A written exam and drivers test are required if your license is invalid, or if you are applying for your first license. The written exam is based on the Florida Drivers Handbook. The driver must supply the vehicle for the test. A license is valid for six years and costs $20 for safe drivers. You may also register to vote at the same time as you apply for a drivers license or state identification card.
Contact the drivers license office in Sarasota County at 601 S. Pompano Avenue, (941) 361-6217, or call (941) 361-6222 for an appointment. In Manatee County, the office is located at 1600 1st St. West, (941) 741-3010. Driver's License Office Locations
Tax Collector - Sarasota County Terrace Building
The Tax Collector's Office can process driver's license renewals, address changes and out-of-state license transfers only. There is an additional $5.25 convenience fee for licenses issued at this office.
Corner of U. S. 301 (Washington Blvd.) & Ringling Blvd.
101 S. Washington Blvd. Sarasota (941) 861-8300
The office is open Monday ? Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Friday from 8:30 a.m. ? 5:30 p.m.
Florida Driver's License Offices
Sarasota
This Driver's License Office is closed every Monday and openTuesday ? Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
601 Pompano Ave.
(Off Fruitville Road, near Sarasota County Fairgrounds/Robarts Arena)
(941) 361-6217 (941) 361-6222 (For Appointments Only)
Venice
Office hours are Monday ? Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1212 Jacaranda Blvd. Venice Pines Mall
(941) 483-5999(941) 483-5995 (For Appointments Only)
The vehicle identification number will also be required, and you will need to apply for a Florida license plate. The fee depends on the vehicles weight. Newcomers also must apply for a Florida Title Certificate. If there is a lien or chattel mortgage on the vehicle, you must apply for a title transfer.
Contact the Sarasota County Tax Collector on the first floor of the Terrace Building (formerly the Sarasota County Administration Center), 101 S. Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, (941) 362-9898, or the Manatee County Tax Collector, (941) 741-4811. Residency: You are officially considered a Florida resident if you:
The easiest way to become an official Floridian is to file a declaration of domicile. The document, which states that you reside at a given address, is notarized by the county clerk of the courts office. There is no time requirement before you can legally be declared a resident, although some institutions, including some colleges, set their own time limits before affording you residents benefits.
Contact the Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, (941) 362-4066.
Voter RegistrationTo vote, you must register in your county of residence. You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, Florida resident, and at least 18 years old by the next election, not be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state, not have been convicted of a felony without your civil rights having been restored pursuant to law, and not claim the right to vote in another county or state.
To register, fill out a form which you can pick up at any local bank, library or post office and swear an oath that you live in the county. You may also register to vote at your local drivers license office.
For information on registration locations near you in Sarasota County, call: Sarasota County Elections Office, (941) 951-5307, 101 S. Washington Boulevard, 8th Floor, Sarasota, FL 34230
For information on registration locations in Manatee County, call: Manatee County Elections Office, (941) 741-3823, 305 15th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34206.
Homestead Exemption: Homestead Exemption is a constitutional guarantee that reduces the assessed value of residential property in Florida up to $25,000 for qualified permanent residents. You can reduce your ad valorem tax bill by seeking a Homestead Exemption on the first $25,000 of your homes value.
To file for exemption, establish residency by Dec. 31 prior to the year you wll claim exemption, then file for exemption in January or February.
Information needed to file for Homestead Exemption: Proof to establish residency prior to Jan. 1 for all owners who occupy the property. ( 1) Florida Voter Registration Card or Declaration of Domicile. ( 2) A valid Florida Drivers License or Identification Card. ( 3) Florida Auto Tag Registration on all vehicles privately owned. ( 4) Social Security numbers.
To prove that your residency was established in the required time frame, provide a recorded deed or tax bill in your name for the home or a vehicle registration/title for a mobile home.
Eligibility for Homestead Exemption: (1) Homeowners who rent their home are unable to qualify for Homestead Exemption. Rental of ones primary residence constitutes abandonment of Homestead Exemption.
( 2) Mobile Home Owners can get Homestead Exemption if they own the land tp which the mobile home is permanently affixed. The Title or Registration to the mobile home and residency documentation are needed.
( 3) Citizenship is not required to file for Homestead Exemption. An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen must present a Declaration of Domicile and a permanent resident alien card (green card) when they apply.
(4) If you are a qualified Florida resident who has a spouse that has deceased, you are eligible for a widows or widowers exemption.
( 5) Exemptions are not automatically transferred from one residence to a new home. To receive an exemption on a new home, one must reapply before March 1.
(6) One will receive the benefit of a previous owners exemption for the remainder of that year when purchasing a new home. To continue the exemption, one must reapply before March 1 of the next year to qualify.
(7) If the property is in a trust, a copy of the trust agreement is necessary to determine those situations under which the resident may obtain Homestead Exemption. The Florida Constitution requires that the homestead claimant have beneficial title or legal title in equity to the property.
(8) Other tax exemptions include medical and disabled veterans, total and permanent disability, quadriplegic, blind, wheelchair confined and service-connected disability exemptions.
What to do in case of identity theftBoat Registration and Titles
Where do I apply for a title on my recently purchased vessel?
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.
How many days does an owner have to register a new vessel?
The purchaser of a new vessel has 30 days in which to apply for registration and title through the county tax collector's office. During this 30-day grace period, the owner is required to have aboard his vessel a bill of sale with proof of the date of purchase.
Are military personnel exempt from registering their vessels in Florida?
Out-of-state registration certificates and numbers for vessels owned by military personnel on active duty in Florida are valid in Florida until their expiration date. Then they must be registered and titled in Florida in order to be operated on state waters.
I only use a small trolling motor when I use my 12 foot boat in the canal behind my house. Do I have to register my boat?
Yes, all vessels used on public waterways with any kind of motor must be titled and registered.
If the seller of a vessel entered the entire selling price of a boat, trailer and motor as the selling price on the transfer portion of the vessel title being transferred, must the new owner pay sales tax on the entire amount?
Yes, sales tax must be paid on the amount entered on the title, unless an itemized bill of sale listing the price of each component of the rig is submitted with the application. In such a case, the owner would only be required to pay sales tax on the boat and trailer.
I will be vacationing in Florida this summer. Do I need to register my vessel there?
Florida recognizes valid registration certificates and numbers issued to visiting boaters for a period of 90 days. An owner who intends to use his vessel in Florida longer than 90 days must register it with a county tax collector. However, he may retain the out-of-state registration number if he plans to return to his home state within a reasonable period of time.
I need to apply for an expedited duplicate vessel title. What should I do?
The owner of the vessel must properly complete an application for duplicate title, and submit it and a fee of $11 to your local tax collector's office.
The application will be processed and the duplicate title mailed within 5 working days from receipt of the application.
Is a non-powered vessel required to be registered and titled?
If the non-motor powered vessel is less than 16 feet in length, it is not required to be registered or titled. However, if the vessel is 16 feet or more in length, it is required to be titled.
What should the purchaser of a vessel do if he is unable to contact the titled owner to obtain the certificate of title or an executed bill of sale?
Notify the Bureau of Vessel Titles and Registrations in writing stating the existing problem and furnish the Florida registration number of the vessel. The Department will provide the name and address of the titled owner with the necessary instructions for transferring the ownership of the vessel.
Who should I contact about safety equipment requirements for vessels?
For boating safety information contact:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section620 South Meridian StreetTallahassee, Florida 32399Utility Information:
Electric Service: Florida Power & Light (917-0708, 800-226-6543) Deposits, $25 to $240, billed 10 days after start of new service. $16 service fee with first bill. 24-hour notice to connect. Service ordered Fridays will connect the following Monday.
Kids' Relocation Issues: Easing the Trauma of Moving for Children:
Every year, one out of five American families move. One of the most important issues to anyone with kids is their reaction to the news that they're moving, and their adjustment to the new home. Being informed is very important to children. One of the worst mistakes we can make as adults is to assume that kids don't care or won't understand the details. eeping them "in the loop," consulting them about choices whenever possible, and including them in the family game plan will work wonders toward their adjustment.
Other factors depend on the child's age:
preschool children:Kids under the age of six may worry about being left behind, or being separated from their parents. If you go on an orientation or house-hunting trip beforehand without the children, it's important to reassure kids this age that you will be back; bring something unique back to them from the new town. It's very important for them to express their feelings and fears about the move. Give them a job to do -- have them be responsible for boxing up their favorite toys, and "labeling" their boxes with crayons and stickers.
ages 6 to 12:Elementary age kids are usually most concerned with how the everyday routines of their lives are going to change. Showing them pictures, videos and magazines of their new home will help a lot, especially if you can find new places in advance for the things they like to do. If your child takes dance lessons, find & share information about the new dance studio she can go to. If he takes karate, or plays soccer or baseball...even if her favorite thing to do is the park or the pizza parlor, find these places in your new neighborhood and get brochures, pictures or videos.
teenagers:These kids are most concerned with fitting in. They may react angrily to the move, even insist they're not going. This is usually due to the total lack of control they have over everything important in their lives--friends, school & jobs--being disrupted. These children can be very worried about making new friends, and what will be different in the new school. They are curious about the clothing, hairstyles, bicycles, cars, etc. that kids in the new city will have. Pictures of all these things are very helpful, so if you take an orientation trip be sure to take many detailed photos/videos of the schools they will be attending.
other tips for making the transition:1) give young children an entertaining travel kit for the move.2) give older children a diary for recording the trip & move.3) give children of all ages a special address book & stationary set for keeping up with old friends.4) take videos of the new home if the kids won't get to see it before the move. arrive well before the movers so kids can explore and become acquainted first.5) give children a chore to do, such as working on their room (younger), supervising little siblings (middle), and painting or arranging furniture (older kids).6) take a break with the family as soon as possible to explore the museums, sights and recreation in your new city.7) arrange a visit to new schools and a meeting with the teacher before the actual first day of attendance.8) encourage the children to bring new friends home.
Some children and teenagers love the chance to attend a new school and be the "new kid." They like feeling special. And they like the fact that no one knew them when they had that awful short haircut, before they learned to read, or when they were overweight!
(4) Help your children make friends. This is not simply so that your children will have more fun. Children who have problems with friends are more likely to have problems with school learning, problems with adults, and problems later in life. Children do not need lots of friends-some like big groups, some like having just one close friend. What is important is that they learn to share, cooperate, be kind, and feel accepted. You may need to take the initiative and invite another child or another family to come to your home or do an activity together.(5) Be proud of your children. Children are accomplishing many major tasks in the early days. They may be learning a new language as well as new educational goals and methods. And yet they soon acclimate academically, make friends, and play ball alongside the others. Children are resilient, flexible, and creative. They will use these skills more easily if they feel your support and pride.This article is adapted from a new book, Understanding American Schools: The Answers to Newcomers' Most Frequently Asked Questions, by Anne P. Copeland and Georgia Bennett
Helping your Children Adjust to the Move
There are several things that you as a parent can do to support your child through this tough time.
Below you will find a checklist provided by Jennine L. Moritz, Ph.D. & Ann V. Deaton, Ph.D. of Coping Kids, to remind you of some of the important things to do before and after a move (and tips on what to do to help your child cope with this life event). Remember, if you are going to be available to help your child, it is also important to support yourself during this move.
Before Your Move:
After Your Move:
More quality resources if you are traveling or relocating to another area:Relocation 2 / Sarasota Builders / Relocation Partners /National Travel Directory 2 3 4 5 / International Real Estate Directory 2 / Insurance Directory / Sarasota Real Estate Glossary & Terms / Real Estate Agents /
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