FMCSA Bond Filing Guide for Freight Brokers

Keep the quote, bond issuance, federal filing, and operating authority as separate checkpoints.

1. Match the business records

Review your legal name, authority number, and business address with your provider. Resolve inconsistencies before asking for a filing; an agent cannot treat an unverified application as accepted authority.

2. Complete the provider's process

Ask what documents remain outstanding and whether issuance has been confirmed. A payment receipt or submitted website form is not proof of a completed federal filing.

3. Confirm who files

For a replacement BMC-84 or BMC-85, FMCSA says the new provider submits the appropriate form through its E-filer account. A provider without that account must register with FMCSA before filing. HIA's quote form is not the federal filing system.

4. Coordinate a replacement

Give your agent any existing cancellation notice and explain your intended change. Ask the old and new providers to clarify dates; do not assume a replacement is completed merely because a new quote is accepted.

5. Check the result

Ask for filing confirmation and use FMCSA's official registration resources to check the relevant records and authority status. If information does not match, contact the provider and FMCSA before operating.

Keep a filing record

• Provider and bond or trust identification.
• Signed documents and proposed effective dates.
• Filing confirmation and any correction correspondence.
• Renewal, claim, and cancellation notices.

Read the requirements guide for the broader checklist. This guide is not legal advice or an authorization to operate.

Official sources

FMCSA broker registration and FMCSA financial responsibility guidance. Consult the agency for the current application process and requirements for your business.

Prepared October 11, 2026. Requirements can change. Approval, rates, availability, and provider terms vary.