Why transfer bonds exist
A bail bond agent may not become a surety on an undertaking unless he or she has registered in the office of the sheriff and with the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which the bail bond agent resides.
You may register in other counties as well, filing a certified copy of your power of attorney from each insurer you represent with each sheriff and clerk, and renewing by April 1 of each odd-numbered year (s. 648.42). When the defendant sits in a jail in a county where you are not registered, a local agent has to post the bond. That is the transfer bond:
“Transfer bond” means the appearance bond and power of attorney form posted by a limited surety agent who is registered in the county where the defendant is being held in custody.
Who answers for what
| Party | Role | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Referring agent | The limited surety agent who requests the transfer bond. Held liable for it, along with the issuing surety company. | s. 648.25(9) |
| Executing agent | The limited surety agent registered in the county of custody who posts the bond, and who must write the referring agent’s name and address on it. | s. 648.43(3) |
| Surety | The insurer whose power of attorney is posted. An agent may only sell bonds of an insurer that the agent and the agent’s agency are currently appointed with. | s. 648.30(1)(b) |
Because the referring agent stays liable on the bond, a forfeiture on a transfer bond is the referring agent’s problem as much as the surety’s. The forfeiture and remission guide sets out those deadlines.
What may be charged
The starting point is that nothing may be charged except the premium, unless a statute or rule allows it (Rule 69B-221.105(1)). A bail bond agent may accept only the premium and the transfer fee the Office of Insurance Regulation authorizes, plus collateral or other indemnity (s. 648.44(1)(j)), and must charge the premium at exactly the filed and approved rate (s. 648.33(2)).
When the agent who executes the bond is in a different county from the originating agent, the premium may include (Rule 69B-221.105(1)(b)):
| Charge | Limit |
|---|---|
| Execution and transfer fee | Up to $100 |
| Travel | $50 for each county travelled through on the most direct route |
| Managing general agent or surety company fee | Up to $100 per defendant |
| More than three bonds for one defendant | $10 for each bond beyond the third |
- On an out-of-state bond, the transfer fee may not be more than that state charges (Rule 69B-221.105(1)(c)).
- Commissions may be shared only between licensed and appointed bail bond agents (s. 648.44(5)).
- Collateral, other than a promissory note or an indemnity agreement, must be returned when liability on the bond finally ends (s. 648.442(1)).
How the hand-off works
Confirm the custody county and the charges
Each charge takes its own power of attorney: an agent may not write more than one power of attorney per charge, except with a cosurety (s. 648.44(1)(k)).
Find the executing agent
You need a limited surety agent registered with that county’s sheriff and clerk (s. 648.42) and appointed with the surety whose power of attorney will be posted (s. 648.30(1)(b)).
Agree the charges
Settle the fees in writing, within the limits above, before the bond is posted.
The bond is posted
The executing agent posts the appearance bond and power of attorney at the jail and writes your name and address on the bond (s. 648.43(3)).
Track the case to the end
As the referring agent you remain liable with the surety until the bond is discharged (s. 648.25(9)), so keep the court dates and watch for a forfeiture notice.
Transfer requests on BailHub
BailHub’s transfer bonds let a verified agent send a request to agents who are registered in the custody county and appointed with the same surety. BailHub charges no per-transfer fee, never signs a bond, never handles powers of attorney and never holds money or collateral: the charges are agreed and paid between the agencies, within the limits above.
Laws cited
- s. 648.25, F.S. Definitions
- s. 648.30, F.S. Licensure and appointment required; prohibited acts; penalties
- s. 648.33, F.S. Bail bond rates
- s. 648.42, F.S. Registration of bail bond agents
- s. 648.43, F.S. Power of attorney; approval by office; filing of copies; notification of transfer bond
- s. 648.44, F.S. Prohibitions; penalty
- s. 648.442, F.S. Collateral security
- Rule 69B-221.105, F.A.C. Premium charge only permitted
This guide summarizes Florida law as of October 14, 2026, from the Florida Statutes and the rules of the Department of Financial Services. It is not legal advice: laws change, and the official text above governs. Ask a Florida attorney about your own situation.