Fees
Choose an area below to view the related fees and costs.
Unless stated otherwise, accepted payment methods include cash, credit card, money order, or check made payable to the Polk County Clerk of Courts. Accepted credit cards include American Express, Apple Pay, Discover, Google Pay, MasterCard, Samsung Pay, or Visa. A service charge is applied to credit card transactions.
The Florida Legislature regulates court fees, not the Clerk & Comptroller's office or local judiciary. The Clerk’s office is responsible for collecting fees for various court-related activities, including divorce filings, tenant evictions, applying for a public defender, recording official documents, traffic infraction fines, and costs related to criminal prosecutions.
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| Examining, comparing, correcting, verifying and certifying transcripts in appellate proceedings | $5.00 |
| Preparing, numbering, and indexing original record of appellate proceedings | $3.50 |
| Certifying copies in Public Record | $2.00 |
| Verifying an instrument presented for certification prepared by someone other than Clerk | $3.50 |
| Copies by photographic in Public Records not more than 14 inches by 8 1/2 inches | $1.00 |
| Copies by photographic in Public Records more than 14 inches by 8 1/2 inches | $5.00 |
| Microfilm copies 16 millimeter 100 feet (Court Only) | $42.00 |
| Microfilm copies 35 millimeter 100 feet (Court Only) | $60.00 |
| First page for processing and filing unrecorded maps or plats | $30.00 |
| Each additional page for processing and filing unrecorded maps or plats | $15.00 |
| Microfiche (Court Only) | $3.50 |
| Copying other than photographic process per page | $6.00 |
| Writing paper, other than specifically mentioned, including copying, signing and sealing | $7.00 |
| Indexing entry not recorded | $1.00 |
| Oath, administering, attesting and sealing | $3.50 |
| Validating certificates | $3.50 |
| Notary Fees | $10 |
| Exemplified certificates, including signing and sealing | $7.00 |
| Authenticated certificates, including signing and sealing | $7.00 |
| Issuing and filing subpoena for a witness | $7.00 |
| Signing and sealing only | $2.00 |
| Approving bond | $8.50 |
| Searching records | $2.00 per year searched |
| Sealing any court file or expungement of record | $42.00 |
| Receiving and disbursing all restitution payments | $3.50 per payment |
| Index and record certificate of compliance under Motor Vehicle Act | $10.00 |
| Transfer of lien | $20.00 |
| Transfer of lien for each additional lien on the same security | $10.00 |
| Notice of recording foreign judgment | $42.00 |
Domestic Relations
Accepted payment methods include cash or credit card only.
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| For receiving and disbursing domestic support payments, per payment obligated, not to exceed $5.25 or be less than $1.25 per payment obligated | 4% |
| For preparing and issuing a Notice of Delinquency (lien) (plus postage) | $25.00 |
| For preparing a lien pay-off statement | $25.00 |
| For initiating driver license suspension | $25.00 |
| Contesting impending judgment | $25.00 |
| Preparing judgment or satisfaction or any other paper (each) | $25.00 |
Circuit Civil
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| Instituting a civil action, suit or proceeding | $400.00 |
| Instituting a civil (Family) action pursuant to chapter 39, 61, 741, 742, 747, 752 or 753, Florida Statutes (F.S.), except dissolution, includes paternity | $300.00 |
| Each defendant in excess of five | $2.50 |
| Instituting a real property action, property value less than $50,000.00 (Requires written estimate of property value) | $400.00 |
| Instituting a real property action, property value is greater than $50,000.00 but less than $250,000.00 (Requires written estimate of property value) | $905.00 |
| Instituting a real property action, property value is greater than $250,000.00 (Requires written estimate of property value) | $1,905.00 |
| First page for recording fee for Lis Pendens | $5.00 |
| Each subsequent page for recording fee for Lis Pendens | $4.00 |
| First page for recording fee for Release or Discharge of Lis Pendens, Dismissal, Notice of Dismissal or Dropping Parties when previous Lis Pendens was recorded | $10.00 |
| Each subsequent page for recording fee for Release or Discharge of Lis Pendens, Dismissal, Notice of Dismissal or Dropping Parties when previous Lis Pendens was recorded | $8.50 |
| Civil cross claims, counterclaim, third party complaint, counter-petition | $395.00 |
| Civil cross-claim, counterclaim, third-party complaint, counter-petition in a real property action where the property value is less than $50,000.00 | $395.00 |
| Civil cross-claim, counterclaim, third-party complaint, counter-petition in a real property action where the property value is greater than $50,000.00 but less than $250,000.00 | $900.00 |
| Civil cross-claim, counterclaim, third-party complaint, counter-petition in a real property action where the property value is greater than $250,000.00 | $1,900.00 |
| Civil cross-claim, counter-claim, third-party complaint, counter-petition in civil (Family) case (specifically filed pursuant to Chapter 39, 61, 741, 742, 747, 752 or 753, Florida Statutes) | $295.00 |
| Dissolution of marriage, divorce (including simplified) | $408.00 |
| For counter-claim seeking a dissolution, divorce, where dissolution is not already sought | $403.00 |
| In Addition, for Garnishment, Attachment, Replevin & Distress | $85.00 |
| For each severance granted | $18.00 |
| Issuing a summons | $10.00 |
| Filing a notice of appeal from County Court to Circuit | $281.00 |
| Filing a notice of appeal from Circuit Court to District Court of Appeals or Supreme Court | $100.00 |
| Medical Malpractice Extension of time | $42.00 |
| Medical Malpractice for re-opening a case previously reported as closed | $50.00 |
| (Foreclosure) Holding judicial sale recording and recording and certifying sale and title | $70.00 |
| (Foreclosure) Electronic Sale Fee | $70.00 |
| Issuing a writ of execution on a foreign judgment | $42.00 plus filing fee |
| Transfer of one lien to security | $20.00 |
| Each additional lien transferred to the same security | $10.00 |
| For recording the transfer of lien certificate | $10.00 |
| Name change | $400.00 |
| Petition for temporary custody/petition for concurrent custody | $400.00 |
Circuit Civil Self Help / Pro Se Litigants
The Clerk sells self-help books, for information call 863-534-4015. Cash or credit card only.
Book: | Fee: |
|---|---|
Dissolution of Marriage with no dependent children and no property | $20.00 |
Dissolution of Marriage with no dependent children and property | $20.00 |
Dissolution of Marriage with dependent children and property | $25.00 |
Dissolution of Marriage with dependent children and no property | $20.00 |
Name change | $15.00 |
Circuit Civil Liens
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| Filing bond executed as surety by surety insure licensed to do business in the State (Mechanic Lien) | $20.00 |
| Filing bond executed as surety by surety insure licensed to do business in the State - Multiple Liens | $10.00 |
| Partial payment fee, one-time set-up charge (per payment plan) | $25.00 |
| Application Fee for appointed counsel (per application) | $50.00 |
| Copies per page other than official records and court records 119.07(1)(a), F.S. | $0.15 |
| Copy of audio tape of County Commission meeting per CD | $5.00 |
| Registry of Court; receiving money - first $500 or part, per payment | 3% |
| Registry of Court; receiving money - each subsequent $100 or part per payment | 1.5% |
| Eminent domain deposit | $170.00 |
| Filing a notice of appeal from County Court to Circuit | $100.00 |
| Filing a notice of appeal from Circuit Court to District Court of Appeals or Supreme Court | $100.00 |
County Civil
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| Claim less than $100 | $55.00 |
| Claim of $100 but not more than $500 | $80.00 |
| Claims of more than $500 but not more than $2,500 | $175.00 |
| Claims of more than $2,500 but not more than $15,000 | $300.00 |
| Claims of more than $15,000 but not more than $50,000 | $400.00 |
| For each defendant in excess of five | $2.50 |
| For removal of tenant action for possession | $185.00 |
| For all claims of not more than $1,000 filed simultaneously with an action for replevin of property that is the subject of the claim | $130.00 |
| In addition, for all proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin and distress | $85.00 |
| For re-opening a case that was previously reported as closed for claims less than $500.00 | $25.00 |
| For re-opening a case that was previously reported as closed for claims $500.00 or more | $50.00 |
| Civil cross claim, counter claim, third party complaint (in excess of $2,500 but not more than $15,000) | $295.00 |
| Civil cross claim, counter claim, third party complaint (in excess of $15,000) | $295.00 |
| Issuing a summons | $10.00 |
| For issuing a Writ of Execution on a Foreign Judgment 55.505(3) F. S. | $42.00 plus filing fee |
| (Foreclosure) Holding judicial sale recording and recording and certifying the sale and title | $70.00 |
| (Foreclosure) Electronic Sale Fee | $70.00 |
| Holding judicial sale recording and for approving bond | $8.50 |
| Transfer of one lien to security | $20.00 |
| For each additional lien transferred to same security | $10.00 |
| Filing a notice of appeal from County Court to Circuit | $100.00 |
Criminal - Felony and County
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| For making transcripts of record in appellate court of other proceedings | $1.00 per page |
| Case history prints | $1.00 per page |
| For certification of a printout | $2.00 |
Probate
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| For the opening of any estate of one document or more | $231.00 |
| Caveat and Notice of trust | $41.00 |
| Petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies of transcript of record | $231.00 |
| For disposition of personal property without administration | $231.00 |
| Summary administration, estates valued at Less than $1,000 | $235.00 |
| Summary administration, estates valued at $1,000 or more | $345.00 |
| Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, trust, curatorship or conservatorship proceeding | $400.00 |
| Guardianship proceeding of person only | $235.00 |
| Veterans Administration guardianship pursuant to Chapter 744 | $235.00 |
| Petition for determination of capacity | $231.00 |
| For re-opening a previously closed case | $50.00 |
| Guardianship Audit Fee, Initial Inventory (if above $25,000.00) | $85.00 |
| Guardianship Audit Fee, Initial Inventory for estates valued at $25,000 or less | $20.00 |
| Guardianship Audit Fee, Initial Inventory for estates valued at $25,000.00 to $100,000.00 | $85.00 |
| Guardianship Audit Fee, Initial Inventory for estates valued at $100,000.00 to $500,000.00 | $170.00 |
| Guardianship Audit Fee, Initial Inventory for estates valued at more than $500,000.00 | $250.00 |
| Delayed birth certificate | $231.00 |
Traffic
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| For providing a transcript of any one individual's driving history record for the past 3 years | $14.25 |
| For providing a transcript of any one individual's complete driving history record | $16.25 |
| For providing a certified letter of any one's driver history (clearance letter) including signing and sealing | $9.00 |
| Driver's License Reinstatement | $60.00 |
Official Records
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| First page - Recording, indexing and filing any instrument up to 14 inches x 8.5 inches | $10.00 |
| Each additional page or fraction thereof - Recording, indexing and filing any instrument up to 14 inches x 8.5 inches | $8.50 |
| For indexing instruments recorded in the Official Records that contain more than four names per additional name | $1.00 |
| First page - Examining, certifying and recording plats & for recording condominium exhibits larger than 14 inches x 8.5 inches | $30.00 |
| Each additional page or fraction thereof - Examining, certifying and recording plats & for recording condominium exhibits larger than 14 inches x 8.5 inches | $15.00 |
| For preparing affidavit of domicile | $5.00 |
Documentary Stamp Fees
| Service Date Range: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| November 1931 to June 1957 | 10 cents per $100 |
| July 1957 to June 1963 | 20 cents per $100 |
| July 1963 to September 1979 | 30 cents per $100 |
| October 1979 to June 1981 | 40 cents per $100 |
| July 1981 to June 1985 | 45 cents per $100 |
| July 1, 1985 to June 1987 | 50 cents per $100 |
| July 1, 1987 to May 1991 | 55 cents per $100 |
| June 1, 1991 to July 1992 | 60 cents per $100 |
| August 1, 1992 to Present | 70 cents per $100 |
Marriage
Accepted payments methods include cash or credit card.
| Service: | Fee: |
|---|---|
| License without premarital course | $86.00 |
| License with proof of premarital course | $61.00 |
| Ceremony | $30.00 |
| Affirmation of common child | $7.00 |
| Marriage certificate suitable for framing, without record search | $7.00 |
| Marriage certificate suitable for framing, with record search | $9.00 |
Passport Fees
The following are exempt from paying fees (or pay a reduced fee) for copies of records maintained by the Polk County Clerk’s Office:
Agency or Entity | Description of Services and Fees | Authority |
|---|---|---|
Judges and those court staff acting on behalf of judges, State Attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, Public Guardians, Attorneys ad Litem, court-appointed private counsel, criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, Public Defenders, and state agencies, while acting in their official capacity. Representative agencies include Board of County Commissioners (BOCC); Department of Children and Families (DCF) (including Gulf Coast Community Care, Children's Home Society, Devereux, Kid's Hope United, Heartland for Children; Department of Corrections (DOC); Department of Revenue (DOR); Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); Florida Highway Patrol (FHP); State Parole & Probation Services; Florida Commission on Offender Review; Polk County Sheriff's Office; Court Administrator's Office; City Police Departments NOTE: -The definition of "state" agency is limited to agencies in the State of Florida. Out-of state agencies are not exempt from copy fees. -Does not include state and private universities and colleges under FS 287.012. | Exemption from all court-related fees and charges assessed by the Clerk. | Section 28.345, Florida Statute (F.S.): Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or law to the contrary, judges and those court staff acting on behalf of judges, state attorneys, guardians ad litem, public guardians, attorneys ad litem, court-appointed private counsel, and public defenders, acting in their official capacity, and state agencies, are exempt from all court related fees and charges assessed by the clerks of the circuit courts. Section 28.24(12)(e)1, F.S.: The clerk of court or any entity acting on behalf of the clerk of court, including an association, shall not charge a fee to any agency as defined in s. 119.011, the Legislature, or the State Court System for copies of records generated by the Comprehensive Case Information System or held by the clerk of court or any entity acting on behalf of the clerk of court, including an association. Section 119.01, F.S.: “Agency” means any state, county, district, authority, or municipal officer, department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other separate unit of government created or established by law including, for the purposes of this chapter, the Commission on Ethics, the Public Service Commission, and the Office of Public Counsel, and any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of any public agency. |
| Criminal Defendant | Single copy of indictment or Information Copy of judgment and sentence | Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.140(m): Each person who has been indicted or informed against for an offense shall, on application to the clerk, be furnished a copy of the indictment or information and the endorsements thereon, at least 24 hours before being required to plead to the indictment or information if a copy has not been so furnished. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.670: . . . Within 15 days after the signed written judgment and sentence is filed with the clerk of court, the clerk of the court shall serve on counsel for the defendant and counsel for the state a copy of the judgment of conviction and sentence entered, noting thereon the date of service by a certificate of service. If it is the practice of the trial court or the clerk of court to hand deliver copies of the judgment and sentence at the time of sentencing and copies are in fact hand delivered at that time, hand delivery shall be noted in the court file, but no further service shall be required and the certificate of service need not be included on the hand-delivered copy. |
| Domestic Violence Parties | Two certified copies to Petitioner of Order of Injunction in Domestic Violence cases One certified copy to Petitioner in Repeat Violence cases | Section 741.30(2)(c)5, F.S.: The clerk of the court shall provide petitioners with a minimum of two certified copies of the order of injunction, one of which is serviceable and will inform the petitioner of the process for service and enforcement. Section 784.046(3)(d), Florida Statute F.S.: The clerk of the court shall provide the petitioner with a certified copy of any injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence entered by the court. |
| Executive Clemency Applicant | Certified copy of applicant's information, indictment, judgment or sentence | Section 940.04, F.S.: In the event any applicant for executive clemency is required to supply a certified copy of the applicant’s information, indictment, judgment, or sentence, said document shall be furnished by the clerk of court to the applicant free of charge and without delay. |
| Florida Bar | Copies of court records used for attorney discipline investigations | Clerk's Office Policy |
| Indigent Litigant/Pro Bono Attorney | Services of Clerk as described in section 57.081(1), F.S. | Section 57.081(1), F.S.: Any indigent person, except a prisoner as defined in s. 57.085, who is a party or intervenor in any judicial or administrative agency proceeding or who initiates such proceeding shall receive the services of the courts, sheriffs, and clerks, with respect to such proceedings, despite his or her present inability to pay for these services. Such services are limited to filing fees; service of process; certified copies of orders or final judgments; a single photocopy of any court pleading, record, or instrument filed with the clerk; examining fees; mediation services and fees; private court appointed counsel fees; subpoena fees and services; service charges for collecting and disbursing funds; and any other cost or service arising out of pending litigation. In any appeal from an administrative agency decision, for which the clerk is responsible for preparing the transcript, the clerk shall record the cost of preparing the transcripts and the cost for copies of any exhibits in the record. A party who has obtained a certification of indigence pursuant to s. 27.52 or s. 57.082 with respect to a proceeding is not required to prepay costs to a court, clerk, or sheriff and is not required to pay filing fees or charges for issuance of a summons. |
| Indigent Prisoner | Deferral of prepayment of court costs and fees | Section 57.085(3), F.S.: Before a prisoner may receive a deferral of prepayment of any court costs and fees for an action brought under this section, the clerk of court must review the affidavit and determine the prisoner to be indigent. |
US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | Clerk's Office Policy | Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives may obtain certified copies of convictions in cases on which they are working. |
US Department of Immigration US Department of Homeland Security | Certified copy of complaint, information, or indictment and the judgment and sentence and any other record pertaining to the case of any alien where alien is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or misdemeanor charge. | Section 943.0535, F.S.: It shall be the duty of the clerk of court to furnish without charge a certified copy of the complaint, information, or indictment and the judgment and sentence and any other record pertaining to the case of any alien to the United States immigration officer in charge of the territory or district in which the court is located in every case in which an alien is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or misdemeanor charge. The state attorney shall assist the clerk of the court in determining if a defendant entering a plea or convicted is an alien. |
| U.S. Internal Revenue Service | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is charged $.20 per page for copies | 301.7610-1 Internal Revenue Service IRS F.R.(c)(2)(B)(ii) For copies of documents $.20 per page. |
| Veteran | Recording fee waived for certificate of discharge, separation or service which indicates the character of discharge, separation or service of any citizen of Florida with respect to US military forces | Section 28.222(3)(d): That portion of a certificate of discharge, separation, or service which indicates the character of discharge, separation, or service of any citizen of this state with respect to the military, air, or naval forces of the United States. Each certificate shall be recorded without cost to the veteran, but the clerk shall receive from the board of county commissioners or other governing body of the county the service charge prescribed by law for the recording. |
| Veterans Benefits Applicant | Any public record required by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available by the Veteran Affairs (VA) | Section 744.637, F.S.: When a copy of any public record is required by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the official charged with the custody of such public record shall, without charge, provide to the applicant for such benefits or any person acting on her or his behalf, or to the authorized representative of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a certified copy of such record. For each and every certified copy so furnished by the official, the official shall be paid by the board of county commissioners the fee provided by law for copies. |
| Veteran's Administration | All services when Veteran Affairs is conducting work on behalf of veterans or dependents | Section 292.13, F.S. All services performed by any county or city veteran service officer employed hereunder for any veteran or his or her dependents shall be rendered without charge to said veteran or said dependents. |