THE QUICK ANSWER
The bail bond amount and the bail bond company’s fee are different. Georgia generally limits the company’s compensation to 15% of the bail bond’s face amount, including applicable surcharges. A company may charge $50 per bonded charge or offense even when that exceeds 15%. Ask for the company’s total fee, separate jail charges, payment terms and any collateral required for the specific bail bond.
Have a question about a bail bond?
What will I need to pay now?
Ask the company how much you must pay now and what that payment covers. An initial payment is not necessarily the total cost. Before paying or signing, confirm:
- The total company fee for the bail bond.
- How much of that fee is required upfront.
- Any remaining balance and when it would be due, if a payment arrangement is offered.
- Which jail or other charges are separate and when they must be paid.
- Whether collateral is also required and what would be pledged.
Ask for the payment terms in writing. Learn what collateral means and how it differs from the company’s fee.
Source: Forsyth County Sheriff · O.C.G.A. 17-6-30 · Georgia SB 63, 2024 signed legislation, section 6 · Georgia AG: 1994 indemnity opinion
Three amounts to separate
- Bail bond amount: the financial security required for the case.
- Company fee: compensation for the company signing as surety; it is not the cash deposit the clerk later refunds.
- Other costs: ask for the jail charges and any applicable payment-processing costs separately.
Source: Forsyth County Sheriff · O.C.G.A. 17-6-30
If paying the jail directly
The jail accepts cash and credit/debit cards. It does not accept money orders, personal checks or business checks. It adds a nonrefundable 10% convenience fee to card transactions. The card must belong to the person named as security on the bail bond.
Source: Forsyth County Sheriff
Ask about your actual bail bond cost.
Ask about the total company fee, separate charges, payment terms and any collateral for the bail bond.
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Sources for this guide
- Forsyth County Sheriff: Bonding Information
- O.C.G.A. 17-6-30: Fees of sureties
- Georgia SB 63, 2024 signed legislation, section 6
- Georgia Attorney General U94-17 (1994): indemnity agreements
- Cherokee County Sheriff: Bonds
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Follow the current order and the official instructions for the case.