Approval of Property for Use in Surety Bonds
Surety bonds in South Carolina involve specific responsibilities and procedures for property owners who wish to pledge real
estate as collateral. As a surety on a bond, you are financially responsible for the bond amount and guarantee the defendant’s
appearance in court at the required date and time. If the defendant fails to appear or violates any bond conditions, the State
may obtain a judgment against the surety’s pledged property. The property is returned to the property owner(s) at the conclusion
if the matter if the bond has not been violated or revoked by the Court.
Requirements and Process for Pledging Real Estate as a Surety Bond:
If you intend to use real estate as collateral for a surety bond, the following steps are required:
1. Application Submission
All property owners listed on the real estate must appear in person with valid photo identification at the Criminal Records Department
of the Circuit Court Division of the Clerk of Court’s Office. You will need to complete an “Application for Pledge of Real Estate for Surety
Bond.” This step is mandatory, and no additional documents can be processed or filed until the application is complete.
2. Required Information
To complete the application, you must provide the:
- Warrant number(s)
- Charges(s)
- Bond amount(s)
3. Additional Information
Detailed instructions and requirements for pledging real estate are available in the
“Property Owner Instructions for Pledge of
Real Estate for Surety Bond.” Please review these instructions thoroughly before proceeding.
Alternative Bond Options:
If you do not have property or sufficient equity to pledge as collateral, you have two alternative options:
- Contact a licensed bonding company to assist with securing the bond.
- Post the full bond amount in cash.
These procedures are designed to comply with South Carolina law and ensure that the bond process is transparent and straightforward for all parties involved.
