Posting Bail
Return of Bail Monies
Applying Bail Monies to a Fine

Posting Bail

Cash bail may be posted at the Syracuse Police Department for pre-arraignment bail or the Onondaga County Justice Center or the Syracuse City Court Customer Assistance Counters. Bail will be accepted at the court by VISA and MASTERCARD for pre-arraignment vehicle and traffic matters only.

Additional forms of acceptable bail are:

• Cash
• Certified Check
• Traveler's Check
• Bank Draft
• Government Money Order

Return of Bail Monies

Bail is released once a plea and sentence has been entered or case is dismissed. However, in certain cases, the Judge may direct the return of the bail prior to the final disposition.

In order to claim cash bail, the person whose name appears on the bail receipt must bring the following documentation to the City Court Clerk's office located in the County of Onondaga/City of Syracuse Criminal Courts Building, Room 130, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (except Holidays):

• the original bail receipt
• valid photo identification

Bail monies may be returned by mail or by calling (315) 671-2760, and asking to speak to staff assigned to Bail Returns or by mailing in your written request. Upon receipt of your request you will be advised of information you will be required to provide.

If the original bailor has lost the original bail receipt, the bailor must sign a Lost Bail Affirmation Form provided at the Syracuse City Court Customer Assistance Counter.

A 3% bail poundage fee will be withheld in cases where a conviction has been entered.

Applying Bail Monies to a Fine

If you posted bail in your own case:

If the Court has imposed a Fine and/or Mandatory Surcharge in your case and you wish to have the posted bail applied toward the fine, you must provide the Court with:

If by mail:

1. a sworn (notarized) statement requesting that the bail monies be applied to the fine
2. a current address and telephone number
3. the original bail receipt
4. valid photo identification

In person:

1. a signed a statement to apply bail
2. original bail receipt
3. valid photo identification

If you posted bail for another individual:

If you have posted bail for a defendant and wish to apply bail monies to pay the fine for a defendant, you must provide:

If by mail:

1. a sworn (notarized) statement indicating that you wish to apply the bail monies to the fine
2. the original bail receipt
3. valid photo identification

In person:

1. a signed a statement agreeing to apply bail money toward fine and/or surcharge

A 3% bail poundage fee will be withheld from the bail monies prior to applying the monies to the fine.

If you have lost the original receipt:

You must sign a statement at the Clerk's office. If you have lost the original receipt, and want to apply bail money toward a fine through the mail you must provide a sworn (notarized) statement, stating that the bail receipt is lost and you want to apply bail toward fine.