Texas Third Party Debt Collector Bond
Overview
Texas Finance Code section 392.101 draws a bright line: a third-party debt collector or credit bureau may not engage in debt collection in Texas unless it has obtained a $10,000 surety bond and filed a copy with the secretary of state. The bond must be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in Texas, and it runs in favor of the state for the benefit of any person damaged by a violation of Chapter 392 — the state's debt collection law. It is a filing requirement, not a license: the bond itself is the compliance credential.
Who Needs This Bond?
Third-party debt collectors — agencies collecting consumer debts owed to someone else — and credit bureaus operating in Texas are the businesses named in section 392.101. If your firm contacts Texas consumers to collect delinquent accounts on behalf of creditors, or buys and collects debt portfolios as a third party, the bond-and-filing requirement applies before you begin collection activity. First-party creditors collecting their own receivables are outside the section's scope.
What is this Bond For?
The bond backs compliance with Chapter 392 of the Finance Code, which governs debt collection conduct in Texas. Under section 392.102, a person who claims against the bond for a violation may maintain an action against both the collector and the surety, and the surety's aggregate liability is capped at the bond amount. Practically, the bond gives consumers harmed by unlawful collection practices a funded remedy — and gives collectors a strong financial reason to follow the statute.
When is it Required?
Before engaging in debt collection. Section 392.101 states the prohibition in plain terms: no bond obtained and filed with the secretary of state, no collection activity. The bond copy on file must remain current for as long as the business collects in Texas, so treat it as a standing condition of operating rather than a one-time formality.
Where Does it Apply?
The requirement is statewide, created by the Texas Finance Code and administered through a filing with the Texas Secretary of State. It covers collection activity directed at Texas consumers regardless of where the collector is headquartered — out-of-state agencies collecting into Texas file the same bond as local firms.
How to Buy Online
Hit 'Buy This Bond Online' to open the secure surety portal in a new tab. The application takes minutes, payment is handled online, and your executed $10,000 Texas third-party debt collector bond comes back ready to file with the secretary of state.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, a licensed surety agency, and cites the exact Finance Code sections behind this requirement in the Official Sources section below. Verify the rule, complete the purchase online, and get your filing done without slowing down your collection operations.
Official Sources
The requirements described on this page are verified against the official sources below.
- $10,000 surety bond required before engaging in debt collection; bond filed with the secretary of state; in favor of the state for persons damaged by Chapter 392 violations; claim procedure and surety liability cap: Texas Finance Code §§392.101–392.102 (verified July 16, 2026)