Bail Enforcement Agent

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

Laws, Rules and regulations

• 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 offer the qualifying education courses for Bail Enforcement Agents.

Approved Schools and Education Information

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
• $88.50 - Fingerprinting Fee, Support Staff/Employee Statement
  (payable to IDEMIA)
• $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 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.

To apply for a Bail Enforcement Agent license, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

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.

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.