California Seller of Travel Bond
Overview
California ties its seller of travel bond directly to the trust account rules that protect traveler payments. Under Business and Professions Code section 17550.11, a seller of travel that does not want to keep every customer dollar in a formal trust account may instead maintain a surety bond — but the bond must be in an amount at least equal to the amount the seller would otherwise be required to hold in trust under section 17550.15. The bond is filed in connection with the seller's registration with the California Attorney General's Seller of Travel Program, and it exists so travelers' money is protected either way: in trust, or behind a bond of matching size.
Who Needs This Bond?
Travel agencies, tour operators, vacation package sellers, and online travel businesses that sell air or sea transportation (or connected land arrangements) to California consumers register with the Attorney General's Seller of Travel Program. Those that choose the bond alternative to the trust account requirements of Article 2.6 of the Business and Professions Code carry this bond. Out-of-state sellers marketing to California residents fall under the same framework and face the same trust-or-bond choice.
What is this Bond For?
The bond stands in for the trust account. California's seller of travel law requires customer payments to be safeguarded until the travel is provided; section 17550.11 lets a seller satisfy that obligation with a surety bond sized to the trust liability under section 17550.15. If the seller fails and traveler funds go undelivered, the bond is the protected fund that takes the place of the trust account the seller elected not to maintain — coverage for consumers, matched to the money at risk.
When is it Required?
Whenever a registered seller of travel relies on the bond alternative instead of a compliant trust account. The bond must be in place before the seller operates under that alternative, and it must stay at or above the section 17550.15 trust amount as the seller's outstanding customer payments fluctuate. Sellers whose pre-travel balances grow need to size the bond up accordingly.
Where Does it Apply?
Statewide, under California's seller of travel law and the Attorney General's registration program. The requirement reaches any covered seller doing business with California consumers — physical storefront, call center, or website — because the obligation follows the customer's location, not the seller's office.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' to open the secure surety portal in a new tab. Enter a bond amount that covers your section 17550.15 trust obligation, complete the application, and pay online. Your executed California seller of travel bond will be ready for your registration file.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, a licensed surety agency. The trust-or-bond structure is the most misunderstood part of California's travel law, so the Official Sources section links the exact code sections — read them, size your bond correctly, and finish the purchase online.
Official Sources
The requirements described on this page are verified against the official sources below.
- Seller of travel may maintain a surety bond in lieu of trust account compliance; bond must be in an amount at least equal to the trust obligation under §17550.15: California Business and Professions Code §17550.11 (verified July 16, 2026)
- Trust account requirements determining the amount a seller of travel must safeguard: California Business and Professions Code §17550.15 (verified July 16, 2026)