Residency
Under Florida law, you automatically establish residency when being employed, enrolling children in school or registering to vote. You may document your residency by obtaining a notarized Declaration of Domicile from:

Clerk of the Circuit Court - Recording Department
Court House Complex
100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart
(772) 288-5551

Driver's License
You must obtain a Florida Driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency. You will be required to take the vision and written exams, even if you already have a license from another state. You must have two forms of identification to prove your date of birth. Your license expires on your birthday.

Florida law requires that front seat occupants in vehicles wear seat belts. Children six years and older must wear seat belts wherever they are seated, while children four and five may use seat belts or a federally approved restraint seat. Children under four must be in a federally approved child restraint seat. Violators will be fined. The driver is responsible for passengers and Florida law also prohibits any open container of alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.

Beginning January 1, 2010, federal law requires new documentation standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards in accordance with the Real ID Act. Ruth Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector, recommends that all motorists visit <http://www.GatherGoGet.com> to get their own personalized list of required documentation, regardless of when their driver's license expires, so they learn what they need and have time to locate their required documents. Individuals must present a document trail that links their current name to their chosen proof of identity. For office visits, drivers must bring original documents that prove their identity, social security number, and residential address.

You MUST visit an office with these documents:
* if you are applying for your first driver license or identification card
* When your current credential expires and you have already used the one-time "convenience" renewal option
* If you legally change your name (eg: by marriage or divorce)
If none of these apply you can renew online or by mail. Remember: if you visit an office to obtain a driver license or ID card after January 1, 2010, you will need to meet the new requirements.

The Martin County Tax Collector has assumed responsibility for issuing driver licenses in Martin County. You may visit the following locations for these services:

Hobe Sound Office, 11734 SE Federal Hwy., Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Palm City Office, 3003 NW Martin Downs Blvd., Palm City, FL 34990
Stuart Main Office, 3485 SE Willoughby Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994

Appointments are suggested for all testing. Please contact:

Martin County Driver License Bureau
Information: (772) 564-6136
Appointments: (772) 546-7097

Vehicle License Plates
When you establish residency in Florida, you also must obtain Florida license plates or tags for your vehicles. Bring your title, registration, and proof of insurance to the Tag Office at the Tax Collector's Office at which time an odometer reading will also be taken. In addition to the standard tags, a number of specialty tags are available at an additional charge. Your tag expires on your birthday.

Tax Collector's Office
Court House Complex
100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart
(772) 288-5595

Boat Registration
Motorboats and sailboats used in Florida waters, unless registered in another state and used less than 90 days, must be registered. Call the Tax Collector's Office at the number below for particulars.

Tax Collector's Office
Court House Complex
100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart
(772) 288-5595

Local Boating Information
For local inlet conditions, daily offshore conditions, tidal information and much more please call:

SeaTow of the Treasure Coast
(772) 288-2900

Register to Vote
Permanent residents of Florida who are US citizens 18 years old or over can register to vote. Registration books close 30 days prior to each election. If you plan to be out of town, you can obtain an absentee ballot from the Supervisor of Elections. They can explain the rules pertaining to voting in Primary and General elections. In 1997, the FIorida Legislature revised the method of Jury selection. Jury panels are now selected from the Florida Driver's License data and no longer from the registered voter data. For information and location to register call:

Supervisor of Elections
Main Office: 135 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994
Mail Address: P.O. Box 1257, Stuart, FL 34995
(772) 288-5637 FAX (772) 288-5765

Post Office
Pick up a change of address kit from your local Post Office. If you do not have a forwarding address, the Post Office will allow general delivery up to 30 days. The Post Office must be notified to start delivery at a new address. Post Office box rentals are available at the Post Office or from private companies in the area. Branch Post Offices are located in the following areas of Martin County Jensen Beach, Stuart, Port Salerno, Hobe Sound, Palm City and Indiantown. The telephone number for the Stuart Main Post Office is (772) 288-0846.

Utilities
There are several utility companies servicing Martin County. They will serve your needs for electricity, telephone, water, cable/wireless television and trash pickup.

Some utilities will arrange service over the phone-, others require a visit to their offices. Ask if you can obtain a waiver of deposit by bringing a letter of reference from your current utility company.

Water

Stuart Water Dept.
123 Flagler Street
Stuart, FL
(772) 288-5300

Martin County Utilities
2203 S.E. Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL
(772) 221-1389

Indiantown Company
15925 S.W. Warfield Boulevard
Indiantown, FL
(772) 597-2121

Telephone

AT&T
700 Northpoint Parkway, Ste. 410
West Palm Beach, FL
(888) 757-6500

Indiantown Telephone System
15925 S.W. Warfield Boulevard
Indiantown, FL
(772) 597-2111

Electric

Florida Power & Light Co.
1-800-226-3545

Television Service

Comcast
1495 NW Britt Road
Stuart, FL
1-800-266-2278

Satellite Plus LLC
882 S.W. Falcon Street
Palm City, FL
(772) 223-9511

Sanitation
In the City of Stuart, sign a billing notice at the Stuart City Hall to arrange for garbage pickup.
In other areas, call the local company to arrange pickup.

Freedom Waste Services
789 NE Dixie Hwy.
Jensen Beach, FL
(772) 334-9700

Indiantown Company
15501 SW Famel Ave
Indiantown, FL
772) 597-2121

Stuart Community Services
121 SW Flagler Ave.
Stuart, FL
(772) 288-5332

Waste Management
7700 SE Bridge Rd.
Hobe Sound, FL
(772) 546-7700

Waste Pro
4100 Selvitz Road
Fort Pierce, FL
(772) 595-9390

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