Each magistrate court clerk, magistrate court deputy clerk, and magistrate assistant, shall take an oath of office and shall post a bond in the penalty of $25,000 with sufficient surety approved by the administrative director of the Supreme Court of Appeals or the judge of the circuit court, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge of the circuit court, which bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the office. The state shall pay the cost of such bond and the administrative director of the Supreme Court of Appeals may obtain, in lieu of individual bonds, a bond including more than one magistrate court clerk, magistrate court deputy clerk or magistrate assistant.