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WELCOME!
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NEW RESIDENT INFORMATION |
Residency
Under Florida law, you automatically
establish residency when being employed,
enrolling children in school or registering
to vote. You may document your residency by
obtaining a notarized Declaration of
Domicile from the Clerk of the Circuit
Court, which is located at the Courthouse
Complex, 100 E. Ocean Blvd., in Stuart. For
more information, call 772-288-5551. South
St. Lucie County Annex Clerk’s Office 250 NW
Country Club Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
772-462-6900
Driver’s License
You must obtain a Florida Driver’s license
within 30 days of establishing residency.
You will be required to take the vision and
written exams, even if you already have a
license from another state. You must have
two forms of identification to prove your
date of birth. Your license expires on your
birthday. Florida law requires that front
seat occupants in vehicles, as well as
anyone under 18, wear seat belts. In Florida
you can be fined for not wearing seat belts.
Children six-years and older must wear seat
belts wherever they are seated, while
children ages four and five may use seat
belts or a federally approved restraint
seat. Children under four must be in a
federally approved child restraint seat.
Violators will be fined. The driver is
responsible for passengers and Florida law
also prohibits any open container of
alcoholic beverage in the vehicle. Driver’s
License Offices are located at 3485 SE
Willoughby Boulevard in Stuart, 11734 SE
Federal Highway in Hobe Sound and 3003 SW
Martin Downs Boulevard in Palm City. Please
note that road tests are given only at the
Hobe Sound office. For more information,
call 772-288-5600. Drivers Licenses Office
(Port St. Lucie) 6578 NW Selvitz Road, Port
St. Lucie, FL 34983 772-344-4060
Vehicle License Plates and Auto Tags
When you establish residency in Florida, you
also must obtain Florida license plates or
tags for your vehicle(s). A Florida license
tag is required within ten-days of
establishing residency, employment or a
child’s enrollment in school in Florida.
Florida is a no-fault insurance state.
Personal injury protection and liability
coverage is required by law. Individuals
registering vehicles must pay an initial
registration fee of $100, a tag fee and a
title charge. Bring your title, registration
and proof of insurance to the Tag Office at
the Tax Collector’s Office, at which time an
odometer reading will also be taken. In
addition to the standard tags, a number of
specialty tags are available at an
additional charge. Your tag expires on your
birthday.
Martin County Tax Collector’s Office
3485 SE Willoughby Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
772-288-5600
www.taxcol.martin.fl.us
St. Lucie County Tax Collectors Office
1664 SE Walton Road
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
772-337-5650
www.stlucieco.gov/taxcollector/index.htm
Boat Registration
Motorboats and sailboats used in Florida
waters, unless registered in another state
and used less than 90-days, must be
registered. Call the Martin County Tax
Collector’s Office at 772-288-5600, St.
Lucie County Tax Collectors Office
772-462-1650 for details.
Post Office
Pick-up a change of address kit from your
local Post Office. If you do not have a
forwarding address, the Post Office will
allow general delivery up to 30 days. The
Post Office must be notified to start
delivery at a new address. Post Office box
rentals are available at the Post Office or
from private companies in the area.
Jensen Beach Post Office
2301 NE Savannah Road
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
772-232-0869
Utilities
There are several utility companies serving
Martin County for electricity, telephone,
water, cable/wireless television and trash
pickup. Some utilities will arrange service
over the phone, while others require a visit
to their offices. Ask if you can obtain a
waiver of deposit by bringing a letter of
reference from your current utility company.
Electric - Florida Power & Light Co.,
6501 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach
772-287-5400
Telephone - AT&T, 700 Northpoint
Parkway, Ste. 410, West Palm Beach
800-753-0710
Water - Martin County Utilities, 2378
SE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart 772-221-1434
City of Stuart Water Department, 123 Flagler
Street, Stuart 772-288-5300
St. Lucie County Utilities, 2300 Virginia
Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 34982 772-462-1150
Sanitation - City of Stuart: You must
sign a billing notice at the Stuart City
Hall to arrange for garbage pickup. In other
areas, call the local company to arrange
pickup. Stuart Community Services, 121 SW
Flagler Avenue, Stuart 772-288-5300. For
Martin County: Waste Management, 7700 SE
Bridge Road, Hobe Sound 772-546-7700
St. Lucie County: Waste Pro, 4100 Selvitz
Road, Fort Pierce, FL 3498 772-595-9390
Television Service - Comcast Cable, 1495 NW
Britt Road, Stuart 800-COMCAST (266-2278)
Taxes
As a newcomer to Florida, there may be
differences in tax laws, e.g. there is no
State Inheritance Tax. There is also no
State Income Tax, but you should consult
your attorney, tax advisor or Trust Officer
to take advantage of any tax savings. For
additional information on any Florida tax,
contact:
Florida Department of Revenue
900 Prima Vista Boulevard, Ste. 300, Port
St. Lucie
800-352-3671
www.myflorida.com/dor
Sales Tax (Martin County, St Lucie
County)
The State Sales Tax is six percent (6.5%) of
the total amount of any sale. (6%) to State
of Florida and (.05%) to the county.
Medicines, medical services and most food
items are exempt.
Licensing of Pets
All dogs and cats must be licensed. To
obtain a license, you must bring proof of
rabies vaccination. For more information,
contact:
Martin County Tax Collector’s Office
3485 SE Willoughby Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
772-288-5600
www.taxcol.martin.fl.us
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