What Information Do You Need to Bail Someone Out of Jail?

When someone you love has just been arrested, the last thing you want is to call a bail agent and get sent off to find paperwork. The good news is that most of what a bondsman needs is either in your head already or something we can find for you.

This page is the full checklist: what to know about the person in custody, what the co-signer should have ready, the documents bail agents commonly ask for, and when collateral comes into it. If you’re still trying to find out where your person is, start with our Kern County inmate search guide.

Quick checklist

Must have

Full legal name, date of birth, and where they were arrested

Very helpful

Booking number, the jail they’re in, the charge, the bail amount

Co-signer brings

Valid government photo ID

Often asked

Address, phone, employer, and personal references for both people

Sometimes

Collateral, usually on large bonds

Payment

The bond premium, or the first payment if you’re on a plan

What info do you need to bail someone out?

Bail agents need two sets of information: details about the defendant (the person in jail), so we can find the case and confirm the bail, and details about the co-signer (also called the indemnitor), the person who signs the bond agreement and takes on responsibility for the defendant going to court.

You don’t need all of it before you call. Call with what you have. The first conversation usually takes a few minutes, and we fill in the gaps from the jail’s records.

Information about the person in jail

The essentials

• Full legal name, spelled the way it appears on their ID. Nicknames and second last names cause most “they’re not in the system” problems.
• Date of birth. It separates your person from anyone else with the same name.
• Where and by whom they were arrested. Bakersfield Police, the Sheriff, CHP or Taft PD send people to different places at first.

What speeds things up

• Booking number. It’s on the Sheriff’s inmate search result once the person is booked.
• Which jail they’re in. Most Bakersfield-area arrests are booked at the Inmate Reception Center at the Lerdo Jail Complex, 17801 Industrial Farm Rd. Taft Police arrests may still be at the Taft city jail.
• The charge and the bail amount, if they’re showing. If not, we can usually find out.
• Any holds. If you know they’re on probation or parole, or have a warrant in another county, tell us up front. Holds can keep someone in custody even after bail is posted.

Personal details the bond application asks for

The bond paperwork usually asks for the defendant’s home address, phone number, employer, and a few personal references with names and phone numbers. References help everyone stay in touch about court dates. Our page on why bail bonds need references explains how they’re used.

What the co-signer needs

The co-signer is the person signing the bond agreement. It might be you, or another family member or friend. By signing, the co-signer promises the defendant will go to every court date, and agrees to be financially responsible if they don’t. Read the agreement before you sign, and ask about anything you don’t understand.

Expect to be asked for:

• A valid government photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.
• Your current address and phone number, and sometimes something that shows the address.
• Where you work, or other information about income. On larger bonds an agent may want to see proof.
• Your relationship to the defendant.

Exactly what’s required depends on the bail amount and the case. A small bond for a co-signer with steady roots in Kern County usually needs much less than a six-figure bond. We’ll tell you what applies on the first call.

Documents you need for a bail bond

For most bonds, the documents are simple:

Much of the bail bond paperwork can be signed electronically or at our office at 1710 Blanche Street in Bakersfield. You’ll receive copies of what you sign and receipts for any money paid.

Do you need collateral?

Not always. Collateral is property pledged to secure the bond, such as real estate, a vehicle title or cash, and it’s mostly used on larger bonds or when the risk is higher. When the case ends and the bond is exonerated, collateral is returned. For how this works on a high bail, see our page on what a $250,000 bail bond actually costs.

What you’ll pay

The premium is most commonly 10% of the bail amount. It isn’t fixed by statute; each surety files its rates with the California Department of Insurance and its agents charge the filed rate, and many file as low as 8% for qualifying cases. Ask what filed rate applies to your case. The premium is the fee for the bond and generally isn’t refunded. Ask us about payment plans. Our bail bond calculator gives a quick estimate.

What happens after you call

1. We find the booking and confirm the charge, the bail amount and any holds.
2. We tell you if a bond is needed and what it will cost.
3. The co-signer completes the paperwork and shows ID.
4. You pay the premium or the first payment on a plan.
5. We post the bond at the jail.
6. The jail processes the release. The Sheriff’s Office says this can take up to 8 hours. Our guide to how long it takes to get released after bail is posted explains the wait.

Frequently asked questions

What info do you need to bail someone out?

At minimum, the person’s full legal name, date of birth, and where they were arrested. A booking number, the jail, the charge and the bail amount speed things up. The co-signer needs a valid government photo ID.

What information does a bail bondsman need from the co-signer?

Usually a valid government photo ID, a current address and phone number, employment or income information, and the co-signer’s relationship to the defendant. Larger bonds can require proof of income or collateral.

What documents do you need to get a bail bond?

For most bonds, just the co-signer’s government photo ID. Proof of address, proof of income or collateral paperwork may be requested on larger bonds or payment plans.

Do I need a booking number to bail someone out?

No. A bail agent can start with the person’s full name and date of birth and find the booking number in the jail’s records.

Does the person in jail have to sign anything?

Yes. The defendant signs the bail bond and agrees to appear in court. The jail and the bail agent handle that step before release.

Can I bail someone out if I don’t live in Kern County?

Often, yes. Out-of-area co-signers can usually sign remotely. The agent may ask for more information to approve the bond.