Immigration bond: who can pay it, how to pay it through ICE and how to get it back

Who can pay an immigration bond?

• OfficialU.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, law firms and non-profit organizations can use CeBONDS to post a delivery bond, a voluntary departure bond or an order of supervision bond. CeBONDS is only available to users within the United States. ICE, Post a Bond.
• OfficialThe payer must give ICE at least one document from their category. U.S. citizens: for example a U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, military ID, or a REAL ID driver's license or ID. Permanent residents: the Permanent Resident Card or a military ID. Non-profits and law firms: IRS letters and a letter authorizing the representative. ICE, Post a Bond.
• OfficialA person who is not a citizen or permanent resident can post only a voluntary departure or order of supervision bond for themselves, with documents such as the Notice to Appear (I-862) or the order. For a delivery bond for someone else, the payer has to be in one of the groups above. ICE, Post a Bond.
• OfficialAn obligor who has no access to banking may use an immigration bond company from the U.S. Treasury's list of certified surety companies, or work with community organizations that help with bonds. We do not recommend any company. ICE, Post a Bond.

How do you pay an immigration bond step by step?

1. Have the exact name and A-Number

   If CeBONDS cannot find the detained person, ICE says to check that the name and A-Number are typed correctly, and if they are, to contact the nearest ICE field office. If you do not have the A-Number, start with how to find someone detained by ICE.

2. Create a CeBONDS account

   On ICE's Post a Bond page, choose “Click here to post a bond” and complete the prompts. ICE says the system works on a computer, tablet or phone and that the landing page is in English and Spanish.

3. Send your proof of eligibility

   Upload at least one document from the list for your category. ICE says verification, including the review of the bond contract and payment, usually takes about 1 to 2 hours during posting hours; requests after 3 p.m. or not completed that day are processed the next business day.

4. Pay by Fedwire or ACH and sign Form I-352

   These are the only payment methods ICE lists for CeBONDS. A cash bond must be deposited in full when posted. The bond agreement (Form I-352) is a contract between you and ICE: read it, because it is the only document with the terms.

5. Wait for the release

   ICE says the person will typically be released by the end of the day after the bond is approved and the I-352 is signed, but facility processing times vary.

Where are immigration bonds paid, and can I pay in person?

• OfficialICE says it began processing bond payments in CeBONDS on April 20, 2023 and intends to largely move to the electronic system, but will keep working case by case with people who want to pay in person at an ICE office; contact the nearest ICE field office first. Even then, the payer needs access to banking services. ICE, Post a Bond.
• OfficialProblems with CeBONDS: ICE lists the helpdesk ICECeBONDs-Helpdesk@ice.dhs.gov or the nearest field office.

How much is the bond?

• OfficialThe amount is set by DHS or the immigration judge (EOIR). A cash bond is deposited in full. ICE Fact Sheet.
• OfficialA bond to release someone from ICE detention under 8 U.S.C. 1226(a) must be at least $1,500. 8 U.S.C. 1226(a)(2)(A).
• OfficialSome people are subject to mandatory detention by law, with no bond. 8 U.S.C. 1226(c).
• Not confirmedICE's April 20, 2023 release said bond decisions weigh flight risk and public safety and can be reviewed by an immigration judge, but ICE marks that release as archived and “not reflective of current practice”, so we do not rely on it.

How do you get the bond money back?

• OfficialThe bond stays in effect until ICE issues a cancellation notice (Form I-391). For a delivery bond, ICE cancels it if, before any breach, ICE takes the person back into custody, removes them from the U.S., or the person dies. ICE Fact Sheet.
• OfficialThe payer must make sure the person goes to every date ICE sets (Form I-340). Even one day late can be judged a breach. If the bond is breached (Form I-323), the deposit is forfeited, although ICE still refunds the interest accrued on a cash deposit. ICE Fact Sheet.
• OfficialAfter a notice that the bond was cancelled or breached, refund questions go to the Financial Service Center Burlington: BondRefund.HelpDesk@ice.dhs.gov, 877-491-6521 option 1. While the bond is open, contact the nearest ICE field office. To change the payer's mailing address, ICE uses Form I-333. ICE, Post a Bond.

Is a public charge bond the same thing?

No. A public charge bond (Form I-945) belongs to USCIS, not ICE. It applies when someone applying for a green card is found inadmissible on public charge grounds but is otherwise admissible; USCIS must first notify the applicant that they may submit it, and rejects the form if it has not. You send it by mail to a USCIS lockbox with the notice and the exact amount it states. USCIS says that on Sept 18, 2026 it changed the filing location: forms sent to Montclair, California, and postmarked after Oct 19, 2026 are rejected. It is not a way to release a detained person.

How do you avoid immigration bond scams?

What is not known?

• Not confirmedWhether a specific person qualifies for a bond. ICE says some people are subject to mandatory detention; which ones, and how recent rule changes apply, must be checked with a lawyer or accredited representative. We have not confirmed that from an official source for this guide.
• Not confirmedHow long a refund takes and the usual bond amounts: ICE does not publish them on its bond page. Surety company fees are set by each company and are not published by ICE.
• Not confirmedThe CeBONDS screens themselves. ebonds.ice.gov asks for a client certificate and does not load for us, so we describe only what ICE's public page says.

Next: how to find someone detained by ICE and the change of address checklist. En español: fianza de inmigración: cómo pagarla.