If you have difficulty paying your fine or restitution and you are on probation or community control, contact your Probation or Community Control Officer:

Call County Probation (239) 252-8135 or State Probation (239) 417-6300.

Failure to do so could result in a "Bench Warrant" being issued for your arrest, and/or suspension of your driving privileges.

Note: The Clerk’s Office cannot set-aside or recall a "Bench Warrant". Only the Courts have this authority.

There are very strict criteria for sealing or expunging court records. For example, all fines and court costs must be paid before a case can be sealed or expunged.

To obtain a free packet with detailed instructions click here.

A Judge must grant the motion. If the motion is granted you must pay a fee to the Clerk’s Office so that those records will be sealed or expunged.

Payment may be made to the Clerk of the Circuit Court by cash, personal check or money order (U.S. Funds only) by mail or in person.
You may also make payment at a one of the Clerk’s Satellite Offices.

Be sure to include the citation number, case number, your return address, and telephone number to ensure the payment is posted correctly. 

Possibly.  In order to answer that question you will need to contact the Collections Agency named in the letter you have received in the mail.

To find out how much you owe click on the link below, read and accept the disclaimer, and then enter the party's name or case number to search Court Records.  After identifying the correct court record, click on the case or citation number and then the "financials" tab to locate the amount owed.

To calculate the total amount, using the amount under "financials", add an additional 32% service charge, all must be paid directly to the Collections Agency.

http://www.collierclerk.com/RecordsSearch/CourtRecords

The only information the Tax Deed Clerk has on properties is in the paper files, as provided by the Tax Collector’s Office. These files are available to the public before or after the sale.

Note: The opening bid is the total amount of all delinquent taxes, fees and interest accrued up until the time of the sale. This does not include any other liens, such as Special Assessments.

The purchaser of the property is issued a Tax Deed as soon as the full payment has been made. Once the tax deed is issued, it can no longer be redeemed.

Note: We strongly recommend that anyone interested in tax deed sales read Florida Statutes, Chapter 197.

You can expedite the passport process by using special mailers and paying additional fees as described above, under EXPEDITE.

Processing times have increased due to high volume. For more information see Passport Application Processing Time 

By visiting the Department of State website or calling 1 (877) 487-2778

The Clerk’s office does not have anything to do with the ordainment process or determine the legality of an officiate.
The officiate does not register with the Clerk’s office prior to solemnizing a marriage.  For legal advice, please consult an attorney

Yes, anywhere in the state of Florida.

No, but it is recommended that all marriage ceremonies be scheduled by appointment.

A Small Claims case is a legal action filed in county court to settle minor legal disputes among parties where the dollar amount involved is $5,000.00 or less, excluding costs, interest and attorney fees.

No. Small Claims court is considered a "peoples court" and a lawyer is not required.

Clerk's Office personnel will provide necessary forms. for filing a Small Claims case, however, you may consult with an attorney if there are complex legal issues or questions.

The Clerk's Office does not provide legal advice.

A Any person eighteen (18) years or older or any individual(s) doing business as a company.

A parent or guardian may file on behalf of a minor child.

Filing fees are determined by Florida Statutes and vary in accordance with the dollar amount of the claim and type of action.

Other fees are required for service on the parties in the suit and are dependent on the type of service you select. Schedule of Service Charges are available

You must file your claim against the right party so you must research the correct name of the individual, as it could make a difference in collecting a judgment in your favor.

A full explanation of your reason for the Small Claim will be necessary. It is suggested that you put the reason in writing and bring it with you to the Clerk's Office to initiate your Small Claim.

Copies of contracts, notes, leases, receipts or other evidence you have to support your claim must be furnished to each person named in the suit, as well as the court. Bring ALL originals to your first court appearance.

When you sue someone, other than an individual, there is additional information required to complete the forms.

For example, if you are suing an individual doing business as a company; a partnership with several people doing business as a company; a corporation, or an insurance company? You must research the information carefully.

You may request assistance researching Corporations in the State of Florida by calling:

SECRETARY OF STATE
Corporate Division
Telephone (850) 488-9000

http://www.sunbiz.org/

You can check this site for Corporations and Fictitious Names.

A First, The person or business must be served with a Summons to appear in court on a specific date and time.

The first court date is a pre-trial conference where you and the defendant will meet with a mediator and try to resolve the case.

If the dispute cannot be settled at the pre- trial conference, a trial date will be scheduled. You must appear at the trial with all witnesses and documentation of your claim.

At the trial you will explain your case to the judge, ask the person(s) you are suing questions concerning your claim, present your documentation and call on your witnesses to explain your case.

Yes, a trial by jury may be requested by the person(s)(plaintiff) filing the case by providing a written demand at the time the case is filed.

The person filed against [defendant] may request a jury trial within five days after being served of Notice or at the pre-trial conference.

If you receive an award from a Judgment and you choose to place a Judgment Lien against any the defendant’s individually owned real property, you must send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court to record a certified copy of your Judgment as a Judgment Lien.

Fees for recording the Judgment Lien are set by Florida Statutes and are subject to change. Refer to Fee for Transfer of Lien to Security

A landlord (the owner or leaser of a dwelling) OR a tenant (a person entitled to occupy a dwelling unit under a rental agreement) may file.

If you have a commercial, agricultural or personal property lease, you should consult an attorney for the proper procedures to resolve disputes.

Before you file, proper written notice must first be given to the landlord or the tenant.

The notice form used will depend upon the landlord's or tenant's reason for terminating the lease.

The Clerk's Offices have notice forms designed for use in the event of common residential/ landlord disputes.

There are other notice forms a landlord will need to send to a tenant to terminate a lease and evict a tenant. 

There are also other notice forms for tenants to use to give notice to the landlord to end the lease or withhold rent payments.

To file a landlord action, you must file a petition to request the Clerk to issue a summons, which is then served by the Sheriff’s Office. 

When you come to the Clerk’s Office you need the following documents:

One copy of the notice for the file

Two copies of the notice for each tenant named in the case

One copy of the notice for yourself

A copy of the lease for the file and two copies for each tenant named in the case

A legal size envelope, addressed to each tenant, with postage

Note: Filing fees are charged by the Clerk’s Office and a Service fee is charged by the Sheriff’s Office or service by publication. 

There are different requirements for tenant actions.

You may wish to consult an attorney, the public library or law library for additional detailed information.

The party that is served the summons will have a specific period of time to respond, depending upon the type of summons issued.

If a response is filed, or if monies are deposited with the court registry, you must contact the office of the Judge assigned, to schedule a court date. If no response is received, or no monies deposited with the court registry, you may file a Motion for Default with the Clerk's Office.

A For more information, visit the public library, the law libraries at the Courthouse or read the Florida Statutes.

Supreme Court Approved forms and information are available in the Clerk's Office for individuals filing actions on their own behalf.

Sales for foreclosed properties may be held Monday through Friday at 11 am on the first floor of the Courthouse Annex of the Collier County Courthouse.

The list of final judgments and foreclosure sales are available online at http://www.collierclerk.com/CourtDivisions/Civil/Foreclosures.

What if I want to view a foreclosure case?

At this time, forclosure cases may be viewed by the public using the ShowCase system on the computer kiosks in the Clerk's Customer Service areas on the first and third floors of the Courthouse Annex, 3315 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, FL 34112.  The office is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Copies of court document images can be printed, from either location, at the cost of $1.00/page.

Note: The easiest way to view foreclosure sales by sales date and access the complete case files is by using the "calendar" feature in the ShowCase system.

The Foreclosure Department publishes a Notice of Sale for each case in a local newspaper circulated in Collier County (i.e. Naples Daily News, Business Observer) once a week for two consecutive weeks, at least 5 days prior to the sale.

You must do your own research.

The Clerk's office uses only legal descriptions and case numbers in recording foreclosure cases.  By using the legal description or case number you can often learn the owners name or the street address of the property by conducting a search of the Property Appraiser's website or by visiting their office.  The Property Appraiser's records will also show improvements to the property, if any.

You must do your own research.

The status of County Property Taxes can be checked at the Tax Collector's Office.

The Clerk's Office assumes no responsibility for any encumbrances (judgments, mortgages, taxes and other liens) on any property offered for sale and it is in your best interest to have a Title search done by an Attorney or Title Company.  However, you may begin your search online at http://www.collierclerk.com/RecordsSearch/OfficialRecords or at the public kiosks available in the Clerk's Recording Department on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse Annex.

It is possible you will have to take legal action to get possession of a property.  Until the court grants possession of the forclosed property, you may not have access to the property without permission of the owner.  The Clerk's Office assumes no responsibility for the availability of any property offered for sale.

Anyone bidding at the sale should be aware of the non-refundable deposit due at the time of the sale. The successful bidder is required to deposit 5% of their final bid. The deposit shall be applied to the sale price at the time of payment.

If final payment, plus the appropriate clerk's registry fees is not made by 10:30 a.m. the next day, the clerk shall re-advertise the sale as provided in Chapter 45.031 of the Florida Statutes and pay all costs of the sale from the deposit. Any remaining funds shall be applied toward the judgment. According to Chapter 28.24 Florida Statutes, the funds will be placed in the court registry.

Any payment into the Registry of the Court must be tendered in cash, cashier’s check or money order and must be accompanied by payment of the clerk's registry fee of 3% of the first $500.00 deposited and 1.50% of each subsequent $100.00. The successful bidder must have the deposit money with them at time of the sale.

The balance is due by 10:30 a.m. the next business day unless the final judgment states otherwise.

The purchaser of property will be issued a Certificate of Title. This title contains no warranties.

The Certificate of Title will be recorded on the eleventh day after the sale.  If the tenth day is a non-business day, the next business day will be treated as the tenth day.  The defendant has ten days to object to the sale.  If objections are filed, the Judge will rule at a hearing as to whether or not a Certificate of Title is to be issued.  If the defendant files bankruptcy, the Clerk is stayed from issuing a Title or taking any action, pending further order of the Court.

If you should purchase any foreclosure property, you will be required to pay a Documentary Stamp Tax pursuant to F S. Chapter 201.  Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code 12B-4.013(3)(a) Documentary Stamp Tax is to be computed on the amount of consideration paid which is the highest and best bid received for the prpoperty at the foreclosure sale.

An injunction is a court order, also referred to as a restraining order, that directs a person not to have contact with you.

The SAFE House, a local shelter, has a volunteer office in the Courthouse, and can be reached at 239-775-1101. Volunteers will assist in completing forms, providing counseling, and obtaining emergency shelter at the SAFE House.

Once the forms are completed, the Domestic Violence Department will file a petition for the judge to review. If the Court determines that you are in danger of being victimized, a deputy clerk will prepare a temporary injunction order for the judge to sign. It is possible that this can be accomplished on the same day you file your petition. A temporary injunction is valid for up to 15 days.

There is NO filing fee.

While the temporary injunction is in effect, a court hearing will be scheduled to determine if a permanent injunction should be entered against the person committing the acts of violence. The permanent injunction will remain in effect indefinitely, or until dissolved by the Court.

Any violations of the terms of the injunction should be reported, in person, Monday – Friday before 4pm, to the Domestic Violence Department located at:

Clerk of Courts Office,
Collier County Courthouse Annex, 3rd Floor
Collier County Courthouse

or

Immokalee Clerk of Courts Satellite Office
106 South First Street
Immokalee, Florida 34142
Telephone: 239-657-2689. 

A Petition for Injunction for Protection against Repeat Violence should be filed with Domestic Violence Office located :

Clerk of Courts Office,
Collier County Courthouse Annex, 3rd Floor
Collier County Courthouse

or

Immokalee Clerk of Courts Satellite Office
106 South First Street
Immokalee, Florida 34142
Telephone: 239-657-2689. 

Note: During weekends and holidays, assistance may be sought at the Collier County Sheriff's Office, located on 3301 Tamiami Trail East, Bldg. J, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Dating Violence (La Violencia Contra las Mujeres)

Dating violence is when one person purposely causes physical or psychological harm to another person they are dating, including sexual assault, physical abuse, and psychological/emotional abuse.

It is a serious crime that occurs in casual and serious relationships, as well as heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

Generally, probate assets are those assets in the decedent’s sole name at death or otherwise owned solely by the decedent and which contains no provision for automatic succession of ownership at death.

"Probating a will" means taking all the legal steps necessary to assure a will is valid and to admit the will to a probate process.

Probate is a legal process provided for by Florida law which determines the value of a deceased person’s property and its distribution to heirs. Probate proceedings take place in the Circuit Court of the County where the deceased property owner lived or maintained their place or dwelling.

A will stays in effect until such time that it is changed or revoked in the manner required by law. Changes in circumstances may make it advisable to rewrite a will to conform to a new situation.

Generally, there are three basic proceedings for administering an estate.

Formal Administration: Used when there are considerable assets and it is necessary to have a personal representative appointed to act on behalf of the estate.

Summary Administration: Available if the value of the estate, subject to probate in the State of Florida (less property which is exempt from the claims of creditors), is not more than $75,000, or the decedent has been dead more than two years.

Disposition without Administration: Available if the estate assets consist solely of exempt property and non-exempt personal property, where the combined value does not exceed the total required to pay the funeral expenses, plus all reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses incurred in the last 60 days.

Probate papers are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, generally in the county where the decedent lived.

The clerk assigns a file number and maintains a docket sheet which lists all papers filed with the Clerk for the administration of that probate.

The personal representative could be an individual, bank, or trust company, subject to certain restrictions.

WHO HAS PREFERENCE TO BE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE?

Any adult resident of Florida can serve as a guardian. A relative of the ward who does not live in Florida can also serve as guardian. Persons who have been convicted of a felony cannot be appointed.

IS A GUARDIANSHIP THE ONLY MEANS OF HELPING AN INCAPACITATED PERSON?

An adult may file a petition with the court to determine another person’s incapacity by setting forth factual information upon which they base the belief that the person is incapacitated. The court then appoints a committee of three professionals to examine the alleged incapacitated person and report their findings to the court.

MUST A GUARDIAN BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY?

The guardian of the ward’s person may exercise those rights that have been removed from the ward and delegated to the guardian by the court. These may include providing medical, mental and personal care services and determining the place and kind of residential setting best suited for the ward. The guardian of the person must file an initial plan for the ward’s care and then an annual plan detailing the plans for the ward’s care.