Title 31 — Money and FinanceRelease 119-73not60
§9304 Surety Corporations
Title 31 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— MISCELLANEOUS › Chapter 93— SURETIES AND SURETY BONDS › § 9304
Summary
If a U.S. law says you must or may give a surety bond, you meet that rule when a corporation gives the bond for you that is incorporated under federal or state law (including D.C., territories, or possessions), is allowed to issue fidelity and court bonds, and follows sections 9305 and 9306. Each bond must be approved by the government official who handles bond approval. That official cannot require you to use a guaranty company or a specific guaranty company.
Full Legal Text
Title 31, §9304
Money and Finance — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)When a law of the United States Government requires or permits a person to give a surety bond through a surety, the person satisfies the law if the surety bond is provided for the person by a corporation—
(1)incorporated under the laws of—
(A)the United States; or
(B)a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States;
(2)that may under those laws guarantee—
(A)the fidelity of persons holding positions of trust; and
(B)bonds and undertakings in judicial proceedings; and
(3)complying with section 9305 and 9306 of this title.
(b)Each surety bond shall be approved by the official of the Government required to approve or accept the bond. The official may not require that the surety bond be given through a guaranty corporation or through any particular guaranty corporation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 93046:6. Subsection (a) is substituted for 6:6(1st sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words and for clarity and consistency. Clause (3) is added for clarity. In subsection (b), the words “Each surety bond” are substituted for “Such recognizance, stipulation, bond, or undertaking”, the words “official of the Government” are substituted for “head of department, court, judge, officer, board, or body executive, legislative, or judicial”, and the word “official” is substituted for “officer or person having the approval of any bond”, to eliminate unnecessary words and for clarity and consistency.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
31 U.S.C. § 9304
Title 31 — Money and Finance
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60