Annual Report of the Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller

GETTING MARRIED IN SARASOTA COUNTY RECORDING TAX DEEDS PASSPORT NOTIFICATION We’re getting married! What should we do first? Go to SarasotaClerk.com to learn about required documents and current fees. If one or both applicants are Florida residents who voluntarily complete the Florida-approved premarital provider course, the state offers a reduced license fee, and waives the three-day waiting period. Present a printed copy of the course completion certificate, including the name of the provider and number of hours attended, with your application. The list of approved providers is available on SarasotaClerk.com. We are from out of state. How do we apply for a marriage license here? Non-Florida residents can go to SarasotaClerk.com to learn about required documents and current fees. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents. Are witnesses necessary and is a blood test required? No. Is our marriage license only valid in Sarasota? No, it may be used anywhere in the state of Florida. Once married, you must return it to the county where it was issued. Does our license expire? Your marriage license is valid for sixty days from the date you applied. Does the Clerk of Court provide foreign language interpreters? No. You must bring your own translator if either applicant does not sufficiently understand English when the Deputy Clerk is giving the Oath. Does the Clerk of Court provide sign language translators? Yes. A 24 hour notice is requested in order to make arrangements for an interpreter to administer the oath and perform the ceremony. What is required after the ceremony? Once married, the executed license must be returned to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s office within 10 days, in person, or by mail (P. O. Box 3079, Sarasota, FL 34230). Can I get married if I am younger than 18 years of age? Yes, you can. However, effective July 1, 2018, you must be at least 17 years of age and provide the notarized written consent of your parents or legal guardian. The older party to the marriage may not be more than two years older than the younger party to the marriage. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What documents can be recorded? Bills of sale, Agreements, Mortgages, Notices or Claims of Lien or other instruments relating to the transfer, ownership, encumbrance of or claims against real property or any interest in it. Refer to Florida Statute 28.222(3) for additional details. Can I record any document via eRecording? Most documents can be processed using eRecording. The most commonly eRecorded documents are deeds, mortgages, assignment of mortgages and satisfaction of mortgages. However, certain document types that require additional processing cannot be eRecorded. A list of available eRecording vendors is provided on our website. Once you create an account with the vendor of your choice, you may submit documents from any computer with Internet access and a scanner What is a tax deed sale? A tax deed sale is the sale of property at public auction for back taxes and fees associated with bringing the property to sale. This is governed by Chapter 197, Florida Statutes, and Administrative Code 12D-13.060, Florida Department of Revenue. What are some of the things that I should know before a sale? All properties are sold at public auction to the highest bidder. Anyone may bid on the property. A bidder must be able to demonstrate their ability to post a non-refundable deposit for each file at the time of the sale. Per Florida Statute 197.542(2), the total amount of the bid, plus recording fees, must be received by the Clerk within 24 hours after the advertised time of the sale. Payment must be made by cash, cashier’s check or money order only. Why must I post a deposit equal to 5 percent of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, for each file? The high bidder of each file must post a non-refundable cash, cashier’s check or money order deposit of 5 percent of the bid or $200.00, whichever is greater, at the time of the sale. The deposit will be applied to the sale price upon receipt of full payment. If full payment of the final bid and of documentary stamp tax and recording fees are not made within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) the Clerk and Comptroller will pay the costs of re-advertising the sale and pay all costs of the sale from the deposit. What happens if I am the high bidder? Once all fees have been paid, a Tax Deed is issued and recorded in the name you request for the property on which you were the high bidder. According to Florida Statute 197.562, “any person, firm, corporation, or county that is the grantee of any tax deed under this law shall be entitled to the immediate possession of the lands described in the deed.” How often are the sales held? Tax Deed sales are conducted several times per month. This can vary from month to month, based upon the number of applications received from the Tax Collector. How do I find a list of the upcoming Tax Deed sales? A list of upcoming sales can be accessed through SarasotaClerk.com . How do I find out the status of my passport application? Customers who have passport questions or who wish to check the status of their passport applications can access the following website: www.travel.state.gov . How much does it cost to get a passport? Two separate payments are required. For current fee information go to www.SarasotaClerk.com. Karen E. Rushing Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller - Sarasota, FL