Ohio state and county public officials like treasurers and court clerks must obtain surety bonds before taking office to guarantee faithful performance of their duties and proper handling of public funds. Bond amounts vary by office and are set by county commissioners, ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 for clerks, with …
Overview
What it is.
Ohio state and county public officials like treasurers and court clerks must obtain surety bonds before taking office to guarantee faithful performance of their duties and proper handling of public funds. Bond amounts vary by office and are set by county commissioners, ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 for clerks, with …
Who usually needs it
State and county-level public officials in Ohio, including County Treasurers, Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas, and other elected or appointed officials required by statute to post bond before assuming office. Each position has specific bond requirements set by the Ohio Revised Code and approved by the board of county commissioners.
Pricing & timing
What to expect.
Generic pricing
Miscellaneous surety bonds cover a wide variety of obligations that don't fit neatly into other categories. Typical Pricing:. • Small bonds: May be available as flat-fee premiums starting around $100–$250. • Larger bonds: Commonly around 1–5% of the bond amount, though rates vary significantly by bond type. • Underwriting: Requirements vary — some bonds qualify for instant approval, others require full underwriting. Pricing varies significantly by the specific bond type, jurisdiction, and r…
Typical timeframe
Varies by bond type — contact for details
Application
What to do next.
Tell us the bond name, state, and amount on your form.
Share business and applicant info so the team can quote it.
Sign and pay; we issue the bond and send you the documents.
Keep your effective date and renewal date on file with us.
Start the application.
You are on the exact bond page. The next step is to start the quick application.
StateOHBond amount$10,000ObligeeState of Ohio and its agenciesBond classMiscellaneous OtherCategoryGovernmentBondOhio State-level Public Official BondPlain descriptionOhio state and county public officials like treasurers and court clerks must obtain surety bonds before taking office to guarantee faithful performance of their duties and proper handling of public funds. Bond amounts v…Who needs this bondState and county-level public officials in Ohio, including County Treasurers, Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas, and other elected or appointed officials required by statute to post bond before assuming office. Each p…
FAQ
Common questions.
What Ohio state officials are required to obtain this public official bond?
County Treasurers (ORC §321.02) and Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas (ORC §2303.02) are specifically required to post individual surety bonds before taking office. County Treasurers must obtain bonds in amounts set by the board of county commissioners with no fixed minimum, while Clerks must post bonds ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 as determined by the commissioners. Other state and county officials may also be required by specific statutes. Note that treasurers are explicitly excluded from blanket bond coverage and must file individual bonds.
Who approves and pays for Ohio public official bonds?
The board of county commissioners approves both the bond amount and the surety company for Ohio public official bonds. The bond premium is paid by the county from the general fund, not by the individual official. For County Treasurers, the bond, oath of office, and board approval must be deposited with the county auditor. For Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas, these documents are deposited with the county treasurer. The surety company must be authorized to conduct business in Ohio.
What duties are covered under Ohio public official bonds?
County Treasurer bonds are conditioned on faithful discharge of duties including payment of all moneys received for state, county, township, or other purposes. Clerk of Court bonds cover entering and recording court orders, decrees, judgments, and proceedings; paying over all official moneys; and faithful and impartial discharge of all duties. If the board determines the bond coverage is insufficient, they may demand additional sureties, and failure to provide them within 10 days vacates the office.
