Bonding Someone Out of Chatham County Jail: Fees, Card Surcharges, and Property Bonds
Bonding someone out of Chatham County Jail is straightforward once you understand the fees and accepted payment methods. Here's what you need to know about the $20 bonding fee, card surcharges, and property bond requirements.
Every bond posted at Chatham County comes with a $20.00 bonding fee. The jail accepts cash, credit/debit cards (Visa and Master Card), money orders, and cashier's checks for both the bond itself and the fee.
Reminder: The $20.00 bonding fee is non‑refundable, even if the bond is later changed or the case takes a different turn.
Paying by card? Factor in the surcharge so you're not surprised at the window. Chatham County's fee depends on what you're charging: pay just the $20 bonding fee by card, and you'll owe a $2.50 surcharge. Pay the full bond amount plus the bonding fee together, and the surcharge jumps to 10% of the total.
- ✓ Ask whether your card payment will be processed as “bond fee only” (which triggers the $2.50 card fee).
- ✓ If you’re paying the bond amount and the bonding fee on the same card transaction, confirm the 10% surcharge so you can budget for it.
- ✓ Double-check what you’re paying by card versus other methods before you authorize the charge.
Property bonds are an option, but Chatham County has strict requirements. The property must be located in Chatham County and valued at or above the bond amount. If it doesn't meet both criteria, the jail won't accept it.
- Arrange an attorney title search - Chatham County requires the title search for a property bond to be completed by an attorney.
- Make sure the property is lien‑free - the property must be free and clear of all liens to be used for a property bond.
- ✓ Copy of paid property taxes for the year
Before you head to the jail, figure out your payment method and budget for any fees. Paying just the $20 bonding fee by card? That's a $2.50 surcharge. Putting the full bond and fee on a card? Plan for 10% of the total. Going the property bond route? Start with an attorney-run title search to confirm the property is free of liens, then gather proof that the year's property taxes are paid. Having everything ready saves you a second trip.
Tip: Policies can shift. Call ahead to confirm the payment types being accepted for bonds and bonding fees before you go.
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