Posting Bond at Knox County Detention: Cash-Only Exact Change, Fees, and What Signing as Surety Means
Posting bond feels high-stakes because one wrong move can delay release or cost you money. At Knox County Detention, a few rules matter most: cash only, exact change required, specific fees apply, and whether you sign as surety determines if you get your money back.
Knox County Detention only accepts cash for bond payments - no cards, no checks, no exceptions. You also need exact change. Show up with the wrong payment type or an amount that's off by even a dollar, and you won't be able to post. The facility enforces both rules strictly.
Tip: Bring cash in the exact amount needed. Cards, checks, and “close enough” amounts won’t work here.
The jail charges a $30 booking fee each time someone is booked in. This is separate from the bond amount and applies every time - not just the first booking.
When a bond is required for release, there's also a $25 bond filing fee. This only applies if posting bond is part of the release process.
If you're paying the bond, pay close attention to the paperwork. The jail is clear on this: you only get the bond money back if you sign as a surety. Skip that step, and don't assume the money will come back to you.
Note: Even if you sign as surety, the $25 bond filing fee still applies when a bond is posted, and it can affect what you ultimately get back.
Posting bond means taking on real risk. If the defendant misses a court date, the bond can be forfeited - meaning you lose that money.
Even when you post the money, it isn't automatically protected. Knox County Detention warns that bond funds may be seized by the court to cover court costs, restitution, or fines. And remember: the $25 bond filing fee still applies whenever a bond is posted for release.
Checklist Contact
- ✓ Bring cash only for the bond amount (no exceptions)
- ✓ Bring exact change (no exceptions)
- ✓ Be ready for the $25 bond filing fee if a bond is required for release
- ✓ If you want the bond money refunded to you, make sure you sign as surety (the payor only gets the money back if they sign as surety)
- ✓ Think through the risk: if the defendant fails to appear, the bond can be forfeited
Need to confirm details before heading over? Call Knox County Detention Center at 606-546-6215. The facility is at 570 KY 225, Barbourville, KY 40906.
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