CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Those wishing to post bond for a loved one now have an easier option for payment through the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts Office.

Bond payments, for the first time, can be made online with a credit card through the Clerk of Courts website. The goal is to make the bond posting process more accessible and to further accelerate criminal justice reform in Cuyahoga County.

The Clerk of Courts Office manages the collection of property bonds, 10% bonds, personal bonds, and cash bonds. The Office processes approximately 155 bond payments of all types on a weekly basis.

“The bond payment system, while helpful to many in the County jail system, has historically been an antiquated process requiring loved ones to pay in-person or over the phone,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “Thanks to the forward-thinking of the Clerks team, payments can be made quickly in the comfort of home with little fuss. This new option is available 24/7 365, not just during standard workday hours. Cuyahoga County is dedicated to a fair and efficient bond process.”

The new online payment process for bond posting can be found on the Clerk of Courts docket webpage. Users can search by case number or name for criminal cases. Once the case information is loaded, bond information is posted near the bottom of the results page. Users can choose how they would like to post bond and will be directed through the payment process. A credit card processing fee of 3% of the bond amount payable to the credit card vendor is required if the bond is paid in person or online.  Additionally, as with posting bonds in person or online, the state mandated reparation fee is required.

Once completed, information is sent to the Sheriff’s Department Release Desk for processing. As with all 10% bonds, 90% of the payment is refunded to the payee at the conclusion of the case.

The Bail Project, a national nonprofit that provides free bail assistance to thousands of low-income Americans every year, provided assistance with testing for the new online and mobile-friendly system.