Using Real Property to Bond Someone Out at Forsyth County Jail: Requirements, Fees, and Liens
Using real property to bond someone out of Forsyth County Jail can work, but expect paperwork and delays. Here's what the jail requires, what you'll pay, and what the lien means for you as the property owner.
Forsyth County only accepts real property - land and homestead - as collateral for a property bond. No mobile home titles, car titles, or equipment. If there's a mobile home on the land, the jail considers only the real estate value; the mobile home title itself doesn't count toward collateral. You can't combine multiple properties to secure one bond, and the property must be free of existing liens other than a current mortgage or security deed.
What to Bring
- ✓ Property deed
- ✓ Most recent paid property tax bill
- ✓ Completed Property Bond Application & Affidavit (all property owners/sureties must complete and execute it)
- ✓ State-issued photo ID for every person listed on the deed
Heads up: Everyone listed on the deed must be there with a state-issued photo ID to sign/execute the Property Bond Application & Affidavit.
When you post a property bond at the Forsyth County Detention Center, you’ll pay a $20 cash bond fee (exact change) per charge. There’s also a $20 lien fee due at the time you post the bond, although that lien fee may be waived when Forsyth is receiving a property bond from another county.
Expect this to take time. Forsyth County conducts a deed search, and property bonds can take several days to process. This usually won't be a same-day release option.
When you use your property as collateral, a lien gets placed on it and recorded in Superior Court records. That lien stays until the case is adjudicated. Once the case wraps up, it's on you - the surety/property owner - to get the lien removed. You'll need to provide proof that the criminal charges have been fully adjudicated or disposed of so the defendant no longer has to appear in court. Keep in mind: the property can't have existing liens other than a mortgage or security deed.
- Confirm the case is fully finished - you’ll need proof the underlying charges have been adjudicated to completion or otherwise disposed.
- Gather your proof of disposition - this is what you’ll present to show the defendant is no longer obligated to appear in court.
- Present the proof to request lien removal - the surety is responsible for ensuring the lien is removed once the case is adjudicated.
Live outside Forsyth County? You can still use your property, but you can't bring your paperwork straight to Forsyth. Your local Sheriff's Office must process the bond after contacting Forsyth County for requirements. They'll give you a sealed envelope - don't open it. Forsyth County will only accept the bond if that envelope stays sealed.
Verify before you submit paperwork: Forsyth County’s materials describe the equity requirement two different ways - one says unencumbered equity must equal the bond amount plus $20,000, and another says unencumbered equity must be double the bond amount.
Because the equity requirement is stated inconsistently, get the current calculation confirmed by the Forsyth County Detention Center before you rely on any number or start gathering documents. While you're at it, confirm any other acceptance criteria that could affect approval. Property bonds already take time to process - you don't want to lose days over a preventable mismatch.
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