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Washington Surety Bonds

Washington Surety BondsL&I Registration Bonds from $4,000 to $30,000

Washington is one of the few states that requires every contractor to carry a surety bond as part of their state registration. The Department of Labor & Industries enforces this through the Contractor Registration Act (RCW 18.27), with bond amounts ranging from $4,000 for electrical contractors up to $30,000 for general contractors. Unlike states that leave bonding to cities, Washington's requirement is statewide and applies before you pick up a hammer. We also handle notary bonds, $30,000 auto dealer bonds, and court bonds for all 39 Washington counties.

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Official Washington Requirements

"Before issuing a certificate of registration, the director shall require that the applicant file a surety bond... in the sum of twelve thousand dollars for general contractors and six thousand dollars for specialty contractors."
Washington Legislature • RCW 18.27.040
$30K
General Contractor
$15K
Specialty Contractor
2 Years
Registration Term
39
Counties Served

Most-Requested Washington Bonds

Filed with L&I, DOL, and all Washington agencies

Washington Contractor Bonds

Starting at $100

Every Washington contractor must register with Labor & Industries and carry a surety bond. General contractors need $30,000; specialty contractors need $15,000; electrical contractors need at least $4,000. Bonds renew every 2 years with the registration.

  • General: $30,000
  • Specialty: $15,000
  • Electrical: $4,000+
  • 2-year renewal
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Washington Notary Bonds

Starting at $30

Washington notaries must post a $10,000 surety bond under RCW 42.45. Filed with the Department of Licensing for a 4-year commission term.

  • $10,000 bond amount
  • 4-year term
  • DOL filing
  • Instant approval
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Washington Court Bonds

Quote required

Appeal bonds, probate bonds, and fiduciary bonds for Washington Superior Courts. The state has 39 counties, each with its own Superior Court.

  • 39 Superior Courts
  • Probate & estate
  • Appeal bonds
  • Guardian bonds
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Washington License & Permit Bonds

Varies by type

Auto dealer bonds ($30,000 per DOL), mortgage broker bonds, tax bonds, and professional license bonds required by Washington state agencies.

  • Dealer bonds ($30K)
  • Mortgage bonds
  • Tax bonds
  • Permit bonds
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How to Get Your Washington Bond

1

Choose Your Contractor Type

Tell us whether you are registering as a general, specialty, electrical, plumbing, or fire sprinkler contractor. Bond amounts depend on your classification.

2

Get Approved Same Day

We issue bonds through A-rated sureties in the format L&I accepts. Contractor bonds and notary bonds are typically approved the same business day.

3

Register with L&I

File your bond with the Department of Labor & Industries as part of your contractor registration. We can submit the bond directly to L&I on your behalf.

All Washington Bond Categories

Construction Bonds

Court & Fiduciary

Business & Professional

Serving All 39 Washington Counties

Seattle
Spokane
Tacoma
Vancouver
Bellevue
Kent
Everett
Renton
Federal Way
Kirkland
Yakima
Bellingham

Washington Surety Bond Questions

L&I registration, RCW 18.27, and Washington-specific rules

How does Washington's contractor registration and bonding work?
Washington requires all contractors to register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) under the Contractor Registration Act (RCW 18.27). Registration requires a surety bond, liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage. The bond amount depends on the contractor type: general contractors need $30,000, specialty contractors need $15,000, and electrical contractors need at least $4,000. Registration and bonds renew every 2 years. You cannot legally perform construction work in Washington without current registration.
What is the difference between general and specialty contractor bonds in Washington?
General contractors perform work in two or more trades and need a $30,000 bond. Specialty contractors work in a single trade and need a $15,000 bond. Electrical contractors have a separate bond schedule starting at $4,000, set by the Department of Labor & Industries. Plumbing contractors and fire sprinkler contractors also have specific bond amounts. The bond must be continuous in form and can be canceled by the surety with written notice to L&I.
How much is the Washington auto dealer bond?
Washington requires a $30,000 surety bond for motor vehicle dealers, filed with the Department of Licensing (DOL). This applies to new and used vehicle dealers, wholesale dealers, and others who sell motor vehicles. The bond protects consumers from dealer fraud, failure to deliver titles, and violations of the Washington Motor Vehicle Dealer Act.
Can the Washington contractor bond be canceled?
Yes. The surety may cancel the bond by giving written notice to the Director of Labor & Industries. However, the bond remains in effect during the notice period. If no replacement bond is filed, the contractor's registration is suspended and they cannot legally perform construction work. Contractors should arrange a replacement bond before the current bond lapses to avoid any gap in registration.
How much does a Washington notary bond cost?
A Washington notary bond costs $30-$50 for the full 4-year commission. The bond amount is $10,000 under RCW 42.45. No credit check is required, and approval is instant. The bond is filed with the Washington Department of Licensing as part of the notary commission application.
Do Washington cities have additional contractor bond requirements?
Some Washington cities have additional requirements beyond the state L&I registration. Seattle, for example, has its own contractor licensing through the Department of Construction and Inspections. Other cities may require local business licenses with additional bonding. However, the L&I registration and bond are the baseline that all Washington contractors must meet regardless of where they work in the state.

Official Washington Resources

Government sources for Washington bond requirements

RCW 18.27.040 -- Surety Bond Required

Washington statute requiring contractor registration bonds

L&I -- Contractor Registration

Bond amounts, registration process, and renewal information

Written by BuySuretyBonds.com
Surety bond specialists operating nationwide with direct integrations to Treasury-certified surety carriers. Our platform enables instant approval for license and notary bonds, with 24-48 hour underwriting for commercial bonds. All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and reviewed by bond industry experts.

Other Washington Bonds

Additional surety bonds available in Washington

Washington Notary Bond

Notary public bond

Washington Contractor License Bond

Contractor licensing

Washington Auto Dealer Bond

DMV dealer licensing

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L&I contractor bonds, notary bonds, dealer bonds, and every WA bond type

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