The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer answerable for sustaining and managing the data of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally offers varied companies to the general public, similar to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and gathering courtroom charges and fines. The Clerk’s workplace is positioned in Bartow, Florida, and has department places of work in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis.
The Clerk of Courts is elected by the voters of Polk County for a four-year time period. The present Clerk of Courts is Stacy A. Butterfield, who was elected in 2020. Butterfield is a Republican and has served as Clerk since 2009. She is a member of the Florida Clerks of Courtroom Affiliation and the Nationwide Affiliation for Courtroom Administration.
Transition paragraph: Along with the duties and companies outlined above, the Polk County Clerk of Courts additionally affords quite a lot of on-line companies for the comfort of the general public. These companies embody:
polk county florida clerk of courts
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer answerable for varied authorized and administrative duties in Polk County, Florida.
- Maintains courtroom data
- Points marriage licenses
- Information deeds and mortgages
- Collects courtroom charges and fines
- Conducts public auctions
- Supplies on-line companies
- Elected by voters
The Clerk’s workplace is positioned in Bartow, Florida, with department places of work in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis. The present Clerk of Courts is Stacy A. Butterfield.
Maintains courtroom data
One of many major duties of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to take care of and handle the data of the Polk County courts. These data embody:
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Case recordsdata:
This consists of all paperwork filed in a courtroom case, similar to pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments.
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Courtroom minutes:
It is a document of the proceedings of a courtroom case, together with the date, time, and site of the listening to, the names of the choose and attorneys current, and a abstract of what occurred.
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Monetary data:
This consists of data of courtroom charges and fines, in addition to restitution and little one help funds.
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Very important data:
This consists of data of births, deaths, and marriages.
The Clerk of Courts is answerable for guaranteeing that these data are correct, full, and safe. The Clerk additionally offers public entry to those data, both in particular person on the Clerk’s workplace or on-line.
Points marriage licenses
One other vital obligation of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to situation marriage licenses. To be able to receive a wedding license in Polk County, each events should be at the least 18 years previous (or 16 or 17 with parental consent) and should not be associated to one another inside sure levels of kinship. Each events should additionally present proof of identification and residency. As soon as the applying is accepted, the Clerk will situation a wedding license that’s legitimate for 60 days.
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Necessities:
To acquire a wedding license in Polk County, each events should meet the next necessities:
- Be at the least 18 years previous (or 16 or 17 with parental consent)
- Not be associated to one another inside sure levels of kinship
- Present proof of identification and residency
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Software course of:
The appliance for a wedding license may be obtained on-line or on the Clerk’s workplace. Each events should be current to finish the applying and supply the required documentation.
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Charges:
The price for a wedding license in Polk County is $93. This price consists of the price of the license itself, in addition to the price of the wedding certificates.
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Validity:
A wedding license issued in Polk County is legitimate for 60 days from the date of issuance.
After the wedding ceremony, the officiant should file the wedding license with the Clerk’s workplace inside 10 days. The Clerk will then document the wedding and situation a wedding certificates to the couple.
Information deeds and mortgages
The Polk County Clerk of Courts can be answerable for recording deeds and mortgages. A deed is a authorized doc that transfers possession of actual property from one particular person to a different. A mortgage is a mortgage secured by actual property. When a mortgage is recorded, it creates a lien on the property, which signifies that the lender can foreclose on the property if the borrower defaults on the mortgage.
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Paperwork required:
To document a deed or mortgage, the next paperwork should be submitted to the Clerk’s workplace:
- The unique deed or mortgage
- A switch tax type
- A recording price
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Charges:
The price for recording a deed or mortgage in Polk County is $10 per web page. There’s additionally a switch tax of $7 per $1,000 of the acquisition worth.
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Recording course of:
As soon as the required paperwork and charges have been submitted, the Clerk’s workplace will document the deed or mortgage within the county’s public data. This course of usually takes a number of days.
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Public entry:
Recorded deeds and mortgages can be found for public inspection on the Clerk’s workplace. Copies of those paperwork can be obtained for a price.
Recording deeds and mortgages is a vital a part of the actual property transaction course of. It helps to guard the rights of patrons, sellers, and lenders by offering public discover of the possession and encumbrances on actual property.
Collects courtroom charges and fines
The Polk County Clerk of Courts can be answerable for gathering courtroom charges and fines. Courtroom charges are fees which are assessed to cowl the prices of courtroom operations, such because the salaries of judges and courtroom employees, and the upkeep of courtroom amenities. Fines are penalties which are imposed by the courtroom as punishment for sure offenses.
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Kinds of charges and fines:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts collects quite a lot of charges and fines, together with:
- Submitting charges
- Service charges
- Jury charges
- Visitors fines
- Legal fines
- Restitution funds
- Little one help funds
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Cost strategies:
Courtroom charges and fines may be paid in particular person on the Clerk’s workplace, by mail, or on-line. The Clerk’s workplace accepts money, checks, cash orders, and bank cards.
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Penalties of non-payment:
For those who fail to pay your courtroom charges or fines, you could be topic to extra penalties, similar to a late fee price, a warrant on your arrest, or a suspension of your driver’s license.
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Assist with paying courtroom charges and fines:
In case you are unable to pay your courtroom charges or fines, you could possibly apply for a fee plan or a waiver of charges. Contact the Clerk’s workplace for extra info.
The gathering of courtroom charges and fines is a vital income for the Polk County courtroom system. These funds assist to make sure that the courts have the sources they should function successfully and effectively.
Conducts public auctions
The Polk County Clerk of Courts additionally conducts public auctions. These auctions are usually held to promote property that has been seized by the federal government because of unpaid taxes or different money owed. The Clerk’s workplace additionally auctions off surplus authorities property and gadgets which have been forfeited to the courtroom.
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Kinds of auctions:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts conducts the next forms of auctions:
- Tax deed auctions
- Surplus property auctions
- Forfeiture auctions
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Public sale schedule:
Auctions are usually held on an everyday schedule, similar to as soon as a month or as soon as 1 / 4. The Clerk’s workplace publishes an inventory of upcoming auctions on its web site.
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Find out how to take part in an public sale:
To take part in an public sale, you could register with the Clerk’s workplace prematurely. Additionally, you will have to pay a deposit. On the day of the public sale, you may be given a bidding quantity. When the merchandise you have an interest in is up for public sale, you possibly can bid by elevating your bidding quantity.
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Cost and pickup:
For those who win an public sale, you may be required to pay for the merchandise in full inside a specified time period. Additionally, you will want to select up the merchandise from the Clerk’s workplace.
Public auctions are an effective way to seek out bargains on quite a lot of gadgets. Nonetheless, you will need to do your analysis earlier than bidding on an merchandise. Ensure you perceive the phrases and situations of the public sale and that you’re conscious of any hidden charges or prices.
Supplies on-line companies
The Polk County Clerk of Courts affords quite a lot of on-line companies for the comfort of the general public. These companies embody:
Looking courtroom data: You’ll be able to search the Clerk’s on-line database to seek out details about courtroom circumstances, together with case numbers, submitting dates, and case summaries. You may as well entry digital copies of courtroom paperwork.
Submitting courtroom paperwork: You’ll be able to file sure courtroom paperwork electronically via the Clerk’s web site. It is a handy choice if you happen to wouldn’t have the time or capacity to file your paperwork in particular person.
Paying courtroom charges and fines: You’ll be able to pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test. It is a protected and simple technique to make your funds with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace.
Acquiring marriage licenses: You’ll be able to apply for a wedding license on-line. As soon as your utility is accepted, you possibly can pay the price and print your marriage license. You’ll then have to take the wedding license to a wedding officiant to be married.
Recording deeds and mortgages: You’ll be able to document deeds and mortgages on-line. It is a handy choice for actual property professionals and owners who wish to keep away from having to go to the Clerk’s workplace.
Conducting public auctions: The Clerk’s workplace additionally conducts public auctions on-line. It is a nice technique to discover bargains on quite a lot of gadgets, together with actual property, autos, and private property.
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is dedicated to offering handy and environment friendly on-line companies to the general public. These companies make it straightforward for individuals to entry courtroom data, file courtroom paperwork, pay courtroom charges and fines, and acquire marriage licenses and document deeds and mortgages. The Clerk’s workplace additionally affords quite a lot of different on-line companies, similar to conducting public auctions and offering details about the courts.
Elected by voters
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is an elected official. Which means that the Clerk is chosen by the voters of Polk County to serve a four-year time period in workplace. The Clerk should run for re-election each 4 years with a view to stay in workplace.
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{Qualifications}:
To be eligible to run for Clerk of Courts, a candidate should be a certified elector of Polk County and will need to have been a resident of the county for at the least six months previous to the election.
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Election course of:
The Clerk of Courts is elected in a nonpartisan election, which signifies that candidates don’t run on a celebration ticket. The election is held on the identical day as the overall election for state and federal places of work.
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Time period of workplace:
The Clerk of Courts serves a four-year time period, which begins on the primary Tuesday after the primary Monday in January following the election.
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Duties and duties:
The Clerk of Courts is answerable for sustaining and managing the data of the Polk County courts, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and gathering courtroom charges and fines. The Clerk additionally offers varied on-line companies to the general public.
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a vital elected official who performs an important position within the administration of justice within the county. The Clerk is answerable for guaranteeing that the courts have the sources they should function successfully and effectively, and that the general public has entry to the courtroom data and companies they want.
FAQ
Introduction Paragraph for FAQ:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts web site has a complete FAQ part that gives solutions to generally requested questions in regards to the Clerk’s workplace and the companies it offers. Listed below are among the most often requested questions and their solutions:
Query 1: What are the hours of operation for the Clerk’s workplace?
Reply 1: The Clerk’s workplace is open from 8:00 AM to five:00 PM, Monday via Friday, aside from holidays.
Query 2: The place is the Clerk’s workplace positioned?
Reply 2: The Clerk’s workplace is positioned at 333 North Florida Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33830. There are additionally department places of work in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis.
Query 3: What companies does the Clerk’s workplace present?
Reply 3: The Clerk’s workplace offers quite a lot of companies, together with sustaining and managing courtroom data, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, gathering courtroom charges and fines, and conducting public auctions.
Query 4: How can I search courtroom data on-line?
Reply 4: You’ll be able to search courtroom data on-line via the Clerk’s web site. Merely click on on the “Courtroom Information Search” hyperlink on the homepage and enter the related info.
Query 5: How do I file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace?
Reply 5: You’ll be able to file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace in particular person, by mail, or electronically. For extra info, please go to the Clerk’s web site or contact the Clerk’s workplace straight.
Query 6: How can I pay my courtroom charges and fines on-line?
Reply 6: You’ll be able to pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test via the Clerk’s web site. Merely click on on the “Pay Courtroom Charges and Fines” hyperlink on the homepage and observe the directions.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just some of essentially the most often requested questions in regards to the Polk County Clerk of Courts. For extra info, please go to the Clerk’s web site or contact the Clerk’s workplace straight.
Transition paragraph:
Along with the FAQ part, the Polk County Clerk of Courts web site additionally has a useful ideas part that gives info on find out how to use the Clerk’s on-line companies and find out how to navigate the courtroom system.
Ideas
Introduction Paragraph for Ideas:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts web site has a useful ideas part that gives info on find out how to use the Clerk’s on-line companies and find out how to navigate the courtroom system. Listed below are a number of sensible ideas that will help you get began:
Tip 1: Use the web companies.
The Clerk’s workplace affords quite a lot of on-line companies that may prevent time and trouble. You’ll be able to search courtroom data, file paperwork, pay courtroom charges and fines, and acquire marriage licenses on-line. To entry these companies, merely go to the Clerk’s web site and click on on the “On-line Providers” hyperlink.
Tip 2: File your paperwork electronically.
If that you must file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace, you are able to do so electronically. It is a handy and environment friendly technique to file your paperwork with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace in particular person. To file a doc electronically, merely go to the Clerk’s web site and click on on the “E-Submitting” hyperlink.
Tip 3: Pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line.
You’ll be able to pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test. It is a protected and simple technique to make your funds with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace in particular person. To pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line, merely go to the Clerk’s web site and click on on the “Pay Courtroom Charges and Fines” hyperlink.
Tip 4: Get assist from the Clerk’s workplace.
In case you have any questions or need assistance utilizing the Clerk’s on-line companies, you possibly can contact the Clerk’s workplace straight. The Clerk’s workplace has a staff of pleasant and educated employees who’re prepared to help you.
Closing Paragraph for Ideas:
By following the following pointers, it can save you time and trouble when utilizing the Polk County Clerk of Courts web site and companies.
Transition paragraph:
Along with the FAQ and ideas sections, the Polk County Clerk of Courts web site additionally has a complete conclusion part that gives info on the Clerk’s workplace and the companies it offers.
Conclusion
Abstract of Essential Factors:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer answerable for sustaining and managing the data of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally offers varied companies to the general public, similar to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and gathering courtroom charges and fines. The Clerk’s workplace is positioned in Bartow, Florida, and has department places of work in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis.
The Clerk of Courts is elected by the voters of Polk County for a four-year time period. The Clerk’s workplace affords quite a lot of on-line companies for the comfort of the general public, together with looking courtroom data, submitting paperwork, paying courtroom charges and fines, and acquiring marriage licenses. The Clerk’s workplace additionally has a useful FAQ and ideas part that will help you use the Clerk’s on-line companies and navigate the courtroom system.
Closing Message:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is dedicated to offering wonderful service to the general public. The Clerk’s workplace is staffed with a staff of pleasant and educated professionals who’re prepared to help you with any questions or wants you’ll have. Whether or not that you must search courtroom data, file a doc, pay courtroom charges and fines, or receive a wedding license, the Polk County Clerk of Courts is right here to assist.
