California Escrow Licensee Bond

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California Escrow Licensee Bond

The Division of Corporations of the California Department of Business Oversight necessitates the posting of a surety bond, specifically the California Escrow License Fee.

Escrow is defined as any transaction wherein one person, for the purpose of effecting the sale, transfer, encumbering, or leasing of real property to another person, delivers any written instrument, money, evidence of title to real or personal property, or other thing of value to a third person to be held by such third person until the happening of a specified event or the performance of a prescribed condition, when it is then to be delivered by such third person, according to the definition provided by the state of California.

It is necessary for escrow agents, especially those working for Internet-based escrow firms, to have a valid license.

The Escrow Law offers protection to members of the general public who reside in the state of California and commit their money or other assets to independent escrow agents.  A manager who has a minimum of five years’ worth of responsible escrow expertise is required to be present at the licensed site during open office hours in accordance with the Escrow Law.

The California Escrow Agents Association is the organization that speaks for the professionals in the sector.

Escrow licensee bonds in the state of California remain active until they are canceled. In line with the requirements of Sections 996.320 and 996.330 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the State of California, the surety has the ability to cancel the bond at any time. Cancellation will take effect one month after the commissioner has been notified of the decision. The Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation is entitled to receive notification of the cancellation.

Bond Amount

Escrow agents in the state of California are required to post surety bonds by the California Department of Business Oversight. The size of the bond is determined by the escrow liabilities of the corporation but must be between $25,000 and $50,000 at the very least. The amount of the bond is increased by an extra $5,000 for each new licensed office.

Because the premiums for this bond are subject to underwriting, the cost of your bond will be determined by an analysis of your personal credit report. This means that the amount you pay for your bond will depend on how good your credit is. That means applicants who are highly competent and have solid financial credentials may be eligible to pay as little as one percent of the total bond amount that is necessary.

California Escrow Licensee Bond Significance

Surety Bond-California Escrow Licensee Bond Significance

An escrow agent is a neutral third party who works as a middleman when the transfer of cash or assets is contingent upon the execution of a contract. An escrow agent is most often an attorney or an officer of a title business. Escrow agents are most often involved in the process of purchasing and selling real estate. In this scenario, the agent will first take payments from the buyer and then distribute the funds in accordance with the terms of the buy-and-sell contract.

Before a private escrow firm in California may start doing business, they are required to first seek a license from the California Department of Business Oversight in order to be able to legally function in the state.

The Escrow Law may be found outlined in Division 6 of the California Financial Code. This law consists of particular rules and restrictions. The purpose of this legislation is to provide protection for members of the general public who voluntarily entrust their money, property, or other assets in the care of escrow agents.

Escrow agents in California are required to post a bond to guarantee that they operate their business in a way that is both legitimate and ethical. When an escrow agent violates the Escrow Law and causes injury to another party, the injured party has the right to file a claim for compensation up to the maximum amount allowed under the surety bond. After then, it is the principal’s responsibility to reimburse the surety for the whole amount of the losses as well as the expenses of the legal action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Exactly Is the Job of an Escrow Agent?

Any individual who is involved in the business of holding ownership documentation of real or personal property on behalf of a buyer and seller, transferring title of that property to the buyer, and delivering the buyer's cash to the seller is considered to be an escrow agent.

What Are the Steps Necessary To Become an Escrow Agent in the State of California?

Before they are allowed to do business, independent escrow businesses in California are required to get licenses from the California Department of Business Oversight. Because controlled escrows may be owned and run by a variety of different businesses, the procedures and restrictions for obtaining a license might vary greatly depending on the kind of license that is being sought.
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