfactory, no further action by the agent is required. However, the Clerk’s Office will notify the agent only if the registration is incomplete and further action will be required by the agent. Note that Chapter 903, Florida Statutes, now authorizes electronic notice to bail bond agents for court notices as well as forfeiture notices.

Download the fillable 2023 Bail Bond Registration Form you’ll need to register.

If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please contact:

Clerk of Circuit Court
Bondsstaff@hillsclerk.com
813-276-8100 ext. 3410

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Judy Taiclet
813-247-8144

Thank you and we look forward to assisting you in the most efficient and timely manner possible.

Cindy Stuart, Clerk of Court & Comptroller