If you’ve been told you need a surety bond—whether by a court, a licensing agency, or a legal document—you might be wondering how your credit history affects the process. It's a fair question: Can you get a surety bond with bad credit?
The good news is yes, you often can. While credit history does play a role in bond underwriting, it’s not always a dealbreaker. Many people secure surety bonds every day, even with past bankruptcies, low credit scores, or financial setbacks.
Here’s what you need to know about how credit impacts bond approval, how to prepare, and why working with a company like Jurisco can improve your chances of success.
Unlike insurance, where the provider assumes most of the risk, surety bonds are based on the expectation that the person or company being bonded will meet their legal or financial obligations. If they don’t, the surety may have to step in and pay—and then seek repayment from the bondholder.
Because of this, surety companies look at credit as a way to gauge reliability and risk. A low credit score may suggest a higher risk of default, so underwriters will want to know more before approving the bond.
However, credit is just one part of the picture.
Even with a less-than-ideal credit score, you may still qualify for the bond you need—especially if you can show financial responsibility in other areas. Underwriters may consider:
Context matters. If you’re working with a company that takes the time to understand your full situation, you’re more likely to get approved.
Bad credit doesn’t necessarily limit the kinds of bonds you can get, but it may affect your premium rate or collateral requirements. Jurisco works with individuals and businesses who need a variety of bonds, including:
Each of these bond types has its own underwriting process, but all can potentially be issued even if your credit isn’t perfect.
In many cases, yes. Applicants with lower credit scores may be charged a slightly higher premium to offset risk. For example, while someone with good credit might pay 1% of the bond amount, someone with credit challenges might pay 2–5%.
While that might feel frustrating, it’s important to remember that the bond still fulfills the legal requirement—and often, once you establish a history of responsible bonding, your rates may improve over time.
Jurisco understands that credit scores don’t tell the full story. Our team looks beyond the numbers to evaluate the whole applicant. We’ve worked with countless clients who initially thought they’d be denied—but got their bond approved and issued with our help.
When you work with Jurisco, you get:
If your bond is tied to a legal deadline, our speed and expertise can help you avoid last-minute panic and costly delays.
Here are a few proactive steps you can take if you're applying for a bond with bad credit:
These small efforts can go a long way in helping you secure your bond with minimal friction.
If you need a surety bond but you’re worried about your credit score, don’t give up. With the right support and a responsive bond partner, you can still meet your legal or professional obligations and move forward with confidence.Contact Jurisco today to apply for your bond—even if your credit isn’t perfect. We’re here to help you succeed.