Frequently Asked Questions

Question: I received a delinquency notice saying I am behind on my child support payments. I know I am up to date. Why has this happened and what do I do now?

Answer: In order for a Notice of Delinquency to be issued, the depository records of the Clerk of the Court must reflect that a payment is more than 15 days late. If you feel the Notice of Delinquency was issued in error, there are several things you can do.

You are stating that you know you are up to date, so the first thing you should do is call the depository, state that you received a Notice of Delinquency, and you do not agree with the records. The depository clerk will access your case and review the records with you over the phone, if possible. Some cases are too involved for a phone review, and you may be asked to bring your records or pay stubs, if your support is taken directly out of your paycheck, into the office for a more in-depth review. There are a number of reasons why the depository records may not coincide with yours, such as:

• You have made payments directly to the custodial parent after the court ordered payments through the depository. Direct payments can be considered a gift, and you may not be given the credit

• You did not realize that you were responsible for making the payments until your employer started the deductions. Your employer has two weeks from the time they receive the court order until they have to start the deductions. That also applies when you change jobs. You must make the payments until your new employer starts deducting it from your check
• There may be a change in circumstances that the depository is not aware of, such as a change in custody or the emancipation of a child. Always make the depository aware of any new court orders that affect your support payments
• A payment has been remitted to the State Disbursement Unit, but it is not posted on the depository records. Under these conditions the depository will request that the State Disbursement Unit research the payment. The Notice of Delinquency will be put on hold until the research has been completed. If speaking with the depository has not resolved the issue, you can contest the Notice of Delinquency and have a hearing before the judge assigned to your case. Some Clerk’s offices offer a pleading packet for a small fee for your convenience

Please keep in mind that your motion to contest must be filed within 20 days of the date of the Notice of Delinquency. If it is not filed and your case still reflects a delinquent balance, a Judgment by Operation of Law will be entered into the public records.

Question: I am often asked what my duties are as County Auditor in relation to the Board of County Commissioners and my constituency.

Answer: The basic duties of the Clerk, as County Auditor, are to see that sound accounting practices are being followed, that internal controls over the county’s assets are adequate, and that the Board’s budgetary policies are being met. All warrants (checks) drawn on county depositories must be signed by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, attested by the Clerk, and affixed with the county seal.

Question: My husband received a summons for jury duty. He is an independent building contractor, and if he isn’t around, the work doesn’t always get done properly or in a timely manner. What are acceptable reasons for dismissal from serving on the jury?

Answer: The criteria for exclusion from jury include:

• Being under prosecution for any crime
• Having convictions in Florida, federal court, or any other state, territory, or county, of bribery, forgery, perjury, larceny or any other
• Holding public office as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, a Cabinet officer, Clerk of Court, or judge

If none of these apply to your husband, there are other conditions which allow exemption from jury service if requested:

• Expectant mothers or parents who are not employed full-time and have custody of a child under the age of 6
• Persons employed as full-time federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, or investigative personnel for these entities
• Practicing attorneys or physicians, or persons who are physically infirm
• Persons who have served as jurors in the county within the past 12 months
• Persons who are 70 years of age or older
• Persons who are responsible for the care of those who, because of mental illness or retardation, senility, or physical or mental incapacity, are incapable of caring for themselves

None of these conditions applying the judge does have discretion to excuse persons for reason of hardship or inconvenience. However, such excusals are carefully reviewed and are not granted automatically.

Question: Is there a waiting period in the State of Florida for getting married after a couple applies for a Marriage License? Are blood tests required, and do you have to apply in the County you live in? Can a minor apply for a license?

Answer: Yes and no. There is normally a 3-day waiting period as of January 1, 1999. However, if both parties have taken a 4-hour premarital preparation course given by a minister or counselor registered with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the waiting period is waived and the license fee is reduced.

• If only one applicant took the course, the waiting period is still required
• If neither applicant is a Florida resident, the waiting period is not required
• If one applicant is not a Florida resident, and the other is a Florida resident and has taken the premarital course, the waiting period is still required
• Blood tests requirement was abolished October 1, 1986
• A marriage license may be applied for and solemnized in any Florida county
• Additional information for those under 18 years old is available in Marriage License FAQ

Question: My husband and I have mutually agreed on a divorce. We have heard the State of Florida has something called a “Simplified Divorce.” What is it? Would we be eligible?

Answer: Simplified Divorce is a procedure for ending a marriage for eligible couples. To be eligible:

• Both must agree that the marriage cannot be saved
• Both must agree on how to divide property and debts
• There must be no minor children of the marriage, and the wife cannot be pregnant
• At least one of you must have been a resident of Florida for the past six months

Forms are available in the Clerk’s office or on online. An attorney is not required, but if either of you has any legal questions, consulting an attorney prior to filing is advised. A hearing to finalize the divorce will be scheduled as soon as possible after a 20-day waiting period. Both parties must appear at the hearing.

Question: Can I be married in the Clerk’s office?

Answer: No. The Taylor County Clerk does not provide this service.

Question: I am interested in bidding on a piece of foreclosed property that is being auctioned by the Clerk’s office. What do I need to do? Also, how can I get a list of properties being auctioned?

Answer: You should come to the Clerk’s office on the day of the sale and register with the Clerk. Chapter 45, Florida Statutes, requires that a bidder other than the judgment holder must present a good faith deposit of 5% of your projected bid in cash or cashier’s check in order to confirm a bid.

Question: Ten years ago, I received a judgment against someone who owed me money, and a lien for that amount was placed on their house. They recently sold their house, but my lien was not on record. What gives?

Answer: When your judgment lien was recorded in the Official Records of your county, it remained on the record for a period of 7 years. At the end of those 7 years, a certified copy of your judgment needed to be re-recorded, along with an affidavit containing your current address. Each time you recorded your judgment it was for a period of 7 years and could have been re-recorded every 7 years up to 20 years. The re-recording would have to be done within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of the lien. If your lien was still current and a title search was done on the property prior to the sale, the title company would locate the lien information, verify that the lien was valid and notify the seller. The sale could not have taken place until your lien was satisfied. Because your lien was not re-recorded, your lien was not considered to be valid. As a result, you were not notified and sent the money due you. Beginning July 1, 2001, the effective time period was extended from 7 to 10 years before a judgment must be re-recorded. The total effective period will still be no longer than 20 years. Any judgment recorded prior to July 1, 1987, will not be affected by this change.
Question: I have some legal issues and cannot afford an attorney. I have heard that there are some forms that I can use to file a court proceeding that I fill out myself. How do I get these forms and how can I make sure I fill them out properly?

Answer: There are over 80 different self-help, or pro se, legal forms available relating to the following categories:

• Dissolution of Marriage
• Miscellaneous Petition
• Injunction for Protection
• Service and Notice
• Documents Requesting Information From Opposing Party
• Child Support
• Miscellaneous Motions and Documents
• Stepparent Adoption
• Landlord and Tenant
• Miscellaneous
• Residential Leases

Some of these forms are also available on the Internet at:www.flcourts.org at the Self Help Center. Additionally, on this website is a listing of the entities that provide legal aid for people who cannot afford an attorney. If you need help filling out the forms or finding a phone number for the nearest legal assistance office, call the Clerk’s Office and ask where assistance is available.

Question: What are the requirements for obtaining a Passport?

Answer: Passports are good for a period of ten (10) years for persons aged 16 and older. Five (5) years for persons 15 and under. All passports will be mailed from the passport agency to the address listed on the passport application. Allow 4 – 6 weeks for return. Passports may be expedited if you are leaving within 10 business days from the date of application. You must submit proof of departure and submit an additional $35.00 fee plus the express mail fee.

First time passport applicants must submit the following:

• Two (2) passport photos taken within the last 6 months
• A certified copy of birth certificate from the state of birth with a raised, embossed or stamped seal affixed thereon or a previously issued passport. Original naturalization certificates are required for naturalized citizens. Photocopies are not accepted by the passport agency. If you do not have a proper birth certificate, forms for requesting birth records can be obtained from the Clerk’s Office
• Driver License for identification is required and you must appear in person to process your application
• Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
• A check or money order made payable to Taylor County Clerk for $45.00 if age 16 or older, or $25.00 if age 15 or under

Renewal applications require the following:

• You can renew if: your passport was issued less than 12 years ago
• You were at least 16 years old when your most recent passport was issued
• You can submit your most recent passport
• You use the same name as on your most recent passport or can submit proper documentation to reflect your name change (e.g., court order or copy of marriage license.) If you cannot comply with the above, you must follow the first time passport requirements:
• Two (2) passport photos taken within 6 months
• Your old passport (most recent)
• A check or money order made payable to Taylor County Clerk for $40.00
• A completed application that you can obtain from the Clerk’s Office

Question: My nephew from South Carolina recently got a speeding ticket in Perry. He has lost the ticket and doesn’t know how to take care of it.

Answer: It is always distressing to get a traffic ticket when traveling, but the Clerk of Court’s office can help. When a ticket is issued, a copy is sent to the Clerk within several days. Please have your nephew call the Clerk of Court’s office in the County where he received the ticket. The Traffic Division can tell him the amount, the method of payment, and how quickly it must be paid to prevent him from incurring further penalties. It is important to pay out-of-state tickets, as they will show up on your driver license record.