The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer chargeable for sustaining and managing the information of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally gives varied providers to the general public, equivalent to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and amassing courtroom charges and fines. The Clerk’s workplace is positioned in Bartow, Florida, and has department workplaces 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 providers outlined above, the Polk County Clerk of Courts additionally provides quite a lot of on-line providers for the comfort of the general public. These providers embody:
polk county florida clerk of courts
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer chargeable for varied authorized and administrative duties in Polk County, Florida.
- Maintains courtroom information
- Points marriage licenses
- Data deeds and mortgages
- Collects courtroom charges and fines
- Conducts public auctions
- Gives on-line providers
- Elected by voters
The Clerk’s workplace is positioned in Bartow, Florida, with department workplaces in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis. The present Clerk of Courts is Stacy A. Butterfield.
Maintains courtroom information
One of many major duties of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to keep up and handle the information of the Polk County courts. These information embody:
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Case recordsdata:
This consists of all paperwork filed in a courtroom case, equivalent to pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments.
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Courtroom minutes:
This can be a file 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 information:
This consists of information of courtroom charges and fines, in addition to restitution and little one assist funds.
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Very important information:
This consists of information of births, deaths, and marriages.
The Clerk of Courts is chargeable for guaranteeing that these information are correct, full, and safe. The Clerk additionally gives public entry to those information, both in particular person on the Clerk’s workplace or on-line.
Points marriage licenses
One other necessary responsibility of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to subject marriage licenses. In an effort to acquire 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 appliance is authorized, the Clerk will subject 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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Utility course of:
The applying for a wedding license might be obtained on-line or on the Clerk’s workplace. Each events should be current to finish the appliance and supply the required documentation.
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Charges:
The charge for a wedding license in Polk County is $93. This charge 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 file the wedding and subject a wedding certificates to the couple.
Data deeds and mortgages
The Polk County Clerk of Courts can also be chargeable 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 implies that the lender can foreclose on the property if the borrower defaults on the mortgage.
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Paperwork required:
To file 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 charge
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Charges:
The charge 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 costs have been submitted, the Clerk’s workplace will file the deed or mortgage within the county’s public information. 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 charge.
Recording deeds and mortgages is a vital a part of the true 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 also be chargeable for amassing courtroom charges and fines. Courtroom charges are fees which can be assessed to cowl the prices of courtroom operations, such because the salaries of judges and courtroom workers, and the upkeep of courtroom services. Fines are penalties which can be imposed by the courtroom as punishment for sure offenses.
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Forms 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
- Site visitors fines
- Legal fines
- Restitution funds
- Little one assist funds
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Fee strategies:
Courtroom charges and fines might 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:
Should you fail to pay your courtroom charges or fines, you might be topic to extra penalties, equivalent to a late cost charge, a warrant to your arrest, or a suspension of your driver’s license.
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Assist with paying courtroom charges and fines:
If you’re unable to pay your courtroom charges or fines, you might be able to apply for a cost 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 attributable to unpaid taxes or different money owed. The Clerk’s workplace additionally auctions off surplus authorities property and objects which have been forfeited to the courtroom.
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Forms of auctions:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts conducts the next kinds of auctions:
- Tax deed auctions
- Surplus property auctions
- Forfeiture auctions
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Public sale schedule:
Auctions are usually held on a daily schedule, equivalent 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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The way to take part in an public sale:
To take part in an public sale, it’s essential to register with the Clerk’s workplace upfront. Additionally, you will must pay a deposit. On the day of the public sale, you can be given a bidding quantity. When the merchandise you have an interest in is up for public sale, you may bid by elevating your bidding quantity.
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Fee and pickup:
Should you win an public sale, you can be required to pay for the merchandise in full inside a specified time frame. 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 objects. Nevertheless, it is very important do your analysis earlier than bidding on an merchandise. Be sure to perceive the phrases and circumstances of the public sale and that you’re conscious of any hidden charges or prices.
Gives on-line providers
The Polk County Clerk of Courts provides quite a lot of on-line providers for the comfort of the general public. These providers embody:
Looking out courtroom information: You may 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 may file sure courtroom paperwork electronically by the Clerk’s web site. This can be a handy choice should you should not have the time or potential to file your paperwork in particular person.
Paying courtroom charges and fines: You may pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test. This can be a secure and simple solution to make your funds with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace.
Acquiring marriage licenses: You may apply for a wedding license on-line. As soon as your software is authorized, you may pay the charge and print your marriage license. You’ll then must take the wedding license to a wedding officiant to be married.
Recording deeds and mortgages: You may file deeds and mortgages on-line. This can be a handy choice for actual property professionals and householders 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. This can be a nice solution to discover bargains on quite a lot of objects, together with actual property, automobiles, and private property.
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is dedicated to offering handy and environment friendly on-line providers to the general public. These providers make it simple for individuals to entry courtroom information, file courtroom paperwork, pay courtroom charges and fines, and acquire marriage licenses and file deeds and mortgages. The Clerk’s workplace additionally provides quite a lot of different on-line providers, equivalent to conducting public auctions and offering details about the courts.
Elected by voters
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is an elected official. Because of this 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 as a way to stay in workplace.
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{Qualifications}:
To be eligible to run for Clerk of Courts, a candidate should be a professional elector of Polk County and should 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 implies 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 workplaces.
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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 obligations:
The Clerk of Courts is chargeable for sustaining and managing the information of the Polk County courts, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and amassing courtroom charges and fines. The Clerk additionally gives varied on-line providers to the general public.
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a vital elected official who performs a significant function within the administration of justice within the county. The Clerk is chargeable for guaranteeing that the courts have the sources they should function successfully and effectively, and that the general public has entry to the courtroom information and providers 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 concerning the Clerk’s workplace and the providers it gives. Listed here are a few of the most incessantly 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 by Friday, apart 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 workplaces in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis.
Query 3: What providers does the Clerk’s workplace present?
Reply 3: The Clerk’s workplace gives quite a lot of providers, together with sustaining and managing courtroom information, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, amassing courtroom charges and fines, and conducting public auctions.
Query 4: How can I search courtroom information on-line?
Reply 4: You may search courtroom information on-line by the Clerk’s web site. Merely click on on the “Courtroom Data 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 may 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 immediately.
Query 6: How can I pay my courtroom charges and fines on-line?
Reply 6: You may pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test by 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 probably the most incessantly requested questions concerning the Polk County Clerk of Courts. For extra info, please go to the Clerk’s web site or contact the Clerk’s workplace immediately.
Transition paragraph:
Along with the FAQ part, the Polk County Clerk of Courts web site additionally has a useful suggestions part that gives info on how you can use the Clerk’s on-line providers and how you can navigate the courtroom system.
Ideas
Introduction Paragraph for Ideas:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts web site has a useful suggestions part that gives info on how you can use the Clerk’s on-line providers and how you can navigate the courtroom system. Listed here are a number of sensible suggestions that will help you get began:
Tip 1: Use the net providers.
The Clerk’s workplace provides quite a lot of on-line providers that may prevent time and trouble. You may search courtroom information, file paperwork, pay courtroom charges and fines, and acquire marriage licenses on-line. To entry these providers, merely go to the Clerk’s web site and click on on the “On-line Companies” hyperlink.
Tip 2: File your paperwork electronically.
If you’ll want to file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace, you are able to do so electronically. This can be a handy and environment friendly solution 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 may pay your courtroom charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test. This can be a secure and simple solution 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.
When you’ve got any questions or need assistance utilizing the Clerk’s on-line providers, you may contact the Clerk’s workplace immediately. The Clerk’s workplace has a workforce of pleasant and educated workers 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 providers.
Transition paragraph:
Along with the FAQ and suggestions 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 providers it gives.
Conclusion
Abstract of Foremost Factors:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer chargeable for sustaining and managing the information of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally gives varied providers to the general public, equivalent to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and amassing courtroom charges and fines. The Clerk’s workplace is positioned in Bartow, Florida, and has department workplaces 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 provides quite a lot of on-line providers for the comfort of the general public, together with looking courtroom information, submitting paperwork, paying courtroom charges and fines, and acquiring marriage licenses. The Clerk’s workplace additionally has a useful FAQ and suggestions part that will help you use the Clerk’s on-line providers and navigate the courtroom system.
Closing Message:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is dedicated to offering glorious service to the general public. The Clerk’s workplace is staffed with a workforce of pleasant and educated professionals who’re prepared to help you with any questions or wants you will have. Whether or not you’ll want to search courtroom information, file a doc, pay courtroom charges and fines, or acquire a wedding license, the Polk County Clerk of Courts is right here to assist.
