• When you put up your property as "collateral" to get someone out of jail, you are promising that you will pay the amount of the bond if that person does not show up for court.  If you break this promise, the court may take your property to get the amount of the money you have promised to pay.  A lien will be placed against your property for the amount of the bond.  You cannot sell your property until the case is completely over.  This could take from three (3) months to two (2) years, depending on the type of crime for which the person has been arrested.

• The deed you give for the property bond must be the original deed or a certified copy of the original deed.

• You must tell the Deputy Sheriff about the liens that may be filed against your property.  You must be able to prove the market value assessment by the Board of Tax Assessors of Fulton County.

• If you change your mind and want to get off the bond before the case is completely over, you must return that person back to the Fulton County Jail.  You must give the Sheriff or Deputy the full given name of that person, his/her date of birth, and the date you posted the property bond to get that person out of jail.

• Once the case is settled, it is your responsibility to bring a final disposition of the case to the Bonding Administration Division of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office to have any liens placed against your property removed.

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RULES FOR POSTING A PROPERTY BOND

• An individual property owner may post a property bond at the Fulton County Jail under the following conditions:

(1)  The property used as security on any bond, must be located in Fulton county; (i.e., property located in  another county cannot be used at the Fulton County Jail.)

(2) The property used as security on a bond must be developed property (i.e., there must be a viable structure built upon the property; no vacant lots or land).

(3)  Property which belongs solely to the inmate desiring to make bond cannot be used as security on his or her bond.

(4)  Property that is jointly owned, may be used by the party that is not in custody, up to their percentage of equity in the property.

(5)  The individual property owner must have equity of  at least two and one-half (2-1/2) times the amount of the bond up to a $10,000.00 bond, plus the appropriate fees:

                        Example:

                        Bond amount        $1,000.00

                                                       X 2.5

                                                     $2.500.00 + fees

(6) Any bond over $10,000.00 shall have $15,000.00 dollars added to the bond, plus the appropriate fees:

                        Example:

                        Bond amount        $10,000.00

                        Plus                       $15,000.00

                        Total equity          $25,000.00 + fees

                        Bond amount      $20,000.00

                        Plus                     $15,000.00

                        Total equity        $35,000.00 + fees

The individual property owner must prove ownership of the property, and bring proof of ownership to the jail.

The only acceptable proof of ownership shall be the following:

(1)  A Warranty Deed

(2)  A Special Warranty Deed or Administrative Deed

(3)  A Deed to Secure Debt can be used as proof of ownership, along with a computer printout of the property showing that individual as the owner.

If the person listed on the property affidavit is deceased, a death certificate and administrative deed along with the warranty deed may be used.

Quit-claim Deeds are not accepted at the Fulton County Jail.

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Other Documents Needed:

 1.  Current Tax Statement

 2.  Picture Identification

 3.  Driver's License

 4.  Georgia Identification Card

 5.  Passport

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Other Requirements:

• The individual property owner must sign an affidavit indicating that he/she is the owner of said property.

• The individual property owner can not require a fee in any amount or thing of value from the principal in return for signing said bond.

• A lien for the amount of the bond will be recorded against your property through the office of the Clerk, conditioned upon the appearance of the defendant as required by law and satisfying all other bond obligations.

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Surrenders:

If, after making a property bond, you change your mind, and want to get off the bond before the case has been settled:

(1)  You must return the person you bonded out back to the Fulton County Jail.

(2)  You can surrender that person in open court to a Fulton County Deputy Sheriff.

(3)  You must obtain a commitment slip from the Fulton County Jail, or the Deputy Sheriff on the person you surrendered, and bring that slip to the Bonding Administration Division.

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Approved Property Bonds

• If a person is incarcerated in another county in this state, and an individual wishes to use property located in Fulton County to secure that person's bond, this is known as an approved property bond.

• In posting an approved property bond, the individual must meet all of the same necessary requirements for posting a regular property bond in Fulton County.

• When posting an approved property bond, a (non-refundable) approval fee of $10.00 dollars per bond is charged and must be paid in cash at the Jail.

• In posting an approved property bond, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office personnel will contact the Sheriff's Office personnel where the person is incarcerated and obtain all the necessary information to write the bond.

CASH BONDS

Cash bonds can be made by cash, certified check and postal money order.  When a cash bond is made the individual uses cash as collateral for the bond.  The individual must put up the amount of the bond plus a 10% service charge and a 10% Police Officers Prosecutors Training  Fund (P.O.P.T.F.)  fee up to $50.00 is required.  

10% CASH BOND PROGRAM

An accused person may be released conditionally under supervision, and may be required to post only 10% cash of the total bond amount as bail.  Of the amount deposited as 10% bail, $10.00 or 10% whichever is greater is deducted to defray administrative costs. The remaining amount is held by the Sheriff in escrow, pending final disposition of the case.

PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM

Fulton County has instituted a Pre-trial Release Program which operates within the Fulton County Jail, whereby, pre-trial staff members make background checks and investigations of newly admitted inmates to determine their eligibility for possible Pre-trial and/or Special Court Ordered Release.  

MOST FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.   If I do not have enough equity in my property to make a bond, can I combine my property with another person?

A.   No.  You may combine several separate properties that you own to make one bond.  The property used must be located in Fulton County.

PROPERTY AND A BONDING COMPANY

Q.   An individual property owner wants to make a $25,000.00 bond, but has only $15,000.00 worth of equity in his property.  Can he use his property and a bonding company?

A.   No.  We cannot split a bond, it must be all cash, all property, or a Professional Bonding Company.  However, if the inmate has more than one bond, the property owner may use his property if he has enough equity to cover one bond and use the Bonding Company to make the other bond.

PROPERTIES LOCATED IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES/OUT OF STATE

Q.   An individual wants to make a bond in Fulton County, and  he does not have enough equity in the Fulton County property, can he combine his DeKalb County property to make the bond.

A.   No. We cannot split bonds in that manner.  All properties must be located in the same county.

Q.   If I cannot find my Warranty Deed,  what should I do?

A.   You can obtain a certified copy of a Warranty Deed for a minimum fee from:

         The Clerk of Superior Court Deed Record Room

         136 Pryor Street #CG13

         Atlanta, GA 30303

         404-730-5286 or 404-730-5305

Q.   Where can I get a current tax statement?

A.   You can obtain a copy of your tax statement from:

        The Tax Assessor's Office

        414 Pryor Street Room 100

        Atlanta, GA 30303

        404-730-6100

 Q.    What are the addresses and phone numbers for additional information and assistance?

A.    They are as follows:

        The Fulton County Jail Information

        (24 Hrs. a day - 7 days a week)

        901 Rice St., NW

        Atlanta, GA 30318

        404-853-2000

        The Jail Bonding Section

        (24 Hrs. a day - 7 days a week)

        901 Rice St., NW

        Atlanta, GA 30318

        404-853-2142

        404-853-2143

        Bonding Administration Division

        (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM   Mon.-Fri.)

        185 Central Ave., S.W.; 9th Floor

        Atlanta, GA 30303

        404-730-5136

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