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Special Announcement

U.S. Passport Execution Fee Will Increase in April

If you have always wanted a passport, now may be the best time to apply for one at the Manatee County Clerk’s Office before the passport execution fee goes up. This fee, which is administered and set by the U.S. Department of State, is increasing in the near future. Effective April 2, 2018, the U.S. Department of State is increasing the passport execution fee from $25 to $35. The execution fee only applies to U.S. passport applicants using the DS-11 form, such as first-time applicants over 16, children under 16, and applicants who re-apply after reporting their previous passport lost or stolen. The passport $10 fee increase does not apply to adults eligible to renew their passports by mail using the DS-82 form. Renewal customers can mail their application and supporting documentation directly to the Department of State.

For your convenience, the Manatee County Clerk of Courts can process a new passport application. When applying, two separate forms of payment are required; one for our office and one for the Department of State. The Clerk’s Office can also take your photo for an additional $16.05 fee.

Media alert: Complimentary shredding day takes place this Saturday
Thursday, April 19, 2018—

WHO and WHAT Weather permitting, the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is sponsoring a complimentary shredding day for Manatee County residents this Saturday.

Individuals (not businesses) will have the opportunity to guard against identity theft and spring clean their personal and confidential documents through ShredQuick, a professional shredding company that provides services to the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

There is no cost for this service. The limit for each family is two standard-sized bankers’ boxes, which are 12 inches by 10 inches by 15 inches in size. No drop-offs will be accepted, and all participants must remain in line with their documents until their documents are placed into a shredding bin to be shredded.
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Beware of Fake Check Scams
Monday, February 26, 2018— The Manatee County Clerk has received a number of calls from individuals who have received unexpected checks for several thousand dollars that purport to be issued by Manatee County. The checks are counterfeit, and may arrive by special delivery or require a recipient’s signature.

We are issuing this Alert to warn the public about "mystery shopper," "modeling" and other job-search scams in which individuals receive checks that appear to be from legitimate companies—including Manatee County.

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Manatee Heritage Days to be held March 1-31, 2018
Manatee-Heritage-Release-2018.pdf Thursday, February 01, 2018— From March 1-31, 2018, the 39th annual Heritage Days celebration will focus on our county’s history. All month long, historical sites and organizations throughout our county will celebrate our community’s heritage by providing opportunities for our area’s residents and visitors to experience the past. Reenactments, special exhibits, lectures, classes, walking tours, open houses and family programming will highlight the month’s events.
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Teen Court/Teen Court Too Volunteer Attorney Training
Friday, October 06, 2017— Volunteers are needed for the Manatee County Teen Court/Teen Court Too Program. Training will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 10am to 3pm at the Manatee Community Foundation. This opportunity is open to youths between the ages of 12-17. Please see attached for more details on how to RSVP.

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Clerk of Court Awarded Certificate of Excellence for Financial Reporting for Manatee County Port Aut
Monday, September 18, 2017—For the 24th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Angel Colonneso with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Manatee County Port Authority’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government agency and its management.
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Clerk Receives Highest Award for Financial Reporting
Monday, September 18, 2017—For the 38th consecutive year, the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office has been awarded with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the County’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. This Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by government and its management.
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Unclaimed Funds
Thursday, July 27, 2017— The Manatee County Clerk's office has completed the unclaimed funds list pursuant to Florida Statute 116.21. These monies were collected in the course of the clerk's court related activities, and have been held by our office for over five years. These funds are considered unclaimed as no claim was made to the monies during the course of the case and/or no court order was entered disbursing the monies. "We hope that citizens will take this opportunity to claim funds that rightfully belong to them," says Manatee Clerk Angelina Colonneso. Claimants have until September 1, 2017 to claim the funds. Any funds not claimed by September 1st will be forfeited and placed into the Clerk's Fine and Forfeiture Fund. The list can be reviewed by following this link on website: http://www.manateeclerk.com/Departments/ClerkAccounting.aspx
Missed Jury Duty scam alert
Thursday, June 08, 2017—Angelina Colonneso, Manatee County Clerk of Court, would like to warn Manatee County residents that there is a telephone scam occurring in our community where a caller claims that you missed jury duty. The caller will claim to be an official with the Clerk's office or a local law enforcement agency and tell you that you are facing arrest and jail time unless you cooperate.

The caller will then attempt to "authenticate" your identity by asking for personal information like your date of birth and social security number, or the caller will tell you that the "bail" can be paid to them in person or by wiring them the money immediately. Some will even offer to take your credit or debit card over the phone to pay the bond so you are not arrested.

If you are summoned for jury duty, you will receive an official notice in the mail from the Manatee County Clerk of Court. And, if you miss jury duty, the Clerk's office will not call or e-mail you asking for payment.
Manatee Clerk Warns of Email Scam
Thursday, June 01, 2017 — Warning: Email scam alert
Manatee County residents, please be on high alert for an email scam that looks like an official court summons. These false emails will often include an attachment or link that may download a virus or attempt to steal your personal information.

If someone has been summoned for jury duty or to appear in court, they’ll receive an official notice in the mail from the Manatee County Clerk of Courts, not an email.
Manatee Clerk Warns of Recorded Deed and Property Assessment Solicitation Letter
Thursday, March 23, 2017—Some Manatee County homeowners are receiving letters from companies offering to sell them a copy of their deed and property assessment profile. These copies are being offered for prices ranging from $50 to $100 per deed. The letters periodically appear in Manatee County and are often concentrated in a specific zip code or neighborhood, so that neighbors receive the letters at the same time.
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Manatee Clerk Child Support Program Community Outreach at the Manatee County Boys and Girls
Wednesday, March 08, 2017—The Manatee County Clerk’s office and Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County are excited to announce that the Child Support Program staff will be available at the Palmetto and DeSoto Boys & Girls Clubs to assist parents and/or caretakers of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ members with any questions or concerns they may have regarding child support. Individual case information or general questions can be answered.
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Attorneys - Please check your forms and documents!
Friday, January 13, 2017—R.B. "Chips" Shore was Manatee County Clerk of Court for 38 years, and many form documents and pleadings created over the years by attorneys that name Mr. Shore as the Clerk of Court --such as Summonses and Proposed Certificates of Sale, Title, and Disbursement - are still being used today. Since Mr. Shore's passing, the Clerk's office has been accepting these documents and asking the filers to update their forms, but this issue still exists and is creating an additional workload for the Clerk's staff as each individual document must be updated. Please check the forms that you use to make sure they are up-to-date. As of March 1, 2017, all documents and pleadings filed with the Manatee County Clerk of Court will need to reflect the clerk as Angelina "Angel" Colonneso or they will be placed in "PENDED" status until they are corrected and resubmitted. Thank you very much for your helping us with this matter.
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Manatee Heritage Days to be held March 1-31, 2017
Thursday, January 12, 2017—From March 1-31, 2017, the 38th annual Heritage Days celebration will focus on our county's history. All month long, historical sites and organizations throughout our county will celebrate our community's heritage by providing opportunities for our area's residents and visitors to experience the past. Reenactments, special exhibits, lectures, classes, walking tours, open houses and family programming will highlight the month's events.
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Kiosk now available at Historic Courthouse for payments
Friday, December 16, 2016—Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Angelina Colonneso is pleased to announce the installation of a kiosk inside the front doors of the Historic Courthouse. The kiosk will allow customers to pay traffic tickets or child support payments without having to go through security or stand in line. The automated kiosk will take credit cards or exact cash. The machine is not able to provide change. There is a $3.00 vendor service fee for up to the first $100 and 3% fee for transactions over $100. The Clerk wanted to give busy customers the option of using the kiosk in order to save time. The kiosk is available during business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Clerk will evaluate the use of the kiosks to determine if there is a need for additional kiosks to be installed in other locations, including a 24 hour availability option. The counter staff remain available to assist customers in making their payments.
New Feature added to assist with Fraudulent Liens Detection
Thursday, November 10, 2016—Angelina Colonneso, Manatee County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is pleased to announce a new Property Notification feature added to the Clerk’s website. This feature allows the public to register their name(s) to receive an email if anyone files any official record against their property. With the rash of fraudulent liens filed against properties, Ms. Colonneso instructed her technology staff to provide a means of notifying and protecting the Manatee County citizens.
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Clerk receives Highest Award for Financial Reporting
Friday, October 14, 2016— For the 37^th consecutive year, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, has been awarded with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the County’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015 for Manatee County reporting and the 17th consecutive year for Manatee County Port Authority. This Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by government and its management.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the GFOA for our reporting. We strive to make our financial reports clear and easy to understand. It’s imperative that taxpayers know how and where their money is being spent and that they feel comfortable with our service and transparency. This report fully discloses the financial decisions and operations of our local government and I’m extremely proud of the Finance team’s work,” says Angel Colonneso.

This report is available on the Internet on the Finance page of the Clerk’s web site, CAFR.