Payment Bond Claim Form

A payment bond claim is a formal demand made against a surety bond to recover unpaid amounts owed for labor, materials, or services provided on a bonded construction project. Payment bonds are commonly required on public works projects where mechanics liens cannot be filed against government-owned property. They may also be required on private projects by owners or lenders seeking additional payment security. When a contractor or supplier is not paid, the payment bond serves as an alternative remedy, allowing the unpaid party to make a claim directly against the surety company that issued the bond.

The process for making a bond claim involves specific steps and deadlines that vary depending on whether the project is federal, state, or local. On federal projects, the Miller Act governs payment bond claims and requires that claimants who do not have a direct contract with the prime contractor must provide written notice to the prime contractor within 90 days of last furnishing labor or materials. State-level little Miller Acts impose similar but varying requirements. Missing these deadlines can forfeit your right to recover payment through the bond, so understanding and acting within the applicable timeframe is essential.

Our bond claim form template walks you through the key information needed to initiate a claim, including the bond number, the surety company name and address, the project name and location, the prime contractor information, a detailed description of the labor or materials furnished, the total amount claimed, dates of first and last furnishing, and copies of relevant invoices or delivery tickets. The form is structured to meet the general requirements common across most jurisdictions, but because bond claim procedures are governed by specific statutes, consulting with a construction attorney before submitting your claim is strongly recommended.