Relocating to South Florida
If you are planning a move to the Fort Lauderdale area you can find all the information you need to get settled in and meet all of the local requirements right here. Contact information for local and state agencies is also supplied here.
To become a resident of Florida, a person must establish a home or a permanent dwelling place and demonstrate the intent to make Florida the place of permanent legal residence. There is no fixed waiting period required before a person can become a resident. Simply produce proof of intent to establish residence by filing a sworn statement with the Clerk of the Court in the county where your new residence is located. There is a fee, and a driver’s license or other picture identification is required for recording the affidavit.
Clerk of the Court Office
201 S.E. 6th Street, Room 130
Fort Lauderdale, 33301
(954) 831-5504
www.browardclerk.org
In the State of Florida, you must be a U.S. Citizen and 18 years old by Election Day to register to vote. If you have been convicted of a felony or declared mentally incompetent, you must have had your civil rights or mental competency restored before you can register. Proof of residency is not required and there are no residency requirements; however you must be a legal resident of the county you are registering in.
Registering to vote is a right. It is available to all persons that meet the requirements. In Broward County there are many agencies where you can register or get registration forms. If you need more information regarding the closest agency, or to obtain a form by mail, contact the Supervisor of Elections office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Supervisor of Elections Main Office
115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 102
Fort Lauderdale, 33301
(954) 357-7050
New residents may apply for their auto tag (or mobile home) registration and a Florida title at any one of the County’s auto tag agencies. Since states have different requirements, please call the Auto Tag Information Center at (954) 831-4000 before you visit a tag agency to insure that you bring the proper documents.
Your Florida vehicle title is processed in Tallahassee and will be mailed to you by the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles. Be prepared to submit proof of required Florida insurance, the driver’s license number(s) of all owners and the color of the vehicle. Contact the Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at (800) 342-2762 for insurance requirements.
New state residents who wish to drive in Florida must obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of moving here. U.S. citizens, take your driver’s license, social security card and birth certificate. You may be able to convert without taking a written or road test. You will be required to take a vision screening. Non-U.S. citizens must have an INS or other document of legal presence. Canadians without INS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship. Please call your local driver’s license office.
and schedule an appointment. Additional information is available on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s homepage at www.hsmv.state.fl.us or call (954) 497-1570 for license offices near you.
Florida law requires that all passengers in the front seat of a vehicle wear seat belts. Children 6-15 must be belted when either in the front or rear seat of a vehicle. This law applies to all cars, pickup trucks and vans operated on Florida’s roads. Children age five and younger must be secured in federally approved child-restraint devices.
Children through age three must be secured in separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child safety seat. For children age four through five years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat or a seat belt may be used. For more information or updates on Florida law, please visit the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s website at www.hsmv.state.fl.us.
The Revenue Collection Division acts as an agent for the State of Florida in registering vessels, and collects the registration fee for all vessels that are both motorized and “domiciled” in Florida. If these vessels can be used for transportation on navigable Florida waters, they must be registered, and then renewed each year. You will be issued a permanent Florida identification number and a validation decal.
For your first-time vessel registration, you will need to make application for a Florida title or present proof of documentation. Please supply your Florida driver’s license number, or, for company-owned vessels, the Federal Employers Identification number. You will receive reminder notices in the mail each year to renew your registration, they will be mailed to the owner’s last reported address.
Applications for vessel registration and title certificates (original or duplicate) are to be filed by the vessel owner with the county tax collector’s office in the county where the vessel is located or in the county where the vessel owner resides.
Broward County Revenue Collector
815 N.E. 13th Street, Department B
Fort Lauderdale, 33304
Information Center (954) 831-4000
The standard marriage license fee is $93.50 and includes a 3-day waiting period before a marriage ceremony can be performed.
The first form of identification required is valid photo identification issued by federal or state government. The photo identification must have the correct legal name, date of birth and signature of the applicant.
A second form of identification is required if the applicant has been issued a U.S. Social Security number. All identification must be original and contain the complete social security number. Photo-copies, facsimile, metal or plastic reproductions of social security cards or other documents are not accepted. No expired identification will be accepted.
A marriage license or a Civil Marriage ceremony by the Clerk of Courts Office, may be obtained at:
Main Broward County Courthouse
Marriage Division
201 S.E. 6th Street, Room 270
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
(954) 712-7899 Ext. 7842
If you are a resident or non-resident of Florida, you need a valid Florida Fishing license to fish in the State’s freshwater areas. The license is valid for 12 months from the day you purchase it. There is an option to purchase a Resident Five Year license, Resident Lifetime License or a combined Resident Lifetime Fresh Water Fishing and Hunting License.
If you are 15 years old or younger, or you fish with a cane pole in the county of your residence, you don’t need a license. Also, if you are over the age of 65 and a resident of Florida, hunting and fishing are permitted without a license. You must carry proof of age and residency to be exempt. If you are permanently disabled, you may obtain a license without paying the state fee.
You may get a Fishing License at the offices of Broward County Revenue Collection or at one of the many subagent offices located around the County. Licenses may also be purchased by telephone by dialing toll-free, 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356) from anywhere in the United States or Canada.
A valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License is required in Broward County. The license is valid for 12 months from the day you purchase it. There is an option to purchase a Five Year License or a Resident Lifetime License.
A Saltwater Fishing License is not required if you are; a resident fishing in saltwater from land or a structure fixed to land; fishing from a vessel if the operator holds a valid saltwater vessel license; a resident and a member of U.S. Armed Forces at home on leave for 30 days or less; a person who has been accepted by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services for Development Services; or an individual fishing from a licensed pier. A Saltwater License may be issued, without license fee, to any resident who is certified by a Florida Licensed physician, by any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, or by the Veterans Administration to be totally and permanently disabled or who holds a valid I.D. card issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You can get a Saltwater and/or Freshwater License at the Offices of the Broward County Revenue Collection Division located at the Governmental Center Annex, 115 South Andrews Avenue Room A100, Fort Lauderdale, or at one of the subagents located throughout the County.
If you live in Broward County, you can get your hunting license from the Revenue Collection Division. The general hunting license is valid for 12 months from the day you purchase it. You will need separate permits along with your hunting license if you use archery or muzzle-loading equipment. There is an option for a Five- Year License, a Lifetime Resident Hunting License, or a Lifetime Combined Hunting and Freshwater Fishing License.
There are specific seasons, areas, types of equipment, requirements and limitations for hunting in the State of Florida, including but not limited to a successful completion of a hunter safety course. Ask for current rules and regulations by calling the Broward County Revenue Collection Division at (954) 831-4000. You may purchase a hunting license by phone at 1-888-HUNT-FLORIDA (486-8356).
This license is required for the privilege of engaging in or managing any business, profession or occupation in Broward County. Licenses are sold at the Revenue Collection Division. Occupational licenses are valid from October 1 through September 30. For information about fees and requirements, contact the Revenue Collection Division, Occupational License Section, at (954) 831-4000.
The Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division (ACaRD) strictly enforce the Animal ordinance. Local cities may have stricter ordinances relating to Animals. Check with your city code enforcement department for a complete list of regulations.
Broward County law requires both dogs and cats that are two months or older to wear license tags. There is a juvenile license tag for dogs and cats two to four months old. The adult license tags are for dogs and cats four months and older. Remember your pet(s) must wear the license at all times.
There are over 160 veterinarian offices in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties that sell Broward County license tags. The Animal Care Division also sells the license tags through the mail or by visiting a shelter.
You can obtain additional information by contacting the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division at (954) 359-1313 or (954) 970-0130.
Since its inception in 1974, the Broward County Library system has grown from two city libraries with a $1.3 million operating budget to 37 county libraries with a $60 million budget. Today, Broward County Library has a combined catalog of more than 2.8 million books, videos, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and CD-ROMs, a computerized information system with access to the Internet and specialized databases of information, and a comprehensive array of programs and services.
Broward County Library consists of a flagship Main Library, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University ( a joint-use facility between the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Nova Southeastern University), five regional libraries and 29 branch libraries. The library system was named “Library of the Year” for 1996 -1997 by Library Journal and Gale Research for its excellent partnerships.
A $139.9 million bond issue, passed by 72 percent of voters in March 1999, is adding hundreds of thousands of new library materials, state-of-the-art computers at every library, nine new libraries and five expanded libraries totaling 345,000 additional square feet. The Main Library is located at 100 S. Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Call (954) 357-7444 for more information.
Ad valorem and non-ad valorem taxes on real property are collected on an annual basis beginning on November 1st for the tax year (January through December). Florida law and the State of Florida Department of Revenue Rules and Regulations collect these taxes.
The Property Appraiser establishes the value of the property and establishes exemptions. Therefore, the Property Appraiser’s Office should be contacted for questions concerning assessed valuations, exemptions, legal descriptions, and corrections to the owner’s name and address.
The Board of County Commissioners, together with other taxing bodies, sets the millage rates. Using these values, and allowing for any exemptions, the tax roll is prepared by the Property Appraiser and then certified to the Broward County Revenue Collector, who prints and mails the tax notice to the owner’s last record of address as it appears on the certified tax roll. (The owner of record is the owner as of January 1st of the tax year). It is the responsibility of each taxpayer to see that their taxes are paid, and that they do indeed receive a tax bill. Therefore, failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the responsibility for payment, nor does it constitute cause for cancellation of penalty and/or cost charges if the bill becomes delinquent.
The Broward County Property Appraiser makes sure each year every parcel of real and taxable personal property in Broward County is listed on the tax rolls and assessed at its just value. The Property Appraiser also takes applications for tax-saving exemptions and makes sure that everyone receives all the exemptions to which they are entitled.
If you have any questions about the amount of your assessment, you should contact the Property Appraiser. Questions about tax rates (amount of taxes) should be directed to the taxing body in question and you should ask the Broward County Revenue Collector if you have any questions about payment of taxes. You should receive a tax bill (or an information copy if your mortgage company receives the original) around November 1. If you do not receive a bill, your address may not be correct and you should download a form to change the address of your property.
Legal Florida residents are eligible for a Homestead Exemption on their homes, condominiums, co-op apartments, and certain mobile home lots if they qualify. The Florida Constitution provides this tax-saving exemption on the first $25,000 of the assessed value of an owner/occupied residence.
You are entitled to a Homestead Exemption if, as of January 1, you have made the property your permanent home or the permanent home of a person who is legally or naturally dependent on you. By law, January 1 of each year is the date on which permanent residence is determined.
Widows, widowers, permanently disabled persons and qualified senior citizens on fixed-incomes are entitled to additional tax-saving exemptions.
For more information contact:
Broward County
Property Appraiser's Office
Broward County Governmental Center
115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111-F
Fort Lauderdale, 33301
(954) 357-6830
www.bcpa.net
The Florida Department of Revenue administers 36 taxes and fees while collecting in excess of $24 billion for the state. The Department is committed to being a world-class organization exemplifying the best in public service by demonstrating integrity in all its actions and encounters with taxpayers. The Florida Department of Revenue’s In-State Service Centers host free educational seminars focused on Florida tax issues. These seminars are designed to provide you with the most up-to-date tax information.
To locate the various types of Florida tax seminars available in your area, please call the nearest Revenue Service Center.
Intangible Personal Property Tax
You may not know it but you just might owe it. The Intangible Personal Property Tax affects all Florida residents who own, manage or control intangible personal property as of January 1. Residents who have a tax due of at least $60.00 must file this annual tax regardless of whether their assets are held by a stockbroker or security dealer in or out of the state. To learn what is taxable and what might be exempt, come to any of the free seminars held throughout the county from January through June of each year.
The State of Florida has a 6 percent statewide sales tax rate. The tax is due at the time of a retail sale, admission charge, storage or rental transaction as well as when certain services are performed. Some items and types of services are exempt from the tax. Certain counties charge a discretionary sales tax in addition to the state’s 6 percent which is imposed at the time of purchase.
New business owners may register to collect sales tax by contacting the Department of Revenue online at www.myflorida.com/dor or at one of the regional service centers.
Florida Department of Revenue Service Centers:
Coral Springs Service Center
Florida Sunrise Tower
3111 N. University Drive, Suite 501
Coral Springs, 33065-5096
(954) 346-3000Hollywood Service Center
Taft Office Complex
6565 Taft Street, Suite 300
Hollywood, 33024-4044
(954) 967-1000
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