(a) Private child support collectors shall register with the Secretary of State and shall provide information as requested by the Secretary of State, including, but not limited to, the name of the private child support collector, the office address and telephone number for such entity, and the registered agent in this state on whom service of process is to be made in a proceeding against such private child support collector.
(b) An application for registration shall be accompanied by a surety bond filed, held, and approved by the Secretary of State, and the surety bond shall be:
(1) Issued by a surety authorized to do business in this state;
(2) In the amount of $50,000.00;
(3) In favor of the state for the benefit of a person damaged by a violation of this Code section; and
(4) Conditioned on the private child support collector's compliance with this Code section and Code Section 10-1-393.10 and the faithful performance of the obligations under the private child support collector's agreements with its clients.
(c) In lieu of a surety bond, the Secretary of State may accept a deposit of money in the amount of $50,000.00. The Secretary of State shall deposit any amounts received under this subsection in an insured depository account designated for that purpose.