Recently the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced a series of rule changes affecting customers who need to obtain vehicle registrations, driver licenses and commercial driver licenses. Below is a synopsis of the changes and when they take effect.

September 23, 2024
Vehicle Registration
Defines “valid passport”

As of September 23, 2024, customers filing an application for a vehicle registration must provide a valid driver license or identification card issue by the state of Florida, or a valid passport which is now defined as:

1. An unexpired passport or passport card issued by the United States government; or
2. An unexpired passport issued by the government of another country with:
   • A stamp or mark affixed by the United States Department of Homeland Security onto the passport to evidence and authorize lawful presence in the United States; or
   • An unexpired I-94 or current permanent resident card, or unexpired immigrant visa, issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

October 1, 2024
Driver License and ID Card
Changes to residential address requirements

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has revised the policy on providing proof of residential address for issuing credentials. Starting October 1, 2024, customer must now provide either:

1. Two (2) proofs of address in their own name; or
2. Two (2) proofs of address in the name of someone they live with (called the “certifier”) along with the completed Certification of Address form (3 documents total). If the customer is providing a Certification of Address form, the certifier either must be with them in person at the time of the transaction, or the form must be notarized.
   • When using proof in someone else’s name, one of the two proofs provided MUST be a deed, mortgage statement, or lease agreement to prove that the certifier rents or leases the property.
   • The second proof of address must be one of the following:
     • Florida Voter Registration Card
     • Selective Service Card
     • Florida Vehicle or Vessel Documentation
     • Utility Bills dated within the last 30 days (ex: water, gas, electricity, telephone/cell, cable etc.)
     • Financial Statement dated within the last 30 days (ex: bank, credit card or investment account statements)
     • Professional license issued by a U.S. government agency
     • Employer Documentation dated within the last 30 days (ex: paycheck stub, W-2 form)
     • Insurance policy or bill for Homeowner’s and/or Automobile dated within the last 30 days
     • Documents issued by Federal, State, County or city government agencies dated within last 30 days
     • FDLE Registration form completed by the local sheriff’s office or Department of Corrections dated within the last 30 days

October 7, 2024
Commercial Driver License and Commercial Learner’s Permit
Changes to residence requirements.

Acceptable proof of residential address for a new CLP/CDL (includes upgrade) or an address change on an existing CLP/CDL are as follows:

Two residential address documents from list A or one residential address document from list A and one from list B is required. The documents must have a Florida address in the name of the applicant.

LIST A – Item Presented Must be in the Applicant’s Name

1. A recent lease or rental agreement for the residence with a term of 6 months or greater in the name of the driver.
2. Current Florida voter registration card.
3. Florida Vehicle/Vessel Registration or Title.
4. Current homeowner’s insurance policy or bill.
5. Current utility bill (water, gas, electricity, cable) must be dated within the last 60days.
6. Recent cellular or landline telephone bill (must be dated within the last 60 days).
7. Recent internet service provider bill (must be dated within the last 60 days).
8. Latest property tax bill.
9. Mortgage deed for property in Florida.

LIST B – Item Presented Must be in the Applicant’s Name

1. Latest W-2 form or 1099 form.
2. Recent bank statement (must be dated within the last 60 days).
3. Recent credit card statement (must be dated within the last 60 days).
4. Latest military orders or documents.
5. Recent pay stub (must be dated within the last 60 days).
6. Recent official government documents (must be dated within the last 60 days).

CLP/CDL applicants unable to provide a proof of residential address from list A, must provide a Declaration of Domicile filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and one proof of residential address document from list B.

CLP/CDL applicants cannot use a Certification of Address (HSMV-71120) for licensure.

On July 31, 2024, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will begin implementing legislation which amends Florida Statute 322.14 (1)(a) and requires the distinguishing numbers assigned to a driver license or identification card to include at least four randomly generated numbers. This new system aims to improve security and safeguard individuals’ identities.

While the license or identification card format will remain the same, a different formula utilizing randomization will now be used to determine the driver license numbers assigned to a customer. Customers renewing or replacing their license or identification cards in person or online will be issued a new number. Those applying for a first-time license or identification card will be issued a card that meets the new statutory requirements.  No action needs to be taken until a customer needs to renew or replace a license.

Once the new number has been issued, it will only change again if the customer’s last name changes. Any new credential, printed report or receipt will display the newly generated driver license or identification number.

FLHSMV offers a quick, convenient way to renew a driver license or ID card online at MyDMV Portal if eligible.

Customers must go into an office:

• If a customer used the online convenience service on their last renewal.
• If a customer is not REAL ID compliant.
• If a customer wishes to update their photo.
• If the customer changes their name using an original or certified court order or marriage certificate.
• If a customer wishes to add or remove a designation or has a court order to update their credential.
• If a customer is getting a Florida driver license or ID card for the first time.
• If the customer holds a commercial driver license.
• If the license has the word “TEMPORARY” printed on it.

Please visit our ‘What to Bring’ page for information regarding what to bring to renew or replace a credential.

Read the full FLHSMV article here.

The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office is dedicated to delivering 5-star service and ensuring all customers have access to convenient and efficient ways to manage their transactions.

To better understand the needs and preferences of our community, we have launched a survey to gather feedback regarding our online services.

We recognize that many residents prefer the convenience of online transactions, yet some still choose to visit our offices in person. By participating in this brief survey, customers can help us identify the reasons behind these preferences so we can plan for the future.

We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey, whether you are a regular user of our online services or have never tried them before. To participate, please visit our survey website.

Your feedback is essential in helping us create a more efficient, secure, and user-friendly experience.

June, 2024

In an effort to continue saving customers time and provide added convenience, the Lee County Tax Collector has launched the online sale of specialty license plates.

With causes ranging from education to environment, sports to health, Florida offers more than 100 different specialty plates on behalf of various organizations. The money raised from their sale goes directly to the organization. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, since inception, millions of dollars have been raised.

With the launch of online sales at LeeTC.com, buying these specialty plates has never been easier. The platform allows customers to view the designs and select their preferred option, paying by credit card, debit card or e-check. Once the order is placed, the plate is mailed directly to them. Customers can even purchase them as gifts for others.

“We know time is precious,” says Tax Collector Noelle Branning. “This new platform provides convenience for our customers, allowing us to deliver 5-star service quickly and efficiently, which is our mission.”

Including the purchase of specialty plates, customers can also renew their vehicle registration, pay their property taxes, apply for and renew a business tax receipt, buy specialty plate vouchers and in some cases, renew their driver license online through LeeTC.com/pay-online. Customers can also run reports for Real Estate and Business Tax.

April 2024

Need to print a property tax receipt?

You can do that in three simple steps:

1. Visit our property tax payment website.
2. Enter your name or address in the search field and select your record. The Account History will display the tax year and show paid.
3. You can download your receipt by clicking Print (PDF). You can save it to your computer or send it to your printer if you want a hard copy.

Lee County Tax Collector’s Lehigh Acres Office Relocating to Better Serve Residents

We’re moving! The Lee County Tax Collector is moving its Lehigh Acres Service Center to a new location, effective March 19, 2024. This move comes as part of our ongoing commitment to enhance services and accessibility for residents.

The new office, located at 600 Homestead Road South is a state-of-the-art facility with modern amenities. Designed to provide a more efficient and comfortable experience for customers, the 9,640 square foot office will offer assistance with property tax payments, driver licenses and ID cards, titles and registrations, disabled parking permits, hunting and fishing licenses and birth certificates. HazMat fingerprinting will be added to the list of services later this spring.

“I am incredibly excited about the relocation of our Lehigh Acres office,” says Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector. “This move underscores our dedication to serving the needs of our residents with exceptional levels of service from our knowledgeable staff. I truly believe it will change the way people feel about our office and how we deliver service.”

Our current office on Lee Boulevard will close at 5pm on Thursday, March 14, with the new office opening at 8:30am on March 19. During the transition customers are encouraged to visit our website, LeeTC.com, or another branch office, to complete their transactions.

February 26, 2024

Need some new bling for the front of your car? Buy a decorative tag designed by fifth graders in the School District of Lee County!

The Lee County Tax Collector and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools have opened the online ordering portal LeeTC.com/Kids-Tag-Art/2023-24. The portal features 3,460 student designs from 42 different schools. All proceeds from the sales go back to participating art teachers to purchase supplies and introduce new techniques, like 3D art, to their students.

Kids Tag Art was started in Lee County in 2016 and inspires fifth grade students to design their own license plates fashioned after Florida’s specialty plate program. Students learn how these license plates support deserving causes, like environmental protection, health initiatives and public education. Then their designs are turned into tags that can be placed on the front of a vehicle or on a bike. Key fobs, mouse pads and mugs are also available.

Since the program’s inception, more than $200,000 have been raised and given to participating art teachers in Lee County.

The Philanthropist Sponsor for Kids Tag Art is Suncoast Credit Union. Other sponsors include Lee County Electric Co-op (LCEC), Edison Bank/Bank of the Islands, Grant Street Group, First Horizon, Dprint, JP Morgan, and The Community Foundation providing additional funding to support our teachers.

It’s that time of year when real estate property tax notices are mailed to property owners throughout Lee County.

Annual taxes are determined using the following calculation:

All the above components are listed on your tax bill, you just need to know where to look.

Let’s work through the bill using this handy guide, starting from the upper left corner. There, your Account Number and Alternate Key are listed. Those will be useful if you need to contact our office, or the Property Appraiser’s Office.

To the right of the Account Number, are the site address and legal description of the property. Any changes to those will need to be made by contacting the Property Appraiser’s Office at www.leepa.org or 239-533-6100.

Moving further to the right is a QR Code. Scanning that code with your mobile phone’s camera will take you directly to your online account where you can pay your taxes.

Furthest to the right, in the upper corner of the bill is a list of exemptions and their values. If you have questions about these, please contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at www.leepa.org or 239-533-6100.

The center of the page has a list of Levying Authorities along with their telephone numbers and rates. Any questions about the rates or services provided, need to be answered by calling the Levying Authority directly.

About 2/3 of the way down the page, on the right, above the perforation line, you will see the total amount of Ad Valorem and Non-Ad Valorem Taxes.

However, if paid early, there is a discount on that amount. Taxes paid in November receive a 4% discount, December a 3% discount, January a 2% and February is a 1% discount. Those amounts are reflected in the payment box on the bottom right of the notice.

Simply check the box next to the amount you wish to pay, tear off the coupon and return it, along with payment, in the envelope provided.

You can also pay online by scanning the QR code at the top of the bill, or by going to www.LeeTC.com and clicking Pay Online.

For additional guidance on which office to call with questions, please refer to the chart below, located on the back of the notice.

Once tax payments are received, my office is responsible for distributing the dollars to the Levying Authorities.

Thank you for allowing me and my team to assist you. It is an honor.

Noelle Branning
Lee County Tax Collector
www.LeeTC.com

 

They’re neither a trick nor a treat, just a reality.

Today, more than 562,000 tax bills are being mailed to property and business owners in Lee County. For those who signed up to receive their bill via email, those will be sent tomorrow, November 1, 2023.

These bills reflect the value of the property as of January 1, 2023, when Florida law required them to be assessed.

Tax payments are due by March 31, 2024, but discounts are given if paid early. Taxes paid in November receive a 4% discount, in December a 3% discount, in January a 2% discount and in February a 1% discount.

“This year’s tax collections are expected to be more than $2.2 billion before discount,” shared Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector. “All dollars collected by our office are turned around and distributed to the Levying Authorities in Lee County to pay for services including fire rescue and law enforcement, and infrastructure such as schools, roads, parks, and utilities.”

This year’s tax bill has been redesigned to be easier to read and understand. In addition, resources have been created to help property owners better understand how Florida’s property tax system works, how to read a tax notice and most importantly, who to call with questions about a tax bill.

“It is our mission to deliver 5-star service to our customers,” explains Branning. “These new resources will help property owners find the answers they need quickly and pay their bills with efficiency.”

Tax bills can be paid online at LeeTC.com, via mail, over the phone, or in person at one of our six locations either by drop box, or by meeting with a customer service representative.

Property owners whose property taxes are paid through an escrow account should contact their mortgage company for information about the company’s plan for remitting escrowed property tax payments.

One of the most frustrating parts of coming to a Tax Collector’s Office, is realizing that you do not have the documents you need to complete your transaction.

Unfortunately, there is not a “one list fits all” approach for Motor Vehicle and Driver License services. The documents you need depend on what you want to accomplish.

In order to make things a little easier, we created these direct links to pages on our site that list what you need to bring.

• Driver License / Identification Card
• Vehicle Titles and Registrations 
• Vessel Titles and Registrations
• Mobile Home Titles and Registrations
• Trailer Titles and Registrations
• Heavy Truck Registrations
• Concealed Weapon License 

Recently the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles implemented new document rules for registrations, driver licenses and commercial driver licenses. Make sure to review this information as well.

When you get to one of our offices, check with our representative at the Customer Care Cart who will go through your documents to ensure that you have everything.

If you forgot something, no worries. As long as we don’t need the original, you can fax us or email us a copy. You can also print it using our public printer.

We hope that these resources create efficiency and enhance your experience with our office!