The Declaration of Domicile is the sworn statement, made under Section 222.17, Florida Statutes, that a person records with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Manatee County to state where their domicile is. The Manatee County Property Appraiser publishes the form, and it belongs among the Manatee County property tax resources because a copy of the recorded declaration must be brought back to the Property Appraiser's office when you file your Homestead Exemption. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published at manateepao.gov.
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What is Declaration of Domicile – Manatee County, FL?
The Declaration of Domicile is a sworn statement, made in conformity with Section 222.17, Florida Statutes, in which a person declares to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Manatee County, Florida, that their domicile is in Florida or in another state.
The form has two parts. The first, For Domiciliaries of the State of Florida, is for a person who resides in and maintains a place of abode in Manatee County and recognizes it as their permanent home and predominant and principal home, even if they keep other places of abode in other states. It asks for the street address, city and zip code of that abode, the place where you formerly resided, and the street address, city, county and state of any other abodes. The second, For Domiciliaries of State Other Than the State of Florida, is for a person whose domicile is in another state; it names that state and lists any place of abode in Florida. That part also lets the person add facts about acts that they do not want read as showing an intention to establish a Florida domicile.
Each part ends with a sworn-and-subscribed block completed by a notarizing or attesting official, by physical presence or online notarization. The document is recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Manatee County. It is not a tax form: the form states in capitals that it is not an application for Homestead Exemption, which is filed with the Property Appraiser.
Who needs to file Declaration of Domicile – Manatee County, FL?
The form is for people who want to put a declaration of domicile on record with the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Which part you complete depends on where your domicile is:
- Domiciliaries of Florida: you reside in and maintain a place of abode in Manatee County, Florida, and intend it as your permanent, predominant and principal home, including if you also keep abodes in other states.
- Domiciliaries of another state: your domicile is in a state other than Florida and you intend to keep it there, whether or not you have a place of abode in Florida.
The Clerk's fee sheet printed with the form also tells you that you will need a copy of the recorded declaration to file your Homestead Exemption with the Property Appraiser. The form has two name and signature spaces in the Florida part and one signature line in the other-state part.
Do not use this form as a homestead application. It states that it is not an application for Homestead Exemption, which you apply for at the Property Appraiser, 915 4th Ave. W., Bradenton.
When to file Declaration of Domicile – Manatee County, FL
The form prints no deadline. The triggering event is the next step it leads to: once you have completed the Declaration of Domicile, it needs to be recorded with the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. If you are going on to file a Homestead Exemption, record the declaration first, because you must bring a copy of the recorded declaration back to the Property Appraiser's office for that filing. The Clerk's Recording office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, so plan your visit within those hours. The form does not say how long a declaration remains in effect or whether it must be renewed.
Documents you need
- Identification acceptable to the notarizing or attesting official: the sworn block records the form of identification you produced, so bring it when the declaration is notarized or attested.
- A copy of the recorded Declaration of Domicile, obtained from the Clerk after recording: needed only if you go on to file a Homestead Exemption with the Property Appraiser.
How to fill out Declaration of Domicile – Manatee County, FL
Choose the part that applies
Complete For Domiciliaries of the State of Florida if your domicile is in Florida, or For Domiciliaries of State Other Than the State of Florida if it is in another state. Leave the other part blank.
Enter your Florida place of abode
In the Florida part, write the street and number, city and zip code of your abode in Manatee County, Florida. The form repeats this address in the bona fide resident statement, so enter it there as well.
List your former residence
After "I formerly resided at", enter the city, county and state of your former residence.
List any other places of abode
Write the street address, city, county and state of any other place or places where you maintain an abode. The form asks for each one.
Print your name and sign
Enter your printed name and your signature in the first name and signature space; the form has a second set of spaces for another person making the declaration. Sign in front of the notarizing or attesting official.
Have the notary block completed
The notarizing or attesting official marks physical presence or online notarization, enters the date, your name and the identification you produced, and signs with title. Do not fill this block in yourself.
Complete the other-state part if it applies
Enter the state of your domicile in both blanks, then list your place of abode in Florida, if any, with street address, city and county. You may add facts about acts you do not want read as intent to establish Florida domicile.
Sign and complete the other-state notary block
Sign on the signature line. The official fills in the state and county, the date, your name, the identification produced, and signs with title.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the addresses and names, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to the Clerk's Recording office as described under How to submit.
How to submit Declaration of Domicile – Manatee County, FL
The Declaration of Domicile is recorded in person with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Manatee County; the form names no other channel.
- Where: the Clerk's Recording office, on the main floor of the Courthouse, 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205.
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Fees: recording fees apply. The fee schedule printed with the form distinguishes a declaration that is already notarized from one to be attested and sealed by the Clerk, and adds a charge for a copy of the recorded declaration. For current amounts, call the Clerk at (941) 749-1800 or see www.manateeclerk.com.
- Payment: the Clerk's Office accepts cash, personal check, Visa and MasterCard.
Ask for a copy of the recorded declaration. If you are filing a Homestead Exemption, take that copy to the Property Appraiser, 915 4th Ave. W., Bradenton; the declaration itself is not a homestead application. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the Declaration of Domicile as a homestead application; the form states that it is not an application for Homestead Exemption.
- Completing the wrong part: the Florida part is for Florida domiciliaries, and the other-state part is for people domiciled outside Florida.
- Not recording the declaration with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, then going to the Property Appraiser without it.
- Leaving without a copy of the recorded declaration, which you must bring back to the Property Appraiser's office to file your Homestead Exemption.
- Arriving at the Recording office with a declaration that is neither already notarized nor to be attested and sealed by the Clerk; the fee schedule covers only those two cases.
- Leaving out former residence or other places of abode, which the Florida part asks you to list with street address, city, county and state.
- Arriving outside the Recording office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Planning to pay by a method the Clerk does not list; it accepts cash, personal check, Visa and MasterCard.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Declaration of Domicile in Manatee County?
It is a sworn statement, made under Section 222.17, Florida Statutes, in which you declare your domicile to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Manatee County. It is notarized or attested, then recorded by the Clerk. It is not a homestead application.
Do I need a Declaration of Domicile for the Manatee County property tax homestead exemption?
The Clerk's fee sheet that comes with the form says you will be required to bring a copy of the recorded Declaration of Domicile to the Property Appraiser's office to file your Homestead Exemption. The exemption itself is applied for at the Property Appraiser, 915 4th Ave. W., Bradenton.
Where do I file a Declaration of Domicile in Manatee County?
Record it with the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Recording office on the main floor of the Courthouse, 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. It is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Is there a fee to record a Declaration of Domicile?
Yes. Recording fees apply, with a separate attestation charge if the Clerk attests and seals it, and a charge for a copy of the recorded declaration. For current amounts call the Clerk at (941) 749-1800. Cash, personal check, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
Does the declaration have to be notarized?
The form has a sworn-and-subscribed block for a notarizing or attesting official, by physical presence or online notarization. The Clerk's fee schedule covers a declaration already notarized and one to be attested and sealed by the Clerk.
Can I use this form if my domicile is in another state?
Yes. The second part of the form, For Domiciliaries of State Other Than the State of Florida, lets you declare your domicile in another state and list any Florida place of abode. The Florida part is for Florida domiciliaries.
Can I fill out the Declaration of Domicile online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not record it: you still bring it, notarized or to be attested, to the Clerk's Recording office. FillingPDF is not connected to Manatee County.
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