Surety bonds • Ohio
Ohio Surety Bonds: Requirements and Costs by Bond Type
Ohio requires surety bonds for used motor vehicle dealers, for contractors on public improvements, and in many cities for licensed contractors. Used car dealers post a $25,000 bond with the Ohio Attorney General, public improvement contracts need a bond for the full contract amount, and Columbus requires a $25,000 bond for several contractor licenses. This guide lists the most common Ohio bonds and what they cost.
Each bond links to a detailed guide with official sources. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency licensed in Ohio, and a licensed agent can help you find and file the bond you need.
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Common Ohio surety bonds
| Bond | Who requires it | Required amount |
|---|---|---|
| Used motor vehicle dealer (title defect) bond | Ohio Attorney General / BMV licensing | $25,000 |
| Public improvement bid and contract bonds | State and political subdivisions (ORC 153.54) | Bid amount; contract amount |
| Columbus contractor bond | City of Columbus Building and Zoning Services | $25,000 |
Amounts are sourced in each linked guide.
Contractor bonds in Ohio
Ohio does not issue a statewide general contractor license with a license bond. Commercial trade contractors are licensed by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, and many cities require their own registration and bonds; for example, Columbus requires a $25,000 bond for general, sewer and water, fire protection, and OCILB contractors. Public projects require bid and contract bonds under Ohio Rev. Code § 153.54.
Federal bonds Ohio businesses often need
- Freight broker bond (BMC-84): $75,000, filed with FMCSA.
- ERISA bond: at least 10% of plan funds handled.
- Court and appeal bonds, set by the court.
What Ohio bonds cost
The $25,000 used dealer bond starts around $150 a year, and the Columbus $25,000 contractor bond is published at about $250 a year. Contract bonds are priced as a percentage of the contract. See our surety bond cost guide or the surety bond cost calculator.
Ohio surety bond FAQs
What surety bonds are required in Ohio?
Common ones include the used motor vehicle dealer bond, public improvement bid and contract bonds, and city contractor bonds such as Columbus’s $25,000 bond.
Do Ohio contractors need a state license bond?
No statewide general contractor license bond exists, but many cities require contractor bonds, and public improvements require contract bonds.
How much is an Ohio used car dealer bond?
The bond amount is $25,000. Published prices start around $150 a year.
Related guides
- Ohio auto dealer bond
- Ohio public improvement bond
- Columbus contractor license bond
- New York surety bonds
- Florida surety bonds
- Texas surety bonds
- Surety bonds
- Surety bond cost
- Surety bond cost calculator
- Buy a surety bond online
- License and permit bonds
- Ohio landscaping contractor insurance
- Ohio HVAC contractor insurance
- Ohio electrical contractor insurance
- Ohio plumbing contractor insurance
- Ohio roofing contractor insurance
- South Dakota surety bonds
- West Virginia surety bonds
- New Mexico surety bonds
- Nebraska surety bonds
- Kansas surety bonds
- Iowa surety bonds
- Oklahoma surety bonds
- South Carolina surety bonds
- Alabama surety bonds
- Tennessee surety bonds
- Washington surety bonds
- Michigan surety bonds
- Pennsylvania surety bonds
- New Jersey surety bonds
- Illinois surety bonds
- Georgia surety bonds
- Virginia surety bonds
- North Carolina surety bonds
Important information
Compensation. The link in the partner quote box near the top of this page is sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, the surety, your credit, the bond type, and underwriting.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Tell us the Ohio bond you need, and a licensed agent will help you compare options, or start a bond quote online with our partner.
