Frequently Asked Questions

What is GovPayEXP?
GovPayEXP is the nation's leading provider of remote credit and debit card payments for government agencies. GovPayEXP enables government agencies to accept credit and debit card payments from constituents, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via the telephone or internet. GovPayEXP charges a service fee to the consumer; the government agency pays no fees and incurs no chargeback liability.

What services does GovPayEXP provide?
In addition to processing credit and debit card payments, GovPayEXP provides reporting, administrative and support services to facilitate the complete payment cycle as well as marketing support to build constituent awareness and use of the payment options.


What types of payments can be made using GovPayEXP?
Government agencies use GovPayEXP to process payments for bail and a broad array of fees and fines including traffic tickets, child support, court fines and costs, commissary deposit, probation fees, restitution fees, and reimbursement fees.


What's the difference between GovPayEXP and Government Payment Service?
GovPayEXP is the new name for the former Government Payment Service (GPS). This name was selected to remind customers about the experience, expertise and "express" approach of the company. Along with the new name, a significant investment has been made in a new processing platform to handle your payments even easier and faster. GovPayEXP provides an effective, no-cost payment processing solution designed for you, the government customer.


I'm a current Government Payment Service customer. Does the new name mean that I need to sign a new contract?
No contract changes are needed. Our legal name (Government Payment Service, Inc.) is not changing.


What sets GovPayEXP apart from its competitors?
GovPayEXP brings unique experience, derived from being founded by law enforcement officials and led by payments experts. With over 100 years of collective experience and a $1 million investment in a state-of-the-art payment processing system, GovPayEXP delivers express payment solutions to government customers, helping achieve greater efficiency, control and savings. Over 1,100 clients in 31 states across the country have selected GovPayEXP for their payment needs.


What are the benefits of using GovPayEXP?
With GovPayEXP, you increase the efficiency of your operation, control expenses, and save costs. Specifically, your organization will:

• Address jail overcrowding with faster, more efficient transactions. Defendant releases are accelerated; jail populations are reduced
• Achieve real-time payment notification and reporting
• Gain rapid funds availability
• Eliminate cash-handling by staff
• Reduce accounting and bookkeeping expenses
• Eliminate all transaction processing fees
• Avoid any chargeback liability

Why should I accept credit and debit cards?
Providing end-users with the ability to pay bail, fees or fines with credit and debit cards increases your collection success because it is easier to make a payment. GovPayEXP helps those who might not have immediate access to cash. Plus it allows you to accept payments at night and on weekends, when payment offices are closed. For cash bail payments, accepting credit and debit cards reduces your jail intake costs because many defendants can post bail more quickly – often immediately – reducing jail days.


I already have a credit card transaction processor. Why do I need GovPayEXP?
With GovPayEXP you keep what you collect. Unlike traditional credit and debit-based systems, no transaction processing fees are deducted from the amount paid to you. And you avoid any chargeback liability as well as the cost and hassle of installing and maintaining point of sale devices. Agencies presently accepting credit and debit cards benefit from switching to GovPayEXP.


Who pays processing fees?
Processing fees are paid via the service fee charged to the constituents who use the service. This way, the cost of accepting payment cards is paid by the people who benefit from the service – not all taxpayers.


How do your fees compare to other ways of paying?
GovPayEXP fees are very competitive and in most cases lower than other services. What's more, being able to bond out of jail expediently allows an individual to avoid losing time at work. For other fees and fines payments, being able to make a payment remotely is quicker and more efficient, and may save lost time at work.


Explain what happens with a transaction. How does the information flow and how do the funds move?

• The individual receives information about the bail, fine or fee owed from your agency along with information regarding GovPayEXP.
• The cardholder initiates the payment either via toll-free phone or the Internet.
• GovPayEXP processes the transaction.
• Upon approval of the credit/debit card, GovPayEXP electronically sends payment notification to the government agency (fax or Proview EXP)
• The government agency approves/reconciles the transaction (toll-free phone or Proview EXP).
• GovPayEXP sends the funds to the agency via ACH the next business day.

How long does it take to complete a transaction?
A typical transaction takes just a few minutes. Using GovPayEXP is much more efficient and less time consuming than waiting for a friend or family member to gain access to cash. And, in your office, GovPayEXP makes the process efficient and much faster than if your staff had to count cash.


Why are consumers excited about using GovPayEXP?
GovPayEXP provides convenience to the cardholder, the defendant or a third party posting bail or paying another fee or fine and to your agency and staff by reducing cash handling, saving time, and reducing taxpayer costs for continued incarceration.


How do I get started using GovPayEXP?
To get started, complete our "agreement worksheet" and send it back to GovPayEXP via fax to 1.888.665.4755 or e-mail it to info@govpayexp.com. An agreement will immediately be mailed to you. Upon execution of the agreement by your agency and GovPayEXP, you will be contacted by us to get started. Then you can quickly begin processing payments and increasing your efficiency. For more information try our Become a Client section.


Why do I need GovPayEXP? Bail bonding businesses address the needs of my constituents.
With GovPayEXP, you receive the cash bail amount fast – often on the same day. By receiving funds at the front end, the money is available for your use while awaiting the court date. Plus, when fines and court fees need to be collected, the money is in hand and you do not need to begin the collection process. With bail bonds, you have to try to collect funds after the fact. In addition, low bail amounts may not be attractive to bail bonding agents. When you offer GovPayEXP service, low-risk offenders may post bail with a credit/debit card at a lower cost to them versus using a bail bond agent.


Is GovPayEXP a bail bond company?
No. GovPayEXP is a cash facilitator and merchant processor. We enable consumers to use credit and debit cards to make payments. We do not write bonds.


How can inmates use GovPayEXP if they don't have a credit / debit card?
A friend or family member may have a credit or debit card and be eager to gain the release of a loved one.


How can an agency release someone from jail/custody without the funds in hand?
GovPayEXP provides a guarantee of funds as part of the service agreement. The payments are deposited directly into your bank account within two days. Where required by law, funds are sent by FED wire the same day. Our validation process has been proven with over 1,100 customers in 31 states regularly accepting a notice of payment – including Sheriffs, Treasurers, Circuit Courts, District Courts, Municipal Courts and more.


How does GovPayEXP interface with existing systems?
GovPayEXP provides web interfaces that enable data exchange and the confirmation of payment amounts. GovPayEXP provides easy-to-use web services for approving, tracking, and administering services. With over 100 years of law enforcement and payments experience, GovPayEXP understands the unique needs of government agencies.

"Government Payment EXP has done a superior job. In a year and a half, we've processed over $9 million in bail bonds and serviced nearly 5,000 inmates. And we've expanded to additional payment obligations, including traffic fines, non-sufficient funds, child support payments, and administrative fees."

- John Morales, former CFO, Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court, Cook County, Illinois