48| Bond Readiness
73|SBA Bond Application Checklist: What You Need Before You Apply
74| 75| 80| 81|This is the quick-reference companion to our complete SBA surety bond guide. Bookmark this page.
The Document Checklist
Before you approach a bonding agent, have every item on this list ready. Missing even one can delay your application by weeks.
Financial Documents
- 2-3 years of financial statements (reviewed or audited — not internal P&L)
- Current work-in-progress (WIP) schedule (what's a WIP schedule?)
- Accounts receivable aging report
- Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
- Personal financial statement (SBA Form 790)
Company Documents
- Articles of incorporation / organization
- Operating agreement or bylaws
- Business license(s)
- EIN verification letter
Project & Personnel
- Project references (3-5 completed contracts with contact info)
- Current backlog / pending contracts
- Resume(s) of key personnel
- Organizational chart
What Happens If You're Missing Something
Most bonding agents will tell you to come back when you have everything. They don't have time to chase documents. They only get paid when the bond gets placed, so every hour spent following up on a missing WIP schedule or an incomplete PFS is an hour they're working for free. This is why most "denied" applications are really just incomplete ones. The surety never got far enough to evaluate the contractor because the packet wasn't ready to evaluate.
Don't Want to Do This Alone?
This checklist is long. If you're staring at it thinking "I don't have half of this," that's normal. It's exactly what Bond-Ready is for. We gather and organize your entire bond packet so you can walk in ready. Learn about Bond-Ready.
83|Need help getting bond-ready?
87|Bond-Ready gets SBA-program contractors application-ready — clean financials, complete paperwork, and the packet in your surety agent's hands. Book a free triage call and we'll give you an honest go/no-go the same day.
88| Explore Bond-Ready 89|