Surety bonds • Tennessee
Tennessee Surety Bonds: Requirements and Costs by Bond Type
Tennessee requires surety bonds for vehicle dealers, notaries, home improvement contractors in certain counties, and contractors on larger public works. Dealers need a $50,000 bond, notaries need $10,000, and home improvement licensees need $10,000. This guide lists the most common Tennessee bonds and what they cost.
Each bond links to a detailed guide with official sources. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency licensed in Tennessee, and a licensed agent can help you find and file the bond you need.
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Tell us the bond you need and who requires it, and a licensed agent will follow up. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
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Common Tennessee surety bonds
| Bond | Who requires it | Required amount |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle dealer bond | Motor Vehicle Commission | $50,000 |
| Notary bond | County commission / county clerk | $10,000 |
| Home improvement bond | Board for Licensing Contractors | $10,000 |
| Public works payment bond | Public entities (T.C.A. § 12-4-201) | At least 25% of contracts over $100,000 |
Amounts are sourced in each linked guide.
Federal bonds Tennessee businesses often need
- Freight broker bond (BMC-84): $75,000, filed with FMCSA.
- ERISA bond: at least 10% of plan funds handled.
- Bid bonds and Miller Act bonds on federal construction.
What Tennessee bonds cost
Notary bonds start around $30 for four years, home improvement bonds around $100 a year, and the $50,000 dealer bond around $132 a year. Contract bonds are priced based on credit and finances. See our surety bond cost guide or the surety bond cost calculator.
Tennessee surety bond FAQs
How much is a Tennessee dealer bond?
$50,000, covering a two-year license term.
How much is a Tennessee notary bond?
$10,000 for a four-year commission.
Do Tennessee contractors need a bond?
Home improvement licensees in participating counties need a $10,000 bond. Public works contracts over $100,000 need a payment bond of at least 25%.
Related guides
- Tennessee auto dealer bond
- Tennessee notary bond
- Tennessee home improvement bond
- Tennessee public works bond
- Georgia surety bonds
- North Carolina surety bonds
- Surety bonds
- Surety bond cost
- Surety bond cost calculator
- Buy a surety bond online
- License and permit bonds
- Tennessee landscaping contractor insurance
- Tennessee HVAC contractor insurance
- Tennessee electrical contractor insurance
- Tennessee plumbing contractor insurance
- Tennessee 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
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 Tennessee bond you need, and a licensed agent will help you compare options, or start a bond quote online with our partner.
