The Florida Senate

28.001  Definitions.

28.01  Bond of circuit court clerks; small counties.

28.02  Bond of circuit court clerks; large counties.

28.03  Obligation of sureties.

28.04  Justification of sureties.

28.05  Surety companies.

28.06  Power of clerk to appoint deputies.

28.07  Place of office.

28.071  Clerk's seal.

28.08  Place of residence.

28.09  Clerk ad interim.

28.101  Petitions and records of dissolution of marriage; additional charges.

28.12  Clerk of the board of county commissioners.

28.13  To keep papers.

28.14  Records, judgments, orders, and decrees prior to circuit courts.

28.15  Records from superior courts.

28.16  Certain records from prior county courts.

28.211  Clerk to keep docket.

28.212  Minutes of court proceedings.

28.213  Disposal of physical evidence filed as exhibits.

28.215  Pro se assistance.

28.222  Clerk to be county recorder.

28.2221  Electronic access to official records.

28.2222  Public records capital improvement plan.

28.223  Probate records; recordation.

28.231  Service charges by clerks of courts.

28.235  Advance payments by clerk of circuit court.

28.24  Service charges by clerk of the circuit court.

28.2401  Service charges in probate matters.

28.2402  Cost recovery; use of the circuit court for ordinance or special law violations.

28.241  Filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings.

28.242  Service charges retained when case laid in wrong venue.

28.243  Personal liability for accepting checks.

28.244  Refunds.

28.245  Transmittal of funds to Department of Revenue; uniform remittance form required.

28.246  Payment of court-related fees, charges, and costs; partial payments; distribution of funds.

28.29  Recording of orders and judgments.

28.30  Records; destruction; reproduction; electronic recordkeeping.

28.31  Notice to county commissioners of intent to destroy; approval of board.

28.32  Destruction of certain instruments.

28.33  Investment of county funds by the clerk of the circuit court.

28.34  Salary discrimination based on gender or race; review within the county and circuit courts.

28.345  Exemption from court-related fees and charges.

28.35  Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation.

28.36  Budget procedure.

28.37  Fines, fees, service charges, and costs remitted to the state.

28.39  Fees by ordinance and special law abolished.

28.42  Manual of court-related filing fees, charges, costs, and fines.

28.43  Adoption of rules relating to ss. 28.35, 28.36, and 28.37.

28.44  Clerk discontinuance of court-related functions.

28.001  Definitions.--As used in this chapter:

(1)  "Official records" means each instrument that the clerk of the circuit court is required or authorized to record in one general series called "Official Records" as provided for in s. 28.222.

(2)  "Public records" has the same meaning as in s. 119.011 and includes each official record.

History.--s. 1, ch. 94-348; s. 1, ch. 99-259.

28.01  Bond of circuit court clerks; small counties.--In each county of the state having a population of 150,000 or less according to the last state census, the clerk of the circuit court shall give bond as required by the board of county commissioners of the county, to be filed with the clerk of the circuit court and be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the duties of office.

History.--ss. 1, 3, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1381; GS 1821; RGS 3066; CGL 4847; s. 1, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; ss. 10, 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 152, ch. 95-147; s. 12, ch. 95-312; s. 7, ch. 98-34.

28.02  Bond of circuit court clerks; large counties.--In each county of the state having a population in excess of 150,000 according to the last state census, the clerk of the circuit court shall give bond as required by the board of county commissioners of the county, to be filed with the clerk of the circuit court and be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the duties of office.

History.--ss. 1, 3, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 1381; GS 1821; RGS 3066; CGL 4847; s. 1, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; ss. 10, 12, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 153, ch. 95-147; s. 13, ch. 95-312; s. 8, ch. 98-34.

28.03  Obligation of sureties.--Each surety upon such bond may bind himself or herself for a specified sum, but the aggregate amount for which the sureties shall bind themselves shall not be less than the penalty of the bond.

History.--s. 9, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 934; GS 1822; RGS 3067; CGL 4848; s. 2, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; s. 154, ch. 95-147.

28.04  Justification of sureties.--Each surety upon such bond shall make affidavit that the surety is a resident of the county for which the clerk is to be commissioned, and that he or she has sufficient visible property therein unencumbered and not exempt from sale under legal process to make good his or her bond.

History.--s. 10, ch. 3724, 1887; RS 935; GS 1823; RGS 3068; CGL 4849; s. 3, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941; s. 155, ch. 95-147.

28.05  Surety companies.--The provisions of ss. 28.01-28.04 as to number of sureties, affidavits of residence and justification of same, shall not apply to solvent surety companies authorized to do business and execute bonds in this state.

History.--GS 1824; RGS 3069; CGL 4850; s. 4, ch. 17754, 1937; s. 1, ch. 20719, 1941.

28.06  Power of clerk to appoint deputies.--The clerk of the circuit court may appoint a deputy or deputies, for whose acts the clerk shall be liable, and the said deputies shall have and exercise each and every power of whatsoever nature and kind as the clerk may exercise, excepting the power to appoint a deputy or deputies.

History.--s. 1, Feb. 12, 1834; s. 1, ch. 254, 1849; RS 1384; GS 1825; RGS 3070; CGL 4851; s. 1, ch. 21956, 1943; s. 156, ch. 95-147.

28.07  Place of office.--The clerk of the circuit court shall keep his or her office at the county seat. If the clerk finds a need for branch offices, they may be located in the county at places other than the county seat. Instruments presented for recording in the Official Records may be accepted and filed for that purpose at any branch office designated by the governing body of the county for the recording of instruments pursuant to s. 1, Art. VIII of the State Constitution. One or more deputy clerks authorized to issue process may be employed for such branch offices. The Official Records of the county must be kept at the county seat. Other records and books must be kept within the county but need not be kept at the county seat.

History.--s. 3, Feb. 12, 1834; RS 1385; GS 1826; RGS 3071; CGL 4852; s. 1, ch. 57-281; s. 1, ch. 87-190; ss. 2, 10, ch. 94-348; s. 2, ch. 99-259.

28.071  Clerk's seal.--Each clerk shall provide a seal which shall have inscribed thereon substantially the words:

"Circuit Court"

"Clerk," "(Name of county)"

which shall be the official seal of the clerk of the circuit court in that county for authentication of all documents or instruments. It may be an imprint or impression type seal and shall be registered with the Department of State.

History.--s. 1, ch. 70-134; s. 1, ch. 70-439.

28.08  Place of residence.--The clerk of the circuit court, or a deputy, shall reside at the county seat or within 2 miles thereof.

History.--s. 1, ch. 1851, 1871; RS 1386; GS 1827; RGS 3072; CGL 4853.

28.09  Clerk ad interim.--In the case of vacancy occurring in the office of a clerk of the circuit court by death, resignation, or other cause, the judge of that court shall appoint a clerk ad interim, who shall assume all the responsibilities, perform all the duties, and receive the same compensation for the time being as if he or she had been duly appointed to fill the office; and the clerk shall give such bond and security for the faithful performance of duties as required by the board of county commissioners.

History.--s. 1, ch. 722, 1855; RS 1393; GS 1838; RGS 3083; CGL 4866; s. 157, ch. 95-147; s. 9, ch. 98-34.

28.101  Petitions and records of dissolution of marriage; additional charges.--

(1)  When a party petitions for a dissolution of marriage, in addition to the filing charges in s. 28.241, the clerk shall collect and receive:

(a)  A charge of $5. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Child Welfare Training Trust Fund created in s. 402.40.

(b)  A charge of $5. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund created in s. 446.50. If a petitioner does not have sufficient funds with which to pay this fee and signs an affidavit so stating, all or a portion of the fee shall be waived subject to a subsequent order of the court relative to the payment of the fee.

(c)  A charge of $55. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Domestic Violence Trust Fund. Such funds which are generated shall be directed to the Department of Children and Family Services for the specific purpose of funding domestic violence centers.

(d)  A charge of $32.50. On a monthly basis, the clerk shall transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph as follows:

1.  An amount of $7.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund.

2.  An amount of $25 to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the General Revenue Fund.

(2)  Upon receipt of a final judgment of dissolution of marriage for filing, and in addition to the filing charges in s. 28.241, the clerk may collect and receive a service charge of up to $10.50 pursuant to s. 382.023 for the recording and reporting of such final judgment of dissolution of marriage to the Department of Health.

History.--s. 2, ch. 67-520; s. 2, ch. 70-134; s. 1, ch. 70-439; s. 1, ch. 73-300; s. 9, ch. 83-217; s. 103, ch. 86-220; s. 1, ch. 87-145; s. 25, ch. 87-387; s. 7, ch. 88-98; s. 2, ch. 88-181; s. 12, ch. 94-134; s. 12, ch. 94-135; s. 54, ch. 96-418; s. 82, ch. 97-237; s. 14, ch. 98-403; s. 13, ch. 99-2; s. 5, ch. 99-243; s. 4, ch. 2001-122; s. 25, ch. 2003-402; s. 3, ch. 2004-251; s. 14, ch. 2004-265.

28.12  Clerk of the board of county commissioners.--The clerk of the circuit court shall be clerk and accountant of the board of county commissioners. He or she shall keep the minutes and accounts and perform such other duties as provided by law. The clerk shall have custody of the seal and affix the same to any paper or instrument as required by law.

History.--RS 1392; GS 1836; RGS 3081; CGL 4864; s. 3, ch. 70-134; s. 158, ch. 95-147.

28.13  To keep papers.--The clerk of the circuit court shall keep all papers filed in the clerk's office with the utmost care and security, arranged in appropriate files (endorsing upon each the time when the same was filed), and shall not permit any attorney or other person to take papers once filed out of the office of the clerk without leave of the court, except as is hereinafter provided by law.

History.--s. 59, Nov. 18, 1828; RS 1389; GS 1830; RGS 3075; CGL 4856; s. 1, ch. 89-297; s. 159, ch. 95-147.

28.14  Records, judgments, orders, and decrees prior to circuit courts.--All the records, judgments, orders, and decrees of the several circuit courts, in the respective counties, made and entered before July 28th, 1868, shall be taken and held to be the records, judgments, orders, and decrees of the circuit courts as established in said counties July 28th, 1868, and may be amended and enforced according to law and the practice of said courts.

History.--s. 9, ch. 1629, 1869; RS 1402; GS 1853; RGS 3098; CGL 4882.

28.15  Records from superior courts.--The files, rolls and books of record of the superior courts of the several districts of the Territory of Florida remaining in the clerk's offices of the respective counties, so far as the same, by the concurrence of the Congress and the Legislature of this state, may relate to matters of appropriate state authority and jurisdiction, are placed in the custody and under the control of the circuit courts of this state in the respective counties thereof, where the said superior courts were held and the records kept, and shall be deemed, held and taken to be files, rolls and records of the said circuit courts; and the said circuit courts may lawfully have and exercise such judicial cognizance and power over them as the said courts may lawfully have and exercise over their own files, rolls and records.

History.--s. 2, ch. 520, 1853; RS 1403; GS 1854; RGS 3099; CGL 4883.

28.16  Certain records from prior county courts.--All the records, judgments and orders in the several county courts, in the respective counties, made and entered prior to May 4th, 1875, where the amount sued upon exceeded the sum of $100, shall be held, deemed and taken to be files, rolls and records of the circuit court and the said circuit court may lawfully have and exercise such cognizance and power over them as said courts may lawfully have and exercise over its own files, rolls and records.

History.--s. 1, ch. 3004, 1877; RS 1404-1406; s. 1, ch. 4725, 1899; GS 1855-1858; RGS 3100-3103; CGL 4884-4887.

28.211  Clerk to keep docket.--The clerk of the circuit court shall keep a progress docket in which he or she shall note the filing of each pleading, motion, or other paper and any step taken by him or her in connection with each action, appeal, or other proceeding before the court. The clerk may keep separate progress dockets for civil and criminal matters. The clerk shall keep an alphabetical index, direct and inverse, for the docket.

History.--s. 1, ch. 71-4; s. 160, ch. 95-147.

28.212  Minutes of court proceedings.--The clerk may keep minutes of court proceedings. The action of the court shall be noted in the minutes, but orders and judgments shall not be recorded in the minutes.

History.--s. 1, ch. 72-320.

28.213  Disposal of physical evidence filed as exhibits.--The clerk of any circuit court or county court may dispose of items of physical evidence which have been held as exhibits in excess of 3 years in cases on which no appeal, or collateral attack, is pending or can be made. Items of evidence having no monetary value which are designated by the clerk for removal shall be disposed of as unusable refuse. Items of evidence having a monetary value which are designated for removal by the clerk shall be sold and the revenue placed in the clerk's general revenue fund.

History.--s. 1, ch. 72-7; s. 21, ch. 73-333; s. 2, ch. 89-176; s. 26, ch. 2003-402.

Note.--Former s. 43.195.

28.215  Pro se assistance.--The clerk of the circuit court shall provide ministerial assistance to pro se litigants. Assistance shall not include the provision of legal advice.

History.--s. 27, ch. 2003-402.

28.222  Clerk to be county recorder.--

(1)  The clerk of the circuit court shall be the recorder of all instruments that he or she may be required or authorized by law to record in the county where he or she is clerk.

(2)  The clerk of the circuit court shall record all instruments in one general series called "Official Records." He or she shall keep a register in which he or she shall enter at the time of filing the filing number of each instrument filed for record, the date and hour of filing, the kind of instrument, and the names of the parties to the instrument. The clerk shall maintain a general alphabetical index, direct and inverse, of all instruments filed for record. The register of Official Records must be available at each office where official records may be filed.

(3)  The clerk of the circuit court shall record the following kinds of instruments presented to him or her for recording, upon payment of the service charges prescribed by law:

(a)  Deeds, leases, bills of sale, agreements, mortgages, notices or claims of lien, notices of levy, tax warrants, tax executions, and other instruments relating to the ownership, transfer, or encumbrance of or claims against real or personal property or any interest in it; extensions, assignments, releases, cancellations, or satisfactions of mortgages and liens; and powers of attorney relating to any of the instruments.

(b)  Notices of lis pendens, including notices of an action pending in a United States court having jurisdiction in this state.

(c)  Judgments, including certified copies of judgments, entered by any court of this state or by a United States court having jurisdiction in this state and assignments, releases, and satisfactions of the judgments.

(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.

(e)  Notices of liens for taxes payable to the United States and other liens in favor of the United States, and certificates discharging, partially discharging, or releasing the liens, in accordance with the laws of the United States.

(f)  Certified copies of petitions, with schedules omitted, commencing proceedings under the ¹Bankruptcy Act of the United States, decrees of adjudication in the proceedings, and orders approving the bonds of trustees appointed in the proceedings.

(g)  Certified copies of death certificates authorized for issuance by the Department of Health which exclude the information that is confidential under s. 382.008, and certified copies of death certificates issued by another state whether or not they exclude the information described as confidential in s. 382.008.

(h)  Any other instruments required or authorized by law to be recorded.

(4)  Any reference in these statutes to the filing of instruments affecting title to real or personal property with the clerk of the circuit court shall mean recording of the instruments.

(5)  The clerk of the circuit court may maintain a separate book for maps, plats, and drawings recorded pursuant to chapters 177, 253, and 337.

(6)  All instruments recorded in the Official Records shall always be open to the public, under the supervision of the clerk, for the purpose of inspection thereof and of making extracts therefrom; but the clerk shall not be required to perform any service in connection with such inspection or making of extracts without payment of service charges as provided in s. 28.24.

History.--ss. 2, 4, ch. 71-4; s. 24, ch. 81-259; s. 2, ch. 84-114; s. 2, ch. 92-25; s. 1, ch. 93-42; s. 100, ch. 94-119; s. 11, ch. 94-348; s. 1324, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-214; s. 83, ch. 97-237; s. 3, ch. 99-259.

¹Note.--Replaced by the 1978 Bankruptcy Code.

28.2221  Electronic access to official records.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that a proper and legitimate state purpose is served by providing the public with access to public records and information on the Internet. The Legislature further finds that a proper and legitimate state purpose is also served by preventing disclosure of records and information made exempt by law from public disclosure.

(2)  No later than January 1, 2002, the county recorder in each county shall provide a current index of documents recorded in the official records of the county for the period beginning no later than January 1, 1990, on a publicly available Internet website which shall also contain a document requisition point for obtaining images or copies of the documents reflected in the index and which has the capability of electronically providing the index data to a central statewide search site. The index shall be limited to grantor and grantee names, party names, date, book and page number, comments, and type of record.

(3)  Each county recorder shall use appropriate Internet security measures to ensure that no person has the ability to alter or to modify records placed on the Internet by the county recorder.

(4)  Unless otherwise provided by law, no information retrieved electronically pursuant to this section shall be admissible in court as an authenticated document.

(5)(a)  No county recorder or clerk of the court may place an image or copy of a public record, including an official record, on a publicly available Internet website for general public display if that image or copy is of a military discharge; death certificate; or a court file, record, or paper relating to matters or cases governed by the Florida Rules of Family Law, the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, or the Florida Probate Rules.

(b)  Any records specified in this subsection made available by the county recorder or clerk of the court on a publicly available Internet website for general public display prior to June 5, 2002, must be removed if the affected party identifies the record and requests that it be removed. Such request must be in writing and delivered by mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission, or in person to the county recorder or clerk of the court. The request must specify the identification page number of the document to be removed. No fee may be charged for the removal of a document pursuant to such request.

(c)  No later than 30 days after June 5, 2002, notice of the right of any affected party to request removal of records pursuant to this subsection shall be conspicuously and clearly displayed by the county recorder or clerk of the court on the publicly available Internet website on which images or copies of the county's public records are placed and in the office of each county recorder or clerk of the court. In addition, no later than 30 days after June 5, 2002, the county recorder or the clerk of the court must have published, on two separate dates, a notice of such right in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the county recorder's office is located as provided for in chapter 50. Such notice must contain appropriate instructions for making the removal request in person, by mail, by facsimile, or by electronic transmission. The notice shall state, in substantially similar form, that any person has a right to request that a county recorder or clerk of the court remove an image or copy of a public record, including an official record, from a publicly available Internet website if that image or copy is of a military discharge; death certificate; or a court file, record, or paper relating to matters or cases governed by the Florida Rules of Family Law, the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, or the Florida Probate Rules. Such request must be made in writing and delivered by mail, facsimile, or electronic transmission, or in person to the county recorder or clerk of the court. The request must identify the document identification page number of the document to be removed. No fee will be charged for the removal of a document pursuant to such request.

(d)  Any affected person may petition the circuit court for an order directing compliance with this subsection.

(e)  By January 1, 2006, each county recorder or clerk of the court shall provide for electronic retrieval, at a minimum, of images of documents referenced as the index required to be maintained on the county's official records website by this section.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2000-164; s. 2, ch. 2002-302.

28.2222  Public records capital improvement plan.--On or before December 1, 1995, and on or before December 1 of each year immediately preceding each year in which the Public Records Modernization Trust Fund is scheduled for review under s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of the State Constitution, each clerk of the circuit court shall file a 4-year capital improvement plan with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The plan must specify the clerk's goals for modernizing and improving the storage of, and public access to, public records and must state the manner in which moneys from the trust fund will be expended to obtain the stated objectives. The plan must specify the methodology used to determine the projected cost to implement the plan and to determine the projected revenue to meet the cost. The plan due December 1, 1995, must report on the period from November 4, 1996, through September 30, 1999. Each subsequent capital improvement plan must state the progress made in fulfilling the objectives listed in the previously filed capital improvement plan and must state the manner in which moneys from the trust fund were expended to reach those objectives.

History.--s. 6, ch. 95-214.

28.223  Probate records; recordation.--

(1)  The clerk of the circuit shall record all wills and codicils admitted to probate, orders revoking the probate of any wills and codicils, letters of administration, orders affecting or describing real property, final orders, orders of final discharge, and orders of guardianship filed in the clerk's office. No other petitions, pleadings, papers, or other orders relating to probate matters shall be recorded except on the written direction of the court. The direction may be by incorporation in the order of the words "To be recorded," or words to that effect. Failure to record an order or a judgment shall not affect its validity.

(2)  The clerk shall record all instruments under this section in Official Records and index them in the same manner as prescribed in s. 28.222.

(3)  All records of a court of this state heretofore exercising probate jurisdiction shall be placed, and remain, in the custody of the clerk and shall be the records of the circuit court. The circuit court may exercise judicial cognizance and power over them as it may over its own records.

(4)  Certified transcripts of the whole or any part of probate or administration proceedings in any court of this state or of any foreign state or country may be recorded. If the certified copy is not a part of a pending probate proceeding in the court, the person causing it to be recorded shall pay the costs of recordation.

(5)  The recording of any instrument required or permitted to be recorded under this section in a pending probate or administration proceeding in the county shall be included in the fees prescribed in s. 28.2401.

History.--s. 2, ch. 74-106; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 161, ch. 95-147; s. 20, ch. 95-401.

28.231  Service charges by clerks of courts.--The clerk of any state appellate or county or state trial court shall receive as compensation for similar services the same charges as provided in this chapter for the clerk of the circuit court.

History.--s. 39, ch. 70-134.

28.235  Advance payments by clerk of circuit court.--The clerk of the circuit court is authorized to make advance payments on behalf of the county for goods and services, including, but not limited to, maintenance agreements and subscriptions, pursuant to rules or procedures adopted by the Chief Financial Officer for advance payments of invoices submitted to agencies of the state.

History.--s. 12, ch. 94-348; s. 89, ch. 2003-261.

28.24  Service charges by clerk of the circuit court.--The clerk of the circuit court shall charge for services rendered by the clerk's office in recording documents and instruments and in performing the duties enumerated in amounts not to exceed those specified in this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the clerk of the circuit court shall provide without charge to the state attorney, public defender, guardian ad litem, public guardian, attorney ad litem, and court-appointed counsel paid by the state, and to the authorized staff acting on behalf of each, access to and a copy of any public record, if the requesting party is entitled by law to view the exempt or confidential record, as maintained by and in the custody of the clerk of the circuit court as provided in general law and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The clerk of the circuit court may provide the requested public record in an electronic format in lieu of a paper format when capable of being accessed by the requesting entity.

Charges

(1)  For examining, comparing, correcting, verifying, and certifying transcripts of record in appellate proceedings, prepared by attorney for appellant or someone else other than clerk per page ............ 4.50

(2)  For preparing, numbering, and indexing an original record of appellate proceedings, per instrument ............ 3.00

(3)  For certifying copies of any instrument in the public records ............ 1.50

(4)  For verifying any instrument presented for certification prepared by someone other than clerk, per page ............ 3.00

(5)(a)  For making copies by photographic process of any instrument in the public records consisting of pages of not more than 14 inches by 8¹/₂ inches, per page ............ 1.00

(b)  For making copies by photographic process of any instrument in the public records of more than 14 inches by 8¹/₂ inches, per page ............ 5.00

(6)  For making microfilm copies of any public records:

(a)  16 mm 100' microfilm roll ............ 37.50

(b)  35 mm 100' microfilm roll ............ 52.50

(c)  Microfiche, per fiche ............ 3.00

(7)  For copying any instrument in the public records by other than photographic process, per page ............ 6.00

(8)  For writing any paper other than herein specifically mentioned, same as for copying, including signing and sealing ............ 6.00

(9)  For indexing each entry not recorded ............ 1.00

(10)  For receiving money into the registry of court:

(a)1.  First $500, percent ............ 3

2.  Each subsequent $100, percent ............ 1.5

(b)  Eminent domain actions, per deposit ............ $150.00

(11)  For examining, certifying, and recording plats and for recording condominium exhibits larger than 14 inches by 8¹/₂ inches:

(a)  First page ............ 30.00

(b)  Each additional page ............ 15.00

(12)  For recording, indexing, and filing any instrument not more than 14 inches by 8¹/₂ inches, including required notice to property appraiser where applicable:

(a)  First page or fraction thereof ............ 5.00

(b)  Each additional page or fraction thereof ............ 4.00

(c)  For indexing instruments recorded in the official records which contain more than four names, per additional name ............ 1.00

(d)  An additional service charge shall be paid to the clerk of the circuit court to be deposited in the Public Records Modernization Trust Fund for each instrument listed in s. 28.222, except judgments received from the courts and notices of lis pendens, recorded in the official records:

1.  First page ............ 1.00

2.  Each additional page ............ 0.50

Said fund shall be held in trust by the clerk and used exclusively for equipment and maintenance of equipment, personnel training, and technical assistance in modernizing the public records system of the office. In a county where the duty of maintaining official records exists in an office other than the office of the clerk of the circuit court, the clerk of the circuit court is entitled to 25 percent of the moneys deposited into the trust fund for equipment, maintenance of equipment, training, and technical assistance in modernizing the system for storing records in the office of the clerk of the circuit court. The fund may not be used for the payment of travel expenses, membership dues, bank charges, staff-recruitment costs, salaries or benefits of employees, construction costs, general operating expenses, or other costs not directly related to obtaining and maintaining equipment for public records systems or for the purchase of furniture or office supplies and equipment not related to the storage of records. On or before December 1, 1995, and on or before December 1 of each year immediately preceding each year during which the trust fund is scheduled for legislative review under s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of the State Constitution, each clerk of the circuit court shall file a report on the Public Records Modernization Trust Fund with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must itemize each expenditure made from the trust fund since the last report was filed; each obligation payable from the trust fund on that date; and the percentage of funds expended for each of the following: equipment, maintenance of equipment, personnel training, and technical assistance. The report must indicate the nature of the system each clerk uses to store, maintain, and retrieve public records and the degree to which the system has been upgraded since the creation of the trust fund.

(e)  An additional service charge of $4 per page shall be paid to the clerk of the circuit court for each instrument listed in s. 28.222, except judgments received from the courts and notices of lis pendens, recorded in the official records. From the additional $4 service charge collected:

1.  If the counties maintain legal responsibility for the costs of the court-related technology needs as defined in s. 29.008(1)(f)2. and (h), 10 cents shall be distributed to the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptroller, Inc., for the cost of development, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the clerks' Comprehensive Case Information System, in which system all clerks shall participate on or before January 1, 2006; $1.90 shall be retained by the clerk to be deposited in the Public Records Modernization Trust Fund and used exclusively for funding court-related technology needs of the clerk as defined in s. 29.008(1)(f)2. and (h); and $2 shall be distributed to the board of county commissioners to be used exclusively to fund court-related technology, and court technology needs as defined in s. 29.008(1)(f)2. and (h) for the state trial courts, state attorney, and public defender in that county. If the counties maintain legal responsibility for the costs of the court-related technology needs as defined in s. 29.008(1)(f)2. and (h), notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county is not required to provide additional funding beyond that provided herein for the court-related technology needs of the clerk as defined in s. 29.008(1)(f)2. and (h). All court records and official records are the property of the State of Florida, including any records generated as part of the Comprehensive Case Information System funded pursuant to this paragraph and the clerk of court is designated as the custodian of such records, except in a county where the duty of maintaining official records exists in a county office other than the clerk of court or comptroller, such county office is designated the custodian of all official records, and the clerk of court is designated the custodian of all court records. 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.

2.  If the state becomes legally responsible for the costs of court-related technology needs as defined in s. 29.008(1)(f)2. and (h), whether by operation of general law or by court order, $4 shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.

(13)  Oath, administering, attesting, and sealing, not otherwise provided for herein ............ 3.00

(14)  For validating certificates, any authorized bonds, each ............ 3.00

(15)  For preparing affidavit of domicile ............ 5.00

(16)  For exemplified certificates, including signing and sealing ............ 6.00

(17)  For authenticated certificates, including signing and sealing ............ 6.00

(18)(a)  For issuing and filing a subpoena for a witness, not otherwise provided for herein (includes writing, preparing, signing, and sealing) ............ 6.00

(b)  For signing and sealing only ............ 1.50

(19)  For approving bond ............ 7.50

(20)  For searching of records, for each year's search ............ 1.50

(21)  For processing an application for a tax deed sale (includes application, sale, issuance, and preparation of tax deed, and disbursement of proceeds of sale), other than excess proceeds ............ 60.00

(22)  For disbursement of excess proceeds of tax deed sale, first $100 or fraction thereof ............ 10.00

(23)  Upon receipt of an application for a marriage license, for preparing and administering of oath; issuing, sealing, and recording of the marriage license; and providing a certified copy ............ 30.00

(24)  For solemnizing matrimony ............ 30.00

(25)  For sealing any court file or expungement of any record ............ 37.50

(26)(a)  For receiving and disbursing all restitution payments, per payment ............ 3.00

(b)  For receiving and disbursing all partial payments, other than restitution payments, for which an administrative processing service charge is not imposed pursuant to s. 28.246, per month ............ 5.00

(c)  For setting up a payment plan, a one-time administrative processing charge in lieu of a per month charge under paragraph (b) ............ 25.00

(27)  Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in any mailing by certified or registered mail shall be paid by the party at whose instance the mailing is made.

(28)  For furnishing an electronic copy of information contained in a computer database: a fee as provided for in chapter 119.

History.--s. 1, ch. 3106, 1879; RS 1394; GS 1839; RGS 3084; ss. 1, 2, ch. 11893, 1927; CGL 4867; s. 2, ch. 29749, 1955; s. 1, ch. 63-45; s. 5, ch. 70-134; s. 1, ch. 77-284; s. 1, ch. 78-367; s. 1, ch. 79-266; s. 12, ch. 79-400; s. 1, ch. 82-205; s. 35, ch. 85-180; s. 2, ch. 85-249; s. 22, ch. 87-95; s. 2, ch. 87-145; s. 1, ch. 88-176; s. 1, ch. 92-200; ss. 5, 13, ch. 94-348; s. 5, ch. 95-214; s. 2, ch. 2000-144; s. 90, ch. 2003-261; s. 28, ch. 2003-402; s. 16, ch. 2004-265; s. 6, ch. 2005-236.

28.2401  Service charges in probate matters.--

(1)  Except when otherwise provided, the clerk may impose service charges for the following services, not to exceed the following amounts:

(a)  For the opening of any estate of one document or more, including, but not limited to, petitions and orders to approve settlement of minor's claims; to open a safe-deposit box; to enter rooms and places; for the determination of heirs, if not formal administration; and for a foreign guardian to manage property of a nonresident; but not to include issuance of letters or order of summary administration ............ $100

(b)  Caveat ............ $35

(c)  Petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record ............ $100

(d)  For disposition of personal property without administration ............ $100

(e)  Summary administration--estates valued at $1,000 or more ............ $200

(f)  Summary administration--estates valued at less than $1,000 ............ $100

(g)  Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings ............ $250

(h)  Guardianship proceedings of person only ............ $100

(i)  Veterans' guardianship pursuant to chapter 744 ............ $100

(j)  Exemplified certificates ............ $6

(k)  Petition for determination of incompetency ............ $100

(2)  Upon application by the clerk and a showing of extraordinary circumstances, the service charges set forth in this section may be increased in an individual matter by order of the circuit court before which the matter is pending, to more adequately compensate for the services performed.

(3)  An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall transfer $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall transfer 50 cents to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of Financial Services' Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk education. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be added to the service charges imposed under this section, except as authorized by general law.

(4)  Recording shall be required for all petitions opening and closing an estate; petitions regarding real estate; and orders, letters, bonds, oaths, wills, proofs of wills, returns, and such other papers as the judge shall deem advisable to record or that shall be required to be recorded under the Florida Probate Code.

History.--s. 5, ch. 1981, 1874; s. 2, ch. 3888, 1889; RS 1592, 1596; GS 2056, 2060; RGS 3347, 3351; CGL 5200, 5204; s. 1, ch. 19174, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 2877(115); s. 1, ch. 21960, 1943; s. 1, ch. 28152, 1953; s. 1, ch. 65-430; s. 1, ch. 72-397; s. 16, ch. 73-333; s. 2, ch. 77-284; s. 2, ch. 78-367; s. 13, ch. 79-400; s. 25, ch. 81-259; s. 3, ch. 87-145; s. 5, ch. 91-152; s. 1, ch. 93-268; s. 2, ch. 96-209; s. 5, ch. 2001-122; s. 29, ch. 2003-402; s. 2, ch. 2004-5; s. 17, ch. 2004-265.

Note.--Former s. 36.17.

28.2402  Cost recovery; use of the circuit court for ordinance or special law violations.--

(1)(a)  In lieu of payment of a filing fee under s. 28.241, a filing fee of $10 shall be paid by a county or municipality when filing a county or municipal ordinance violation or violation of a special law in circuit court. This fee shall be paid to the clerk of the court for performing court-related functions. A county or municipality is not required to pay more than one filing fee for a single filing against a single defendant that contains multiple alleged violations. A filing fee, other than that imposed under this section, may not be assessed for initiating an enforcement proceeding in circuit court for a violation of a county or municipal code or ordinance or a violation of a special law. The filing fee shall not apply to instances in which a county or municipality has contracted with the state, or has been delegated by the state, responsibility for enforcing state operations, policies, or requirements under s. 125.69, s. 166.0415, or chapter 162.

(b)  No other filing fee may be assessed for filing the violation in circuit court. If a person contests the violation in court, the court shall assess $40 in costs against the nonprevailing party. The county or municipality shall be considered the prevailing party when there is a finding of violation to any count or lesser included offense of the charge. Costs recovered pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited into the clerk's fine and forfeiture fund established pursuant to s. 142.01.

¹(2)  To offset costs incurred by the clerks of the court in performing court-related functions associated with the processing of violations of special laws and municipal ordinances, 10 percent of the total amount of fines paid to each municipality for special law or ordinance violations filed in circuit court shall be retained by the clerk of the court for deposit into the clerk's fine and forfeiture fund established pursuant to s. 142.01, except for fines a portion of which the clerk of the court retains pursuant to any other provision of state law. A municipality does not include the unincorporated areas, if any, of a government created pursuant to s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution.

History.--s. 30, ch. 2003-402; s. 18, ch. 2004-265; s. 7, ch. 2005-236.

¹Note.--Section 68, ch. 2005-236, provides that "[i]t is the intent of the Legislature that the amendments made by this act to ss. 28.2402(2), 34.191, and 318.21, Florida Statutes, are remedial. It is the further intent of the Legislature that fines and forfeitures or civil penalties arising from offenses or violations committed or occurring within an unincorporated area of a government created pursuant to Section 6(e), Article VIII of the State Constitution be paid or deposited for fiscal year 2004-2005 as provided in ss. 28.2402, 34.191, and 318.21, Florida Statutes, as those sections are amended by this act. This section shall take effect [June 14, 2005]."

28.241  Filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings.--

(1)(a)  The party instituting any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit court shall pay to the clerk of that court a filing fee of up to $250 in all cases in which there are not more than five defendants and an additional filing fee of up to $2 for each defendant in excess of five. Of the first $55 in filing fees, $50 must be remitted by the clerk to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, and $5 must be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of Financial Services' Administrative Trust Fund to fund the contract with the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation created in s. 28.35. One-third of any filing fees collected by the clerk of the circuit court in excess of $55 shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of Revenue Clerks of the Court Trust Fund. An additional filing fee of $4 shall be paid to the clerk. The clerk shall remit $3.50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Court Education Trust Fund and shall remit 50 cents to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of Financial Services Administrative Trust Fund to fund clerk education. An additional filing fee of up to $15 shall be paid by the party seeking each severance that is granted. The clerk may impose an additional filing fee of up to $75 for all proceedings of garnishment, attachment, replevin, and distress. Postal charges incurred by the clerk of the circuit court in making service by certified or registered mail on defendants or other parties shall be paid by the party at whose instance service is made. No additional fees, charges, or costs shall be added to the filing fees imposed under this section, except as authorized herein or by general law.

(b)  A party reopening any civil action, suit, or proceeding in the circuit court shall pay to the clerk of court a filing fee set by the clerk in an amount not to exceed $50. For purposes of this section, a case is reopened when a case previously reported as disposed of is resubmitted to a court and includes petitions for modification of a final judgment of dissolution. A party is exempt from paying the fee for any of the following:

1.  A writ of garnishment;

2.  A writ of replevin;

3.  A distress writ;

4.  A writ of attachment;

5.  A motion for rehearing filed within 10 days;

6.  A motion for attorney's fees filed within 30 days after entry of a judgment or final order;

7.  A motion for dismissal filed after a mediation agreement has been filed;

8.  A disposition of personal property without administration;

9.  Any probate case prior to the discharge of a personal representative;

10.  Any guardianship pleading prior to discharge;

11.  Any mental health pleading;

12.  Motions to withdraw by attorneys;

13.  Motions exclusively for the enforcement of child support orders;

14.  A petition for credit of child support;

15.  Stipulations;

16.  Responsive pleadings; or

17.  Cases in which there is no initial filing fee.

(2)  Upon the institution of any appellate proceeding from any lower court to the circuit court of any such county, including appeals filed by a county or municipality as provided in s. 34.041(5), or from the circuit court to an appellate court of the state, the clerk shall charge and collect from the party or parties instituting such appellate proceedings a filing fee not to exceed $250 for filing a notice of appeal from the county court to the circuit court and, in addition to the filing fee required under s. 25.241 or s. 35.22, $50 for filing a notice of appeal from the circuit court to the district court of appeal or to the Supreme Court. If the party is determined to be indigent, the clerk shall defer payment of the fee. The clerk shall remit the first $50 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. One-third of the fee collected by the clerk in excess of $50 also shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Clerks of the Court Trust Fund.

(3)  A filing fee may not be imposed upon a party for responding by pleading, motion, or other paper to a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding, or appeal in a circuit court.

(4)  The fees prescribed in this section do not include the service charges required by law for the clerk as provided in s. 28.24 or by other sections of the Florida Statutes. Filing fees authorized by this section may not be added to any civil penalty imposed by chapter 316 or chapter 318.

(5)  Filing fees for the institution or reopening of any civil action, suit, or proceeding in county court shall be charged and collected as provided in s. 34.041.

(6)  From each attorney appearing pro hac vice, the clerk of the circuit court shall collect a fee of $100 for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.

History.--ss. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, ch. 26931, 1951; ss. 3, 4, 5, ch. 29749, 1955; ss. 1, 2, ch. 57-322; s. 1, ch. 63-47; s. 1, ch. 63-43; s. 6, ch. 70-134; s. 1, ch. 74-154; s. 4, ch. 75-124; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 3, ch. 77-284; s. 2, ch. 82-168; s. 2, ch. 82-205; s. 10, ch. 83-217; s. 122, ch. 86-220; s. 4, ch. 87-145; s. 1, ch. 87-231; s. 2, ch. 88-176; s. 6, ch. 89-290; s. 1, ch. 90-181; s. 69, ch. 90-271; s. 3, ch. 91-152; s. 162, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 96-209; s. 1, ch. 96-350; s. 14, ch. 96-354; s. 1, ch. 97-155; s. 12, ch. 99-277; s. 6, ch. 2001-122; s. 2, ch. 2002-55; ss. 31, 32, ch. 2003-402; s. 19, ch. 2004-265.

28.242  Service charges retained when case laid in wrong venue.--The service charge paid by law to the clerk or judge of the court wherein a case is laid in the wrong venue shall be retained by him or her on the transfer thereof. The charge received by the clerk or judge upon the filing of the case is earned as of the time of filing, and another service charge shall be required of the person filing the action in another venue in accordance with the statutes applicable in the county or district to which transferred. If the service charge is not paid within 30 days from transfer, the action may be dismissed without prejudice.

History.--s. 1, ch. 59-300; s. 43, ch. 67-254; s. 7, ch. 70-134; s. 163, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 53.17(3).

28.243  Personal liability for accepting checks.--

(1)  A check received by the office of a clerk of a court or comptroller which is tendered to him or her in payment for any services, collection of fines and forfeitures, sale of documentary stamps, recording of documents and instruments, collection of legal fees, or any other duties relating to his or her office and which is returned by the bank upon which the check is drawn shall be the personal liability of the clerk or comptroller unless the clerk or comptroller, after due diligence to collect the returned check, forwards the returned check to the state attorney of the circuit where the check was drawn for prosecution.

(2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the office of a clerk of a court or comptroller may accept personal checks drawn on any bank or similar financial institution in the United States for the payment of traffic fines and related court costs, and the clerk or comptroller shall not incur any personal liability for the acceptance of such checks. Any such check received by the office of a clerk of a court or comptroller which is returned by the bank upon which the check is drawn may be forwarded to the state attorney of the circuit where the check was presented for prosecution. The clerk or comptroller shall not be subject to the provisions of s. 832.07(2).

History.--s. 1, ch. 75-176; s. 1, ch. 83-277; s. 164, ch. 95-147.

28.244  Refunds.--A clerk of the circuit court or a filing officer of another office where records are filed who receives payment for services provided and thereafter determines that an overpayment has occurred shall refund to the person who made the payment the amount of any overpayment that exceeds $5. If the amount of the overpayment is $5 or less, the clerk of the circuit court or a filing officer of another office where records are filed is not required to refund the amount of the overpayment unless the person who made the overpayment makes a written request.

History.--s. 1, ch. 96-209.

28.245  Transmittal of funds to Department of Revenue; uniform remittance form required.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all moneys collected by the clerks of the court as part of the clerk's court-related functions for subsequent distribution to any state entity must be transmitted electronically, by the 20th day of the month immediately following the month in which the moneys are collected, to the Department of Revenue for appropriate distribution. A uniform remittance form provided by the Department of Revenue detailing the specific amounts due each fund must accompany such submittal. All moneys collected by the clerks of court for remittance to any entity must be distributed pursuant to the law in effect at the time of collection.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2001-122; s. 33, ch. 2003-402; s. 20, ch. 2004-265; s. 8, ch. 2005-236.

28.246  Payment of court-related fees, charges, and costs; partial payments; distribution of funds.--

(1)  The clerk of the circuit court shall report the following information to the Legislature and the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation on a form developed by the Department of Financial Services:

(a)  The total amount of mandatory fees, service charges, and costs; the total amount actually assessed; the total amount discharged, waived, or otherwise not assessed; and the total amount collected.

(b)  The amount of discretionary fees, service charges, and costs assessed; the total amount discharged; and the total amount collected.

(c)  The total amount of mandatory fines and other monetary penalties; the total amount assessed; the total amount discharged, waived, or otherwise not assessed; and the total amount collected.

(d)  The amount of discretionary fines and other monetary penalties assessed; the amount discharged; and the total amount collected.

If provided to the clerk of court by the judge, the clerk, in reporting the amount assessed, shall separately identify the amount assessed pursuant to s. 938.30 as community service; assessed by reducing the amount to a judgment or lien; satisfied by time served; or other. The form developed by the Chief Financial Officer shall include separate entries for recording these amounts. The clerk shall submit the report on an annual basis 60 days after the end of the county fiscal year.

(2)  The clerk of the circuit court shall establish and maintain a system of accounts receivable for court-related fees, charges, and costs.

(3)  Court costs, fines, and other dispositional assessments shall be enforced by order of the courts, collected by the clerks of the circuit and county courts, and disbursed in accordance with authorizations and procedures as established by general law.

(4)  The clerk of the circuit court shall accept partial payments for court-related fees, service charges, costs, and fines in accordance with the terms of an established payment plan. An individual seeking to defer payment of fees, service charges, costs, or fines imposed by operation of law or order of the court under any provision of general law shall apply to the clerk for enrollment in a payment plan. The clerk shall enter into a payment plan with an individual who the court determines is indigent for costs. A monthly payment amount, calculated based upon all fees and all anticipated costs, is presumed to correspond to the person's ability to pay if the amount does not exceed 2 percent of the person's annual net income, as defined in s. 27.52(1), divided by 12. The court may review the reasonableness of the payment plan.

(5)  When receiving partial payment of fees, service charges, court costs, and fines, clerks shall distribute funds according to the following order of priority:

(a)  That portion of fees, service charges, court costs, and fines to be remitted to the state for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.

(b)  That portion of fees, service charges, court costs, and fines which are required to be retained by the clerk of the court or deposited into the Clerks of the Court Trust Fund.

(c)  That portion of fees, service charges, court costs, and fines payable to state trust funds, allocated on a pro rata basis among the various authorized funds if the total collection amount is insufficient to fully fund all such funds as provided by law.

(d)  That portion of fees, service charges, court costs, and fines payable to counties, municipalities, or other local entities, allocated on a pro rata basis among the various authorized recipients if the total collection amount is insufficient to fully fund all such recipients as provided by law.

To offset processing costs, clerks may impose either a per-month service charge pursuant to s. 28.24(26)(b) or a one-time administrative processing service charge at the inception of the payment plan pursuant to s. 28.24(26)(c).

(6)  A clerk of court may pursue the collection of any fees, service charges, fines, court costs, and liens for the payment of attorney's fees and costs pursuant to s. 938.29 which remain unpaid for 90 days or more, or refer the account to a private attorney who is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar or collection agent who is registered and in good standing pursuant to chapter 559. In pursuing the collection of such unpaid financial obligations through a private attorney or collection agent, the clerk of the court must have attempted to collect the unpaid amount through a collection court, collections docket, or other collections process, if any, established by the court, find this to be cost-effective and follow any applicable procurement practices. The collection fee, including any reasonable attorney's fee, paid to any attorney or collection agent retained by the clerk may be added to the balance owed in an amount not to exceed 40 percent of the amount owed at the time the account is referred to the attorney or agent for collection.

History.--s. 34, ch. 2003-402; s. 21, ch. 2004-265; s. 1, ch. 2005-2; s. 9, ch. 2005-236.

28.29  Recording of orders and judgments.--Orders of dismissal and final judgments of the courts in civil actions shall be recorded in official records. Other orders shall be recorded only on written direction of the court. The direction may be by incorporation in the order of the words "To be recorded" or words to that effect. Failure to record an order or judgment shall not affect its validity. The certified copy of a judgment, required under s. 55.10 to become a lien on real property, shall be recorded only when presented for recording with the statutory service charge.

History.--ss. 1-3, ch. 23825, 1947; s. 3, ch. 71-4; s. 2, ch. 72-320.

28.30  Records; destruction; reproduction; electronic recordkeeping.--

(1)  The purpose of this section and s. 28.31 is to make available for the use of the clerks of the circuit court of the several counties of the state sufficient space to enable them to efficiently administer the affairs of office.

(2)  The clerk of the circuit court of each county of the state is authorized to destroy and dispose of public records pursuant to the rules adopted by the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State pursuant to s. 257.36.

(3)  Each clerk of the circuit court is authorized to photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on film, or to maintain in an electronic recordkeeping system, any public record that the clerk may select. Such photographs, microphotographs, or other reproductions on film or reproductions from an electronic recordkeeping system shall be admissible in evidence with the same force and effect as the originals. Duly certified or authenticated reproductions of such photographs, microphotographs, reproductions on film, or reproductions from an electronic recordkeeping system shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original photographs, microphotographs, reproductions on film, or reproductions from an electronic recordkeeping system.

(4)  The clerk of the circuit court shall follow procedures for electronic recordkeeping in accordance with rules adopted by the Division of Library and Information Services of the Department of State.

(5)  Except when otherwise provided by law or applicable rule, a document that is submitted to the clerk of the circuit court by electronic transmission is deemed filed when the document is received and the date and time are acknowledged by the clerk, as opposed to the date and time of transmission. The clerk is not liable for malfunctions or errors occurring in the transmission of documents for filing by electronic means.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 25433, 1949; s. 8, ch. 69-82; s. 6, ch. 94-348.

28.31  Notice to county commissioners of intent to destroy; approval of board.--The clerk of the circuit court shall notify the board of county commissioners of the clerk's county in writing a reasonable time in advance of his or her intention to destroy such records and if for any reason the board of county commissioners of such county shall request the clerk to withhold destruction of such records the clerk shall refrain until such time as he or she obtains approval of such board.

History.--s. 5, ch. 25433, 1949; s. 165, ch. 95-147.

28.32  Destruction of certain instruments.--After the expiration of 20 years from the date of the execution of any bond or other instrument held by the clerk of the circuit court or a sheriff of any of the several counties of the state, which said instrument was executed to secure the performance or nonperformance of any act or matter and no proceeding of any type is pending involving said instrument any of the several clerks of the circuit courts or sheriffs of the state are hereby authorized, empowered and directed to cancel said instruments and to destroy the same upon making appropriate notation of the destruction and disposition thereof upon any remaining records pertaining thereto.

History.--s. 1, ch. 25502, 1949.

28.33  Investment of county funds by the clerk of the circuit court.--The clerk of the circuit court in each county shall invest county funds in excess of those required to meet expenses as provided in s. 218.415. No clerk investing such funds shall be liable for the loss of any interest when circumstances require the withdrawal of funds placed in a time deposit and needed for immediate payment of county obligations. Except for interest earned on moneys deposited in the registry of the court, all interest accruing from moneys deposited shall be deemed income of the office of the clerk of the circuit court investing such moneys and shall be deposited in the same account as are other fees and commissions of the clerk's office. The clerk may invest moneys deposited in the registry of the court and shall retain as income of the office of the clerk and as a reasonable investment management fee 10 percent of the interest accruing on those funds with the balance of such interest being allocated in accordance with the interest of the depositors.

History.--s. 1, ch. 73-282; s. 1, ch. 82-117; s. 166, ch. 95-147; s. 7, ch. 2000-264.

28.34  Salary discrimination based on gender or race; review within the county and circuit courts.--Each clerk of the court shall undertake an annual review of compensation, race, and gender employment policies for all persons employed or appointed by the clerk. Within the context of comparable positions, skills, experience, and responsibility, any inequities found to exist on the basis of gender or race shall be eliminated.

History.--s. 6, ch. 91-74; s. 14, ch. 94-348.

28.345  Exemption from court-related fees and charges.--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.

History.--s. 35, ch. 2003-402; s. 22, ch. 2004-265; s. 10, ch. 2005-236.

28.35  Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation.--

(1)(a)  The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation is hereby created as a public corporation organized to perform the functions specified in this section. All clerks of the circuit court shall be members of the corporation and hold their position and authority in an ex officio capacity. The functions assigned to the corporation shall be performed by an executive council pursuant to the plan of operation approved by the members.

(b)  The executive council shall be composed of eight clerks of the court elected by the clerks of the courts for a term of 2 years, with two clerks from counties with a population of fewer than 100,000, two clerks from counties with a population of at least 100,000 but fewer than 500,000, two clerks from counties with a population of at least 500,000 but fewer than 1 million, and two clerks from counties with a population of more than 1 million.

(c)  For the purposes of s. 199.183(1), the corporation shall be considered a political subdivision of the state and shall be exempt from the corporate income tax. The corporation is not subject to the procurement provisions of chapter 287 and policies and decisions of the corporation relating to incurring debt, levying assessments, and the sale, issuance, continuation, terms, and claims under corporation policies, and all services relating thereto, are not subject to the provisions of chapter 120.

(d)  The functions assigned to the corporation under this section and ss. 28.36 and 28.37 are considered to be for a valid public purpose.

(2)  The duties of the corporation shall include the following:

(a)  Adopting a plan of operation.

(b)  Conducting the election of directors as required in paragraph (1)(a).

(c)  Recommending to the Legislature changes in the various court-related fines, fees, service charges, and court costs established by law to ensure reasonable and adequate funding of the clerks of the court in the performance of their court-related functions.

(d)  Pursuant to contract with the Chief Financial Officer, establishing a process for the review and certification of proposed court-related budgets submitted by clerks of the court for completeness and compliance with this section and ss. 28.36 and 28.37. This process shall be designed and be of sufficient detail to permit independent verification and validation of the budget certification. The contract shall specify the process to be used in determining compliance by the corporation with this section and ss. 28.36 and 28.37.

(e)  Developing and certifying a uniform system of performance measures and applicable performance standards for the functions specified in paragraph (4)(a) and clerk performance in meeting the performance standards. These measures and standards shall be designed to facilitate an objective determination of the performance of each clerk in accordance with minimum standards for fiscal management, operational efficiency, and effective collection of fines, fees, service charges, and court costs. When the corporation finds a clerk has not met the performance standards, the corporation shall identify the nature of each deficiency and any corrective action recommended and taken by the affected clerk of the court.

(f)  Reviewing and certifying proposed budgets submitted by clerks of the court utilizing the process approved by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to paragraph (d) for the purpose of making the certification in paragraph (3)(a). As part of this process, the corporation shall:

1.  Calculate the maximum authorized annual budget pursuant to the requirements of s. 28.36.

2.  Identify those proposed budgets exceeding the maximum annual budget pursuant to s. 28.36(5) for the standard list of court-related functions.

3.  Identify those proposed budgets containing funding for items not included on the standard list of court-related functions developed pursuant to paragraph (3)(a).

4.  Identify those clerks projected to have court-related revenues insufficient to fund their anticipated court-related expenditures.

(g)  Developing and conducting clerk education programs.

(3)(a)  The Clerks of Court Operations Corporation shall certify to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Department of Revenue by October 15 of each year, the amount of the proposed budget certified for each clerk; the revenue projection supporting each clerk's budget; each clerk eligible to retain some or all of the state's share of fines, fees, service charges, and costs; the amount to be paid to each clerk from the Clerks of the Court Trust Fund within the Department of Revenue; the performance measures and standards approved by the corporation for each clerk; and the performance of each clerk in meeting the performance standards.

(b)  Prior to December 1 of each year, the Chief Financial Officer shall review the certifications made by the corporation for the purpose of determining compliance with the approved process and report its findings to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the Department of Revenue. To determine compliance with this process, the Chief Financial Officer may examine the budgets submitted to the corporation by the clerks.

(4)(a)  The list of court-related functions clerks may fund from filing fees, service charges, court costs, and fines shall be limited to those functions expressly authorized by law or court rule. Those functions must include the following: case maintenance; records management; court preparation and attendance; processing the assignment, reopening, and reassignment of cases; processing of appeals; collection and distribution of fines, fees, service charges, and court costs; processing of bond forfeiture payments; payment of jurors and witnesses; data collection and reporting; processing of jurors; determinations of indigent status; and reasonable administrative support costs to enable the clerk of the court to carry out these court-related functions.

(b)  The list of functions clerks may not fund from filing fees, service charges, court costs, and fines shall include:

1.  Those functions not specified within paragraph (a).

2.  Functions assigned by administrative orders which are not required for the clerk to perform the functions in paragraph (a).

3.  Enhanced levels of service which are not required for the clerk to perform the functions in paragraph (a).

4.  Functions identified as local requirements in law or local optional programs.

(c)  Publishing a uniform schedule of actual fees, service charges, and costs charged by a clerk of the court for court-related functions pursuant to general law.

(5)  The corporation shall be funded pursuant to contract with the Chief Financial Officer. Funds shall be provided to the Chief Financial Officer for this purpose as appropriated by general law. These funds shall be available to the corporation for the performance of the duties and responsibilities as set forth in this section. The corporation may hire staff and pay other expenses from these funds as necessary to perform the official duties and responsibilities of the corporation as described in this section.

(6)(a)  The corporation shall submit an annual audited financial statement to the Auditor General in a form and manner prescribed by the Auditor General. The Auditor General shall conduct an annual audit of the operations of the corporation, including the use of funds and compliance with the provisions of this section and ss. 28.36 and 28.37.

(b)  Certified public accountants conducting audits of counties pursuant to s. 218.39 shall report, as part of the audit, whether or not the clerks of the courts have complied with the budgets certified by the Florida Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation pursuant to the budget review process pursuant to contract with the Chief Financial Officer and with the performance standards developed and certified pursuant to this section. The Auditor General shall develop a compliance supplement for the audit of compliance with the budgets and applicable performance standards certified by the corporation.

History.--s. 36, ch. 2003-402; s. 23, ch. 2004-265; s. 2, ch. 2005-2.

28.36  Budget procedure.--There is hereby established a budget procedure for the court-related functions of the clerks of the court.

(1)  Only those functions on the standard list developed pursuant to s. 28.35(4)(a) may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court. No clerk may use fees, service charges, court costs, and fines in excess of the maximum budget amounts as established in subsection (5).

(2)  For the period July 1, 2004, through September 30, 2004, and for each county fiscal year ending September 30 thereafter, each clerk of the court shall prepare a budget relating solely to the performance of the standard list of court-related functions pursuant to s. 28.35(4)(a).

(3)  Each proposed budget shall further conform to the following requirements:

(a)  On or before August 15 for each fiscal year thereafter, the proposed budget shall be prepared, summarized, and submitted by the clerk in each county to the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation in the manner and form prescribed by the corporation. The proposed budget must provide detailed information on the anticipated revenues available and expenditures necessary for the performance of the standard list of court-related functions of the clerk's office developed pursuant to s. 28.35(4)(a) for the county fiscal year beginning the following October 1.

(b)  The proposed budget must be balanced, such that the total of the estimated revenues available must equal or exceed the total of the anticipated expenditures. These revenues include the following: cash balances brought forward from the prior fiscal period; revenue projected to be received from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines for court-related functions during the fiscal period covered by the budget; and supplemental revenue that may be requested pursuant to subsection (4). The anticipated expenditures must be itemized as required by the corporation, pursuant to contract with the Chief Financial Officer.

(c)  The proposed budget may include a contingency reserve not to exceed 10 percent of the total budget, provided that, overall, the proposed budget does not exceed the limits prescribed in subsection (5).

(4)  If a clerk of the court estimates that available funds plus projected revenues from fines, fees, service charges, and costs for court-related services are insufficient to meet the anticipated expenditures for the standard list of court-related functions in s. 28.35(4)(a) performed by his or her office, the clerk must report the revenue deficit to the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation in the manner and form prescribed by the corporation pursuant to contract with the Chief Financial Officer. The corporation shall verify that the proposed budget is limited to the standard list of court-related functions in s. 28.35(4)(a).

(a)  If the corporation verifies that the proposed budget is limited to the standard list of court-related functions in s. 28.35(4)(a) and a revenue deficit is projected, a clerk seeking to retain revenues pursuant to this subsection shall increase all fees, service charges, and any other court-related clerk fees and charges to the maximum amounts specified by law or the amount necessary to resolve the deficit, whichever is less. If, after increasing fees, service charges, and any other court-related clerk fees and charges to the maximum amounts specified by law, a revenue deficit is still projected, the corporation shall, pursuant to the terms of the contract with the Chief Financial Officer, certify a revenue deficit and notify the Department of Revenue that the clerk is authorized to retain revenues, in an amount necessary to fully fund the projected revenue deficit, which he or she would otherwise be required to remit to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Department of Revenue Clerks of the Court Trust Fund pursuant to s. 28.37. If a revenue deficit is projected for that clerk after retaining all of the projected collections from the court-related fines, fees, service charges, and costs, the Department of Revenue shall certify the amount of the revenue deficit amount to the Executive Office of the Governor and request release authority for funds appropriated for this purpose from the Department of Revenue Clerks of the Court Trust Fund. Notwithstanding provisions of s. 216.192 related to the release of funds, the Executive Office of the Governor may approve the release of funds appropriated to resolve projected revenue deficits in accordance with the notice, review, and objection procedures set forth in s. 216.177 and shall provide notice to the Chief Financial Officer. The Department of Revenue is directed to request monthly distributions from the Chief Financial Officer in equal amounts to each clerk certified to have a revenue deficit, in accordance with the releases approved by the Governor.

(b)  If the Chief Financial Officer finds the court-related budget proposed by a clerk includes functions not included in the standard list of court-related functions in s. 28.35(4)(a), the Chief Financial Officer shall notify the clerk of the amount of the proposed budget not eligible to be funded from fees, service charges, costs, and fines for court-related functions and shall identify appropriate corrective measures to ensure budget integrity. The clerk shall then immediately discontinue all ineligible expenditures of court-related funds for this purpose and reimburse the Clerks of the Court Trust Fund for any previously ineligible expenditures made for non-court-related functions, and shall implement any corrective actions identified by the Chief Financial Officer.

(5)(a)  For the county fiscal year October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005, the maximum annual budget amount for the standard list of court-related functions of the clerks of court in s. 28.35(4)(a) that may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court shall not exceed:

1.  One hundred and three percent of the clerk's estimated expenditures for the prior county fiscal year; or

2.  One hundred and five percent of the clerk's estimated expenditures for the prior county fiscal year for those clerks in counties that for calendar years 1998-2002 experienced an average annual increase of at least 5 percent in both population and case filings for all case types as reported through the Summary Reporting System used by the state courts system.

(b)  For the county fiscal year 2005-2006, the maximum budget amount for the standard list of court-related functions of the clerks of court in s. 28.35(4)(a) that may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court shall be the approved budget for county fiscal year 2004-2005 adjusted by the projected percentage change in revenue between the county fiscal years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

(c)  For the county fiscal years 2006-2007 and thereafter, the maximum budget amount for the standard list of court-related functions of the clerks of court in s. 28.35(4)(a) that may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court shall be established by first rebasing the prior fiscal year budget to reflect the actual percentage change in the prior fiscal year revenue and then adjusting the rebased prior fiscal year budget by the projected percentage change in revenue for the proposed budget year. The rebasing calculations and maximum annual budget calculations shall be as follows:

1.  For county fiscal year 2006-2007, the approved budget for county fiscal year 2004-2005 shall be adjusted for the actual percentage change in revenue between the two 12-month periods ending June 30, 2005, and June 30, 2006. This result is the rebased budget for the county fiscal year 2005-2006. Then the rebased budget for the county fiscal year 2005-2006 shall be adjusted by the projected percentage change in revenue between the county fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. This result shall be the maximum annual budget amount for the standard list of court-related functions of the clerks of court in s. 28.35(4)(a) that may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court for each clerk for the county fiscal year 2006-2007.

2.  For county fiscal year 2007-2008, the rebased budget for county fiscal year 2005-2006 shall be adjusted for the actual percentage change in revenue between the two 12-month periods ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007. This result is the rebased budget for the county fiscal year 2006-2007. The rebased budget for county fiscal year 2006-2007 shall be adjusted by the projected percentage change in revenue between the county fiscal years 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. This result shall be the maximum annual budget amount for the standard list of court-related functions of the clerks of court in s. 28.35(4)(a) that may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court for county fiscal year 2007-2008.

3.  For county fiscal years 2008-2009 and thereafter, the maximum budget amount for the standard list of court-related functions of the clerks of court in s. 28.35(4)(a) that may be funded from fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court shall be calculated as the rebased budget for the prior county fiscal year adjusted by the projected percentage change in revenues between the prior county fiscal year and the county fiscal year for which the maximum budget amount is being authorized. The rebased budget for the prior county fiscal year shall always be calculated by adjusting the rebased budget for the year preceding the prior county fiscal year by the actual percentage change in revenues between the 12-month period ending June 30 of the year preceding the prior county fiscal year and the 12-month period ending June 30 of the prior county fiscal year.

(6)  The Legislative Budget Commission may approve increases to the maximum annual budgets approved for individual clerks of the court pursuant to this section for court-related duties, if either of the following conditions exist:

(a)  The additional funding is necessary to pay the cost of performing new or additional functions required by changes in law or court rule. Before the Legislative Budget Commission may approve an increase in the maximum annual budget of any clerk under this paragraph, the Clerk of the Court Operations Corporation must provide the Legislative Budget Commission with a statement of the impact of the proposed budget changes on state revenues, and evidence that the respective clerk of the court is meeting or exceeding the established performance standards for measures on the fiscal management, operational efficiency, and effective collection of fines, fees, service charges, and court costs.

(b)  The additional funding is necessary to pay the cost of supporting increases in the number of judges or magistrates authorized by the Legislature. Before the Legislative Budget Commission may approve an increase in the maximum annual budget of any clerk under this paragraph, the Clerk of the Court Operations Corporation must provide the Legislative Budget Commission with a statement of the impact of the proposed budget changes on state revenues; evidence that the respective clerk of the court is meeting or exceeding the established performance standards for measures on the fiscal management, operational efficiency, and effective collection of fines, fees, service charges, and court costs; and a proposed staffing model, including the cost and number of staff necessary to support each new judge or magistrate.

The total amount of increases approved by the Legislative Budget Commission for each county fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 2 percent of the maximum annual budgets approved pursuant to this section for all clerks, in the aggregate, for that same county fiscal year.

(7)  The corporation may submit proposed legislation to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later than November 1 in any year for approval of clerk budget request amounts exceeding the restrictions in this section for the following October 1. If proposed legislation is recommended, the corporation shall also submit supporting justification with sufficient detail to identify the specific proposed expenditures that would cause the limitations to be exceeded for each affected clerk and the estimated fiscal impact on state revenues.

History.--s. 37, ch. 2003-402; s. 24, ch. 2004-265; s. 3, ch. 2005-2; s. 11, ch. 2005-236.

28.37  Fines, fees, service charges, and costs remitted to the state.--

(1)  Pursuant to s. 14(b), Art. V of the State Constitution, selected salaries, costs, and expenses of the state courts system and court-related functions shall be funded from a portion of the revenues derived from statutory fines, fees, service charges, and costs collected by the clerks of the court.

(2)  Beginning August 1, 2004, except as otherwise provided in ss. 28.241 and 34.041, one-third of all fines, fees, service charges, and costs collected by the clerks of the court during the prior month for the performance of court-related functions shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the Department of Revenue Clerks of the Court Trust Fund. These collections do not include funding received for the operation of the Title IV-D child support collections and disbursement program. The clerk of the court shall remit the revenues collected during the prior month due to the state on or before the 20th day of each month. The Department of Revenue shall make a monthly transfer of the funds in the Department of Revenue Clerks of the Court Trust Fund that are not needed to resolve clerk of the court revenue deficits, as specified in s. 28.36, to the General Revenue Fund.

(3)  For the period of October 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, those clerks operating as fee officers for court-related services shall determine the amount of fees collected and expenses generated for court-related services. Any excess fees generated during this period shall be remitted to the county on December 31, 2004. However, any billings for payment of due process services rendered before July 1, 2004, may be paid by the clerk from these funds. Due process services shall include, but not be limited to, court reporter services, court interpreter services, expert witness services, mental health evaluations, and court-appointed counsel services. In addition, any deficit experienced by the clerk for court-related services during the period from October 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, shall be funded by the county.

(4)  Beginning January 1, 2005, for the period July 1, 2004, through September 30, 2004, and each January 1 thereafter for the preceding county fiscal year of October 1 through September 30, the clerk of the court must remit to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the General Revenue Fund the cumulative excess of all fees, service charges, court costs, and fines retained by the clerks of the court, plus any funds received by the clerks of the court from the Department of Revenue Clerk of the Court Trust Fund under s. 28.36(4)(a), over the amount needed to meet the approved budget amounts established under s. 28.36.

(5)  The Department of Revenue shall collect any funds that the corporation determines upon investigation were due on January 1 but not remitted to the department.

History.--s. 38, ch. 2003-402; s. 25, ch. 2004-265; s. 12, ch. 2005-236.

¹28.39  Fees by ordinance and special law abolished.--Fees, service charges, and costs imposed by the governing authority of counties by ordinance and special law pursuant to authority granted in ss. 28.2401, 28.241, 34.041, 938.17, and 938.19, on or before June 30, 2004, are repealed and abolished effective July 1, 2004.

History.--s. 149, ch. 2003-402; s. 91, ch. 2004-265.

¹Note.--Also published at s. 34.205.

28.42  Manual of court-related filing fees, charges, costs, and fines.--No later than July 1, 2004, the Office of the State Courts Administrator shall prepare and disseminate a manual of court-related filing fees, service charges, costs, and fines imposed pursuant to state law, organized by county for each type of action and offense and classified as either mandatory or discretionary. The Office of the State Courts Administrator shall disseminate this manual to the chief judge, state attorney, public defender, and court administrator in each circuit and to the clerk of the court in each county. The Office of the State Courts Administrator shall update and disseminate this manual on July 1 of each year thereafter.

History.--s. 98, ch. 2004-265.

28.43  Adoption of rules relating to ss. 28.35, 28.36, and 28.37.--

(1)  The Department of Revenue may adopt rules necessary to carry out its responsibilities in ss. 28.35, 28.36, and 28.37. The rules shall include forms and procedures for transferring funds from the clerks of the court to the Clerks of the Court Trust Fund within the Department of Revenue.

(2)  The Department of Financial Services may adopt rules as necessary to carry out its responsibilities under ss. 28.35, 28.36, and 28.37.

History.--s. 100, ch. 2004-265.

28.44  Clerk discontinuance of court-related functions.--

(1)  No function of the clerk of court being performed in support of the trial courts by the individual clerks of court on July 1, 2004, may be discontinued or substantially modified on a unilateral basis except pursuant to this section. A clerk of court may discontinue performing a function performed in support of the trial court only if:

(a)  The chief judge of the circuit has consented in writing to the discontinuance or substantial modification of the function performed in support of the trial court; or

(b)  The clerk of court has given written notice of the intention to substantially modify or discontinue a function performed in support of the trial court at least 1 year before the effective date of the discontinuance or substantial modification of the function.

(2)  "Substantial modification" of a function performed in support of the trial court means a modification which has the effect of reducing the level of services provided to the trial court.

History.--s. 13, ch. 2005-236.