This article contains important information about the application process for a surety bond guarantee by the SBA.

Keep in mind that the SBA does not directly bond a contractor. Instead, SBA guarantees bonds issued by a surety company in order to encourage the surety company to provide bonds to small businesses.

To apply for the SBA surety bond guarantee, you must first choose a surety company or bonding agent who represents a participating surety company. You must then complete the surety’s application and submit the required forms, providing the necessary credit, capacity, and character information. The surety/agent will underwrite the application and decide whether to execute the bond with or without an SBA guarantee.

There are two SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Programs, the Prior Approval Program and the Preferred Program.

• A list of participating Prior Approval Surety Companies can be viewed by clicking here.

• A list of participating Preferred Surety Companies can be viewed by clicking here.

Prior Approval Program
You can submit applications by paper or electronically through the E-Application (E-App) system. The E-Application is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

E-Application (E-App) Process
All required information can be entered electronically. Certain SBA forms must be printed and signed. They are in PDF format and can be accessed here. The E-App will automatically prompt you to print, sign, and mail the required forms to your surety company or agent.

To use the E-App, you must register for an account in the SBA’s General Login System (GLS), which is the single login point for all SBA services. It’s simple to register for an account and must be done only once.

Click here to register for an account

After you have completed and submitted the information on the Login Information screen, you will be emailed your ID and a default password. The first time you log into the General Login System – “Choose Function” screen using the default password, the Change Password screen will appear. Use this screen to select a permanent user password of your choice.

Click here to log in to the SBA General Login System (GLS)

On the General Login System – Choose Function screen, select “Surety Bond Guarantee Applications,” and follow the instructions on the screen to complete and submit your first application.

For additional help with the E-App process, you can refer to:

1. Contractor E-Application Slides

2. Contractor User Manual  OR

3. Call the Office of Surety Guarantees, Washington, D.C. at (202) 205-6540

Preferred Program (PSB)
The application process under the Preferred Program is paper only. You can contact the PSB surety or agent that you selected from the list above to discuss application requirements.

Required Contractor Forms
If you choose to complete either the Prior Approval Program application manually or submit your Preferred Program application, you must complete the following forms. You can access the forms on this website, fill them out and mail them to the surety company or agent.

• SBA Form 994 – Application for Surety Bond Assistance

• SBA Form 991 – Surety Bond Guarantees Addendum

• SBA Form 912 – Statement of Personal History

• SBA Form 994F – Schedule of Work in Process

• SBA Form 413 – Personal Financial Statement