Texas Business License Bond Requirements by Agency (2026)
There is no single Texas business license bond. The agency that licenses you sets the amount — TxDMV, SOS, TDI, SML, TDB, TABC, plus city permit bonds.
Texas Debt Collector Bond
$10,000 Texas debt collector bond,
$10,000 Texas debt collector bond,
filed the same day you apply.
Required by Texas Finance Code Chapter 392 for every third-party debt collector registered with the Secretary of State. Flat-rate premium from $100 per year. No hard credit pull for most applicants.
- Same-day issuance on SOS-approved form
- CSO (credit-repair) bonds also available
- Resident and out-of-state collectors
What it is
The SOS bond every Texas debt collector must file.
A Texas debt collector bond is a $10,000 financial guarantee filed with the Texas Secretary of State under Finance Code Chapter 392. It protects Texas consumers from losses caused by debt-collection misconduct — harassment, misrepresentation, illegal collection practices, or failure to honor statutory cease-communication rights.
The bond is required of every third-party debt collector operating in Texas, regardless of where the company is based. A collection agency in Nevada working Texas accounts must register with the Texas SOS and file the bond. Original creditors collecting their own debts are generally exempt, as are licensed attorneys collecting debts for their clients.
Credit services organizations (CSOs) under Finance Code Chapter 393 — companies offering credit-repair, credit-improvement, or debt-management services — file a parallel $10,000 bond under a different statute. We write both and can pair them when one entity provides both services.
Not sure this is the $10,000 bond you were told to get? Our guide to the $10,000 surety bond in Texas sorts out every license that uses the amount.
What you pay
Flat-rate premium. Annual renewal.
Texas debt collector bonds are low-risk and typically priced flat without a credit review.
| Product | Coverage | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Debt collector bond Finance Code Ch. 392 | $10,000 | $100 |
| CSO (credit services) bond Finance Code Ch. 393 | $10,000 | $100 |
| Combined collector + CSO One entity, both services | $20,000 total | $175–$200 |
| Challenged credit premium Derogatory credit or prior claims | $10,000 | $150–$250 |
Two-year and three-year term discounts available. Bundle CSO and collector bonds to save.
How to get bonded
Four steps, same day, SOS-ready.
- 01
Quote the bond
Call or start online. Tell us collector or CSO (or both) and whether your company operates as a resident or out-of-state filer. No credit pull for standard quotes.
- 02
Sign & pay
Electronic application, card or ACH payment. Five-minute process.
- 03
Receive SOS-approved bond
Bond emailed the same day on the Secretary of State-approved form, executed and surety-sealed, ready to file with your SOS registration.
- 04
File with the Secretary of State
Submit the bond with your Form 2301-A (debt collector) or CSO registration. Registration is effective once SOS acknowledges the filing.
Legal requirements
Texas statute, issuing agency, what the bond covers.
Statute
Texas Finance Code Chapter 392 governs third-party debt collectors and requires a $10,000 surety bond on file with the Secretary of State. Chapter 393 governs credit services organizations and requires a parallel $10,000 bond.
Issuing agency
Texas Secretary of State, Business and Public Filings Division.
Bond amount
$10,000 for the debt collector bond. $10,000 for the CSO bond. A company providing both services files both bonds.
Term
One year. Must remain continuously in force while the registration is active; cancellation triggers suspension of registration.
Who can claim
Any Texas consumer harmed by violations of Chapter 392 (or Chapter 393 for CSOs). The Texas Attorney General may also claim against the bond in enforcement actions.
Why Surety Bond Houston
Small bond, quick filing, real agent on the phone.
Same-day SOS filing
Bond issued within the hour on the Secretary of State-approved form, ready for instant filing.
Collector + CSO bundles
Companies that register as both get one application, one agent, and a bundle discount.
Out-of-state friendly
If your collection agency is based outside Texas but works Texas accounts, we handle the Texas SOS filing like any local application.
Related bonds
Other small-business and professional bonds we write.
FAQ
Debt collector bond questions we answer every week.
How much does a Texas debt collector bond cost?
The bond amount is $10,000 — the minimum set by Texas Finance Code Chapter 392. Annual premium typically runs $100 to $250 for standard applicants. Rates are flat for most applicants with no hard credit pull required.
Who needs a Texas third-party debt collector bond?
Any third-party debt collector operating in Texas must register with the Secretary of State and file a $10,000 surety bond. This includes collection agencies, debt buyers, and out-of-state collectors working Texas accounts. Original creditors collecting their own debts are generally exempt.
Is the debt collector bond the same as the credit services organization (CSO) bond?
They are different bonds under different statutes but both are $10,000 and filed with the Secretary of State. Debt collectors file under Finance Code Chapter 392. Credit services organizations (credit-repair companies) file under Finance Code Chapter 393. Some businesses file both.
How long does the debt collector bond last?
One year, renewable. Texas requires continuous coverage while you are registered with the Secretary of State. Bond cancellation will trigger suspension of your registration.
Can I get a debt collector bond with bad credit?
Yes. Most debt collector bonds are flat-rated without a credit review. Applicants with serious derogatory credit or prior claim activity may pay slightly higher premium, but are rarely declined outright.
What happens if a claim is filed against my debt collector bond?
The surety investigates. If a consumer can show the collector violated Chapter 392 — harassment, misrepresentation, failing to honor cease-communication requests — the surety pays damages up to $10,000 and collects that amount back from the collector. Texas also allows the Attorney General to claim against the bond.
Ready when you are
Get your Texas debt collector bond today.
Same-day issuance. Flat-rate pricing. SOS-compliant form. Talk to a real Texas agent.