Audits and recordkeeping: Bail bonds

View the recordkeeping requirements for bail bond agencies and learn how to self-audit.

Recordkeeping requirements

If you're a bail bond agent or have a bail bond agency, you must:

  • Keep all the following types of records for at least 3 years.
  • Have these records readily available so we can audit them.

Records you must keep

For an overview of recordkeeping requirements and audit procedures, see Audits and Recordkeeping Procedures.

Financial records

  • Bank trust account records
  • Duplicate receipt books or receipt journals
  • Prenumbered checks
  • Check registers or cash disbursement journals
  • Validated bank deposit slips
  • Reconciled monthly bank statement (client liability versus bank statement)
  • All canceled and voided checks
  • A transaction folder or file containing a copy of all agreements, invoices, billings, and related correspondence for each transaction
  • Records of all collaterals, securities, or monetary instruments received or held in bail bond business transactions

Client records

  • Defendant's name
  • Application form
  • Transaction records, including transaction dates, the amount received, the amount disbursed, current balance, check number, and items covered
  • Indemnitor and indemnity agreements
  • Premium receipts
  • Collateral receipts
  • Letters of forfeiture or surrender forms
  • Letters of demand and affidavits, if surrendered before a forfeiture occurs
  • Any written information or communications that may influence the bail bond or collateral

Bail bond exoneration records

  • Court, citation, or case number
  • Date the bail was issued
  • Defendant's name, address, and telephone number
  • Amount of the bond
  • Name of the court
  • Date of exoneration of the bond

Employee records

  • Training and continuing education records for each bail bond agent you employ

Self-audit checklist

Use the Self-Audit Checklist to see if you could pass a recordkeeping audit.

Related laws and rules

Need additional help? Here's how to contact us:

call Phone: 360-664-6611
(TTY: Call 711)
mail Email: security@dol.wa.gov
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