Payment bond
Payment bond: A surety bond guaranteeing that a contractor will pay its subcontractors and suppliers for labor and materials on a project. On federal construction contracts above the threshold set by statute and regulation, the Miller Act requires the contractor to furnish a payment bond (40 U.S.C. § 3131(b)(2)), and many states have similar "Little Miller Act" laws for public projects.
What payment bond means
In short, payment bond is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where payment bond comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
How to research the term
To research payment bond, begin with the rule, statute or contract where the word is used. Each one can give it a slightly different meaning. Then compare that text with how courts in your area have applied it. Also check the local rules of your court, since they can add requirements. If your case is in state court, the state rules control. So start with our state procedures guide to find them. In the end, always confirm that the source you rely on is current.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Partition: a court case or agreement that divides property owned by two or more people. A court may order partition in kind, which physically divides the property, or partition by sale, which sells it and splits the money. Many states have adopted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act for inherited land.
- Party: a person or entity that takes part in a lawsuit as a plaintiff, defendant or other named participant, and is bound by the result.
- Passport: an official travel and identity document issued by a national government. In the United States, the Secretary of State grants and issues passports (22 U.S.C. § 211a), and a passport may be issued only to people who owe allegiance to the United States (22 U.S.C. § 212). A U.S. passport is proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Pay for delete: a settlement in which a collector agrees to ask the credit bureaus to delete an account in exchange for payment. No law requires a collector to agree, so the terms should be in writing before any payment.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.