How Bond Agencies and the Approved Bondsmen List Work in Van Buren County

Van Buren County updates its bondsmen list quarterly. This schedule matters when you're trying to confirm whether a bonding agency is currently approved. Be skeptical if someone claims they were "just added" or "recently updated" outside of those quarterly windows.

The chief judge approves the bondsmen list by the 1st of January, April, July, and October each year. If you're timing paperwork or verifying a new agency, those are your checkpoints.

Bonding agencies backed by insurance must submit a Bonding Agency Application and Affidavit using form VBC-0030. When hiring a bondsman, you can ask whether their agency has completed the VBC-0030 application process. That's what puts them on the approved list.

Bond agencies also need to provide a copy of the insurance company's Power of Attorney with the company seal. This document authorizes agents to post bonds in the company's name, which is how insurance-backed surety bonds work.

1. Contact the trial court administrator (or designee): People who want to act as surety on bonds backed by insurance must start by contacting the trial court administrator or their designee.
2. Request the application packet: The trial court administrator (or designee) provides a packet of information for submission to the court.
3. Confirm your bondsman followed this process: If you are paying an agency, ask them directly whether they obtained and completed the county’s packet through the trial court administrator’s office.

When the bondsmen list is updated, the trial court administrator (or designee) sends copies to key county and law enforcement offices: Michigan State Police (Paw Paw Post), the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department, the Van Buren County Clerk, and court administrators at all Van Buren County court locations.

• ✓ Ask whether the agent or agency appears on the most recently circulated Van Buren County bondsmen list.
• ✓ Check with one of the offices that receives the updated list, such as the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department or a Van Buren County court administrator, to verify the agent’s current status.
• ✓ If you are unsure where to start, ask the office you reach whether they can confirm if a bondsman is on the current circulated list.

Practical Advice Families

• ✓ Ask the agency whether they have submitted the Bonding Agency Application and Affidavit (form VBC-0030).
• ✓ Ask to see proof of the insurance company Power of Attorney with the company seal that authorizes the agent to post bonds in the company’s name.
• ✓ Confirm the agent or agency is on the most recently circulated approved bondsmen list (you can verify through offices that receive the list, including the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department or court administrators for Van Buren County court locations).