South Carolina — Private Investigator Bond
Apply for the $10,000 South Carolina private investigator bond through The Southern Agency. Prepare the license applicant’s details and SLED bond instructions before opening the RLI application.
Also known as South Carolina Private Investigator Bonds
Continue to our secure checkout partner, RLI (opens in a new tab).
- Recorded state
- South Carolina
- Bond type
- Private Investigator / Detective Bond
- Category
- Professional & occupational licenses
What this bond does
South Carolina requires a private investigation business applicant to post a $10,000 bond with SLED in favor of the state, using a form approved by the Attorney General.
- Who needs it
- Applicants for a South Carolina private investigation business license, including sole operators and the designated applicant for an association or corporation. This is not an employee registration bond.
- Who it protects
- SLED explains that the bond lets the state recover a monetary penalty when a PI violates state law and closes the business to avoid paying. It is not a promise to reimburse every client dispute.
Your bond option
This is the option on record for this bond.
- Bond optionPurchase Now (opens in a new tab)Continue to our secure checkout partner, RLI (opens in a new tab).
The bond amount describes the limit of the bond obligation, not the price. A listed amount does not establish what the requesting party requires. The premium is what you pay and must be confirmed for the actual option. An E&O limit, where listed, is separate errors and omissions insurance.
Sources
- South Carolina Code §40-18-70: private investigation licensing (opens in a new tab)Checked October 21, 2026
- SLED: private investigator questions (opens in a new tab)Checked October 21, 2026
Have these ready
- Legal license applicant and business names, including any designated officer or partnership details.
- SLED application or existing license number and requested effective date.
- Attorney General-approved bond form instructions and $10,000 bond requirement.
Questions about this bond
Is this the bond for an employee registration?
This page addresses the bond posted by an applicant to operate a private investigation business under Section 40-18-70. Employee registration is a separate process.
Who is named in the bond requirement?
The statute requires the bond in favor of the State of South Carolina and posted with SLED. Match the applicant wording to your licensing file.
Does the bond guarantee a client refund?
No. SLED describes the bond as security for recovering state penalties in the circumstances it explains, and says it cannot require a refund in a client dispute. Do not treat it as general client liability coverage.