Overview
A Bail Enforcement Agent (Bounty Hunter) is an individual or entity who (for a fee) apprehends individuals who have failed to appear on bond or bail and surrenders them to the appropriate jail or to court. It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Private Investigators, Bail Enforcement Agents, Watch, Guard or Patrol Agencies and Security Guards License Law.
Term of licensure is two years
Requirements
- Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
- Be 25 years old
- Three years of experience as a police officer; an investigator in an agency of the state, county, or federal government; or an employee of a licensed private investigator or at a firm, partnership, company, or corporation where one member has been performing the duties described in the definition of bail enforcement agent; OR twenty years' experience as a police officer or fire marshal.
- Completion of a training program not less than 25 hours as approved by the Secretary of State (Training may be waived when the person has served as police officer for not less than three years.)
- Proof of Fingerprint completion.
- Have a current NYS photo driver’s license or non-driver ID card
- Must maintain a surety bond in the sum of $500,000
Must maintain in its files an Employee Statement for each of its staff
Course Providers
Course Providers offer the qualifying education courses for Bail Enforcement Agents.
Applications:
Fees
There are fees associated with a Bail Enforcement Agent (Bounty Hunter) license. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.
Individual:
- $400 - Initial Application
- $400 - Branch Office Application
- $400 - Renewal
Corporate or Business:
- $500 - Initial Application
- $500 - Branch Office Application
- $500 – Renewal
- $88.75 - Fingerprinting Fee, Support Staff/Employee Statement
(payable to IDEMIA) - Effective January 1, 2022 the Fingerprint Fee will be $88.50 - $100 - Late Renewal Penalty
- $150 - Change of Status
- $10 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (No fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
- $10 - Duplicate License/Registration Request
Renew or Update
Renew Your License
You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.
Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.
If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.
Update Your License
To update your personal name, business or residence address, download, complete and submit the Change Notice to the address on the form.
To request a duplicate license certificate, download, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request to the address on the form.
Change Notice
Duplicate License/Registration Request
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Duplicate License/Registration Request (Haitian-Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen)
Tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)Download
Apply
To apply for a Bail Enforcement Agent license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.
Additional Forms/Information:
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Support Staff/Employee's Statement
Private Investigator; Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency; Bail Enforcement Agent.
Download
DMV Consent Form
Request for Photo ID (Required if applicant holds no NYS driver's license)
Licensee Search
Searches are limited to active licenses only.
Search by ID Number (Unique ID or Registration Number)
Search by Name (last name, first name and optionally city/zip code/county)
Search by Business Name (business name and optionally city/zip code/county)
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on this site is up to date and accurate. As the Department relies upon information provided to it, the information's completeness or accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that information pertaining to residence addresses is not included on this database. Such information is protected by privacy law.
FAQs
What are the licensing requirements for a Bail Enforcement Agent?
Employer:
Any NON-private investigator business entity that wishes to engage in bail enforcement MUST be licensed as a BEA and comply with the licensing requirements, training (25 hours), and background checks.
Private Investigator (PI):
PIs (whether new to the field or existing) AND their employees can continue engaging in bail enforcement WITHOUT further licensing requirements or training.
Business Practice Requirements:
The BEA business and its employees must comply with virtually all the business practice requirements currently in place for PIs and WGPs. Additionally, BEAs must notify local police before attempting to apprehend a fugitive. The form of such notification is to be determined by the local law enforcement agency. Local law enforcement officials may accompany the bail enforcement agent to the site of the intended apprehension. BEAs cannot wear clothes or carry a badge suggesting they are an agent of the state or federal government.
Qualifier:
Experience - Three years' experience as a police officer; an investigator in an agency of the state, county, or federal government; or an employee of a licensed private investigator or at a firm, partnership, company, or corporation where one member has been performing the duties described in the definition of bail enforcement agent; OR twenty years' experience as a police officer or fire marshal.
Education - Completion of a training program not less than 25 hours as approved by the Secretary of State (Training may be waived when the person has served as police officer for not less than three years.)
Freedom from Disqualifying Criminal Convictions - Fingerprints must be submitted with application for criminal history verification with DCJS. (This requisite also applies to officers, partners, or principles, as relevant.)
Other:
Bond - Surety bond in the sum of $500,000
What are the BEA Employee Requirements?
All staff: BEA entity must maintain in its files an Employee Statement for each of its staff and submit fingerprints to the Department of State.
Staff actually engaged in the apprehension and return of a fugitive: BEA entity must maintain in its files an Employee Statement for each of its staff and submit fingerprints to the Department of State. Additionally, it must complete 25-hour training.
Contact Contact the Division of Licensing Services
Contact
Mailing Information:
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
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Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1
For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services
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Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures.
Albany: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
*Important note about Apostille and Certification of Authentication Services: Apostille and Certification of Authentication documents may be dropped off for processing. Customers may provide prepaid envelopes for priority returns. Priority appointments based on travel plans within two weeks may be scheduled at our Albany or New York City customer service office. For further information, please visit https://dos.ny.gov/apostille-or-certificate-authentication
Parking
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots, please visit their website.
New York City: This office is open for all services with the exception of walk-in apostille processing. Apostilles will not be processed without a previously scheduled priority appointment.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 3:30pm
*Important note about Apostille and Certification of Authentication Services: Apostille and Certification of Authentication documents may be dropped off for processing. Customers may provide prepaid envelopes for priority returns. Individuals who have a documented emergency circumstance or travel plans within two weeks may schedule an appointment to have their documents completed at our Albany or New York City customer service office. For further information, please visit https://dos.ny.gov/apostille-or-certificate-authentication
Binghamton: Effective July 7, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(518) 474-4429
Buffalo: Effective November 10, 2022, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821
Buffalo, NY 14203
(518) 474-4429
Hauppauge: Effective June 21, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(518) 474-4429
Utica: This office is closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812
(518) 474-4429