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Fidelity Bond

County / Municipal Public Official Bond

This bond guarantees that local public officials will faithfully perform their duties, properly handle public funds, and act ethically in their official capacity. It protects taxpayers and government entities from financial losses caused by official misconduct, fraud, or negligence. Bond amounts are set by county boar…

Overview

What it is.

This bond guarantees that local public officials will faithfully perform their duties, properly handle public funds, and act ethically in their official capacity. It protects taxpayers and government entities from financial losses caused by official misconduct, fraud, or negligence. Bond amounts are set by county boar…

Who usually needs it

Elected and appointed local government officials in Ohio, including county treasurers, sheriffs, clerks of courts, auditors, recorders, coroners, engineers, municipal mayors, city/village treasurers, city/village auditors, and other county and municipal officers as required by statute or local ordinance.

Pricing & timing

What to expect.

Generic pricing

Fidelity bonds protect against employee dishonesty and theft. Typical Pricing:. • Standard coverage: Premiums commonly based on coverage amount and number of employees. • ERISA bonds: Matrix pricing based on plan assets — often starting around $100–$300 per year for smaller plans. • Employee dishonesty bonds: Rates vary by coverage level and employee count. ERISA fidelity bonds are required for employee benefit plan fiduciaries. Coverage must equal at least 10% of plan assets handled, up to…

Typical timeframe

Specialized application — typically 1–3 business days

Application

What to do next.

  1. Tell us the bond name, state, and amount on your form.
  2. Share business and applicant info so the team can quote it.
  3. Sign and pay; we issue the bond and send you the documents.
  4. Keep your effective date and renewal date on file with us.
Start the application.

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Details

Bond details.

StateOH
Bond amount$5,000
ObligeeCounties, Cities, Villages, Townships
Bond classFidelity Bond
CategoryGovernment
BondCounty / Municipal Public Official Bond
Plain descriptionThis bond guarantees that local public officials will faithfully perform their duties, properly handle public funds, and act ethically in their official capacity. It protects taxpayers and government entities from finan…
Who needs this bondElected and appointed local government officials in Ohio, including county treasurers, sheriffs, clerks of courts, auditors, recorders, coroners, engineers, municipal mayors, city/village treasurers, city/village audito…
FAQ

Common questions.

What Ohio public officials are required to have this bond?

In Ohio, this bond is required for county officials including sheriffs (ORC 311.02), county treasurers (ORC 321.02), clerks of courts, auditors, recorders, coroners, and engineers. Municipal officials including mayors, city/village treasurers, and city/village auditors also require this bond under ORC 733.70. The specific requirement and bond amount are set by the county board of commissioners for county officers, or by the municipal legislative authority (city council or village council) via ordinance for municipal officers.

How much does the Ohio County/Municipal Public Official Bond amount vary?

Bond amounts vary significantly by office and jurisdiction. County sheriffs must bond for $5,000 to $50,000 as fixed by the county board of commissioners. County treasurers bond for an amount directed by the board based on funds handled. Municipal officers (mayors, auditors, treasurers) bond for amounts set by local ordinance, with $25,000 being common in many municipalities. The amount is determined based on the official's responsibilities and the volume of public funds they handle.

When must Ohio public officials secure their bond?

The bond must be secured before entering office duties. It must be filed along with the oath of office and receive approval from the appropriate authority (county board of commissioners for county officers, or municipal legislative authority for city/village officers). Failure to secure the required bond within the specified timeframe (typically 10 days when additional sureties are required) can result in the office being declared vacant. The bond remains in effect throughout the official's term of office.

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Next step

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