What Information You Need to Start a Bail Bond

To start a bail bond, a bail agent needs to know who is in custody, where they are, and what the bail is, plus some basic information about the person signing for them. The short list is: the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, booking number and jail; the charges and bail amount if you know them; and, for the person signing (the indemnitor), a photo ID, contact details, where you live and work, and how you plan to pay.

You do not need every item to get started. A good agent can look up much of the custody information with just a name and date of birth. But the more you have ready, the fewer back-and-forth calls there are, and the less chance of an error on the paperwork.

Why the details matter

A bail bond is a legal document filed with the jail. Jail staff check it against their own records before they accept it. If the name, booking number, charges or bail amount on the bond do not match, the bond can be sent back for correction. That costs time, which is the one thing you are trying to save.

Getting the details right the first time is the simplest way to avoid a delay you can control.

Information about the person in custody

Full legal name

Use the name exactly as the jail has it, including middle names, second last names, hyphens and suffixes like Jr. If you are not sure how it was entered, check the Sheriff's online inmate lookup. Nicknames and shortened names cause mismatches.

Date of birth

The date of birth separates people with the same or similar names. It is also one of the main ways agents and jail staff search records.

Booking number

This is the jail's ID number for this specific arrest. It is usually shown in the online inmate lookup, and the person can give it to you if they call. If you have only one thing written down, make it this.

Which jail

Write down the facility name, not just the city or county. A person can be moved between facilities after booking, so if it has been a while, check the lookup again. Not sure where to search? Our guide on how to find someone in jail in Southern California covers each county.

Charges and bail amount, if you know them

These often appear in the inmate lookup. If they do not, that is fine. The agent can usually find out. If the arrest was on a warrant, the bail is typically set on the warrant itself. Note any charge that shows no bail amount, since some charges need a judge to decide on bail first.

Any other holds you know about

If you know the person is on probation or parole, has a warrant from another county, or may have an immigration hold, tell the agent. A hold can keep someone in custody even after bail is posted on the new charge. It is better to know that before you pay anything.

Court date, if one is listed

If the lookup shows a court date and courthouse, write them down. They are useful for both the bond and planning ahead.

Information about you, the person signing

The person who signs for the bond is called the indemnitor or co-signer. By signing, you are taking on real responsibility, including helping make sure the defendant goes to every court date. Our guide to co-signing a bail bond explains that role in detail before you commit.

To process the paperwork, the agent will generally ask for:

A valid photo ID

A driver's license, state ID card or passport. With online signing, you may be asked to upload a photo of it.

Contact information

Your phone number, email and current address. The agent needs a reliable way to reach you throughout the case.

Residence information

Where you live, how long you have lived there, and whether you rent or own. This helps the agent understand your ties to the area.

Employment information

Your employer, job title and how long you have worked there. If you are self-employed, retired or between jobs, just say so. It does not automatically rule you out.

Your relationship to the defendant

Parent, spouse, sibling, friend, partner or coworker. Be honest. The agent is trying to understand who will be there to support the person through the case.

References

Some bonds require names and phone numbers of relatives or friends of the defendant. Ask the agent what they need so you can gather it while you wait.

How you plan to pay

The premium is the fee you pay the bail agent to post the bond. It is typically 10% of the bail amount, based on rates filed with the California Department of Insurance. The premium is not refunded at the end of the case, because it pays for the bond service itself.

Be ready to tell the agent:

• Your payment method, such as a debit or credit card, cash, or bank transfer
• Whether you need a payment plan. Payment plans are available, and asking about one is normal
• Whether anyone else is helping pay. Some families split the cost between several people

Depending on the bail amount and the circumstances, the agent may ask about collateral. Ask what is required, and get any collateral agreement in writing. You can read more about cost in our article on how much a bail bond costs in California.

Questions to ask the agent before you sign

• What is your California bail license number? (Check it on the Department of Insurance website.)
• What is the total premium, and what are the payment plan terms?
• Is any collateral required? When and how is it returned?
• What exactly am I responsible for as the indemnitor?
• What do you need from the defendant after release, such as check-ins?
• Can I get copies of everything I sign?

Read each document before you sign it. If something is unclear, ask. A professional agent will take the time to explain.

A ready-to-use checklist

Copy this into your phone and fill it in as you go:

1. Defendant's full legal name
2. Defendant's date of birth
3. Booking number
4. Jail or facility name
5. Charges and bail amount (if known)
6. Any known holds, probation, parole or warrants
7. Court date and courthouse (if listed)
8. Your photo ID
9. Your phone, email and address
10. Your employer and how long you have worked there
11. Your relationship to the defendant
12. Payment method and whether you need a payment plan

When you have most of this, you can start bail online and an agent will follow up on anything missing. You can also review how bail works if you want the bigger picture first.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your case, talk to a criminal defense attorney.

Need help now?

OnCall Bail Bonds' licensed agents answer 24/7 in English and Spanish, and you can sign from your phone. Call (951) 339-3801 or start bail online.