Privacy Policy

General

The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller’s Web site is for informational purposes only and is offered as a convenience for our customers. We make no warranty or guarantee regarding the accuracy or reliability of the content on this site. The Clerk & Comptroller’s office shall not be liable for errors or for any damages in connection with the use of the information appearing on this or other referenced websites.

This website does not provide legal advice. Please contact a qualified attorney for guidance about a particular legal issue.

By using the information, services and products available through this website, you agree to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of use as set forth herein.

The terms and conditions set forth in the PPTOU may be updated from time to time without notice to you. It is your responsibility to review it from time to time to be aware of any such change. Your continued use of this service will indicate your agreement to any such change.

Public Records

Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by Bay County Clerk & Comptroller officials and employees will be made available to the public and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Furthermore, under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.

Collection of Personal Information

When you engage in activities on this site, you may be asked to provide certain information about yourself by filling out and submitting an online form. It is completely optional for you to engage in these activities.

Depending upon the activity, some of the information that we ask you to provide is identified as mandatory and some as voluntary. If you do not provide the mandatory data with respect to a particular activity, you will not be able to engage in that activity online. Instead, you will need to use a non-Web option for transacting that business with the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller.

Protection of Your Personal Information

The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller recognizes and appreciates the importance of responsible use of information collected on this site. Information may be saved for a designated period of time in order to comply with the State of Florida’s archiving policies. However, information will not be disclosed to third parties or other government agencies, unless required by state or federal law.

Use of Cookies

When you visit the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller’s Web site, you can surf the site anonymously and access information without revealing your identity. In order to improve our site, we may use “cookies” to assist your visit. A cookie is small amount of data that is transferred to your browser by a Web server and can only be read by the server that gave it to you. It can function as your identification card, recording your passwords, purchases, and preferences. However, it cannot be executed as code or deliver viruses.

Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. You can set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether or not to accept it.

For some Web pages that require an authorization, cookies are not optional. Users choosing not to accept cookies will probably not be able to access those pages. While certain Web pages use cookies to assist your visit to the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller Web site, and while our Web servers automatically log the IP address of your computer, this information does not identify you personally, and you remain anonymous unless you have otherwise provided personal information to a specific Web page.

User Accounts

When registering to use a feature, it is solely your responsibility to keep your private account information, such as username and password, secure. You must not disclose your private account information to anyone except other authorized persons.

You are entirely liable for all activities conducted through your account. You agree to immediately notify the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller of any unauthorized use of your account or any breach of security.

The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller will never ask you for your password in an unsolicited phone call or in an unsolicited e-mail. Also remember to sign out of your account and close your browser window whenever you have finished your work.

Security

Data transmission over the Internet is not guaranteed to be 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information transmitted to us or received from our online products or services. Once we receive a transmission, we make our best effort to ensure it is secure on our systems.

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for all charges associated with connecting to the Internet. You agree that any telephone or other communications fees and charges incurred are your sole responsibility.

Prohibited Uses

As a user of the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller’s website, you agree to use this service only for its lawful, intended purposes. Use of this service for transmission, distribution, retrieval, or storage of any information, data, or other material in violation of any applicable law or regulation is prohibited. You also agree not to use the service to:

Provide false information or to impersonate someone else;
Distribute computer viruses, worms, or any software intended to damage or alter a computer system;
Violate any applicable local, state, national or international law.

System and Network Security

Violations of system or network security of the service are prohibited, and may subject you to criminal and/or civil liability. The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller will investigate potential security violations, and may notify applicable law enforcement agencies if violations are suspected.

You may not attempt to circumvent the authentication procedures or security of any host, network, network component, or account to access data, accounts, or systems that you are not expressly permitted to access.

You may not interfere or attempt to interfere with service to any other user.

Violation of Terms of Use

In the event of any violation of the terms contained herein, the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller reserves the right to suspend or terminate, either temporarily or permanently, any or all services provided. Users who violate terms contained herein may additionally incur criminal and/or civil liability. The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller may refer violators to civil or criminal authorities for prosecution.

Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller and its subsidiaries, affiliates, telecommunications providers, service providers, officers, employees and agents harmless from any claim, liability, loss, expense or demand, including attorneys’ fees, related to a user’s violation of the terms and conditions or the use of the services and information provided at this Web site.

Limitation of Liability

In no event will the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller, its suppliers, its service providers, or other third party affiliates be liable for any damages whatsoever including but not limited to:

Direct, indirect, incidental punitive and consequential damages arising out of the use, inability to use, or the results of use of this service;
Any Web sites linked to the service, the materials or information contained at any or all such sites;
Content anywhere on the internet, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or any other legal theory;
Including without limitation those damages resulting from lost profits, lost data or business interruption;
Aggregate liability of the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller or any of its suppliers, service providers, or third party affiliates.

In no event shall the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special and exemplary damages, or any damages whatsoever, arising from the use or performance of this Web site or from any information, services or products provided through this Web site, even if the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

If you are dissatisfied with this Web site, or any portion thereof, your exclusive remedy shall be to stop using the website.

Termination

If a user’s conduct fails to conform to the letter or spirit of these terms and conditions or if the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller believes the user’s conduct may create liability for its affiliates, then that user’s service will be terminated.

The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller reserves the right to restrict access of any user of this service and may at any time in its sole discretion with or without notice and with or without cause immediately deny access to the service and may remove all account information.

Disclaimer of Warranties

This service is provided by the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller on an “as is” basis. Neither the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller nor its partners, providers, or affiliates make any representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the service, its contents, or any information made available by or through the service.

The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or any infringement. Furthermore, the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller does not warrant that use of the service will not be interrupted, available at any time or from any location, secured and error-free. Corrected defects are not warrantable and the service is not guaranteed free of viruses or other harmful components.

Jurisdictional Issues

The PPTOU shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida as it is applied to contracts entered into by residents of the State of Florida including the public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). You also consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Bay County, Florida, and you further consent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction of the courts therein.

If any provision(s) of the PPTOU is found to be contrary to law, then such provision(s) shall be construed, as nearly as possible, to reflect the intentions of the parties with the other provisions remaining in full force and effect.

The Bay County Clerk & Comptroller’s failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the PPTOU shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision unless acknowledged and agreed to by the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller in writing. You and the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller agree that any cause of action arising out of or related to this PPTOU or the service must commence within one (1) year after the cause of action arose; otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.

The section titles in this PPTOU are solely used for the convenience of the parties and have no legal or contractual significance. These terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and the Bay County Clerk & Comptroller with respect to the subject matter herein and supersede any and all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements. You may not assign this agreement to any other party.

Definition of Terms

Absentia: Absent; proceedings without the defendant present.

Acquit, Acquittal: A finding of not guilty by a judge or jury.

Adjudication: Judgment rendered by the court after a determination of the issues.

Adjudication Withheld: A manner of disposition in which the court does not pronounce a formal judgment of conviction.

Affidavit of insolvency: A detailed form signed by the defendant, under oath, attesting to his/her indigence.

Arraignment: After being arrested a person must be arraigned. This is to ensure that a person is aware of the charges and has the opportunity to defend him or herself. The accused can admit guilt at the arraignment, or enter a plea of not guilty.

Arrest: An arrest is typically seen as the act of taking someone to jail but technically it includes the issuance of a summons to appear in court on a criminal matter.

Bond: Cash or surety posted to procure the release of a defendant by insuring his/her future attendance in court, and compelling him/her to remain in the jurisdiction of the court.

Surety Bond: A certificate posted by a bonding company to the sheriff for release of the defendant

Cash Bond: is the total amount of the bond set in cash.

Bench Trial:Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts. This is also known as a non-jury trial.

Bench Warrant: An order issued by a judge for the arrest of a person. This is also known as a “capias.”

Capias: A writ to the sheriff or other authorized agent to arrest the named person (nationwide).

Certified copy: A court document that is authenticated, signed and sealed by the clerk or deputy clerk.

Civil Infraction: A non-criminal traffic violation that is not punishable by incarceration and for which there is no right to a trial by jury or a right to court-appointed counsel as defined under Rule 6.040, Florida Rules of Traffic Court.

Community control: A form of probation restricting the defendant’s movements to an extreme degree.

Complaint: Formal written charge that a person has committed a criminal offense.

Conviction: A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.

County Probation: This is similar to the Department of Corrections however it is at the county level. It is the agency that supervises misdemeanor probationers, conducts pretrial monitoring, and runs misdemeanor diversion programs (among other things).

D- 6: A court report to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of a person’s failure to appear in court, leading to suspension of the driver’s license.

Demand for discovery: Demand by the defense attorney to the State Attorney to furnish material information on a case.

Department of Corrections(DOC): The Department of Corrections operates all the prisons (see below) in Florida and supervises all defendants placed on probation or community control. It also runs the felony diversion programs. This is a statewide agency.

Docket: A list of cases to be heard by a court or a log containing brief entries of court proceedings.

Felony: A crime that is punishable by incarceration that can extend over 365 days in length.

Third Degree Felony: Punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fine. Not eligible for withhold of adjudication if two prior felony offenses.

Second Degree Felony: Punishable by up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 fine. Not eligible for withhold of adjudication except under special circumstances.

First Degree Felony: Punishable by up to 30 years in prison and $10,000 fine. Not eligible for withhold of adjudication.

Life Felony: Punishable by life in prison and $15,000 fine.

Capital Felony: Punishable by death.

First Appearance: When a person is arrested the Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130 requires that the arrested person be brought before a judicial officer within 24 hours. The Judge will inform the Defendant of the charge and certain Rights. At this time the judge will also determine the conditions of pretrial release.

Hung jury: Jury unable to reach a verdict.

Incarceration: Also known as imprisonment. When you are sentenced you are ordered to spend a specific amount of time in jail or prison and you are thereby incarcerated.

Jail:Jail and prison are terms that are often used interchangeably, however there are differences. In Florida jails are county correctional institutions. They house inmates that have been arrested and have not, for whatever reason, bonded out before trial and house inmates that have already been sentenced to terms of incarceration that are less than a year in length.

Information: A formal charging document issued by the State Attorney, that the named person committed a specific offense.

Judgment / Sentence: The official document of a judge’s disposition (decision) of a case and sentence of a defendant.

Jury trial: A trial in which the jury judges the facts and the judge rules on the law.

Juvenile: A juvenile is any person under the age of 18 unless they have been given adult status by a court.

Misdemeanor: This is a crime that is punishable by up to a year incarceration depending on the degree. A misdemeanor offense has no impact on your civil rights unless it is charged as domestic violence.

First Degree Misdemeanor: Punishable by up to 365 days in jail and $1,000 fine.

Second Degree Misdemeanor: Punishable by up to 60 days in jail and $500 fine.

No information: Document which states no formal charge will be filed by the State Attorney

Nolle Prosequi: This is a Latin term that means the Office of the State Attorney, after charging you with an offense, has decided to terminate the prosecution.

Notice to Appear: As defined under Rule 3.125 (a), Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, a written order issued by a law enforcement officer in lieu of physical arrest requiring a person accused of violating the law to appear in a designated court or governmental office at a specified date and time.

Nunc pro tunc: An entry made now for an act done previously and to have the effect as if it were done on a prior date.

Order to Show Cause: Is a court order requiring a person to appear and show why some action should not be taken.

Plea: Defendant’s answer to the charge – guilty, not guilty or nolo contendere. In a criminal proceeding, it is the defendant’s declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty.

Guilty Plea: A plea by the defendant in a criminal or traffic prosecution admitting the commission of an offense with which he/she is charged or a lesser included offense.

Nolo contendere: A person neither admits nor denies the charges, letting them stand as is.

Pretrial Conference: This is a court date that is scheduled after the arraignment and before the trial. It is used by the courts as a method to keep track of cases.

Pre-sentence investigation: A background investigation of the defendant by the Department of Corrections, returnable to the sentencing judge on or before a certain date.

Pre-trial intervention: A program to aid certain qualifying defendants by diverting them from court proceedings upon successful completion of the program.

Pre-trial release (PTR): Form of (bail)release supervised through the Pre-Trial Release Office

Prison: A facility operated and maintained by the Department of Corrections that houses people found guilty of Felony offenses who have been sentenced for over 365 days of incarceration.

Probation: It is a supervision program. While on probation you must abide by a list of general conditions. The court may also require you to complete additional conditions called special conditions. If you violate any of the general conditions or special conditions or commit a new law offense your probation will be violated. See “Violation of Probation“ below.

Pro se: In one’s own behalf

Prosecutor: A trial lawyer representing the government in a criminal case and the interests of the state in civil matters. In criminal cases, the prosecutor has the responsibility of deciding who and when to prosecute.

Public Defender: A court appointed attorney for those defendants declared indigent (unable to hire private counsel).

Recall Capias/Warrant: Court order recalling a warrant or capias.

Recusal: A judge excusing himself/herself from a case.

Release on own recognizance (ROR): Release of a prisoner by a judge with no bond requirement.

Scoresheet: Uniform guidelines for sentencing using points system mandated by the Legislature.

Subpoena: Command to a person to appear and testify in a specific proceeding.

Subpoena Duces Tecum: A court order commanding a witness to bring certain documents or records to court.

Summons: A document signed by a deputy clerk ordering a person to appear before the court.

Sworn complaint affidavit: A sworn, witnessed complaint filed with the Clerk of the Court.

Time served: Actual number of days served in jail.

Traverse: A formal denial of allegations.

Vacate: To set aside. To vacate a judgment is to set aside that judgment.

Verdict: The findings of a judge or jury at the end of the trial.

Voir dire: Examination of a jury panel by an attorney for the defendant or plaintiff, the judge, and the prosecution.

Warrant: Most commonly, a court order authorizing law enforcement officers to make an arrest or conduct a search.

Withhold adjudication: The judge withholds a judgment of guilt.

Written plea of not guilty: Is a defendant’s plea in writing to the court.

Violation of Probation: A violation of probation occurs when the probationer violates a condition of probation.

Felony

NOTICE: Information or forms provided by the Clerk of Court should be considered as basic information only and may not be applicable to every situation. The information is not intended to be used as legal advice, but as basic and general information only. It is only a brief statement and does not explain all your options and/or rights. Specific guidance in answering questions about a particular situation should be directed to a qualified attorney.

A felony is a criminal offense that is punishable by imprisonment in a state facility. See Florida Statutes 775.081.

Felonies are classified as

Capital Felony
Life Felony
First Degree Felony
Second Degree Felony
Third Degree Felony

General Information on Felony Cases

The Clerk’s Office receives the initial paperwork (Complaint and First Appearance sheet) from CCA after a felony arrest. The defendant is then first appeared, bond is set, and a court date is scheduled for first arraignment.

An arraignment hearing is where the defendant is informed of the charges filed. At this time, the defendant enters a plea and pretrial date will be set.

At a pretrial hearing, the defendant may enter a plea or proceed to a trial docket.

When a defendant is sentenced, court costs and fines may be imposed. If these fees are not paid during the probation period, they become a lien of record. Being sentenced to jail or prison does not cancel the monetary obligation.

The Clerk’s Office cannot change your court date. You will need to contact your attorney in order to have the court date rescheduled. If you fail to appear for your scheduled court date, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and any bond that you posted may be forfeited. If you are arrested on a failure to appear warrant, you may be held in jail without bond.

Obtaining a Disposition of a Case

To obtain this information you can visit the Clerk’s Office between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Or you may also obtain this information from the Case Search on the Clerk’s website. However, please be aware that there will be a delay of time in which the disposition will be entered into the Clerk’s Case Management System.

Requests for copies of case records shall be in writing.

You may mail your request or send your request by fax.
The average time to process your request is seven (3) to (7) working days.
The cost for copies is $1.00 per page and $2.00 per certification.
The Clerk’s Office does not take personal checks.
You may pay by Money Order, Certified Check or Cashier’s Check.

Information on How to Expunge/Seal Records

Florida Statute 943.0585 and/or 943.059 will provide the requirements and conditions for having a criminal court case sealed or expunged from your record. Please read these statutes carefully.

If you have questions regarding your eligibility to have your records sealed or expunged, please contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

FDLE will require a completed application for the procedure which should be submitted directly to their office. Cost for such procedure is $75.00 to be paid to FDLE. Upon receipt of your application, FDLE will notify you of your eligibility.

Following notification of eligibility from FDLE, you must then prepare the proper forms required to proceed for court action. Examples of the forms required are available for review on the Clerk’s website. The fee for filing the completed forms with the Clerk’s Office is $42.00.

Locations & Contact Information

Public Defender’s Office
Herman Laramore
432 Magnolia Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 784-6155

Probation & Parole
1013 Beck Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 872-7139

State Attorney’s Office
Glenn Hess
421 Magnolia Ave
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 872-4473

Pre-Trial Release
Catherine Weherley
Phone: (850) 747-5183

Callaway Office:
(850) 872-7375

Misdemeanor FAQs

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense, less serious than a felony, and is usually punishable by fine, penalty, forfeiture, or confinement in a county jail. The maximum punishment can be up to one year.

If an arrest on a misdemeanor offense occurs, the defendant is booked into the county jail. Most, but not all, misdemeanor offenses are bondable. A judge usually sees individuals arrested on misdemeanors within twenty-four (24) hours of their arrest. At first appearance, bail is set, and the courts determine whether the accused can pay for counsel. A Public Defender will be appointed if the defendant is found to be indigent (unable to pay for counsel), or the defendant may hire private counsel.

What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is a hearing where a defendant is advised of the charges filed against him/her and allowed to enter a plea. If you enter a plea of guilty or no contest, you will be sentenced at that time. If you plead not guilty, your case will be set for the next court date, which is called a Pre-Trial Conference. If you have an attorney, they may enter a written plea of not guilty on your behalf and waive your appearance at the arraignment. However, be sure to check with your attorney as to whether you must appear.

How can I change my arraignment court date?

The Clerk’s Office cannot change a court date. If there is a problem with your date, you may want to consult an attorney; otherwise, failure to appear could result in a capias being issued for your arrest.

What will happen if I fail to appear?

Any Defendant who fails to appear as required by the Court may have his or her bail revoked and a warrant/capias issued for his/her arrest.

What if I can not pay my fine?

The Clerk’s Office cannot pardon, defer, or alter fines imposed by the Court. If you are having a problem and are on probation, you must contact your probation officer. If you are not on probation, you must contact the office of the Judge who sentenced you.

What forms of payment do you take?

If you are mailing your payment, please submit a money order or cashier’s check and a copy of the paperwork you received in court. If you would like to pay in person, you may come to the first floor of the Clerk of Courts Office, room 110.

Contact Information

Bay County Clerk’s Office
Misdemeanor, Room 109
300 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32401

Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5164
Email the Misdemeanor office

Administrative

An Administrative Court Order is a directive necessary to properly administer courts’ affairs, consistent with Florida Constitution, State court Rules, and Florida Supreme Court administrative orders.

The purpose of an Administrative Court Order is to set administrative responsibilities of the chief judges of the circuit courts and the other judges that the chief judges may designate. When these rules refer to the court, they shall be construed to apply to a judge of the court when the context requires or permits.

All Bay County Administrative Court Orders are recorded in our Official Records. Please click on the website link below to search the index for the Administrative Court Order you are interested in viewing.

Visit the 14th Judicial Circuit website

Passports

The Bay County Clerk’s Office accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. U.S. citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports weekly Monday through Friday at the Bay County Clerk’s office 300 E 4^th Street Room 110, Panama City, Florida 32401. Please call our office at (850) 747-5100 option 3 for information and to set an appointment.

DS-11 passport applications are accepted between the hours of 8:00am – 11:00am and 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Appointments are preferred to avoid wait times, however, walk ins are accepted with completed applications, proof of citizenship, proof of identification and the application fee payable to U.S. Department of State ($100.00 under the age of 16) and $130.00 (ages 16 and above)which must be paid by personal check, money order or cashier’s check. Additional $60.00 fee due for expedited service and an optional $22.05 (1-2 day return service) on expedited passports only.

The Clerk of Court is due the following fees:
Passport acceptance fee of $35.00
Passport Photo Fee of $15.00
Passport Priority Mail Shipping fee may vary and prices are subject to change at any time without prior notice by USPS

Accepted forms of payment:

Cash
Money Orders, Cashier’s Checks & Business Checks
Credit/Debit Cards- Subject to 3.5% processing fee of total transaction

Please complete your passport application prior to your appointment time by visiting travel.state.gov and choose the application that meets your needs. Please print the application and bring to your appointment along with your proof of citizenship, picture identification and required methods of payment. A passport picture is also required. The Bay County Clerk’s office does provide this service if needed.

Please read below for specific information regarding passport issuance, passport fees, and documents needed

Passports are issued by the U.S. Department of State.

Passport Card

Customers have the option of applying for a passport book, a passport card or both. The passport card may only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. The passport card will provide a less expensive, smaller and more convenient alternative for those who travel to these destinations.

For more information about the difference between the passport book and passport card, please see “Should I get a passport book or card?” from the Department of State.

New Applicants

You must apply in person and complete the Passport Application Form DS-11 if any of the following are true:

You have never had a U.S. passport
You are under age 16
Your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago
Your most recent passport was lost or stolen

All applicants, including children, must apply in person and bring the following documents:

Proof of Citizenship – Provide one of the following:

Previous U.S. Passport
Certified copy of your birth certificate (must have names of both parents)
Certificate of Naturalization

Proof of Identity – Provide one of the following:

Previous U.S. Passport
Valid Driver’s License (A temporary license does not meet this requirement)
State Identification Card
Certificate of Naturalization

The Clerk’s office will offer passport photos on site for an additional cost.

Note: Payments to the Department of State must be made by personal check, cashier’s check or money order ONLY (no cash or credit cards). A separate application fee to the Clerk & Comptroller’s office may be paid by cash, personal check, cashier’s check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover.

*If a customer’s passport has been expired for LESS than five years, the passport must be renewed by mail. Customers whose passports have been expired for MORE than five years must reapply in person and may use the expired passport as proof of citizenship and identification.

Passport Renewal (By Mail)

All Passport renewals require the completion of Form DS-82. You may renew your passport by mail if:

You hold a passport and it is not more than 5 years past the date of expiration and not more than 15 years since being issued.
You were at least 16 years of age when it was issued.

Instructions:

Complete, sign and mail Form DS-82.
Include your most recent passport with two new passport photos.
- If the name you are using differs from the name on your most recent passport, you must
  - Submit a certified copy of the marriage certificate or
  - Certified copy of Court order showing the change.
If your passport is mutilated or damaged, you must
- Use the DS-11 application form and
- Apply in person at one of the acceptance agencies with a certified copy of your birth certificate (must have the names of both parents on it).

Passport Reapplication

If your most recent passport was issued less than 1 year ago, use DS-5504 form for the following:

Change of name
Correction of descriptive date
Extend the validity of a Limited Passport

Instructions:

Complete, sign and date the Reapplication Form DS-5504.
Mail your application to one of the addresses listed on page 2 of the DS-5504 form.

Note: There is no fee if your passport was issued less than 1 year ago, unless you request expedited processing.

If your most recent passport was issued more than 1 year ago AND you have the passport, use Form DS-82.

Instructions:

Complete, sign and mail your application to the address listed on the back of the DS-82 form.
Include the appropriate payment/fee.

If your most recent passport was issued more than 1 year ago AND you do not have the passport, use DS-11 form.

Instructions:

Complete the DS-11 form
Bring it to an acceptance agency for processing.

Applications for Minors

Children under age 16 (For new and renewal passports). Minors must be present when applying.You must complete the New Applicant DS-11 form and include:

Proof of Citizenship
- Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state (must have the names of both parents on it)
- Certificate of Naturalization
Proof of Identity
- Previous U.S. Passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Government issued identification card

Both parents must appear together to sign the application DS-11 form, or one parent must be present to sign the application, and the absent parent MUST submit a completed and notarized “Statement of Consent” Form DS-3053 AND a photocopy (front and back) of their ID. The notarized consent form cannot be more than three months old.

For more information on obtaining passports for minors, see the Department of State website.

Fees

See Service Charges & Fees

How Long Passports Are Valid

Adults (16 years of age and older) – Ten (10) years
Children (15 years and younger) – Five (5) years

Passport Processing – Time Requirements

Please consult http://www.travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date processing times.

To check the status of your Passport Application:

Call 1-877-487-2778 from 6:00AM – Midnight EST, Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays), or
Check online at http://www.travel.state.gov
If you are traveling within 9 weeks, you must make an appointment at the nearest Passport Agency by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
If you are traveling within 13 weeks, the Department of State strongly recommends that you request and pay for Expedited Service. For current expedited service fees, see Passport Fees & Costs.

For application forms, information on documentation required, fees, and a wealth of other passport and international travel information, visit the only official website for passport information: https://travel.state.gov/

Criminal Traffic FAQs

What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is a hearing where a defendant is advised of the charges filed against him/her and allowed to enter a plea. If you enter a plea of guilty or no contest, you will be sentenced at that time. If you enter a plea of not guilty, your case will be set for the next court date, which is called the Pre-Trial Conference. If you have an attorney, he/she may enter a written plea of not guilty on your behalf and waive your appearance at the arraignment. However, be sure to check with your attorney as to whether you must appear.

How can I change my arraignment court date?

The Clerk’s Office cannot change a court date. If there is a problem with your date, you may want to consult an attorney, otherwise, failure to appear could result in a warrant/capias being issued for your arrest.

What will happen if I fail to appear?

Any Defendant who fails to appear as required by the Court may have his or her bail revoked and a warrant/capias issued for his/her arrest.

What if I can not pay my fine?

The Clerk’s Office cannot pardon, defer or alter fines imposed by the Court. If you are having a problem and are on probation, you must contact your probation officer. If you are not on probation, you must contact the office of the Judge who sentenced you.