License & Permit
Legal Document Assistant Bond
A California bond that legal document assistants file with the county clerk to register and help people prepare their own legal paperwork.
- Required by
- California county clerks
- Bond amount
- $25,000 for an individual in California (Business and Professions Code 6405); firms need $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 based on number of assistants
What this bond guarantees
The bond runs to the State of California for the benefit of anyone damaged by the assistant's violation of the registration law, or by fraud, dishonesty, or incompetence. A harmed customer can make a claim up to the bond amount. Total liability is capped at the bond amount.
Who needs it
- Legal document assistants in California
- Partnerships and corporations employing legal document assistants
- Paralegal services working directly with the public
What the underwriter looks at
- Personal credit
- Experience
- Number of assistants employed
Requirements vary by state and by who asks for the bond. Send us the request you received and we will confirm exactly what it calls for.
Common questions
Do I need a bond in every county?
Yes. You register in each county where you provide services, and each registration needs its own bond.
How much does a firm need?
$25,000 for one to four assistants, $50,000 for five to nine, and $100,000 for ten or more.
Can I post cash instead?
Yes. California lets you deposit the same amount in cash with the county clerk. The clerk can hold it for 3 years after you stop doing business.