Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor authorized the use of all available state and local government resources necessary to cope with the disaster. The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the operations of Texas businesses, including surety bond companies. As a result, TDI continues to assess deadlines and operational requirements, and make accommodations where appropriate. TDI has created a webpage that will be updated on an ongoing basis. Please bookmark this page and continue to check for updates: Guidance to industry related to COVID-19
To assist surety bond companies in the performance of their duties during the COVID-19 outbreak, TDI provides the following guidance regarding signatures for executing surety bonds.
Business and Commerce Code Chapter 322 and Insurance Code Chapter 35 authorize regulated entities to do any business electronically that they are otherwise authorized to do, including electronic signatures, if all parties agree to conduct business electronically.
Neither TDI nor Insurance Code Chapter 3503 requires in-person acknowledgement of documents or raised seals, but local governments or other parties to the contract might require them.
If you have questions, email PropertyCasualty@tdi.texas.gov.