The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer chargeable for sustaining and managing the data of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally offers numerous providers to the general public, equivalent to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and accumulating court docket charges and fines. The Clerk’s workplace is situated 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 affords 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 numerous authorized and administrative duties in Polk County, Florida.
- Maintains court docket data
- Points marriage licenses
- Data deeds and mortgages
- Collects court docket charges and fines
- Conducts public auctions
- Supplies on-line providers
- Elected by voters
The Clerk’s workplace is situated in Bartow, Florida, with department workplaces in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Haines Metropolis. The present Clerk of Courts is Stacy A. Butterfield.
Maintains court docket data
One of many main 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 contains all paperwork filed in a court docket case, equivalent to pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments.
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Courtroom minutes:
It is a file of the proceedings of a court docket case, together with the date, time, and site of the listening to, the names of the decide and attorneys current, and a abstract of what occurred.
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Monetary data:
This contains data of court docket charges and fines, in addition to restitution and youngster help funds.
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Important data:
This contains data of births, deaths, and marriages.
The Clerk of Courts is chargeable for making certain 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 necessary obligation of the Polk County Clerk of Courts is to concern marriage licenses. With a view to receive a wedding license in Polk County, each events have to 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 accepted, the Clerk will concern 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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Utility course of:
The applying for a wedding license will be obtained on-line or on the Clerk’s workplace. Each events have to 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 file the wedding and concern 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 have to 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 may be 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 charges have been submitted, the Clerk’s workplace will file the deed or mortgage within the county’s public data. This course of sometimes takes a couple 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 may also be obtained for a payment.
Recording deeds and mortgages is a crucial 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 also be chargeable for accumulating court docket charges and fines. Courtroom charges are prices which are 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 are imposed by the court docket 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
- Site visitors fines
- Legal fines
- Restitution funds
- Little one help funds
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Fee strategies:
Courtroom charges and fines will 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 court docket charges or fines, you might be topic to further penalties, equivalent to a late fee payment, a warrant on 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 data.
The gathering of court docket charges and fines is a crucial 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 sometimes held to promote property that has been seized by the federal government as a result 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 court docket.
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Kinds of auctions:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts conducts the next varieties of auctions:
- Tax deed auctions
- Surplus property auctions
- Forfeiture auctions
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Public sale schedule:
Auctions are sometimes held on an everyday 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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Find out how to take part in an public sale:
To take part in an public sale, you need to 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 may bid by elevating your bidding quantity.
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Fee and pickup:
Should you win an public sale, you may be required to pay for the merchandise in full inside a specified time frame. Additionally, you will want to choose up the merchandise from the Clerk’s workplace.
Public auctions are an effective way to search out bargains on quite a lot of gadgets. Nevertheless, it is very important do your analysis earlier than bidding on an merchandise. Be sure to perceive the phrases and situations of the public sale and that you’re conscious of any hidden charges or prices.
Supplies on-line providers
The Polk County Clerk of Courts affords quite a lot of on-line providers for the comfort of the general public. These providers embody:
Looking out court docket data: You’ll be able to search the Clerk’s on-line database to search out details about court docket circumstances, together with case numbers, submitting dates, and case summaries. You may as well entry digital copies of court docket paperwork.
Submitting court docket paperwork: You’ll be able to file sure court docket paperwork electronically by way of the Clerk’s web site. It is a handy choice in case you don’t have the time or potential to file your paperwork in particular person.
Paying court docket charges and fines: You’ll be able to pay your court docket charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital examine. It is a protected and straightforward strategy 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 may 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’ll be able to file 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 strategy to discover bargains on quite a lot of gadgets, 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 court docket data, file court docket paperwork, pay court docket charges and fines, and acquire marriage licenses and file deeds and mortgages. The Clerk’s workplace additionally affords 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 in an effort to stay in workplace.
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{Qualifications}:
To be eligible to run for Clerk of Courts, a candidate have to be a certified elector of Polk County and should 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 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 duties:
The Clerk of Courts is chargeable for sustaining and managing the data of the Polk County courts, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and accumulating court docket charges and fines. The Clerk additionally offers numerous on-line providers to the general public.
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a crucial elected official who performs a significant position within the administration of justice within the county. The Clerk is chargeable for making certain that the courts have the assets they should function successfully and effectively, and that the general public has entry to the court docket data 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 in regards to the Clerk’s workplace and the providers it offers. Listed here are among the most ceaselessly 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 way of Friday, aside from holidays.
Query 2: The place is the Clerk’s workplace situated?
Reply 2: The Clerk’s workplace is situated 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 offers quite a lot of providers, together with sustaining and managing court docket data, issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, accumulating court docket charges and fines, and conducting public auctions.
Query 4: How can I search court docket data on-line?
Reply 4: You’ll be able to search court docket data on-line by way of the Clerk’s web site. Merely click on on the “Courtroom Data Search” hyperlink on the homepage and enter the related data.
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 data, 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’ll be able to pay your court docket charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital examine by way of 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 only a few of essentially the most ceaselessly requested questions in regards to the Polk County Clerk of Courts. For extra data, 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 data on how you can use the Clerk’s on-line providers and how you can 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 data on how you can use the Clerk’s on-line providers and how you can navigate the court docket system. Listed here are a couple of sensible suggestions that can assist you get began:
Tip 1: Use the net providers.
The Clerk’s workplace affords quite a lot of on-line providers that may prevent time and trouble. You’ll be able to search court docket data, file paperwork, pay court docket 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 it’s good to file a doc with the Clerk’s workplace, you are able to do so electronically. It is a handy and environment friendly strategy 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 court docket charges and fines on-line.
You’ll be able to pay your court docket charges and fines on-line utilizing a bank card or digital examine. It is a protected and straightforward strategy to make your funds with out having to go to the Clerk’s workplace in particular person. To pay your court docket 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.
You probably have 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 staff of pleasant and educated employees who’re prepared to help you.
Closing Paragraph for Suggestions:
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 data on the Clerk’s workplace and the providers it offers.
Conclusion
Abstract of Principal Factors:
The Polk County Clerk of Courts is a constitutional officer chargeable for sustaining and managing the data of the Polk County courts. The Clerk additionally offers numerous providers to the general public, equivalent to issuing marriage licenses and passports, recording deeds and mortgages, and accumulating court docket charges and fines. The Clerk’s workplace is situated 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 affords quite a lot of on-line providers for the comfort of the general public, together with looking out court docket data, 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 providers and navigate the court docket 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 staff of pleasant and educated professionals who’re prepared to help you with any questions or wants you might have. Whether or not it’s good to search court docket data, 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.
