No. South Carolina is one of the few states that doesn’t require notaries to carry a surety bond. You still register with the Secretary of State and pay a $25 application fee.
South Carolina Surety Bonds
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South Carolina requires a surety bond for contractors, auto dealers, mortgage professionals, and dozens of other licensed occupations. You need one before the state issues or renews your license, and before you bid on most public contracts.
Most Common South Carolina Surety Bonds
Here are the bonds South Carolina businesses request most often.
| Bond Type | Who Needs It | Required By | Bond Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor License Bond | Commercial general contractors | South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board (CLB) | varies based on group and requirements |
| Residential Builder Bond | Residential builders and specialty contractors | South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (RBC) | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Contractor License Bond | Mechanical, general, and specialty license applicants | South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board (CLB) | $5,000–$350,000 |
| Construction Performance & Payment Bond | Contractors on public projects over $50,000 | Awarding government agency | 100% of contract value |
| Construction Bid Bond | Contractors bidding on public design-bid-build projects | Awarding government agency | 5%–10% of bid amount |
| Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond | Retail and wholesale auto dealers | South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) | $50,000 |
| Motorcycle Dealer Bond | Motorcycle-only dealers and wholesalers | South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) | $25,000 |
| Wholesale Auto Auction Bond | Wholesale auto auction operators | South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) | $15,000 |
| Auction Bond | Licensed auctioneers | South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) | Varies by license type |
| Mortgage Broker Bond | Licensed mortgage brokers | South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) | $25,000–$50,000 |
| Mortgage Lender/Servicer Bond | Mortgage lenders and loan servicers | South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions | $25,000–$100,000 |
| Insurance Broker Bond | Resident insurance brokers | South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI), S.C. Code Section 38-45-20 | $10,000 |
| Public Adjuster Bond | Licensed public insurance adjusters | South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) | Varies (surplus lines brokers: 10% of annual premiums, $75,000 min.) |
| Employment Agency Bond | Private personnel placement services | South Carolina Secretary of State (SOS), S.C. Code Section 41-25-30 | $3,000 |
| BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond | Property brokers arranging freight transport | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) | $75,000 |
| Fidelity/Employee Dishonesty Bond | Employers bonding at-risk hires | Federal Bonding Program via SC Dept. of Employment and Workforce | $5,000–$25,000 (no cost through the state program) |
costs
Surety Bond SC Cost: What You'll Pay in South Carolina
You don’t pay the full bond amount. You pay a premium, a small percentage of that amount, and the surety backs the rest. Your rate depends on credit score, time in business, and bond type. Most South Carolina license bonds run $100 to $1,000 a year.
| Credit Score | Premium Rate | Example: $15,000 Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent (720+) | 1%–2% | $150–$300/year |
| Good (660–719) | 2%–3% | $300–$450/year |
| Fair (600–659) | 3%–5% | $450–$750/year |
| Challenged (<600) 5%–15% $750–$2,250/year |
Bond amount varies based on contractor license group and financial responsibility requirements established by the South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board.
Bond Premium Examples:
Most South Carolina license bonds run $100–$1,000/year, 1–2% – 3–5%
Premiums shown are examples only. Actual premiums depend on underwriting, credit, bond type, financial strength, and surety company.
Contact us for a quote specific to your contract size.
South Carolina Surety Bond Requirements: What SC LLR, SCDMV, and SCDCA Require
South Carolina spreads bonding oversight across several agencies, depending on your license type.
- South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) — Regulates contractor licensing through llr.sc.gov, including the CLB and RBC boards
- South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) — Regulates auto dealer and wholesaler bonds through dmv.sc.gov
- South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) — Regulates mortgage broker bonds through consumer.sc.gov
- Renewal — Contractor licenses renew every two years. Residential builder licenses renew annually, and your bond must stay active through each term
- Cancellation — Sureties must give the relevant board 30 days’ written notice before canceling a bond. Cancellation without a replacement bond suspends your license
- South Carolina rule — The state’s Little Miller Act requires 100% performance and payment bonds on public contracts over $50,000. That’s one of the strictest coverage ratios in the country
step by step guide
How to Get a Surety Bond in South Carolina
-
Choose Your Bond Type
Select the bond you need — commercial, contract, or any specialized bond. We help you find exactly what is required in your state.
-
Submit a Quick Application
Complete a short online form. It only takes a few minutes, with no extra paperwork or long verification steps.
-
Get Approved & Receive Your Bond
Get fast approval and receive your bond instantly by email. Your document is ready to use right away.
The process takes minutes once you know which bond your license requires.
- Confirm your bond type and amount — Check your license application or call the issuing agency to verify the requirement.
- Submit an application — Give us your legal name, business details, and the bond amount needed.
- Get underwritten — We pull your credit and, for larger bonds, review financials to set your rate.
- Sign and pay — Review your bond form, sign it, and pay your premium to activate coverage.
- File with the state — Submit your signed bond to the CLB, RBC, SCDMV, or SCDCA with your license paperwork.
faq
South Carolina Surety Bond FAQ
Do I need a bond to become a notary in South Carolina?
How fast can I get a surety bond in South Carolina?
Most applicants with decent credit get approved within 1 business day. Bonds over $100,000 can take 3–5 business days if underwriters need financial statements.
What happens if I let my South Carolina license bond lapse?
Failure to maintain the required bond may result in suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of your license. You can’t legally pull permits, sign contracts, or renew your license. Most SC boards require an active bond on file for the full license term, with no grace period.
Can a South Carolina city require its own bond on top of the state bond?
Yes. Cities including Bluffton, Columbia, and North Augusta impose separate local bond requirements for contractors working within their limits. Check with your local building department before you bid on a job.
Does South Carolina require a bond for every licensed profession?
No. Bonding depends on your license type and the agency that oversees it. Notaries, for example, need no bond at all, while contractors and auto dealers do.
If I'm bonded in another state, does South Carolina accept it?
No. South Carolina requires a bond issued specifically for your SC license, naming the SC agency as the obligee. A bond from another state won’t satisfy that requirement.
Check Out
Most Popular South Carolina Bonds
Choose Surety Bond Type You Need in South Carolina
Commercial Bonds
- Business Service Bonds
- Employee Dishonesty Bonds
- Fidelity Surety Bonds
- Financial Institution Bonds
- Janitorial Bonds
License & Permit Bonds
Court Bonds
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