💸 How to Get an Immigration Bond Refund: What You Need to Know

Posting an immigration bond can bring a sense of relief — it means your loved one is no longer in ICE custody and can prepare for their immigration case outside of detention. But once the case ends, many people are left wondering: Can I get the bond money back? And how?

The immigration bond refund process can feel complicated, especially if you’ve never dealt with it before. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to claim your refund smoothly — and avoid losing your money due to simple mistakes.

✅ When You’re Eligible for a Bond Refund

A bond refund is triggered when:

• The immigrant wins their case and obtains legal status, or

• The immigrant is deported and complies fully with the final order (such as showing proof they left the country)

In either scenario, once the case concludes and all bond conditions are met, ICE will cancel the bond and begin the refund process.

📬 What to Expect From ICE and DHS

Once ICE confirms that the conditions of the bond were met, they’ll issue Form I-391: Notice of Immigration Bond Cancellation. This document is sent to:

• The Department of Homeland Security’s Debt Management Center (DHS DMC) in Vermont

• The obligor (the person who posted the bond) at the address on file

➡️ Important: If you moved since posting the bond, you must notify ICE. To do this, submit a written change of address to the ICE office where the bond was posted. There used to be a Form I-333 for this, but that’s no longer active on the USCIS website. We recommend calling the ICE ERO office directly or working with a bond agent to ensure your update is properly recorded.

📄 Documents You Need to Request a Refund

Once you receive Form I-391, you’ll need to submit a few documents to DHS to begin the refund process. Here’s what to gather:

• Form I-391 (Notice of Immigration Bond Cancellation)

• Form I-305 (the original receipt for the bond payment)

• If you lost Form I-305: fill out Form I-395 – Affidavit in Lieu of Lost Receipt

• Cover letter formally requesting the refund

• (Optional but helpful) Form I-352, the original bond agreement

Mail these documents to the address provided on Form I-391, which is typically:

DHS Debt Management Center
Attn: Bond Refunds
P.O. Box 5000
Williston, VT 05495-5000

⏳ How Long Does It Take to Get a Refund?

The immigration bond refund process can take several months, sometimes up to a year, especially if any documents are missing or incomplete.

You’ll receive a check in the mail for the original bond amount — plus interest if it applied — once everything is processed.

⚠️ When Refunds Are Denied

If the person you helped misses an immigration court hearing or violates bond terms, ICE will issue Form I-323: Notice of Immigration Bond Breach.

This means:

• The bond is forfeited

• The obligor will not receive any refund

• ICE may request that the obligor deliver the immigrant to an ICE office using Form I-340

🛟 Need Help With the Refund Process?

Dealing with DHS paperwork can be stressful — especially after the long wait for your loved one’s case to conclude. The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone.

At Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, we’ve helped countless families through this exact process. Whether you need help locating the correct forms, understanding ICE correspondence, or ensuring the refund request is submitted correctly — we’re here to help.

📞 Call us at (800) 537-0645
💬 Or fill out our contact form to speak with a licensed bond agent today.

Your bond money is your money — let’s make sure you get it back.