How to verify a Texas debt collection agency is bonded
By Kai Greenspan, Founding Editor · Last updated: 4 July 2026
The surety bond every third-party debt collector must have on file with the Texas Secretary of State before collecting. Checking takes under five minutes and costs nothing.
Source: statutes.capitol.texas.gov · Last checked: 28 June 2026
The four steps
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Open the Texas Secretary of State Debt Collector Search | Go to the official register at https://direct.sos.state.tx.us/debtcollectors/dcsearch.asp. This is the public record of every surety bond filed under Texas Finance Code Chapter 392; no account is needed. |
| 2. Search the agency name | Type the agency name exactly as it appears on its paperwork or website. Try shorter versions of the name too, since agencies sometimes file under a parent or legal name that differs from their trading name. |
| 3. Check the bond status and dates | A result showing an active bond means the agency currently meets the Chapter 392 requirement. Check the status is active rather than cancelled or expired, and note the file number and dates for your records. |
| 4. If there is no result, ask before engaging | No filing under any version of the name is a serious red flag. Ask the agency directly for its Secretary of State file number and verify it on the register before signing anything or handing over accounts. |
Source: statutes.capitol.texas.gov · Last checked: 28 June 2026
Common questions about bond checks
Is the Texas Secretary of State search free to use?
Yes. The Debt Collector Search is a free public register maintained by the Texas Secretary of State. Anyone can search it without an account, and it is the same official source Debt Collection Index checks and links for every bonded agency it lists.
What if an agency says it is bonded but I cannot find it?
Ask the agency for its Secretary of State file number and check that number on the register directly. Agencies sometimes file under a legal or parent-company name that differs from their trading name; the file number resolves that. If it still cannot be verified, treat the claim as unproven.
Does a bond mean an agency is good at collecting?
No. The bond is a legal minimum, not a quality mark. It tells you the agency may lawfully collect in Texas. Performance is a separate question, which is why our rankings also weigh certifications and complaint outcomes from public CFPB data.
How do I check a collection agency outside Texas?
The CFPB’s advice works in any state: ask the collector for its name, company name, street address, telephone number and "professional license number, if your state licenses debt collectors", and contact your state attorney general and state regulator to learn more. Requirements genuinely vary by state: Texas, for example, uses a $10,000 bond filed with the Secretary of State rather than a licence. This site’s coverage is Texas-first, so for other states go to that state’s own official register rather than any third-party directory.
How can I tell a legitimate collection agency from a scam?
The CFPB’s red flags: threats of criminal charges, refusal to give information about the debt, refusal to provide a mailing address or phone number, and requests for your personal financial information. To verify, ask for the collector’s name, company name, street address, phone number and professional licence number where applicable, and check with the state attorney general and state regulator. In Texas there is a stronger check available to anyone: search the Secretary of State’s public register to see whether the firm has the surety bond the law requires.