Federally authorized surety in every U.S. court — state, federal, admiralty, administrative
MGA for Federally Authorized Surety Companies — Nevada Practice

The Nevada plaintiff cost bond. $500 statutory maximum.

Nevada Revised Statutes §18.130 authorizes a defendant in a Nevada civil action to require a non-resident plaintiff or foreign corporation plaintiff to file a cost bond. The bond cannot exceed $500 by statute. We write Nevada cost bonds same-day for the Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County), Second Judicial District Court (Washoe County), and every other Nevada district court.

Bond Penalty
Up to $500
Multiplier Type
$500 maximum
Filing
District Court clerk
Turnaround
Same-day issuance

What a Nevada cost bond actually does.

Nevada's plaintiff cost bond is the most statutorily constrained in the country. Under Nev. Rev. Stat. §18.130, if a plaintiff in a civil action resides out of state, or is a foreign corporation, a judicial bond for the costs and charges which may be awarded against such plaintiff may be required by the defendant. The cost bond may not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars.

The $500 statutory ceiling makes Nevada §18.130 bonds among the smallest court bonds we write. The cap reflects Nevada's policy preference for unburdened access to its courts; the bond functions as a modest security gesture rather than a serious cost-recovery mechanism.

One important Nevada-specific exception: in cases with a diversity of plaintiffs where at least one member is a resident of or domiciled in Nevada, the §18.130 cost bond rule does not apply. Where plural plaintiffs include at least one Nevada resident, the non-resident plaintiffs do not need to post.

The rules we underwrite to.

Nevada's plaintiff cost bond requirement is codified at Nev. Rev. Stat. §18.130. The bond is required on defendant's motion (in most cases) and the bond penalty is set by statute or court discretion. We underwrite to the controlling statute and draft each bond on the form the Nevada court will accept.

Controlling Authorities
Nev.
Nev. Rev. Stat. §18.130 — Cost bond from non-resident plaintiff — $500 statutory cap
Nev.
Nev. Rev. Stat. §18.020 — Items recoverable as costs
Nev.
Nev. R. Civ. P. 54 — Costs and attorney's fees — Nevada civil practice

How a Nevada cost bond gets issued.

Nevada §18.130 cost bonds are written same-day on a one-page application without collateral. The penal sum is capped at $500 by statute; the bond is uncollateralized; the underwriting is routine.

Two items start the file: the complaint and a brief statement of plaintiff residency. Where the action involves multiple plaintiffs, we confirm at issuance that the §18.130 cap-and-resident-exception analysis applies correctly.

Filing is with the district court clerk in the Nevada judicial district where the action is pending. Nevada operates eleven judicial districts; the Eighth (Clark County / Las Vegas) and Second (Washoe County / Reno) handle the bulk of commercial litigation.

Nevada-specific questions.

What is the Nevada cost bond penal sum?
$500 maximum, fixed by NRS §18.130. The court has discretion to set a lower amount but cannot exceed the $500 statutory ceiling.
When is the bond required?
On defendant's motion when the plaintiff is a non-resident of Nevada or a foreign corporation. The bond is not automatic — defendant must move.
What's the diversity-of-plaintiffs exception?
If there are several plaintiffs in one action and at least one is a Nevada resident, the §18.130 rule does not apply to the non-resident plaintiffs. The Nevada Supreme Court has recognized this exception consistently.
Are foreign corporations subject to the bond?
Yes. Foreign corporations — meaning corporations not incorporated in Nevada — are expressly subject to §18.130 cost bond requirements regardless of qualification status.
What if the plaintiff fails to post?
The action is subject to dismissal on defendant's motion. Nevada district courts will typically order dismissal without prejudice if the plaintiff fails to post within the time the court allows.
Where is the bond filed?
With the district court clerk in the Nevada judicial district where the action is pending. The Eighth Judicial District (Clark County) and the Second Judicial District (Washoe County) handle the majority of cases.

Related plaintiff cost bond practice.

Neighboring states
Adjacent plaintiff cost bond bonds.
California

Further reading on the Surety One blog

↗ suretyone.com/blog

Filing in Nevada as a non-resident?

Send the complaint or the defendant's motion for cost bond. Same-day issuance for qualified files.