Texas is the only state in the country requiring the use of a county Bail Bond Board system to issue licenses for the purpose of writing bail.  A Bail Bond Board is required in counties with a population of more than 200,000.  Bail agents, or bondsmen as they are referred to in Texas, writing in non-bail bond board counties must obtain a Recording Agent's license from the State of Texas and an appointment by an approved corporate surety.  Two counties in Texas permit the faxing of bonds to the jail, Dallas and Tarrant.

 

In counties without a CBBB, regulation is by the sheriff and by the judges within that county [CCP 17.11, 17.13]

A) Counties with a Bail Bond Board

1) Both individuals and corporations can be licensed

a. An individual must [Sec. 1704.152(a)(1)-(3)]

1. Be a resident of Texas and a US citizen,

2. Be at least 18 years old,

3. Have financial resources to provide indemnity as set out in Sec. 1704.160,

4. Have no final convictions of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude [Sec. 1704.153]

b. A corporation must be [Sec. 1704.152(b)(1)-(2)]

1. Chartered or admitted to do business in Texas,

2. Qualified to write fidelity, guaranty, and surety bonds under the Insurance Code

2) In addition to the above, the applicant must file a sworn CBBB application form which prescribes at least the following [Sec1704.154]:

a) name, age, address, (if a corporation, whether qualified as above under the Texas Insurance Code), name under which the business will be conducted, location(s) of business [Sec. 1704.154(b)(2)

Tennessee has a 180 day forfeiture period.