Using Property to Bond Someone at Forsyth County Jail: Eligibility, Fees, Timeline

Forsyth County accepts approved real property - land and homestead - as collateral for a property bond. It does not accept titles for mobile homes, cars, equipment, or other personal property. If there's a mobile home on the land you're offering, the jail only considers the real-estate portion when assessing equity. One more thing: you can't combine multiple properties to meet the requirement. A single property has to cover the bond on its own.

Documentation Checklist

• ✓ Property deed (bring it to the Forsyth County Jail)
• ✓ Most recent paid property tax bill
• ✓ State-issued photo ID for every person listed on the deed
• ✓ Completed Property Bond Application & Affidavit for all property owners/sureties (all owners must complete it and execute the bond)
• ✓ Proof that property taxes are paid in full and up to date

Expect to pay cash fees when you post the bond. Forsyth County charges a $20 bond fee (exact change, cash only) per charge. There's also a $20 lien fee due at posting - unless Forsyth is receiving property bonds from another county.

A certified title search is required, and timing is tight: it must be completed within five business days of the bond being written. The attorney conducting the search has to be licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.

Property bonds don't move as fast as cash bonds. Forsyth County conducts a deed search, and processing can take several days. Once accepted, a lien is placed on the property until the case is resolved.

1. Contact your local Sheriff’s Office - if you live outside Forsyth County, you start with your local sheriff.
2. Have your local sheriff coordinate with Forsyth County - they’ll contact the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office for the requirements.
3. Let your local sheriff process the bond - they process it on their end and provide a sealed envelope.
4. Deliver the sealed envelope for acceptance - Forsyth County accepts the out-of-county property bond through that sealed-envelope process.

Here's a complication: Forsyth County's published guidance lists two different equity standards, and they don't match. One says unencumbered equity must equal the bond amount plus $20,000. Another says it must be double the bond amount. Because these formulas conflict, confirm the correct requirement with Forsyth County Jail or a Georgia-licensed attorney before relying on either number - or paying for a title search.

• ✓ How long does a property bond take? A deed search will be conducted, and Forsyth County says property bonds may take several days to process.
• ✓ What happens to the property while the case is pending? A lien will be placed on the property until the case is adjudicated.
• ✓ What do I pay at the jail? A $20 cash bond fee (exact change) is due per charge when you post the property bond.

If you're going the property-bond route, line up your certified title search immediately - it must be completed within five business days of the bond being written. Make sure your attorney is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. On the paperwork side, every owner or surety connected to the deed needs to complete the Property Bond Application & Affidavit and be ready to execute the bond.