Martin County Contacts
Martin County Goverment Site
Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Martin County Economic Development
Martin County Libraries
Martin County Property Appraiser
Martin County Sheriff
Martin County Supervisor of Elections
Martin County Tax Collector
Martin County School Board
Martin County Travel & Tourism
Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce
City of Hobe Sound
City of Indiantown
City of Jensen Beach
City of Palm City
City of Stuart
Town of Jupiter Island
Town of Ocean Breeze
Town of Seawalls Point
New Comer Contacts/Resources
There are certain requirements mandated by federal, state and local laws that newcomers must comply with to become permanent residents. The following information will help with you transformation to a Martin County Resident.
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:
Martin County 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 mustf 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.
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.
Martin County Tax Collector
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.
Martin County Tax Collector
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:
Martin County 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.
Electric
Florida Power & Light Co.
1-800-226-3545
Television Service
Comcast
1495 NW Britt Road
Stuart, FL
1-800-266-2278
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.
Stuart Community Services Indiantown Company
121 SW Flagler Ave. 15501 SW Famel Ave
Stuart, FL Indiantown, FL
(772) 288-5332 (772) 597-2121
Waste Management Waste Pro
7700 SE Bridge Road 4100 Selvitz Road,
Hobe Sound, FL Ft. Pierce, Fl 34981
(772) 546-7700 (772) 595-9390
Taxes
As a newcomer to Florida. there may be differences in tax laws, e.g. there is no State Inheritance Tax. There is also no State Income Tax, but you should consult your attorney, tax advisor, or Trust Officer to take advantage of any tax savings. For additional information on any Florida tax, contact:
Florida Dept. of Revenue
900 Prima Vista Blvd. Suite 300
Port St. Lucie, FL
(772) 871-7620
Sales Tax
The State Sales Tax is six percent (6%) of the total amount of any sale. Until 2010, Martin County's sales tax is calculated at 6.5% - with the extra .5% going to park and land acquistion. However, medicines, medical services and most food items are exempt.
Tangible Tax
Business property is subject to Florida's Tangible Tax, which includes everything used in performance of your business except Real Estate itself All businesses, whether individuals, partnerships or corporations, which control, manage, lease or own any tangible personal property such as furniture, equipment, computers, machines, etc., must file a Tangible Tax Return prior to April I of each year. Failure to do so will result in a fine.Water
Stuart Water Dept. Martin County Utilities
123 Flagler Street 2203 S.E. Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL Stuart, FL
(772) 288-5300 (772) 221-1389
Indiantown Company
15925 S.W. Warfield Boulevard
Indiantown, FL
(772) 597-2121
Licensing of Pets
All dogs and cats must be licensed. To obtain a license, you must bring proof of rabies vaccination.
Martin County Tax Collector
Court House Complex
100 East Ocean Blvd.
Stuart, FL
(772) 288-5595
Telephone (Residential):
AT&T Indiantown Telephone System
700 Northpoint Parkway, Ste. 410 15925 S.W. Warfield Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL Indiantown, FL
(888) 757-6500 (772) 597-2111
Hospital
Martin Memorial 772-287-5200
Martin Memorial-South 772-223-2300
Martin County Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
Martin County Health Department 772-221-4000
Veterans Services 772-288-5448 or 1-800-282-8821
Senior Services:
Council on Aging (772) 223-7800
Elder Helpline (772) 223-7808
Community Coach (772) 283-1814
Log Cabin Senior Center, Langford Park (772) 334-2926
Meals on Wheels (772) 223-7800
Social Security Administration (772) 336-2960
Newspapers:
The Stuart News, daily/morning (772) 287-1550
Port St. Lucie News (772) 337-5800
The Palm Beach Post/Stuart Bureau, daily/morning (772) 286-5151
The Miami Herald, daily/morning (800) 288-3111
Indiantown News, weekly (772) 597-4243
Business Journal of the Treasure Coast (772) 562-1577
Martin County Forum (772) 335-4700
Information provided by the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce