The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer liable for sustaining and managing the information of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally supplies numerous companies to the general public, comparable to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and amassing court docket 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 Court docket Affiliation and the Nationwide Affiliation for Court docket Administration.
Transition paragraph: Along with the duties and companies outlined above, the Polk County Clerk of Courts additionally presents 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 liable for numerous authorized and administrative duties in Polk County, Florida.
- Maintains court docket information
- Points marriage licenses
- Data deeds and mortgages
- Collects court docket charges and fines
- Conducts public auctions
- Gives 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 court docket information
One of many main duties of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to take care of and handle the information of the Polk County courts. These information embody:
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Case recordsdata:
This contains all paperwork filed in a court docket case, comparable to pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments.
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Court docket minutes:
It is a document of the proceedings of a court docket case, together with the date, time, and placement of the listening to, the names of the decide and attorneys current, and a abstract of what occurred.
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Monetary information:
This contains information of court docket charges and fines, in addition to restitution and baby assist funds.
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Very important information:
This contains information of births, deaths, and marriages.
The Clerk of Courts is liable for guaranteeing that these information are correct, full, and safe. The Clerk additionally supplies public entry to those information, both in individual on the Clerk’s workplace or on-line.
Points marriage licenses
One other necessary responsibility of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to problem marriage licenses. In an effort to receive a wedding license in Polk County, each events should be at the very least 18 years outdated (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 id and residency. As soon as the applying is authorised, the Clerk will problem 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 very least 18 years outdated (or 16 or 17 with parental consent)
- Not be associated to one another inside sure levels of kinship
- Present proof of id and residency
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Software course of:
The applying for a wedding license will 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 payment for a wedding license in Polk County is $93. This payment contains 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 problem a wedding certificates to the couple.
Data deeds and mortgages
The Polk County Clerk of Courts can be liable for recording deeds and mortgages. A deed is a authorized doc that transfers possession of actual property from one individual 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 document a deed or mortgage, the next paperwork should be submitted to the Clerk’s workplace:
- The unique deed or mortgage
- A switch tax kind
- A recording payment
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Charges:
The payment 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 value.
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Recording course of:
As soon as the required paperwork and costs have been submitted, the Clerk’s workplace will document the deed or mortgage within the county’s public information. This course of usually takes just a few 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 will also be obtained for a payment.
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 court docket charges and fines
The Polk County Clerk of Courts can be liable for amassing court docket charges and fines. Court docket charges are fees which can be assessed to cowl the prices of court docket operations, such because the salaries of judges and court docket employees, and the upkeep of court docket services. Fines are penalties which can be imposed by the court docket 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
- Baby assist funds
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Cost strategies:
Court docket charges and fines will be paid in individual 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:
If you happen to fail to pay your court docket charges or fines, chances are you’ll be topic to further penalties, comparable to a late fee payment, a warrant in your arrest, or a suspension of your driver’s license.
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Assist with paying court docket charges and fines:
In case you are unable to pay your court docket charges or fines, you might be able to apply for a fee plan or a waiver of charges. Contact the Clerk’s workplace for extra info.
The gathering of court docket charges and fines is a vital income for the Polk County court docket system. These funds assist to make sure that the courts have the assets 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 on account of unpaid taxes or different money owed. The Clerk’s workplace additionally auctions off surplus authorities property and objects which have been forfeited to the court docket.
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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, comparable 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 best way to take part in an public sale:
To take part in an public sale, you have to register with the Clerk’s workplace prematurely. Additionally, you will have to 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 possibly can bid by elevating your bidding quantity.
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Cost and pickup:
If you happen to 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 a good way to search out bargains on quite a lot of objects. Nonetheless, it is very important do your analysis earlier than bidding on an merchandise. Be sure you perceive the phrases and circumstances of the public sale and that you’re conscious of any hidden charges or prices.
Gives on-line companies
The Polk County Clerk of Courts presents quite a lot of on-line companies for the comfort of the general public. These companies embody:
Looking out court docket information: You possibly can search the Clerk’s on-line database to search out details about court docket instances, together with case numbers, submitting dates, and case summaries. You can too entry digital copies of court docket paperwork.
Submitting court docket paperwork: You possibly can file sure court docket paperwork electronically via the Clerk’s web site. It is a handy possibility when you don’t have the time or capability to file your paperwork in individual.
Paying court docket charges and fines: You possibly can pay your court docket charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test. It is a secure and simple approach to make your funds with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace.
Acquiring marriage licenses: You possibly can apply for a wedding license on-line. As soon as your software is authorised, you possibly can pay the payment 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 possibly can document deeds and mortgages on-line. It is a handy possibility for actual property professionals and owners who need 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 approach 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 companies to the general public. These companies make it simple for individuals to entry court docket information, file court docket paperwork, pay court docket charges and fines, and acquire marriage licenses and document deeds and mortgages. The Clerk’s workplace additionally presents quite a lot of different on-line companies, comparable 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 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 in an effort 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 very 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 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 tasks:
The Clerk of Courts is liable for sustaining and managing the information of the Polk County courts, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and amassing court docket charges and fines. The Clerk additionally supplies numerous on-line companies to the general public.
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a vital elected official who performs a significant position within the administration of justice within the county. The Clerk is liable for guaranteeing that the courts have the assets they should function successfully and effectively, and that the general public has entry to the court docket information 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 supplies. Listed here are a number of the most continuously 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 supplies quite a lot of companies, together with sustaining and managing court docket information, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, amassing court docket charges and fines, and conducting public auctions.
Query 4: How can I search court docket information on-line?
Reply 4: You possibly can search court docket information on-line via the Clerk’s web site. Merely click on on the “Court docket 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 possibly can file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace in individual, 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 court docket charges and fines on-line?
Reply 6: You possibly can pay your court docket charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test via the Clerk’s web site. Merely click on on the “Pay Court docket Charges and Fines” hyperlink on the homepage and observe the directions.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are only a few of probably the most continuously 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 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 the right way to use the Clerk’s on-line companies and the right way to navigate the court docket system.
Suggestions
Introduction Paragraph for Suggestions:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts web site has a useful suggestions part that gives info on the right way to use the Clerk’s on-line companies and the right way to navigate the court docket system. Listed here are just a few sensible suggestions that can assist you get began:
Tip 1: Use the net companies.
The Clerk’s workplace presents quite a lot of on-line companies that may prevent time and problem. You possibly can search court docket information, file paperwork, pay court docket 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 it is advisable to file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace, you are able to do so electronically. It is a handy and environment friendly approach to file your paperwork with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace in individual. 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 court docket charges and fines on-line.
You possibly can pay your court docket charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital test. It is a secure and simple approach to make your funds with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace in individual. To pay your court docket charges and fines on-line, merely go to the Clerk’s web site and click on on the “Pay Court docket 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 companies, you possibly can contact the Clerk’s workplace immediately. The Clerk’s workplace has a crew of pleasant and educated employees who’re prepared to help you.
Closing Paragraph for Suggestions:
By following the following tips, it can save you time and problem when utilizing the Polk County Clerk of Courts web site and companies.
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 companies it supplies.
Conclusion
Abstract of Important Factors:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer liable for sustaining and managing the information of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally supplies numerous companies to the general public, comparable to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and amassing court docket 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 presents quite a lot of on-line companies for the comfort of the general public, together with looking court docket information, submitting paperwork, paying court docket charges and fines, and acquiring marriage licenses. The Clerk’s workplace additionally has a useful FAQ and suggestions part that can assist you use the Clerk’s on-line companies and navigate the court docket 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 crew of pleasant and educated professionals who’re prepared to help you with any questions or wants you might have. Whether or not it is advisable to search court docket information, file a doc, pay court docket charges and fines, or receive a wedding license, the Polk County Clerk of Courts is right here to assist.
