COVID-19 (Coronavirus Pandemic)

The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and is taking all precautionary actions as recommended by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The Florida Department of Health is providing a dashboard, updated twice daily, tracking COVID-19 cases in the state. Additionally, Pasco County is providing resources about countywide closures, cancellations, and postponements. 

We care about our customers, partners, and teammates and we encourage the use of our online and telephone resources that make it possible to self-quarantine while accomplishing important business. Those who need to resolve issues, pay fines, check on public records, or track court events will find these options and more at their fingertips. Many of the services listed below are linked through our website.

Most common services available on our website

The options described above are intended to be thorough, but not exhaustive. In our ongoing mission to #ServeAndConnect, we encourage you to contact us if you are unable to find what you are looking for. You may save yourself a trip, and that’s always a good thing – but better still with the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

If you are unable to perform your specific task through one of our online or telephone resources, our Office locations remain open during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Updates on specific programs or services


Courts 

(UPDATED 6/16/2020) Jury trials in Florida have been suspended until July 26 in an administrative order issued by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Cannady June 16. Citizens summoned during this period need not report; their jury commitment will be considered fulfilled for a calendar year.

(Updated 6/9/2020) Jury trials in Florida have been suspended until July 17 in an emergency order issued by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Cannady June 8. Also affected: grand jury proceedings. The statewide panel investigating school violence in Florida is suspended through July 26.

A second new amended order governs an ongoing remote civil jury trial pilot program. It requires trial-court circuits participating in the pilot program to report findings and recommendations by October 2.

Additionally, Chief Justice Canady ordered writs of possession postponed through June 30. This matches Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent order blocking law enforcement from serving possession summons through the end of June.

(Updated 5/4/2020) Jury trials in Florida have been suspended until July 2 in an emergency order issued May 4. 

Acting on the recommendations of a statewide Court Continuity Workgroup, Chief Justice Charles Canady’s order also increases the list of proceedings state courts will accomplish by remote technology during the coronavirus pandemic.

Future extensions will be considered if needed.

(Updated 4/6/2020) Florida’s Chief Justice Charles Canady issued an emergency order April 6 suspending jury trials in Florida and extending other state legal deadlines through the end of May because of the COVID-19 public health emergency. This action lengthens a prior order that had set the ending date for emergency pandemic court procedures at mid-April.

The April 6 order combines provisions of several previous administrative orders into a single document. It emphasizes the need for courts to continue applying social distancing and to use remote technology to help keep people safe while also honoring legal requirements. Read more about the order.

(Updated 3/31/2020) To reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus at in-person court proceedings, Florida Chief Justice Charles Canady suspended speedy trial deadlines in noncriminal traffic infraction cases via a March 30 administrative order. Under the order, speedy trial deadlines for traffic infractions will be suspended at least through Monday, April 20, subject to further extensions required by the public health emergency. However, Florida judges also are allowed to conduct traffic infraction cases during the emergency using remote electronic means if possible.

(Updated 3/31/2020) Health-related limitations have been imposed on court-ordered child and family visitation through April 17 for children under the protective supervision of the Department of Children and Families, per Florida Chief Justice Charles Canady’s March 27 administrative order.

Under the order, child and family visitation under circuit court orders entered under Chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes will be conducted by video or other electronic means unless all parties agree that in-person visitation does not pose a health threat. If video visitation is not possible, telephone visitation will be used. The order applies to parent-child visitation, sibling visitation, and visitation between children and other family members and nonrelatives.

(Updated 3/27/2020) Noting that setting bond essentially would nullify the intent of COVID-19 emergency provisions, Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino ordered bond suspended for violations of quarantine or isolation constraints.

(Updated 3/24/2020) The Florida Supreme Court has extended suspension of grand jury proceedings and jury selection through April 17. If you have recently received a jury summons, you do NOT need to report for service. Your jury service is considered fulfilled for one year. Read the complete order, which includes a broad array of emergency directives. Chief Justice Charles Canady elaborates and explains on video.

The Court intends to minimize the number of people in the courthouses as provided by the latest Supreme Court and Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Administrative Orders by implementing the following measures where possible:

  • Focus on “mission critical” cases only.
  • Civil cases will be conducted electronically and by telephone.
  • Criminal cases will be conducted by video.
  • Jury trials are suspended until further notice.

More information can be found on the following websites:

To assist with over-the-phone access to court services, you have the following options via our Courts Call Center:

  • Get answers to court-related questions on Criminal, Jury, Traffic, Civil, Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health, and Child Support cases.
  • Request copies or certified copies of court records.
  • Make debit or credit card payments for copies, record searches, traffic infractions, court fines, court costs, escrow deposit payments, and filing fees for Civil and Probate.
  • Clear driver’s license suspensions upon payment.

Our Call Centers are populated by knowledgeable deputy clerks eager to serve and connect. Reach them at (352) 521-4542 or (727) 847-8031 and choose the appropriate option: (1) Criminal/Jury, (2) Traffic, (3) Civil, (4) Probate/Guardianship/Mental Health, (5) Child Support.

Legal Resource Centers

Our Legal Resource Centers are open. While the following examples and certain other actions must be completed in person, you will spend less time in our office by obtaining the forms online, printing them, and filling them out prior to your arrival:

  • Domestic violence injunctions
  • Baker Acts
  • Marchman Acts
  • Child support
  • Dissolution of marriage
  • Landlord/Tenant action
  • View the complete list

Official Records

(Updated 4/3/2020) Evictions and foreclosures are suspended for 45 days in Florida in response to the COVID-19 emergency, the result of an order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Tampa Bay Times has details. Unaffected: Because they are not foreclosures or evictions, per se, tax-deed sales will go forward as scheduled. The next sale is set for April 23.

Additionally, our Office continues to receive and begin to process new applications for foreclosure, issuing them only after Gov. DeSantis ends the suspension.

Both locations are open and most services can be accessed online or over the phone. Due to Passport Services in Miami closing to the public as of March 19, expedited passport applications will not be accepted. The Clerk’s Office remains fully operational and will be accepting routine passport applications. However, the normal processing times for passports may be impacted. 

For questions related to official records, passports, marriage licenses, or tax deed sales, call (352) 521-4408 or (727) 847-8086.

Board Records

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has suspended board meetings and other official meetings through April 17. Certain information can be found online. Copy requests and some audio recordings (depending on size) may be sent electronically through email.

For questions related to board records, call (352) 521-4345.

Finance

The Finance Department remains open. Almost all the services performed by the Finance Department can be accessed online. 

For questions related to Finance, call (352) 521-4566.