Fee Schedule

The Clerk of Circuit Court is required by Florida Statutes to charge for services rendered by the office in recording documents, instruments, and in performing the duties enumerated. All checks are made payable to KAREN NICOLAI, CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT.

All fees effective 7/1/2008

COURTS DIVISION

CIRCUIT CIVIL
a. Upon the filing of a civil action that exceeds $15,000 or proceedings in the Circuit Court,
the plaintiff shall pay a fee of 		$300.00
b. Cross-Claim, Counter Claim or Third-Party Complaint $295.00
c. Counter Petition for Dissolution of Marriage $392.50
d. Domestic Violence
Repeat Violence 		No Cost
No Cost
e. Dissolution, Marriage $408.00
f. Dissolution, Simplified $408.00
g. Pro Se Packets - Simplified
No Children , No Property
Property, No Children
With Minor Children
Modification of Child Support
Modification of Visitation/Custody 		$20.00
$19.00
$21.00
$26.00
$19.00
$20.00
h. Severance fee (if granted) $18.00
i. Each named defendant over five (5), per defendant $2.50
j. Exemplification Certificate $7.00
k. For Issuing a Summons (each) $10.00
l. For issuing & filing subpoena not otherwise provided herein (including writing, preparing, signing and sealing) $7.00
m. Signing & Sealing only $2.00
n. Notice Lis Pendens: (Recording Fee) First page $5.00   
Additional page
$4.00
o. Per name after first four (4) named litigants $1.00
p. Certification $2.00
q. Copies (court files), per page $1.00
r.Sheriff's fee (per summons) $20.00
s. Clerk fee for Foreclosure Sales $70.00
t. Medical Extension $42.00
u. Foreign Judgment, Issue Execution on $42.00
v. Eminent Domain Deposit $170.00
w. Reopen Fee (Effective July 1, 2003) $50.00
x. Postal charges incurred by the Clerk in any mailing by certified or registered mail shall be paid by the party at whose instance the mailing is made

CHILD SUPPORT
a. Certification of Support Balance $1.65
b. Support Case History, per page $.15
c. Clerk fee, per payment 4% (minimum $1.00/
maximum $5.25)
d. Certification of monies paid (preparation, signing & sealing) $7.00

PROBATE / MENTAL HEALTH
Except when otherwise provided, the service charges (fees) for the following services shall be:
a. For the opening of any estate of one document or more, including but not limited to petitions and orders to approve settlement of minors' 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 non-resident, determination of homestead but not to include issuance of letters or order of summary and family administration. $116.00
b. Caveat/Notice of Trust $41.00
c. Petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies transcripts to record, homestead $116.00
d. For disposition of personal property without administration $116.00
e. Summary administration - Estates less than $1,000 $120.00
f. Summary administration - Estates $1,000 or more $230.00
g. Formal administration, ancillary, curatorship or conservatorship proceedings $285.00
h. Guardianship of person and property $285.00
i. Voluntary guardianship $285.00
j. Guardianship of property $285.00
k. Guardianship of person $120.00
l. Veterans Administration Guardianship $120.00
m. Petition to determine incapacity $116.00
n. Audit inventory ($25,000 or greater) $85.00
o. Audit, Annual Accountings for Guardianship (unless waived by court):
       Estates valued at $25,000 or less
       Estates valued at $25,001 - $100,000
       Estates valued at $100,001 - $500,000
       Estates valued in excess of $500,000
$20.00
$85.00
$170.00
$250.00
p. Reopen Fee (Effective July 1, 2003) $50.00
q. Will filed only no charge No Charge
r. Pre-need Guardian $7.50
s. Signing & sealing only $2.00
t. Copies (court files), per page $1.00
u. Certification $2.00
v. Mental Health No Charge
w. Petition for Trust $300.00

TRAFFIC
Traffic fines and fees are established by Florida Statutes and County/City Ordinances. If you have received a traffic citation, you must contact the Clerk's office within thirty (30) days from the date you received the citation. One of the following options may apply:
a. Criminal offenses:
1. All criminal traffic citations require a court appearance. If you received a criminal traffic citation, you must appear in County Court on the date and time given to you on your citation to plead to the charges.
b. Civil infractions:
1. mail payment - send a cashier's check, money order or personal check payable to: Clerk of County Court in the amount indicated on the back of the citation. Enclose the yellow copy of the citation to ensure proper credit. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Click here for fees
2. elect to attend and complete a Driver Improvement course and pay the prescribed fee.
3. elect to attend and complete a Child Restraint Offender’s program and pay the prescribed fee.
4. request a court hearing - to plead Not Guilty to the charge, you must complete an Affidavit of Defense form available in the Clerk's office.

CIVIL ACTIONS - COUNTY COURT
Upon the filing of a small claims action or proceeding in County Court, the plaintiff shall pay the following fees:
a. For Small Claims from $0.01 - $99.99 $55.00
b. For Small Claims from $100.00 - $500.00 $80.00
c. For Small Claims from $500.01 - $2,500.00 $175.00
d. For Small Claims from $2,500.01 - $5,000.00 $300.00
e. For County Civil Actions from $5,000.01 - $15,000.00 $300.00
f. Additional fee for each defendant over five (5), per defendant $2.50
g. Copies (court files) per page $1.00
h. Issuing a Summons (each) $10.00
i. Each named defendant over five (5), per defendant $2.50
j. Cross-Claim, Counter Claim or Third Party Claim if relief sought is greater than $2,500.00 $295.00
k. For issuing & filing subpoena not otherwise provided herein (including writing, preparing, signing & sealing) $7.00
l. Signing & sealing only $2.00
m. Certification $2.00
n. Copies (court files), per page $1.00
o. Sheriff's fee (per summons) $20.00
p. Foreign Judgment, Issue Execution on $42.00
q. Reopen Fee
1. Claims not more than $500.00
 $25.00
2. Claims more than $500.00
 $50.00
r. Removal of tenant action $270.00
s. Postage charges incurred by the Clerk in any mailing by certified or registered mail shall be paid by the party at whose instance the mailing is made

APPEALS
a. Charges for Notice of Appeal (NOA) from County Court to Circuit Court
(There is an additional charge for recording a Civil NOA & Order based on current recording charges) 		$281.00
b. Charges for Notice of Appeal from Circuit Court to Appellate Court:
*1. Check to Clerk of Appellate Court - fee payable to the appropriate agency
 $300.00
2. Check to Clerk of Circuit Court
 $100.00
c. Charges for filing a Notice of Cross-Appeal, Notice of Joinder or Motion to Intervene $295.00
d. Preparing, numbering and indexing of original record of appellate proceedings, per instrument $3.50
e. Certifying transcripts of records $5.00/page
f. Exemplification Certificate $7.00
g. Copies (court files) per page $1.00

MARRIAGE LICENSES
a. Solemnizing matrimony $30.00
b. Marriage license (includes certified copy)
1. If the Premarital class is attended
 $61.00
2. If the Premarital class is NOT attended
 $93.50

PASSPORTS
Applications for passports are received and processed in all Courthouses. The following fees apply:
*a. U.S. State Dept. Fee - adult, Ages 16 and older (fee payable to appropriate agency) $75.00
*b. U.S. State Dept. Fee - Ages 15 and under (fee payable to appropriate agency) $60.00
c. Clerk's fee $25.00

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
RECORDING DIVISION
1. Preparation of instruments for recording - since changes cannot be made once the instrument has been recorded, please check the following:
a. Clear, black print or typing for best reproduction or photographing.
b. A 3-inch square has been reserved at the top right-hand corner on the first page and a 1-inch by 3-inch space at the top right-hand corner on each subsequent page for use by the Clerk of the Court.
c. Date the body of the instrument.
d. Grantee and grantor mailing addresses, if transfer of interest in real estate.
e. Affix the name and address of person to whom instrument is to be returned on the front of the instrument.
f. On all instruments by which the title to real estate or any interest therein or lien thereon is conveyed, created, encumbered, assigned or otherwise disposed of, the name and address of the person who prepared the instrument must be printed, typewritten or stamped on the face of the instrument in a legible manner. (Instruments executed or acknowledged outside of the State, or before January 1, 1968, are exempt.)
g. Description of real or personal property, if any.
h. Signatures should agree with names in the body of the instrument and should be legible and correctly spelled. Names must be printed, typewritten or stamped below signature.
i. Signatures to be attested by two witnesses (transfer of any property). Names must be printed, typewritten or stamped below signature.
j. Acknowledgement of person(s) executing the instrument.
k. Notary public seal, form of identification, printing of notary's name, and expiration date of notary commission.
l. Corporate seal, if applicable.
m. To ensure fast and efficient handling of all mail transactions, envelopes should be addressed to the attention of the Recording Division, Room 215.
2. Intangible Tax, Class "C", on Real Estate Mortgages: This tax must be paid before the Clerk can accept any mortgage for record, and applies only to mortgages, agreement or contract for deeds, deeds of trust or other liens pertaining to real property.
a. Rate of 2 mills (.002) per dollar on the amount of the mortgage, or the amount financed (i.e. $2.00 on mortgage of $1,000). Amount is computed to the nearest cent (i.e. $1.51 tax on $752.63).
3. State Documentary Tax Stamps: The proper amount of State tax stamps must be affixed to an instrument before it can be recorded. A 3-inch square space for Documentary Stamps and the Clerk's time stamp should be provided at the top right- hand corner of the instrument, otherwise a charge of $8.50 will be made for recording an additional page.
a. Documentary Stamp Tax Rate (F.S. 201.02) - $.70 per $100 consideration applies to the full consideration; this includes existing mortgages. A minimum tax of $.70 is required on all deeds. NOTE: Type or legibly write the "Total Consideration Amount" in the left corner of the deed (or it may be included in the body).
4. State stamps on mortgages, chattel mortgages, financing statements, security agreements, promissory notes, and written obligations to pay money (F.S. 201.08):
a. Rate of tax - $.35 per $100.00, or fraction thereof, on the TOTAL amount of the note or obligation. However, on installment notes, the tax should be computed on the amount financed.
b. On Agreement and Contract for Deeds, Conditional Bills of Sale, Retain Title Contracts, etc., compute the stamps at $.35 per $100.00, or fraction thereof, on the UNPAID BALANCE remaining after down payment.
c. Also, on Agreement and Contract for Deeds, pay Documentary Stamp Tax of $.70 per $100 of total consideration.
d. Stamps must be affixed to all instruments except Financing Statements.
5. Service Charges for Recording (F.S. 28.24): The service charge for recording ALL recordable instruments pertaining to real and personal property and any other miscellaneous papers by photographic process is as follows:
a. One page instrument, 8 ½" x 14"
Each additional page
 $10.00
$8.50
b. Examining, certifying and recording Plats:
One page
Each additional page
$30.00
$15.00
c. For indexing instruments recorded in the official records which contain more than four names
Per additional name

$1.00
d. Issuing Clerk's Certificate
 $7.00
e. Recording a "Notice Lis Pendens":
First page
Each additional page
$5.00
$4.00
6. Tax Deeds
a. Application fee
 $60.00
b. For disbursement of excess proceeds of tax deed sale, first $100 or fraction thereof
 $10.00
7. Miscellaneous Services Charges:
a. Making copies of any instrument in the public records, by photographic process, of not more than 14" x 8 ½", per page
 $1.00
b. Making copies of any instrument in the public records, by photographic process, of more than 14" x 8 ½", per page
 $5.00
c. Copying any instrument in the public records by other than photographic process, per page
 $6.00
d. Certifying copies of any instrument in the public records
 $2.00
e. Searching of records, PER NAME, each year
 $2.00
f. Recording certificate of discharge, separation, or service of veterans (DD 214)
 No Charge
g. Recording "Affidavit of Domicile" (1 page)
 $10.00
h. Preparing "Affidavit of Domicile" (includes oath, administering, attesting and sealing)
 $8.50
i. Oath, administering, attesting and sealing, not otherwise provided for herein
 $3.50
j. Home solicitation permit
 $100.00
k. For making microfilm copies of any public records:
        1. 16mm 100' microfilm roll
        2. 35mm 100' microfilm roll
        3. Microfiche, per fiche
$42.00
$60.00
$3.50
l. Postal charges incurred by the Clerk in any mailing by certified or registered mail shall be paid by the party at whose instance the mailing is made

MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES AND SERVICES
a. Copies (per page) $0.15
b. Computer printouts (per page) $0.15
c. Certifying copies $2.00
d. Audit Services Reports
       1. Color pages (per page)
       2. Binding (per report)
$0.15
$0.75
e. Notary $5.00
f. Copies per page (out of court files) $1.00
g. Value Adjustment Board (VAB) petition filing fee $15.00
h. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) $35.00
i. Citizens’ Financial Report No Charge
j. Capital Debt Report No Charge
k. Fax - local call - Official Records
Fax - local call - Public Records		 $1.00
$0.15
l. Fax - long distance (per page plus cost of copy) - Official Records
Fax - long distance (per page plus cost of copy) - Public Records		 $1.25
$0.40
m. NSF collection fee charged for returned checks
        1. for values up to $50.00
        2. for values $50.01 to $300.00
        3. for values $300.01 to $800.00
        4. for values greater than $800.01
$25.00
$30.00
$40.00
5%
n. Credit card payments are accepted by the Clerk of Circuit Court for Recording and Traffic collections effective August 16, 2002. Debit cards are accepted only with a Visa or MasterCard logo.

OTHER CHARGES and SERVICES
a. Receiving money into Registry of the Court Clerk's fee:
       Percent of the first $500.00
       Percent of balance above $500.01
       Eminent domain actions, per deposit
3%
1.5%
$170.00
b. Writ of Garnishment
       filing fee
       attorney fee
       clerk fee		 $188.00
$85.00
$100.00
$3.00
c. Attachment, replevin & distress filing fee (does not include filing fee based on value of property) $85.00
d. For making copies of any document in the public records (excluding official records or court records), by photographic process, per page of not more than:
       1. 14" x 8 1/2"
       2. To certify above

$0.15
$2.00
e. For making copies of any document in the official or court records, by photographic process, per page of not more than:
        1. 14" x 8 1/2"
        2. To certify above

$1.00
$2.00
f. For copying any instrument in the public records by other than photographic process (photostat) $6.00
g. For searching records, PER NAME, for each year $2.00
h. Exemplification Certificate $7.00
i. Sealing/Expunction of case file
(plus cost of certified copies)		 $42.00
j. Copying of audio/video tapes, per tape $10.00
k. Web access – http://www.clerk.co.hernando.fl.us
Public records are online and available at this website.		 No Cost
l. Transferring Mechanic's Lien to Security:
        1. Issuing of certificate by Clerk
        2. Each additional lien
        3. Recording of Certificate transferring lien to security, one page
        4. Total cash or amount of bond required as security must include:
            a. amount of lien
            b. interest: 3 years at 10%
            c. court costs
        5. DO NOT include recording service charge for certificate with check or bond for security amount. Please submit a separate check.
$20.00
$10.00
$10.00



$500.00
m. Postage - cost of mailing, unless otherwise specified
n. Computer printouts - including but not limited to case histories and payment records (per page) $0.15
o. Bond approval $8.50

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