THE QUICK ANSWER
Fulton lists cash, direct property and authorized company bonds. The accepted route comes from the current release order and local approval process. Get the full total before paying. County cash instructions conflict about checks, so confirm the method with the jail. A commissary deposit does not post a bond.
Need help getting someone out of jail?
Compare the available routes
Choose only a route allowed for the actual case. A bonding company is not required for every release. Eligible supervised release depends on the court and any applicable legal restrictions.
| Route | Funds or security | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| County cash bond | Full accepted bond and applicable charges | Total for all instruments, accepted payment method, ID and named surety |
| Direct property bond | Property approved by the Sheriff | Equity and title review, required documents and owner attendance |
| Authorized company bond | Company fee, any agreed balance and required collateral | Current authorization and written fee, cosigner and collateral terms |
| Court ordered supervised release | Conditions in the court’s actual order | Eligibility, screening, reporting and any required payments or security |
Source: Fulton County Sheriff: bond posting and refunds · Fulton Superior Court: Pretrial Services questions
Which direct payment methods are accepted?
Both Sheriff pages identify a cash route. Their instructions disagree on other counter methods: the bond page excludes checks and cards, but the jail page includes cashier’s checks and postal money orders. Before traveling, ask county jail staff at 404-613-2002 or 404-662-3516 for the currently accepted instrument, exact amount, payee and identification. Do not buy a check based only on this guide.
The jail page links CashBondOnline for Visa, Mastercard and Discover/Novus cash bond payments. The actual Sheriff link opened a readable provider website during this September 16, 2026 review, although its visible label still showed an older address that returned a missing page. Fulton was not listed in the provider’s Georgia jail selector when checked. A usable Fulton payment route therefore remains unconfirmed. Ask county jail staff for the current authorized route, case eligibility, processing fee and cardholder restrictions before attempting payment. Do not choose another jail to make a Fulton payment.
The bond page publishes an online maximum of $2,500 including fees and surcharges, with the defendant recorded as surety and refund recipient. Those published terms do not establish current Fulton checkout availability. SmartDeposit and the inmate accounting kiosk fund an inmate account. ICSolutions funds communication. Neither should be treated as a bond payment. Use the relevant official agency page to reach a payment service. Independently verify unsolicited demands; the Sheriff warns about impersonation scams.
Source: Fulton County Sheriff: bond posting and refunds · Fulton County Sheriff: jail information and services · Fulton County Sheriff: scam alert
If you cannot pay the full amount now
A private company may decide whether to offer an installment arrangement. No company or payment plan is selected for this guide, and Fulton’s published public instructions do not promise one. Ask the actual authorized company for the full fee, initial payment, due dates, remaining balance, cosigner and collateral conditions in writing before signing.
A small initial company payment does not mean the court reduced its bond amount or that the balance disappears. If no available route is affordable, speak with defense counsel about the court’s review process. Do not assume the jail can change the judge’s order.
If you miss a company payment
Contact the company promptly about the written agreement, the exact overdue amount, notices already sent and any option to cure the default. Keep copies. Missing a company installment and missing court are separate problems. A private agreement does not excuse an appearance or change a court condition.
Georgia’s surrender rules include an overdue fee after notice as a circumstance that may affect whether compensation must be returned when a surety surrenders the defendant before disposition. Do not assume that every late payment automatically revokes a court order. Ask counsel about any threatened surrender or custody action and read the actual agreement.
Keep four kinds of money and security separate
Direct cash is deposited under the authority’s bond process and may be refundable to the recorded surety after the case requirements are met. A company fee pays for the company’s service and follows different refund rules. Direct property is pledged through the Sheriff’s approval and lien process. Company collateral is security described in the private agreement. A receipt should identify which one you provided.
Source: Fulton County Sheriff: bond posting and refunds · Georgia: signed Senate Bill 63, 2024, section 6
Paying cash for an immediate family member
Georgia’s 2026 House Bill 1131 expressly exempts a natural person posting cash for an immediate family member from the paragraph governing annual cash bond limits and charitable bail funds. Do not assume an older statement of a three cash bond limit applies to every family payment.
Ask the receiving Sheriff how to document the relationship, payer identity and eligibility for the actual payment. This exception does not remove the case’s release conditions, official charges or payment method requirements.
The cash payer restrictions were also challenged in federal court. A July 2024 preliminary injunction addressed section 4 of Senate Bill 63. This review did not establish the current order, appeal mandate or how later orders treat the 2026 amendment. For repeated payments, organizations or charitable activity, have counsel verify the current enforcement rules rather than assuming either a universal three bond limit or universal permission.
Source: Georgia: signed House Bill 1131, 2026, section 3 · Barred Business v. Kemp: July 12, 2024 preliminary injunction, copy hosted by plaintiffs’ counsel
Questions about paying for a bail bond?
Ask about the initial payment, any balance and the terms before making a decision.
Sources for this guide
- Fulton County Sheriff: bond posting and refunds
- Fulton Superior Court: Pretrial Services questions
- Fulton County Sheriff: jail information and services
- Fulton County Sheriff: scam alert
- Georgia: signed Senate Bill 63, 2024, section 6
- Georgia: signed House Bill 1131, 2026, section 3
- Barred Business v. Kemp: July 12, 2024 preliminary injunction, copy hosted by plaintiffs’ counsel
Sources checked 2026-09-16. Follow the current order and the official instructions for the case.