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Crystal K. Kinzel
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
3315 Tamiami Trail East, Ste. 102
Naples, Florida 34112-5324
Phone: (239) 252-2646
Email: Clerk's Administration

 

 

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Announcements

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Press Releases

News Release
November 4, 2024

Collier Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel Recognizes 2024 International Fraud Awareness Week as Fraud Week Ambassador

International Fraud Awareness Week kicks off worldwide on Nov. 17, 2024

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel has been recognized as Fraud Week Ambassador for taking the initiative in promoting fraud awareness and community education for this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week from November 17-23, 2024. This annual effort is led by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier anti-fraud training and education provider. As a member of the ACFE and an official Law Enforcement and Government Alliance (LEGA) partner, the Clerk is supporting this week-long effort in her commitment to combat fraud and other cybercrimes.

Commissioner Burt Saunders is proud to sponsor a Board of County Commissioners proclamation in the upcoming November 12 BCC Meeting, recognizing November 17-23, 2024, as International Fraud Awareness Week and the vital role the Clerk’s Office plays in combating fraud in Collier County.

“In the past year, our Office of Inspector General (OIG) has recorded several cases of phone scams and other fraud complaints targeting members of our community. Fraud has increasingly been a significant issue that puts everyone at risk. Fraud awareness and education are becoming even more crucial to our safety,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, over 880,000 complaints of internet scams have been reported globally, with an estimated total loss of $12.5 billion in 2023 alone. In the United States, Florida is ranked 3rd as the state with the most recorded number of complaints, with 41,061, followed by Texas 47,305 and California 77, 271.

A total loss of $874,000 was recorded in the state of Florida in 2023 due to various forms of fraud, primarily because they may not be educated on fraudsters’ tactics, or they don’t take the necessary measures to help safeguard against scams.  Education is an important part of fraud prevention, the Clerk’s Office has an extensive outreach program, providing guest speakers, educational newsletters, and a complimentary Risk Alert notification system that helps property owners monitor their records.

For more information about increasing awareness and reducing the risk of fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week, explore resources offered by the Collier County Office of Inspector General at CollierClerk.com/inspector-general or visit FraudWeek.com.  

 

News Release
October 7, 2024

Collier County Clerk’s Offices will be closed Tuesday, October 8 through Friday, October 11 for Hurricane Milton

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Comptroller’s Office will be closing its main office and satellite offices between Tuesday, October 8 and Friday, October 11. Additionally, the Clerk’s satellite offices will remain closed on October 14, as previously scheduled.

The Clerk’s IT Department is diligently working to keep web-based services such as e-filing of records, paying court and traffic fines, as well as records research available during the hurricane. While the Collier County Courthouse Annex is built to withstand Category 5 storms to protect the integrity of systems and records, there may be intermittent outages of web-based services depending on the severity of the local impact of Hurricane Milton on utilities and external communication systems. Visit collierclerk.com to access these services.

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel also reminds citizens to be cautious about fraudulent emails and social media messages containing malicious links that are common after major natural disasters. The Clerk’s Office provides a free Risk Alert Notification Program, which allows registered users to easily monitor their property records and report suspicious activities that may lead to fraud. Email and text notifications will be sent to users if the records listed during the registration have been accessed, making it easier to act in protecting their records.

To register, visit collierclerk.com/risk-alert-enrollment and enter a valid email address to receive an email from the “Collier Clerk of Courts: Risk Alert” account that includes a link where you can complete the registration. You will be asked to list the names of people or businesses and the types of official records you would want to be monitored. Once registration is complete, you will receive an email notification every time a new document is recorded that matches your selected criteria.

Please Stay Safe!

 

News Release
October 3, 2024

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts to display The Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s “Clothesline Project” this October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is proud to share that the Clerk’s Office will be partnering with The Shelter for Abused Women & Children to raise awareness about domestic violence and human trafficking. Throughout the Clerk’s offices, visitors will be able to see displays of The Shelter’s “Clothesline Project,” a therapeutic art initiative for survivors.

“We are grateful for the work that The Shelter for Abused Women and Children does to prevent, protect against, and overcome domestic violence in Collier County. It is an honor to share the artwork of women and children who have grown beyond their circumstances,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

The Shelter’s DVAM Clothesline Project will be displayed in several departments throughout the Clerk’s Office to maximize its visual impact for this month. This project features t-shirts designed by Shelter participants during their time in The Shelter. The aim is to raise awareness about the effects of violence and abuse, celebrate a survivor’s resilience, and offer a platform for them to bravely share their experiences and break the silence that often envelops them.

Each department of The Clerk’s Office will also be exhibiting a collection bin for the Shelter’s current needs of ongoing essentials. These essentials range from adult, children, pantry, and pet needs, so a wide range of items may be donated, including toiletries, bedding, clothing, baby formula, diapers, used cell phones, pet foods, and more. The complete list can be found at naplesshelter.org.

The Clerk’s Office plays a critical role in supporting victims of domestic abuse as a provider of legal support in filing protective orders, dissolution of marriage, and other court documents to break free from the control of their abusers. The Clerk’s Self-Help Center provides access to these services and includes a private space to ensure protection and confidentiality.

To learn more about the Clerk’s services and the Self-Help Center, visit https://collierclerk.com/court-divisions/self-help-center/.

 

News Release
September 19, 2024

Clerk Crystal Kinzel Invites You to Say ‘I Do’ this Halloween in the Collier County Courthouse Chapel

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is inviting Collier County couples who have a penchant for anything spooky to tie the knot in this year’s Halloween-themed Wedding Ceremony to be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Collier County Courthouse Chapel.

This October, the chapel will once again be decorated for the fall season for couples wishing to tie-the-knot on Halloween. Couples and their guests are encouraged to wear costumes for the festive occasion. Costumes must adhere to courthouse security regulations with masks or face painting applied after passing through security and no costume accessories that are considered weapons are allowed, including plastic items such as plastic swords or handcuffs. Additionally, costumes must be publicly appropriate and cannot be revealing or otherwise sexually explicit.

“This is an opportunity for the couples to say their ‘I Dos’ while dressed in costumes expressing their creativity and unique personality,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “I am looking forward to celebrating Halloween with the couples of our community.”

Appointment availability is limited, so couples who are interested are encouraged to register early to reserve their spots. The ceremony fee is $30 and should be paid upon confirmation of your appointment. Couples must secure a valid marriage license at the Clerk’s office at least three days prior to the wedding day.

To apply for a marriage license, visit the Clerk’s website at CollierClerk.com and use the Marriage Button, or stop by the Recording Department on the 2nd Floor of the Collier County Courthouse or one of the Satellite Office Locations and present the following requirements: valid ID (Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport) and Social Security Number. Both parties must be present and should be at least 18 years old upon application.

Couples should take note that marriage licenses are only valid for a 60-day period. Therefore, they must ensure that their marriage licenses are still effective on the day of the ceremony for their marriage to be valid. In applying for marriage licenses, standard rates will apply.

Please contact 239-252-7242 or email marriagehelp@collierclerk.com to pre-register. Additional information about the Marriage License application is available at collierclerk.com.

 

News Release
September 10, 2024

Value Adjustment Board Petitions must be submitted by September 13th

Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel reminds citizens to submit their 2024 Value Adjustment Board (VAB) cycle petitions by 5:00 PM in the office or midnight for online filers on Friday, September 13, 2024.

The Value Adjustment Board is available for property owners who have unresolved issues regarding their property’s value. In August, taxpayers are notified of their property’s assessed and market values in a Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice. Should the taxpayer have concerns about the property’s assessed value, classification, or exemption status, he or she should contact the Property Appraisers Office to resolve any concerns.  If they are unable to resolve the issues, the taxpayer has the right to file a petition with the VAB to appeal within 25 days of the TRIM notice.

The VAB is an independent entity and is not affiliated with the Property Appraiser or the Tax Collector. Board membership consists of two county commissioners, one school board member, and two citizen members who approve and hire special magistrates to settle disputes during scheduled quasi-judicial hearings. 

In addition to processing petitions, the Clerk’s office plays a critical role in streamlining the communication between the petitioner and the Property Appraiser’s Office during the VAB process. These discussions can lead to the petitioner withdrawing their petition or getting a related settlement without the petition ever going to a VAB hearing. During the FY2023 VAB session, the Clerk’s Office received 1,300 petitions involving 1484 parcels. Through proactive engagement with the community, 916 of the 1484 parcels, or roughly 60% of the parcels in the last session, were withdrawn or settled prior to the hearing.

VAB Forms, policies, and procedures can be found at collierclerk.com/board-records-vab/value-adjustment-board. For more information, call the Value Adjustment Board Administration Office at (239) 252-7240 or (239) 252-8406, or the Property Appraiser’s Office at (239) 252-8141. You may also send an email to vabclerk@collierclerk.com. 

 

News Release
August 29, 2024

Don’t let your hard work go to waste, check for Unclaimed Monies this Labor Day

This Labor Day, Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel reminds citizens to check the Clerk’s office list of unclaimed monies.

“In celebration of our community’s workers and their contributions, we would like to recognize the value of their hard-earned dollars and ensure that outstanding monies from any government processes are returned to their pockets,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “We wish all of our workers a relaxing Labor Day and thank them for all they do in our community.”

While our Office will be closed so that staff can celebrate Labor Day, a compiled list of unclaimed monies for the Clerk’s office, the Board of County Commissioners, and Tax Deed Funds is available on our website. If you feel that you have outstanding monies due to you, or if you may have forgotten to collect a deposit or cash a check, visit collierclerk.com and click the “Unclaimed Monies” button to search for your funds. These open balances include jury duty compensation, court fees, and vendor payments that were made but recipients have not claimed, and funds that were returned to the Clerk’s office because the recipient was no longer at the address provided.

Workers with unclaimed monies are encouraged to file written claims to recover their money. Claimants must submit sufficient proof of identity by presenting a valid driver’s license or government-issued photo identification and ownership of money through receipts, billings, or other information to support their claims. The BOCC Affidavit or Clerk’s Affidavit forms for unclaimed monies are available on the Clerk’s website and must be completed.

All monies pertaining to the Board of County Commissioners that remain unclaimed after a required one-year dormancy period will be remitted to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, and can still be claimed from the state. Monies paid on behalf of the Clerk of the Circuit Court that remain unclaimed before January 1 of the preceding year will be remitted to the State of Florida as revenue in the Fine and Forfeiture Fund and can no longer be claimed.

 

News Release
August 22, 2024

Collier County Clerk Invites You to Schedule a Presentation for your Middle or High School, Civic Association, or Homeowner’s Association

Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel invites local Schools, Scout Troops, Homeowners Associations, or other organizations with upcoming events, meetings, luncheons, or after-hours events to schedule a presentation.

With more than thirty-six years of public service in Collier County, first with the Sheriff’s Office as Finance Director and her 20 years with the Clerk’s Office, Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is looking forward to sharing information with the community about how our local government is structured and the specific services available to you from the Clerk’s Office.

“I hope to not only discuss the current affairs and status of our Florida government but also share interesting stories that will highlight our vibrant history and community,” said Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “I am looking forward to engaging with our residents.”

Potential presentations might include: 

  • Civics Class School Presentations – As one of the founding members of Youth Leadership Collier, Clerk Kinzel always had a passion for engaging the next generation of community leaders. While they are excited about our national election, it is the perfect opportunity for students engaged in the Civics curriculum to be informed about our local government and exciting stories that will pique their interest. This presentation introduces our local government structure, and the various constitutional officers and their roles to foster youth awareness in our community.
  • New Resident Orientation – If your community has a lot of new residents or residents not yet familiar with Florida and County government, Clerk Kinzel can provide an overview of Collier County’s Government Structure. She can expand with information about the role of the Constitutional Officers as well as an overview of the County.  
  • The Future of Collier County – If the audience is already well established in the community, Clerk Kinzel can talk about the Growth of Buildings and Infrastructure and how Collier County pays for growth. Additionally, she can talk about protection measures to help prevent vendor fraud, real estate fraud or other current scams we are seeing in our community or around the state.   

Organizations are welcome to request more specific topics, e.g. tax deed sales, foreclosures or guardianships, that are not listed above.  Clerk Crystal Kinzel hopes to provide more visibility on the roles and responsibilities of the Clerk’s office and how they provide many essential services.

Please email community.outreach@collierclerk.com for inquiries and to check for availability on your preferred date and time.

 

News Release
July 8, 2024

Collier County Clerk’s Office Awarded Recognition in the 2023-2024 FCCC Best Practices Excellence Program

Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel has been awarded a Recognition of Excellence certificate for successfully completing the Best Practices Excellence Program in eight categories at the 4th Annual Best Practices Awards Ceremony during FCCC’s Summer Conference in Orlando, Florida, held on June 19, 2024.

“This award is a testament to our office’s excellence and commitment in providing quality services to the people of Collier County across different areas,” said Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “We are honored to receive this recognition and will continue to improve our processes to meet the standards of best practices.”

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) established the Best Practices Excellence Program in June 2020 as an opportunity for Clerks to receive Recognition of Excellence certificates for choosing to complete assessments that evaluate acceptance in ten areas for best practices. Each year, the FCCC Best Practices Committee chooses different categories for recognition and establishes standard guidelines for the program. In the 2023-2024 Best Practices Excellence Program, Clerk Kinzel’s office was recognized in eight categories, including:

  • Appeals
  • Civil Contraband Forfeiture
  • Court Record Retention and Destruction
  • Department of Revenue Parenting Plan Fee Waivers
  • Marriage License
  • Public Records Requests
  • Risk Protection Orders
  • Vexation Litigants

Among the 68 Florida Clerks and Comptrollers, a total of 58 offices participated in the program. Collectively, participating offices completed 544 assessments to achieve Recognition of Excellence certificates. 

For more information about the Best Practices Excellence Program, visit flclerks.com. 

 

News Release
July 2, 2024

The Collier County Courthouse will be Closed on July 4th and 5th in observance of Independence Day

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel announces that the Collier County Courthouse and all Satellite Offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

The Clerk’s eight satellite offices will reopen and resume operations on Friday, July 5 and the Collier County Courthouse (3315 Tamiami Trail E.) will resume operations on Monday, July 8.

“I would like to wish all of our residents and visitors a safe and happy 4th of July! While you celebrate with parades, barbecues, fireworks and drone displays, I hope you take a moment to appreciate the heroes who fought for our independence,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

Many of the Clerk’s services are available online including paying fines, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more. Several ‘How To’ videos are also available to help guide the community in accessing the Clerk’s online services at collierclerk.com.  

 

News Release
June 10, 2024

Collier Clerk Receives GFOA Distinguished Budget Award for the 23rd Consecutive Year

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is pleased to announce that the Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller has been recognized with GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 23rd year.

“Many hours of preparation and development go into the creation of our annual budget to guarantee its quality and accessibility to our community,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “It takes extensive research and coordination from all of our departments to ensure that we are producing the highest quality of reports, exceeding GFOA’s criteria.”

The award represents the commitment of Collier County Clerk’s office and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, they had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:

  • A policy document
  • A financial plan
  • An operations guide
  • A communications device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all of the 14 mandatory criteria within each of the four categories to receive the award.

There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA’s website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

 

News Release
May 29, 2024

Florida Clerks Notification Programs Now Exempt from Public Records

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office announces that the Collier Risk Alert Notification Program is now exempt from public records disclosure and invites the community to sign up for the free service.

On May 6, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 285, amending state statutes regarding the free notification programs offered by Florida Clerks. This amendment exempts vital personal information, such as names, phone numbers, parcel ID numbers, emails, etc., that were submitted upon enrollment to the service from public record. Prior to this, when someone requests a list of all people who signed up for the program, Clerks were obligated to share this with the public as it is a part of the public record.  This new law protects the privacy of the citizens who sign up for the notification service.

“During many of our community outreach programs, Collier citizens have expressed concerns about protecting their contact information from public records searches. It has been a significant challenge in advancing our Risk Alert Notification Program. This new law will protect their privacy and help combat fraud for all of our residents,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

The Risk Alert Notification Program is the Collier Clerk’s free anti-fraud program allows registered users to easily monitor their property records and report suspicious activities that may lead to fraud. To register, visit cor.collierclerk.com/coraccess/alerts and enter your email address to receive an email from the “Collier Clerk of Courts: Risk Alert” account that will include a link where you can complete your registration by adding party names and Official Records that you want to monitor. Once done with the registration, you will receive an email notification every time a new deed, lien, mortgage, or other official records is recorded that matches your selected criteria. 

Although this service does not prevent the actual fraudulent activity from occurring, it provides the subscriber an opportunity to verify whether the activity was initiated by them or by a scammer committing fraud. Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel hopes to combat fraudulent activities and safeguard the community with this program.

 

News Release
April 29, 2024

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel Releases Annual Finance Reports

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office has released the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.

The Finance and Accounting Department of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller prepare both the ACFR and PAFR annually as a part of the Clerk’s legally prescribed duties. The reports accurately discuss and present the financial position and results of County operations within the fiscal year.

“My goal is to provide Collier County residents with a clear and concise examination of all expenditures and investments and ensure that Collier County tax dollars are being spent properly. I encourage our community to take the time to review these reports and understand how our local tax dollars are being spent,” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Collecting and analyzing the data for these reports takes a tremendous amount of effort and I applaud our Finance and Accounting Department for another job well done.”

The ACFR is the official report of County financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). It contains an independent auditor’s report by certified public accountant Clifton Larson Allen, LLP, and a financial section with a narrative overview and analysis of Collier County’s revenues, expenditures, investments, changes in fund balance, and cash flows. The report also includes other supplementary information, a statistical section, and a summary of federal awards and state financial assistance. This data and information are necessary to establish transparency and accountability across all Collier County government offices.

The Collier County Clerk’s PAFR, Dollar$ and $en$e, is part of ongoing efforts to provide the residents of Collier County a clear and concise overview of County finances. This is a compact 20-page version of the ACFR, containing information on sources and uses of County funds, general fund and enterprise fund revenues and expenditures, state of the local economy, current County debt, capital assets, and some major initiatives and accomplishments. This report is produced to enhance the accessibility and understandability of government financial reports to all Collier County citizens through a shorter and more visual presentation.

Over the past 37 years, the Collier County Clerk’s Office has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Assocation Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the ACFR.  The Clerk’s Popular Annual Financial Report has been recognized since its initial publication 2 years ago. We hope to continue these successes with this year’s submissions. To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report that satisfies both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements.

Past reports are available at https://collierclerk.com/finance.

 

News Release
March 11, 2024

Collier County Clerk’s Office Celebrates Sunshine Week

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court is celebrating Sunshine Week from March 10-16, 2024, along with other Clerks throughout the state of Florida.

Sunshine Week is an annual recognition of government transparency and open access to public information. As Clerks of Court, we are tasked to collect, store, and implement systems that will allow the public to easily access records, forms, and relevant information. In addition, it is also our responsibility as Comptrollers to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being utilized according to best financial practices and the law.

In 2023, we were able to digitize 100 years of Collier County Official records, to improve public access.  We are continuing our efforts to digitize all Court Records.

“Our team cares deeply about transparency in government and Sunshine Week is the perfect time for us to raise awareness throughout the community,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “Over the past several years, we’ve been taking great strides in improving access to official records, legal forms, and information about our government through our education and outreach program.”

Through CollierClerk.com, residents have access to services such as traffic forms, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claims, criminal forms, landlord/tenant forms, family law forms, foreclosures, etc. Detailed instructions are available on the website; however, citizens are encouraged to visit the Self- Help Center at the main courthouse for more personalized assistance.

On a monthly basis, Clerk Kinzel releases a newsletter with timely updates on government projects, expenditures, and taxpayer watch issues. Residents can stay up to date on what is happening at the Clerk’s office by registering for the newsletters at CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
February 29, 2024

Collier County’s Official Records System will be offline from
March 2, 2024 at 12:00 am through March 4, 2024 at 7:00 am
for service upgrades

The Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller will be upgrading the County’s Official Records System. All access to official records including document searches, eRecording, and deposit account logins will be offline between Saturday, March 2 at 12:00 am through Monday, March 4, at 7:00 am.

This update is a part of Clerk Kinzel’s pledge to increase transparency and accessibility for government services. Enhancements to the Official Records System will include a variety of new features including:

  • eCertified Copies – Users will be able to purchase electronic, certified copies of recorded documents and download them immediately.
  • Public eRecording – The public will be able to submit documents for eRecording without having a deposit account.
  • Mobile eRecording – Citizens will be able to use their cell phone or mobile tablet to snap a picture of a document and eRecord from anywhere.
  • Expanded Official Records Searches – The records search function will include Parcel IDs (where available), and citizens will be able to search by street address.
  • On-Line Marriage License Applications – Couples will be able to apply for and receive a Marriage License on-line without visiting the Clerk’s office.
  • On-Line Marriage Ceremonies – Couples will be able to get married via videoconference from anywhere in the State of Florida.
  • New Document Imaging Software – Users will be able to scan documents into the eRecording process from virtually any scanner or upload PDFs. There will no longer be a requirement to scan documents to a to TIF file before uploading.
  • Enhanced Security – A new, secure login process will be used for all business and public users. This login provides access to many of the new features.

If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact the Clerk’s Recording Department at (239) 252-7242 or by email recordinghelp@collierclerk.com. The scheduled maintenance will only impact the Official Records System. Additional eServices such as Jury Duty Reporting, paying Traffic Violations, and accessing free legal forms will continue to be available on www.CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
February 15, 2024

Collier Clerk to host Passport Saturday on March 9, 2024

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be holding Passport Saturday on Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Heritage Bay Government Services Center located at 15450 Collier Blvd, Naples, Florida.

Passport Saturday is a one-day event for those planning to apply for a United States passport but are unable to do so on a regular workday. Eligible individuals are able to submit their applications on a weekend without having to take time off during office hours. Since 2019, the event has more than doubled in size with 182 passport applications accepted during the 2023 Passport Saturday in Collier County.

To be eligible to participate in this Passport Saturday event, residents must either be a first-time passport applicant, or requesting a new passport if their previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago and all children requests. Most other passport applications can be renewed through the mail. Applicants must bring all required documentation including proof of U.S. Citizenship, proof of identity, a recent color passport photograph, application fees, and completed application forms. Application fees are accepted in the form of check or money order only.

Residents who are interested in attending Passport Saturday are advised to learn more about the requirements and application processes by visiting CollierClerk.com/Passports prior to the day of the event. Additional details about passport applications for minors (children under 16 and children aged 16-17), U.S. Passport Cards, and passport renewals are available on the website.

 

News Release
January 30, 2024

Collier County Businesses are Reminded to Reset Sales Tax Rates to 6% 

 Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel reminds Collier County businesses to review and update sales tax rates in automated terminals in accordance with guidelines issued by the Florida Department of Revenue. 

The Clerk’s Office of Inspector General has received multiple complaints of businesses overcharging sales tax during the past month. It is important to note that administration, collections, and enforcement of discretionary sales surtaxes falls under the Florida Department of Revenue. Collier County business owners and residents with questions about taxes being collected can contact the Florida Department of Revenue at www.floridarevenue.com.  

While the Collier County Clerk’s Office of Inspector General does not directly assist in Florida Department of Revenue matters, it is our policy to notify the public of current violations and advise them of next steps for reporting or recovering any funds due.  

 

News Release
January 25, 2024

New Court Appearance Fraud Scheme Surfacing in Florida

The Collier County Clerk of the Courts has received a statewide alert of a new variation of a fraud scheme demanding payment for failure to appear for jury duty.

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel has issued an alert to the community of recent fraud cases targeting Florida residents. Scammers are contacting residents through phone calls, claiming they are a judge and demanding payment for failure to appear in court.

The first case was reported in Martin County and potentially circulated in the 19th Circuit. The scammer claimed they were a 19th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, referencing a specific judge’s name, making it seem as though the call was coming from a legitimate source. The 20th and 12th Circuits reported similar cases, where scammers claim the victim failed to appear in court for jury duty and must pay a fee to avoid executing an arrest warrant. The Clerk’s Office of Inspector General hotline received two reports in the last few days, noting similar calls from fraudsters asserting they were from the Collier County or Manatee County Sheriff’s offices. One complainant realized this was a scam before paying the demanded $3,000 payment, and another complainant is attempting to recover $1,550 in funds.

Residents might remember a similar incident in January last year wherein the Collier County Clerk’s Inspector General hotline received two complaints within 24 hours. In this fraud scheme, scammers asked residents to pay between $3,000 to $3,500 in cash to avoid executing an arrest warrant with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Both complainants indicated that they received the suspicious phone call from the same phone number with individuals identifying themselves as either “Sergeant Jefferson” or “Lieutenant Cooper” from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. In the most recent complaints, callers are using the names of actual law enforcement employees, attempting to make their claims appear more legitimate.

“Residents are advised to be wary of caller IDs and to never give personal or financial information over the phone to a stranger,” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Please remember that Florida Clerk’s Offices will never ask for payment due to failure to appear in court for jury duty. If you encounter any suspicious calls, please report them immediately.”

Clerk Kinzel’s Office of Inspector General can be reached at (239) 252-8412 or through the 24-hour confidential hotline at 844-ClerkIG (844-253-7544). Alternatively, you may submit a complaint online at www.CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
December 29, 2023

Registration is Open for the 4th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 4th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony, which will be held in the Eva Sugden Gomez Center at Baker Park on February 14, 2024. This event is organized by the Collier County Clerk of the Courts.

Upon arrival at the venue, couples will be welcomed to the beautiful scenery of Baker Park, and beginning at 10:00 am, Clerk Kinzel will officiate the ceremonies. The ceremony will be followed by delicious and filling hors d’oeuvres from The Hangout by Two Guys, a magnificent wedding cake from Seed to Table, and a commemorative photo opportunity from Let Me Be Candid Photography to capture the couple’s sweetest moments, to name just a few of the event’s community sponsors. 

Marriage vow renewals are free, but engaged couples marrying must pay a $30 wedding ceremony fee and secure a valid marriage license prior to the event. To apply for a marriage license, please visit the Recording Department on the 2nd Floor of the Collier County Courthouse or one of the Satellite Office Locations and present the following requirements: valid ID (Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport) and Social Security Number. Both parties must be present and should be at least 18 years old upon the application.

Engaged couples should plan to secure their marriage licenses between December 16, 2023, and February 11, 2024, to be eligible to marry on Valentine’s Day. In applying for marriage licenses, standard rates will apply, and if the couple has completed a premarital preparation course, they must present this to the Clerk’s office during application. 

Limited space is available, so couples are encouraged to register early for the 2024 Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony. Interested couples should pre-register at collierclerk.com/marriage-licenses/valentinesday/. Additional information about the Marriage License application is available at collierclerk.com.

 

News Release
November 20, 2023

Collier County Clerk’s Office will be Closed on November 23-24, 2023, in observance of Thanksgiving Day 

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Comptroller’s Office will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. 

“I would like to express my appreciation for our staff’s efforts in making 2023 a productive year in public service. There are many things to be thankful for, and I am excited to finish the year on a high note. I wish everyone in our community a pleasant Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.  

Many of the Clerk’s services will remain available online, including paying fines, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more. Several ‘How To’ videos are also available to help guide the community in accessing the Clerk’s online services at CollierClerk.com.    

 

News Release
November 13, 2023

Crystal K. Kinzel Combats Fraud as a Fraud Week Ambassador

International Fraud Awareness Week kicks off worldwide on Nov. 12, 2023

As a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Law Enforcement and Government Alliance Program, Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is honored to be one of the Fraud Week Ambassadors for this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week from November 12-18, 2023. The ACFE, the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education, sponsors this annual effort to encourage community education and initiatives to raise awareness of fraud.

“With increasing use of technology and artificial intelligence, it is even more important for us to stay on top of new threats to protect our community.  We are proud to work closely with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, and Collier County Staff to protect our residents and taxpayers from fraud and abuse,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

Organizations and individuals lose trillions of dollars every year to various forms of fraud, primarily because they may not be educated on fraudsters’ tactics, or they don’t set the necessary measures in place to safeguard themselves against scams. With a belief that education is the most important way that our community can prevent fraud, the Clerk’s office has an extensive outreach program, providing guest speakers, educational newsletters, and a complimentary Risk Alert notification system that helps property owners monitor their records.

In conjunction with the ACFE, the Clerk’s office issued a primer on occupational fraud, entitled “How to be a Fraud Fighter.” The Office of Inspector General includes a Certified Fraud Examiner to fight occupational fraud which might target County coffers. The CFE designation is awarded by the ACFE to trained professionals who possess diverse skills in preventing, detecting and investigating fraud, such as:

  • Knowledge of complex financial transactions
  • Understanding of investigative techniques and legal issues
  • Ability to resolve allegations of fraud
  • Design of effective anti-fraud programs

For more information about increasing awareness and reducing the risk of fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week, explore resources offered by the Collier County Office of Inspector General at CollierClerk.com/inspector-general or visit FraudWeek.com.  

 

News Release
November 10, 2023

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be Closed on November 10, 2023, in observance of Veterans Day 

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Comptroller’s Office at the Collier County Courthouse (3315 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL) will be closed on Friday, November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day. Regular operations will resume on Monday, November 13th.  

Many of the Clerk’s services will remain available online, including paying fines, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more. Several ‘How To’ videos are also available to help guide the community in accessing the Clerk’s online services at CollierClerk.com.    

 

News Release
October 9, 2023

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court Satellite Offices will be Closed on October 9, 2023

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s eight satellite offices will be closed on October 9, 2023. Satellite office regular operations will resume on October 10, 2023. Collier County residents are encouraged to visit the Clerk’s main office at the Collier County Courthouse (3315 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL) for assistance. Many of the Clerk’s services are available online, including paying fines, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more. For more information, visit CollierClerk.com.   

 

News Release
September 28, 2023

Collier County Clerk Invites You to Tie the Knot this Halloween

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that appointments are open for couples to get married or renew their vows in the Collier County Courthouse Chapel (3315 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL) on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The Chapel will be decorated for the fall season and couples are welcome to say their ‘I Dos’ or renew their wedding vows while in their best Halloween attire to fully embrace the holiday.

“There is so much to love about the fall season, and we hope that this opportunity brings out some of the creative couples that make Collier County a unique place to live. We’re looking forward to seeing sports fans, witches, zombies, and more,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

Appointment availability is limited, so couples who are interested are encouraged to register early to reserve their spots. The ceremony fee is $30 and should be paid upon confirmation of your appointment. First-time engaged couples must secure a valid wedding license at the Clerk’s office prior to the wedding day. Please take note that couples will be required to pass through courthouse security, so they are encouraged to be mindful in costume selection.

To apply for a marriage license, visit the Clerk’s website at CollierClerk.com and use the Marriage Button, or stop by the Recording Department on the 2nd Floor of the Collier County Courthouse or one of the Satellite Office Locations and present the following requirements: valid ID (Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport) and Social Security Number. Both parties must be present and should be at least 18 years old upon application.

Couples should take note that marriage licenses are only valid for a 60-day period. Therefore, they must ensure that their marriage licenses are still effective on the day of the ceremony for their marriage to be valid. In applying for marriage licenses, standard rates will apply.

Please contact 239-252-7242 or email marriagehelp@collierclerk.com to pre-register. Additional information about the Marriage License application is available at collierclerk.com.

 

News Release
August 28, 2023

Collier County Courthouse will be Closed on Tuesday, August 29

(Collier County, FL – August 28, 2023) In an abundance of caution, the 20th Judicial Circuit has closed Collier, Lee, and Charlotte County Courthouses due to the potential of weather impacts from Tropical Storm Idalia.

The Clerk’s office staff will report to work to continue providing essential services for Collier County residents. The main Courthouse Annex will be closed to the public, but all eight satellite offices will be helping taxpayers with services such as processing official records, accepting passports, issuing marriage licenses, processing payments, and providing access to legal forms.

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains satellite offices at:

  • Airport Road DMV – 725 Airport Road South, Naples, FL 34104
  • Eagle Creek – 6654 Collier Boulevard, #101, Naples, FL 34114
  • Everglades City Hall – 102 Copeland Ave. North, Everglades City, FL 34139
  • Golden Gate – 4715 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, FL 34116
  • Heritage Bay – 15450 Collier Blvd., Naples, FL 34120
  • Immokalee Courthouse – 106 South First Street, Immokalee, FL 34142
  • Marco Island – 50 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145
  • North Collier Government Services Center – 2335 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109

Citizens are also encouraged to visit www.CollierClerk.com to utilize online services.

 

News Release
July 26, 2023

Collier County Clerk Receives GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is pleased to announce that Collier County Clerk of the Courts, Florida, has received GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning October 01, 2022. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

The award represents a significant achievement by the Collier County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the Clerk’s office had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award. This award is valid for a one year.

A Certificate of Recognition has been presented to the Collier County Clerk of the Courts – Accounting Department for their efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

“I am proud to share that this has been the 20th consecutive year our office earned recognition for our transparency in budgeting,” said Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “I thank our staff for all their hard work in putting this together and ensuring that our budgets meet the criteria for excellence.”  

 

 

News Release
July 19, 2023

Collier County Clerk’s Office Celebrates 100 Years of Service with the Centennial Reception

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office held its Centennial Reception to celebrate their 100 years of service to Collier County residents. The event was hosted on July 7, 2023, which was the 100th anniversary of the first Collier County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held in the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City.

Over 100 people attended the event, including dignitaries such as Commissioner Chris Hall and his wife Dot, Commissioner Bill McDaniel, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier, Collier County Tax Collector Rob Stoneburner, and County Manager Amy Patterson.

During the reception, guests engaged with an interactive display of the past 100 years of Collier County’s Courthouse developed by the Clerk’s Centennial Committee. The display included photos, stories, and videos of some of the most compelling events that have shaped our community. Additionally, they shared a look at how the Clerk’s office continues moving forward with technological advances.

Refreshments included a celebratory cake and punch served in Heisey’s Glassware Lariat Bowl, which was a donation from the family of former Collier County Clerk Margaret T. Scott. The occasion was marked with a commemorative centennial photograph in the Collier County Courthouse Atrium.

“It was an honor to celebrate this historic milestone with our elected officials, staff, and their proud family members. When we look to the past, we can appreciate how far we’ve come as a community. We are even more inspired to continue moving forward with streamlined technologies to support our citizens,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. 

For more historic photographs, videos and stories from Collier County’s rich history, visit www.CollierClerk.com.

 

 

News Release
June 19, 2023

Collier County Clerk’s Office Recognized in the

2022-2023 FCCC Best Practices Excellence Program

Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to share that the office has been recognized by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FCCC) for receiving a Recognition of Excellence certificate in all the 10 Best Practices categories at the 3rd Annual Best Practices Excellence Program.

“Our team is constantly looking for ways to improve our systems and processes. Benchmarking with our peers around the state helps ensure we are providing the most efficient and effective services for local taxpayers. We are honored to be recognized for implementing the best practices,” said Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. 

The FCCC established the Best Practices Excellence Program in June 2020 as an opportunity for Clerks to receive Recognition of Excellence certificates for choosing to complete assessments that evaluate acceptance in 10 areas for best practices. Each year, the FCCC Best Practices Committee establishes standard guidelines for the program and selects ten best practices for recognition. In the 2022-2023 Best Practices Excellence Program, the ten areas for best practices include:

  • Appeals
  • Court Record Retention and Destruction
  • Determination of Indigency
  • Evidence Storage and Destruction
  • Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult Injunction
  • Guardianship Audits
  • Reporting Mental Health Cases to State Agencies
  • Requests to Redact Exempt Personal Information
  • Risk Protection Orders
  • Unclaimed Funds

Of the 57 Clerks’ offices participating in this year’s program, only 30 Clerks and Comptrollers received Recognition of Excellence certificates in every category, including Clerk Kinzel. To achieve these certificates, the Clerks had to accomplish 512 assessments. 

For more information about the Best Practices Excellence Program, visit flclerks.com. 

 

 

News Release
May 25, 2023

Fraud Alert: New Victims Surfacing in Court Appearance Scam

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel warns residents and visitors about a new round of telephone scams that are emerging in Southwest Florida. 

Seven (7) similar complaints were reported in January. In the scam, the caller identifies themselves as an officer with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and indicates there is a warrant out for the victim’s arrest. While previous complaints centered around a failure to appear for court, the newest case focuses on a failure to report for jury duty. The scammers are then requesting a payment to avoid executing the arrest warrant. Additionally, the scammers are threatening victims with more jail time if they break a false “gag order” and discuss the incident with anyone.  

“If you receive any suspicious calls asking for immediate money transfer such as this fraud scheme, immediately hang up the phone and report to our Inspector General hotline immediately,” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.  

While residents must legally respond to a jury summons, the Clerk of Courts does not issue arrest warrants for a failure to appear. Collier residents are urged to never give personal or financial information over the phone to a stranger, especially if the caller acts aggressively. Calls asking for payments made by cash, gift card or in person are a red flag for a fraud scheme.  Residents should be wary of caller ID, as this can be spoofed, making a phone call look like it is coming from a legitimate source. 

Clerk Kinzel’s Office of Inspector General can be reached at (239) 252-8412, or through the 24-hour confidential hotline at 844-ClerkIG (844-253-7544). Alternatively, you may submit a complaint online at www.CollierClerk.com. 

Collier County Sheriff’s Office offers assistance with suspicious encounters involving a request for money or personal information through its Call Before You “Pay” hotline – (239) 252-CALL (2255). The hotline is staffed Monday through Friday by a deputy in the Financial Crimes Bureau. 

 

 

News Release
May 22, 2023

Collier Clerk Implements New Jury Management System to  Improve Juror Process, Efficiency and Reporting  

The Collier County Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce the implementation of the new jury management system for the Collier County Courthouse. With this high-tech management system, the jury selection process will be streamlined to save time for potential jurors in responding to a summons and automate the overall process for the convenience of jurors, judges, and attorneys.   

Upon receiving a jury summons, potential jurors are directed to visit the jury response website at jury.collierclerk.com. They will be required to provide an email address and phone number and complete the online juror questionnaire. Upon completion of the questionnaire, individuals will be verified as qualified or not on the website. Clerk’s staff will have real-time data available to establish the jury pool. Once qualified, potential jurors can opt-in to receive updates about reporting instructions through email and text alerts. With text messages being more commonly read than emails, the Jury Message feature enables two-way communication between jurors and the court and automatically respond to juror’s text requests for information.  Jury Voice feature is also accessible through the Jury Manager communications center for jurors who prefer the phone – instead of text or email – as their primary method of communication.  

Jurors may also submit a request for statutory excusal, disqualification, or deferral, from the jury response website, or by using the automated jury phone. Approval of the request is upon discretion of the judge after thorough evaluation.  

This new digital management system incorporates a more up-to-date jury pool selection plan that has been approved by the State Supreme Court. This updated pool selection uses one of the most cryptographically strong random number generators available. The new system can initially evaluate the eligibility of potential jurors and maintains an up to date juror status. 

Potential jurors who respond and complete the juror questionnaire online prior to reporting will be able to check-in by scanning their juror summons through kiosks when arriving at the courthouse jury room, reducing overall waiting and processing time. Smart devices will be provided for use by those who have not completed their questionnaire ahead of time. Digital profiles will be sent to the Judge, attorneys, and clerks to continue the juror seating. Since the kiosk is integrated with Tyler Jury Manager, any new information provided by jurors is automatically updated within the juror’s profile.  The kiosk will also increase efficiency by enabling jurors to submit information, handle attendance functions, print service letters, and more.

In 2022, 58,800 potential jurors received a summons. With this new website and system, the Clerk’s office will be able to monitor juror response activity in real-time, showing how many people have confirmed participation, applied for excusal, or have not shown any activity on the website or telephone. Through this automated process, they will have greater control of the juror process and minimize the inconvenience of those summoned. The Clerk hopes to minimize the number of jurors called to achieve the number of jurors needed through this automation.   

Modernizing the jury selection system by using relevant technologies is a necessary step to improve services as the community becomes more digital. Potential jurors can access the Jury Response Website 24/7 to complete the questionnaire, view juror instructions and/or submit a request for excusal, disqualification, or deferral.  

Early in April, the first group of potential jurors was processed through the system. For more information about the jury selection process, visit Collierclerk.com.  

 

 

News Release
May 10, 2023

Collier County Clerk Appointed as New Member of Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation Executive Council

On April 21, 2023, Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo appointed Collier County Clerk and Comptroller, Crystal K. Kinzel, to serve a two-year term on the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC).  As a member of the Executive Council, Clerk Kinzel will review matters of statewide concern to Clerks, including budgets and operations.

“It is my great honor to be appointed by Senator Kathleen Passidomo for this position. I look forward to working with my fellow council members to improve the budget allocation process to ensure all of Florida’s citizens have access to valuable resources provided by Clerks around the state,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

The CCOC is an 11-member council composed of eight Clerks of Court elected by their fellow clerks and three Clerks of Court appointed by the Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court. The members of this executive council gather to discuss budgetary concerns affecting the 67 locally elected Clerks of Court.  The Executive Council is tasked with evaluating court budgets submitted by each county and ensuring that resources are properly allocated to sustain court functions and services that benefit the citizens. Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is also a member of the Legislative Committee under CCOC. The purpose of this committee is to review legislative priorities, committee hearings, and bills, as they relate to Clerk and CCOC activities.

Crystal K. Kinzel began her career at the Collier County Clerk’s Office in 2005, after serving for 16 years as Finance Director in the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. She served as the Clerk’s Director of Internal Audit, Finance and Accounting until 2016, at which time she was appointed Chief Deputy Clerk over all operations. In 2018, Governor Rick Scott appointed Crystal as interim Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller following the death of Clerk Dwight Brock. Two months later the citizens of Collier County elected Crystal to the position. She was soundly re-elected in August 2020.

Clerk Kinzel holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from George Washington University. She is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Florida Clerk of Court. Clerk Kinzel is committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars and providing first class customer service to the citizens of Collier County. She inspires public trust and confidence through her unwavering adherence to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

For more information about the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corp., visit flccoc.org. 

 

News Release
March 16, 2023

Collier County Clerk’s Office Celebrates Sunshine Week

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court is celebrating Sunshine Week from March 13-17, 2023.

Sunshine Week is an annual recognition of government transparency and open access to public information.  Clerks of Court, are tasked to collect, store, and implement systems that will allow the public to access records, forms, and relevant information.

“We take seriously our role as the keeper of public records and information.  Sunshine Week is the perfect time for us to raise awareness throughout the community,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “Over the past several years, we’ve been taking great strides in improving access to official records, legal forms, and information about our government through our education and outreach program.”

Through their website, CollierClerk.com, residents have access to services such as traffic forms, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claims, criminal forms, landlord/tenant forms, family law forms, foreclosures.  Detailed instructions are available on the website, and  citizens are encouraged to visit the Self-Help Center at the main courthouse for more personalized assistance

On a monthly basis, the Clerk releases a newsletter with timely updates on government projects, expenditures, and taxpayer watch issues. Residents can stay up-to-date on what is happening at the Clerk’s office by also registering for the newsletters at CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
March 13, 2023

Annual Collier County Passport Saturday to be held on April 22, 2023

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be holding Passport Saturday on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Heritage Bay Government Services Center located at 15450 Collier Blvd, Naples, Florida.

Passport Saturday is a one-day event held all throughout the state to accommodate residents who are planning to apply for a United States passport but are unable to do so on a regular workweek. Eligible individuals can submit their applications on a weekend without having to take time off during office hours.

To be eligible to participate in this Passport Saturday, residents must either be a first-time passport applicant or be applying for a renewal with an expired passport that was issued more than 15 years ago. Most other passport applications can be renewed through the mail. Applicants must bring all required documentation including proof of U.S. Citizenship, proof of identity, a recent color passport photograph, application fees, and completed application forms. Application fees are accepted in the form of check or money order only.

Residents who are interested in attending Passport Saturday are advised to learn more about the requirements and application processes by visiting CollierClerk.com/Passports prior to the day of the event. Additional details about passport applications for minors (children under 16 and children aged 16-17), U.S. Passport Cards, and passport renewals are also available on the website.

 

News Release
March 9, 2023

Christopher Day welcomed to 2023 FGFOA Leadership Class VI

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to share that Christopher Day, Financial Analyst of the Clerk’s Office, has been invited to join the 2023 Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA) Leadership Class. Out of many aspiring applicants from all over the state, he was one of the 20 chosen individuals to join the FGFOA Leadership Class VI.

Christopher Day has been working as a Financial Analyst for the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller since October 2022. He attended the University of California, Riverside, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major Finance and Managerial Economics. He is committed to lifelong excellence and learning while supporting others to do the same. Mr. Day has leveraged his leadership style and commitment to excellence to develop cohesive teams built on a culture of continuous learning, trust, and respect. He is an alumnus of the Theta Lambda Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity as well as a Den Leader with Boy Scouts of America. In his free time, Chris promotes classic car culture with current and future enthusiasts as well as spending time with his wife and son exploring the outdoors via boating, kayaking, and scuba diving.

The FGFOA Leadership Program is one of the association’s major efforts in cultivating excellent financial officers who will create an impact within their respective communities and Florida’s financial leadership. The 2023 Program will focus on the theme ‘You, Your team, Your organization, and Your interaction with the broader governmental environment’ and will cover a variety of topics including Workplace and Compliance Training, Communication Skills and Media Relations, Management and Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, and more.

 

News Release
March 6, 2023

Priority Legislation Filed to Help Close Clerks’ Current Funding Gap

Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers announced the filing of legislation to provide a more stable revenue source for their court-related responsibilities. Senate Bill 1130 Clerks of the Court sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson and House Bill 977 Clerks of Court sponsored by Rep. Adam Botana aim to diversify revenues, support staffing needs and account for services without a dedicated funding source.
 
“Florida’s Clerks of Court are grateful to Sen. Hutson and Rep. Botana for their leadership on this issue,” said 2022-2023 FCCC President and Martin County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Carolyn Timmann. “This legislation will provide the resources we need to support our judicial and law enforcement partners and the diverse communities we serve statewide.”
 
The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC) recently identified that Clerks of Court are operating with a $36.5 million funding gap between their needs-based budget and their current revenue-limited budget. To close this year’s funding gap and begin addressing some longstanding issues, SB 1130 and HB 977 contain three main priorities:
 
  1. Diversify Clerk Revenues by redirecting the statutory distribution of certain revenues for court-related services, enabling Clerks of Court to retain more revenue from the services they provide.
  2. Support Necessary Staffing by providing mechanisms for Clerks to remain competitive with local and national wage increases.
  3. Account for Critical Services Without a Funding Source by providing a reimbursement process for additional services where fees are currently waived, including certain public services, as well as civil indigency cases.
In recent years, the Legislature has made incremental changes to stabilize the Clerks’ funding model; however, Clerks still face significant funding challenges. Clerks’ current funding model relies heavily on revenue sources that fluctuate dramatically . Clerks retain only about half of the fines and fees they collect, with 46 percent being distributed to general revenue and outside trust funds.

 

News Release
March 3, 2023

Court Services for Immokalee Residents

Are you an Immokalee resident planning to seek court services at the main Collier County Courthouse in Naples? Instead of wasting time and money commuting to East Naples, you should know that many services are available online at CollierClerk.com or through the Clerk’s satellite office at the Immokalee Courthouse.

To improve access for all of Collier County’s residents, the Collier County Clerk’s Office has eight satellite offices located in key areas throughout the county. One of these satellite offices is the Immokalee Courthouse located at 106 South First Street, Immokalee, FL. It is open to residents from Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM.

Court services available in the Immokalee Courthouse include processing payments for traffic and criminal fines, issuing marriage licenses, accepting passport applications, filing a notice of commencements, processing domestic violence injunctions, and more. Dedicated, bi-lingual staff from the Clerk’s office are present to provide instructions to successfully complete the forms and guide you through the court processes.

The Clerk’s website at CollierClerk.com offers access to forms and services such as traffic forms, civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claims, criminal forms, landlord/tenant forms, family law forms, foreclosures, etc. Our staff has developed detailed instructions to help you complete forms. However, if you need assistance, our professional team is available by telephone or through the satellite offices.

The website is updated regularly with relevant news and announcements that we share through a monthly newsletter. Stay up-to-date on what is happening at the Clerk’s office by registering for our newsletters by clicking on “Newsletters” at CollierClerk.com.

For any inquiries and additional information about the Immokalee Courthouse, contact (239) 252-2909.

 

News Release
March 2, 2023

2023 Collier County Operation Green Light to be held on March 25

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court in conjunction with the Collier County Tax Collector’s Office will be holding Operation Green Light on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Heritage Bay Satellite Office located at 15450 Collier Blvd, Naples, Florida.

Operation Greenlight is a state-wide driver’s license reinstatement event. This one-day event allows drivers who lost their driving privileges as a consequence of unpaid fines, an opportunity to fully pay overdue court fines or apply for a financial plan without extra collection fees. Once overdue costs have been paid, drivers that met the eligibility requirements will have their suspended driver’s license reinstated and get the “green light” to get back on the road.

Since October 2019, more than 43,000 driver’s licenses were reinstated or made eligible for reinstatement and 52,000 cases were paid in full. Through the program, more than $11.6 million in fines and fees were collected, which help fund public services, as well as dozens of state trust funds that support criminal justice operations. These fines are the main source of funding for Florida’s Circuit and County Court Clerks that provide a vast array of services.

Thousands of Collier County residents are eligible to participate in Operation Green Light. Interested participants must take note that they will not be eligible for reinstatement if his/her driver’s license or driving privilege has been suspended or revoked due to:

  • Failure to fulfill a court-ordered child support obligation;
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
  • Failure to complete a required driver training program, driver improvement course, or alcohol or substance abuse education or evaluation program;
  • A traffic-related felony; or
  • Being a habitual traffic offender as defined in Florida Statute 322.264.

 

News Release
February 6, 2023

Moody’s Upgrades Collier County, Florida’s Special Obligation Revenue Bonds to ‘Aaa’

In a report dated January 25, 2023, Moody’s assigned its highest rating to Collier County, Florida’s Special Obligation Revenue Bonds.

The upgrade reflects the change in the analytical considerations related to instrument-specific considerations in the new US Cities and Counties Methodology, which differs from those in prior methodologies. The upgrade places the non-ad valorem debt (Special Obligation Bonds) at the same level as the respective issuer rating. While there are some limitations on the revenues, these constraints aren’t meaningful given the breadth of the basket of revenues and the ability of the issuer to actively control and manage them.

Bond ratings are important indicators of the creditworthiness of the Collier County Government and the debt it issues. The ‘AAA’ rating will enable Collier County to borrow at lower, more favorable interest rates, saving taxpayers millions of dollars over the life of the bonds.

“Together, the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office, the Board of County Commissioners, County Administration and the County’s Office of Management and Budget work diligently to secure the best possible ratings for our county,” said Collier County Clerk and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel. “I want to recognize the effort and cooperation put forth to achieve these results for our citizens.”

For more information, contact Derek M. Johnssen, Director of Finance and Accounting at (239) 252-7863.  

 

News Release
January 26, 2023

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Buyers & Sellers Make

to be held on February 16, 2023

Collier County residents and visitors are invited to learn more about The 5 Most Common Mistakes Buyers & Sellers Make on Thursday, February 16, 2023. The seminar will be held at Collier County Library (2385 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples, FL 34109) from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Buyers & Sellers Make will include understanding your listing and sales contracts along with protecting deposits, post-Hurricane Ian home Insurance and flood insurance updates, protecting yourself from real estate scams, as well as leveraging wills and trusts to protect your investments. The seminar will be facilitated by James D. York, York Real Estate Group of Downing-Frye Realty; Chris Mitchell, Brightway Insurance; Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller; and Amber R. Mondock, Mondock Law PLLC.

This is a free, educational seminar open for all residential homeowners as well as those considering buying or selling a home in Collier County. RSVP is required, please call 239-821-0150 or email theyorkrealestateteam@gmail.com to confirm attendance.

 

News Release
January 26, 2023

Clerk Crystal Kinzel recognized with ENC&C inaugural DIAMOND Award

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel was honored to be awarded the East Naples Civic & Commerce (ENC&C) DIAMOND Award in recognition of her contributions to the future of East Naples.

2023 marks the first year that the DIAMOND Award was presented as part of the Annual ENC&C Awards. The DIAMOND name stands for D edicated, Inspiring, Accomplished, M otivated, Outstanding, Noble, and Driven. ENC&C board members chose the name to recognize individuals or business members of East Naples Civic & Commerce that have contributed and demonstrated an unusual faith in the future of the organization. They must also either demonstrate excellence in innovating new initiatives that will benefit the organization, have a reputation for integrity and exemplary service, or have a positive impact on the organization’s growth.

“Clerk Crystal Kinzel is an exemplary public servant whose efforts in protecting taxpayers, prioritizing public interest, and advocating for community involvement assisted in the growth of East Naples. We believe that she is most deserving of this award, and we are looking forward to working with her office once again,” said Jacob Winge, President of East Naples Civic and Commerce.

The award was presented to Clerk Kinzel during the 2023 Annual Dinner Banquet Program held at The Player’s Club and Spa on Thursday, January 19, 2023.

“Through my career, I’ve enjoyed working with the East Naples Civic & Commerce association because the members are passionate about making a difference. My fellow nominees, Sandra Simmons and Val Simon, are wonderful leaders that have contributed greatly to the future of East Naples. Together, we will be able to accomplish much more!” said Clerk Kinzel.

 

News Release
January 13, 2023

Update to Fraud Alert Distributed Jan 5, 2023

More victims come forward in Court Appearance Fraud Scheme, bringing total to (7) seven

One week ago, Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Crystal Kinzel alerted Collier County residents that scammers are calling and falsely claiming that they failed to appear at a court hearing. The scammers are then requesting that residents pay between $3,000 to $3,500 through Cash App to avoid executing an arrest warrant.

In total, seven (7) complaints have been reported to either the Office of Inspector General or Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Financial Crimes Bureau. All complainants indicated that they received suspicious phone calls from the same phone number (239-351-5418) from individuals identifying themselves as either “Sergeant Jefferson” or “Lieutenant Cooper.”

“If you receive a call from someone saying you’ve missed a court hearing or jury duty and need to pay a fine in order to avoid being arrested, immediately hang up the phone,” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Our office does not utilize this type of intimidation tactic. Please contact our Inspector General hotline immediately to report scams or fraud.”

According to the Sheriff’s Financial Crimes Bureau, the phone number reported is no longer in service. Collier residents are urged to never give personal or financial information over the phone to a stranger, especially if the caller acts aggressively. Calls asking for payments made by cash, gift card or in person are a red flag for a fraud scheme.  Residents should be wary of caller ID, as this can be spoofed, making a phone call look like it is coming from a legitimate source.

“Criminals can be extremely savvy and have the ability to mimic a credible source. Anytime someone contacts you and asks for money or personal information our advice is to hang up. The odds are overwhelming that someone is trying to scam you,” said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.

Clerk Kinzel’s Office of Inspector General can be reached at (239) 252-8412, or through the 24-hour confidential hotline at 844-ClerkIG (844-253-7544). Alternately, you may submit a complaint online at www.CollierClerk.com.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office offers assistance with suspicious encounters involving a request for money or personal information through its Call Before You “Pay” hotline – (239) 252-CALL (2255). The hotline is staffed Monday through Friday by a deputy in the Financial Crimes Bureau.

 

News Release
January 5, 2023

COURT APPEARANCE FRAUD SCHEME ALERT

Clerk Kinzel’s Office of Inspector General hotline has received two complaints from Collier County residents within the last 24-hours.

Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Crystal Kinzel cautions that scammers are contacting Collier County residents, claiming that they failed to appear at a court hearing. The scammers are then requesting that residents pay between $3,000 to $3,500 in cash to avoid executing an arrest warrant with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Two complaints were reported to the Clerk’s Inspector General hotline within the last 24-hours. Both complainants indicated that they received the suspicious phone call from the same phone number (239-351-5418) from individuals identifying themselves as either “Sergeant Jefferson” or “Lieutenant Cooper” from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.     

Clerk Kinzel advises citizens to never give personal or financial information over the phone to a stranger, especially if the caller acts aggressively. Calls asking for payments made by cash, gift card or in person are a red flag for a fraud scheme.  Residents should be wary of caller ID, as this can be spoofed, making a phone call look like it is coming from a legitimate source.

“If you receive a call from someone saying you’ve missed a court hearing or jury duty and need to pay a fine in order to avoid being arrested, immediately hang up the phone,” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Our office does not utilize this type of intimidation tactic. Please contact our Inspector General hotline immediately to report scams or fraud.”

Clerk Kinzel’s Office of Inspector General can be reached at (239) 252-8412, or through the 24-hour confidential hotline at 844-ClerkIG (844-253-7544).  Alternately, you may submit a complaint online at www.CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
December 16, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be Closed

on December 23 & 26, and January 2

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Comptroller’s Office will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26, so that our employees can spend time with their families over Christmas. Additionally, the office will be closed on Monday, January 2 in observance of New Year’s Day.

“On behalf of all of the Clerk’s office team member, I would like to wish our friends and neighbors in Collier County a happy and safe Christmas and New Year celebration with their loved ones. We appreciate your support and active engagement in improving our community over the past year. I’m looking forward to working closely with you for an even more productive 2023,” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. 

Online services including civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more will still be available to the public at CollierClerk.com. Regular operations will resume on December 27-30 and from Tuesday, January 3 onwards.

 

News Release
December 7, 2022

Collier County Becomes First in the State to Go Live

with Implementation of Uniform Case Reporting

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel and her office have been again recognized by the Florida Courts for being the first to implement Uniform Case Reporting (UCR). The UCR provides a near real-time release of court data and allows for more efficient case management that benefits the citizens and the courts.

“The Uniform Case Reporting system initiative represents a significant modernization in the way Florida’s trial courts collect and analyze case information,” said Chief Justice Charles T. Canady.

“Our team is always looking for ways to streamline and modernize services, so that we can lead the way into the future for our constituents. The implementation of Uniform Case Reporting is a significant first step to support the judicial branch in assessing performance and determining resource needs,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.  

This project was led by Jill Lennon, Director of Courts and Todd Peterson, the Clerk’s Court Software Developer. Over the past year, they have worked with the court’s software development vendor to set up and test Circuit Civil, County Civil, Small Claims, and Family Law cases. These cases are now live in the OSCA UCR Web Service and Court Management System. Probate and criminal cases will soon be included.

Clerks of Court across the state are working on transitioning to the Uniform Case Reporting, in collaboration with the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA), which is divided into two phases. Phase I is the Data Exchange Capability which ensures that the expected data from the courts are accessible and properly exchanged with the OSCA. Phase II is the Analysis and Verification which verifies the quality, accuracy, and consistency of data provided by the clerk of courts to the state courts system.

For more information about the UCR and the transition progress of each county, visit  www.flcourts.org.

 

News Release
December 1, 2022

Collier County Clerk’s Marco Island Satellite Office

is Now Approved to Receive Passports

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is proud to announce that the Clerk’s satellite office located in Marco Island City Building is now approved to receive passport applications.

According to statistics from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, more than 1,315,000 passports have been issued in the state of Florida for Fiscal Year 2022. That number is 51% more than the 870,000 passports issued in Fiscal Year 2021. With travel restrictions continuing to ease, this number is expected to continue growing. Now that the Clerk’s Marco Island satellite office is accepting passport applications, Marco Island residents will no longer have to travel off island to file for US passports.

The certification process with the Bureau of Consular Affairs was managed by Maritza Orengo, Passport Specialist in the Clerk’s Recording Department. Working closely with representatives from the U.S. Department of State Passport Application Acceptance Program, Ms. Orengo ensured that the Marco Island Satellite Office staff received the appropriate training and the right resources were available.  The U.S. Department of State considers the applications for designation based on passport demand and existing acceptance facilities located in communities.

To apply for a U.S. Passport, residents must bring all required documentation including proof of U.S. Citizenship, proof of identity, a recent color photograph, passport application fees, and completed passport application forms. For more information about passport applications, visit  CollierClerk.com/Passports .

The Marco Island Satellite Office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Marco Island City Building is located at 50 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL.

 

News Release
November 22, 2022

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel to be Speaker at Local Real Estate Seminar Series

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Crystal K. Kinzel will be one of three featured speakers in a local Real Estate Seminar Series targeting “The State of the Local Market.” The first of four seminars will be held on Thursday, December 1st at 3:00 PM at the Collier County Courthouse First Floor Multi-purpose room (3315 Tamiami Trl E, Naples, FL 34112).

This workshop is a collaborative effort of James York, York Real Estate Group of Downing-Frye Realty; Chris Mitchell, Brightway Insurance; and Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. Attendees will learn about current trends in the market as well as a look ahead for where we are growing, contracting pitfalls to avoid, home and flood insurance tips, as well as how real estate taxes support growth in the community.

This is a free, educational seminar open for all residential home owners as well as those considering buying or selling a home in Collier County. This is NOT a sales presentation, it is informational to assist you in safeguarding your home. RSVP is required, please call 239-821-0150 or email theyorkrealestateteam@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.

 

News Release
November 21, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be Closed

on November 24-25, 2022, in observance of Thanksgiving Day

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Comptroller’s Office will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25 in observance of Thanksgiving Day.

“Though many members of our community have been impacted by recent events, there is much to be Thankful for this season including our team and our customers. It truly is the people that make our community stronger, and I appreciate their efforts to restore the Paradise Coast,” said Clerk Crystal Kinzel.

Online services including civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more will still be available to the public at CollierClerk.com. Regular operations will resume on Monday, November 28.

 

News Release
November 10, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and

Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel Joins Movement to

Shine a Spotlight on Fraud Awareness  

International Fraud Awareness Week kicks off Nov. 13, 2022, worldwide  

An estimated five percent of annual revenues is wasted because of fraud, according to a study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). If that rate holds true for all organizations, then approximately $100 million dollars (5%) of Collier County’s $1.96 billion dollar budget could be at risk annually.

On November 8, the Collier County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing International Fraud Awareness week as a global movement to promote anti-fraud awareness and education. In this movement, partners champion the need to proactively fight the continuing increase in fraud around the world.

The Collier County Clerk of Circuit Courts and Comptroller joins hundreds of organizations who have partnered with the ACFE, the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education, for the yearly Fraud Week campaign.  During Fraud Week, official supporters engage in community education and awareness initiatives to raise awareness of fraud. 

In a local campaign, the Clerk’s Office of Inspector General launched a “Blow the Whistle on Fraud” campaign to raise awareness among Collier County staff members and the public. More than 40 employees attended specialized training to spot the red flags of fraudulent grant applications. Two certified Inspector General Investigators represented the Clerk’s Office at the inaugural National Guardianship Association. And, throughout the year, the Clerk’s Office of Inspector General provides educational articles for local civic and trade organizations.

ACFE president and CEO Bruce Dorris, J.D., CFE, CPA, said that the support of organizations around the world helps make Fraud Week an effective tool in raising anti-fraud awareness. 

“Fraud is an issue that unfortunately affects people from all walks of life around the world and it takes many forms,” said Dorris. “Whether it’s a trusted employee stealing from a small business, or organized rings of fraudsters targeting seniors in our community, most people know someone who’s been victimized by fraud. That’s why it’s so important for organizations to join in this fight together to raise awareness during this week. It is a serious problem that requires a proactive approach toward preventing it, and educating people is the first step.” 

For more information about increasing awareness and reducing the risk of fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week, visit FraudWeek.com.  

 

News Release
November 8, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be Closed on

November 11, 2022 in observance of Veterans Day    

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Courts and Comptroller’s Office will be closed on Friday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. Online services including civil procedure forms and instructions, civil small claim forms, criminal forms, family law forms, foreclosure forms, recording requests, and more are available to the public at CollierClerk.com. Regular operations will resume on Monday, November 14.  

 

News Release
October 31, 2022

Volunteers sought to serve in the Clerk’s Corps

Clerk Crystal Kinzel is looking for volunteers to join the Clerk’s Corps for a rewarding experience of giving back to their community and serving the public using their own skills, experience, and expertise.   

Members of the Clerk’s Corps will provide their assistance to the different departments including Information Technology, Courts, Finance, and Administration. A wide range of volunteer opportunities is open for any interested applicants such as:

  • Clerical projects – filing paperwork, back scanning of court files, sorting, assembling and organizing materials, routing and delivering documents, etc.
  • Customer assistance – greeting and guiding members of the public to the correct offices and essential resources they need for Jury Duty, Court Filings, and more
  • Legal Research
  • Policy and procedure documentation
  • Technical Writing
  • Financial projects – accounting and/or auditing

Volunteers who are interested in applying must be detail-oriented, have friendly customer service, and have a passion for helping individuals gain greater access to government services. A Volunteer Application Form will be provided for interested applicants where they will be asked to provide a short description of their educational background, work history, and other relevant personal information. Details provided through this application form will serve as the basis for volunteer placements and assignments.

Service hours and specific volunteer schedules will depend on a mutual agreement between the accepted volunteers and the Clerk’s Office. However, volunteers must ensure their availability on a recurring and/or project-specific basis during the office’s normal business hours, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM every Monday – Friday.

Learn more about the Clerk’s Corps by visiting our HR team at the Naples Chamber 2022 Get Involved Collier! Volunteer Expo on November 3, 2022, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Coastland Center (1900 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Fl 34102) For more information about the expo, visit napleschamber.org. Interested volunteers who wish to sign up today, visit the career page on CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
October 6, 2022

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel encourages residents to

register for free Risk Alert Notification Program

In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel encourages residents to register for a free Risk Alert Notification Program available on CollierClerk.com.

The Collier County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller reminds the citizens of Collier County to stay vigilant of possible digital threats, highlighting identity theft leading to fraudulent activities this Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The Clerk encourages the residents to register to the Risk Alert Notification Program which allows them to easily monitor suspicious activities on their official records and take the necessary actions to prevent further fraud.

In the first half of 2022, a total of 817 cases of data compromises were recorded with over 53 million affected US individuals. These data compromises vary from data breaches, data exposure, and data leakage which are some of the causes of online identity theft.

Property fraud is one of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the US and is typically done by criminals through falsifying records and faking their identities. People are deceived to buying or renting the stolen properties while the real property owners remain ignorant of the crime until damages has already been done.

“Through our Risk Alert Notifications, residents can quickly take action to report suspected fraud and protect their assets. It is a simple step that can save residents valuable time and money in restoring their records,” said Crystal K. Kinzel.

The Risk Alert Notification Program is a free service provided by the Clerk’s office to prevent property fraud by allowing owners to monitor their property records. Upon registration, a link will be sent that allows them to add, edit, or delete party names and Official Records to monitor. Subscribers will receive an email if activity occurs on their records so that they can verify whether the transaction is valid.

Also, please refer to our website at Collierclerk.com for upcoming joint events with the Sheriff’s Office regarding fraud.

 

 

News Release
October 1, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office
 recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Clerk’s office is proud to partner with The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Preventing, Protecting, and Prevailing against Domestic Violence in Collier County.

For the entire month of October, the Collier County Clerk’s office will be observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a commitment to raising awareness in the community and providing safe, confidential services to those in need. The Clerk’s office has held a long-time partnership with The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, to give victims support in filing protective orders, dissolution of marriage, and other court forms as needed.

Nearly one in every three women will experience domestic violence, which can take the form of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and even financial abuse. One of the most important in breaking free from the control of an abuser is to file protective orders, dissolution of marriage, and other court documents.

“Through our partnership with The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, we provide a safe and confidential space for survivors to regain control of their lives,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel.

In recent months, the Courthouse Annex went through extensive renovations to install a self help resource center to provide the public with additional access to services. During the renovation, special care was taken to protect victims of domestic violence. A private space was included in the design to ensure protection and confidentiality while accessing those services. This office is staffed with a social worker that can provide additional resources and referrals for support.

 

 

News Release
September 8, 2022

Website Launch Press Release
Clerk Kinzel Launches Enhanced Website
WWW.COLLIERCLERK.COM

In an ongoing effort to provide the best possible service to the residents of Collier County, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Crystal K. Kinzel, is pleased to announce the launch of our updated and user-friendly website at www.collierclerk.com. The design of the new site is to provide a simple search process for users to locate the information they seek. With over 1,000 different constitutional and statutory roles and functions performed by the Clerk’s Office, we hope you will find the new website user-friendly and adapts more readily to mobile use.

We’ve added more department and social media icons on the homepage allowing the user to find more information with just a click of a button. Additional pages have been added to many departments to simplify user searches. We’ve added an announcements page to keep the public updated, in addition to an easily accessible ADA tool and enhancements to the multi-language features of our prior site. Our departments can now more easily add videos, self-help packets, and links to external websites to continue updating important information. The site also features a mortgage and deed calculator. There are many other enhancements to explore when you visit www.collierclerk.com. If you find something you’d like us to improve even further, just let us know under the submit feedback tab, which is located on the right side of the homepage.

“I am pleased to announce the launch of our enhanced website. Our goal is to serve the public better. I hope you will take the opportunity to visit www.collierclerk.com and let us know what you think. This is one of the many customer-facing improvements we are making to provide our residents with the best service possible when visiting our website.” said Clerk Kinzel.

Media Contact:
Lisa Kasparian
Director of Community Relations and Outreach Lisa.Kasparian@collierclerk.com
Cell: (239)-315-2954
Office: 239-252-6879

 

 

News Release
August 12, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Press Release
Important Taxpayer Deadline

Collier County, August 12, 2022 – It’s time for the Value Adjustment Board process to begin. The Property Appraiser notifies taxpayers in August of their property’s assessed and market values in a Truth in Millage (Trim) notice. If a taxpayer feels the Property Appraiser’s assessment classification or exemption status for their property is incorrect, they may contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at 239-252-8141 or visit www.collierappraiser.com. If the taxpayer is unsatisfied, they may file a petition to appeal the assessment with the County’s Value Adjustment Board (VAB) through the Clerk’s Office.

Petitions can be filed at www.CollierClerk.com or in-person at the Minutes and Records office at 3299 Tamiami Trail E., Naples 34112, on the 4th floor in Building F. The Value Adjustment Board receives, and processes petitions, maintains a VAB database, and schedules and records the hearings.

“The 2022 Value Adjustment Board petitions are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 9, 2022; staff is available to assist taxpayers in the process.” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

For more information about the Local Telephonic Hearings Policies and Procedures, please visit Telephonic Hearing Procedures.pdf (collierclerk.com). In addition, a request for a Local Telephonic Hearing must be submitted on the local VAB form, which is available on the VAB link on the Clerk’s website at: . Please email the form to vabclerk@collierclerk.com; or mail the form to Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board Minutes and Records Department, 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 401, Naples, FL 34112-5746.

Media Contact:
Lisa Kasparian
Director of Community Relations and Outreach Lisa.Kasparian@collierclerk.com
Cell: (239)-315-2954
Office: 239-252-6879

 

 

News Release
August 2, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Press Release
JURY SCAM ALERT

Collier County, August 2, 2022 – Please be aware that scammers are contacting Florida residents claiming they missed jury duty and requesting residents to pay a fine by purchasing a gift card to Clerks’ offices. This was reported in the Manatee and Sarasota County area, and the spread of the scam is unclear.
Clerk Kinzel alerts Collier County residents and advises citizens to never give personal or financial information over the phone to a stranger, especially if the caller acts aggressively. For example, anyone asking for payments to be made through a gift cards is a high scammer risk. Also, be wary of caller ID, as this can be spoofed, making a phone call look like it is coming from a natural source.
“If you receive a call from someone saying you’ve missed jury duty and need to pay a fine, immediately hang up the phone.” said Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. “Our office does not offer the option to purchase a gift card; please contact our office immediately at (239) 252-2646 to report fraud.”

 

For more information, please visit www.CollierClerk.com .
Media Contact:
Lisa Kasparian
Director of Community Relations and Outreach
Lisa.Kasparian@CollierClerk.com
Cell: (239)-315-2954

 

 

News Release
May 4, 2022

Fitch Upgrades Collier County Florida’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘AAA’ and its outstanding rated Special Obligation Bonds to ‘AA+’; Outlook Stable 

In a report dated April 29, 2022, Fitch assigned its highest IDR to Collier County, Florida.

“The upgrade of the IDR to ‘AAA’ reflects Fitch’s expectations for the continuation of strong tax base, population and economic activity growth in the county, reflected in robust revenue, labor force and income gains. The IDR also reflects the county’s historically solid operating performance characterized by high independent revenue raising ability, solid expenditure flexibility and maintenance of sound reserve levels.  The county also benefits from low long-term liabilities relative to the economic resource base.”

Credit ratings are important indicators of the credit worthiness of Collier County Government and the bonds it issues.  A ‘AAA’ issuer rating enables Collier County to sell bonds at lower, more favorable interest rates, saving taxpayers millions of dollars over the life of the bonds.

“Together, the Clerk’s Finance and Accounting Department, County Administration and the Office of Management and Budget work diligently to secure the best possible ratings for our county,” said Clerk and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel. “I want to recognize the great cooperation to achieve these results for our taxpayers.”

View the full report here .

For more information, contact Derek Johnssen at (239) 252-7863.

 

 

News Release
April 12, 2022

Collier Clerk’s Office Presents Comprehensive Financial Report
to County Commissioners

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, the Office of the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller presented commissioners with the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2021. Director of Finance Derek Johnssen led the discussion, which included a presentation by the independent certified audit firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Each year, the Clerk’s finance team produces the CAFR in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The CAFR encompasses the entire financial operations for county government, including the constitutional officers. It serves as a valuable tool for assessing the county’s fiscal health and for long-term financial planning.

“We take our stewardship of public funds very seriously,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “Our goal with the CAFR is to provide transparent and thorough financial reporting to our citizens. Our finance team works with staff from the County and Constitutional Offices to achieve that goal. I encourage all residents to learn more about our government finances.”

The 2021 CAFR, which includes a clean audit opinion from the independent audit firm CliftonLarsonAllen, was unanimously accepted by county commissioners.

The 2021 CAFR is available for viewing at CollierClerk.com.

 

For more information, contact Derek Johnssen at (239) 252-7863.

 

 

News Release
March 23, 2022

Collier Clerk’s Office to Hold Operation Green Light
An opportunity to pay overdue fines, save money, and get the “green light” to legally get back on the road.

Saturday, April 9, 2022
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Office of the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will hold a driver license reinstatement event known as “Operation Green Light,” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at the newly opened Heritage Bay Government Center, 15450 Collier Blvd., Naples, Florida 34120.

During Operation Green Light, individuals whose driver license has been suspended as a penalty for unpaid fines are given the opportunity to pay those fines without having to pay additional collection fees. Once paid, those who meet eligibility requirements will advance to the next step toward license reinstatement. Staff from the Collier County Tax Collector’s office will be on hand to print new driver licenses.

The event was especially planned to take place on Saturday to accommodate working residents who are unable to take time off on weekdays. Individuals who are unable to pay the total amount owed at one-time are encouraged to speak to a deputy clerk about payment plan options.

A person is not eligible for license reinstatement through the Operation Green Light event if his/her driver license has been suspended or revoked due to the following reasons: 

  • Failure to fulfill a court-ordered child support obligation;
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
  • Failure to complete a required driver training course or alcohol/substance abuse program;
  • A traffic-related felony; or
  • Being a habitual traffic offender as defined in Florida Statute 322.264.

 

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield, Director, Community Relations and Outreach at (239) 252-6879 or Mike.Sheffield@CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
August 26, 2021

Disagree with the Assessed Value of Your Property?
Deadline to File with the Value Adjustment Board is September 10, 2021
July 1 – July 7

Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, would like to remind property owners that the deadline to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) is 5 p.m., Friday, September 10, 2021. The VAB hears appeals made by property owners who disagree with the assessment of their property’s value, or with the denial of a property tax exemption or classification.

During the week of August 16, property owners received their 2021 Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, also called a Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice, from the Collier County Property Appraiser. Property owners in disagreement with any of the following found in the notice have options as authorized by Florida Statute Chapter 194:

  • The property appraiser’s assessment of the property’s value;
  • A denial of an application for an exemption, such as homestead, veterans, or senior citizen;
  • A denial of an application for property classification, such as agricultural or historic;
  • A denial of an application for tax deferral; or
  • A determination that a change of ownership or control, or a qualifying improvement has occurred.

Property owners who disagree with their property’s assessed value are encouraged to contact the Office of the Collier County Property Appraiser to discuss how the value was determined. If the disagreement remains unresolved, the property owner may file a petition to appeal the assessment with the VAB. The Office of Collier County Clerk receives and processes petitions and schedules hearings. Property owners may file online at www.CollierClerk.com or in person at the VAB Office, Building F, 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 401, Naples, Florida 34112.

The fee for filing with the VAB is $15 per parcel. The deadline to file is 5 p.m., Sept. 10, 2021.

To speak with a representative from the Collier County Property Appraiser’s Office call (239) 252-8141. For more information about filing a petition with the Value Adjustment Board, call the Collier Clerk’s Office at (239) 252-7240.
 

News Release
August 3, 2021

Sept. 1 is the Deadline to Claim Funds Listed in the Unclaimed Funds Public Notice

Pursuant to Florida Statute 116.21, a list of unclaimed funds in the possession of Crystal K. Kinzel, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, was published in the July 31, 2021 edition of the Naples Daily News. Persons having or claiming interest in such funds shall file a written claim and make sufficient proof on or before Sept. 1, 2021, with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, P.O. Box 413044, Naples, FL 34101-3044. After such date, the unclaimed monies shall be declared forfeit. For more information contact the Clerk’s Accounting Department at (239) 252-2724.

Review the published list of unclaimed funds.

Review additional lists of unclaimed funds and learn how to submit a claim.

 

News Release
June 22, 2021

Collier Residents Encouraged to Take Advantage of the 2021 Freedom Week
Sales Tax Holiday
July 1 – July 7

Thinking about buying a new bicycle? A new gas grill or fishing pole? Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is encouraging residents to enjoy celebrating Independence Day with family and friends and to take advantage of the 2021 Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday that runs from Thursday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 7.

Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday provides Floridians with the opportunity to purchase a variety of outdoor recreational items without having to pay sales tax. The Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday applies to purchases of outdoor recreational items including bicycles, barbeque grills, boating supplies, camping equipment, fishing equipment, sports equipment and water activity supplies including kayaks and canoes. The sales tax holiday also applies to admission to entertainment-based events including concerts, festivals, movies, sporting events and theatrical performances.

Qualified items purchased on the internet are also tax-exempt when the order is accepted during the sales tax holiday period. However, residents are encouraged to support our local economy by shopping locally. All businesses are reminded that they are responsible for correctly exempting qualifying items.

For more information about the 2021 Freedom Week Sales Tax Holiday, or to view the full list of qualifying sales tax free items, visit www.floridarevenue.com.

Click here to view event flyer

News Release
June 3, 2021

Collier Clerk’s Office to Hold a Job Fair
Saturday, June 12, 2021
9 a.m. – noon

The Office of the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller will hold a Job Fair from 9 a.m. – noon, Saturday, June 12, at the North Collier Government Services Center, 2335 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples, Florida 34109.

Collier Clerk Crystal Kinzel and her department directors are looking to fill mission-critical positions in court operations, customer service, data entry, finance, and information technology. This event is open to anyone in the job market and will be especially beneficial for recent high school and college graduates. Those interested in attending may stop in anytime between 9 a.m. and noon.

Attendees will meet directly with hiring managers and should be prepared to talk about their skills, experience, and career goals. Those interested in applying for a position may do so on-the-spot or online at www.CollierClerk.com.

The Collier County Clerk and Comptroller provides a wide range of services and programs to the public and performs over 1,000 constitutional and statutory functions for the court system and county government.

Anyone who requires reasonable accommodations to participate in the job fair should contact the Collier Clerk’s office no later than 48 hours before the start of the event. Reasonable accommodations will be provided at no cost to the individual. To request such accommodations, or for more information about the Job Fair, contact Mike Sheffield, Director of Community Relations, (239) 252-6879 or Mike.Sheffield@CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
May 4, 2021

Collier County Clerk’s Office to Hold “Passport Saturday”
Saturday, May 22, 2021
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that her office will hold a special “Passport Saturday” event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 22, 2021, at the North Collier Government Services Center, 2335 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, Florida.

“Passport Saturday” is especially designed to accommodate county residents who wish to apply for a United States passport; however, are unable to take time off during regular weekday office hours. To participate in the event, residents must be first time passport applicants or have an expired passport that was issued more than 15 years ago. If applying for a passport for a child under 16, both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the passport, and all applicants, including children, must be present. Those wishing to renew a current passport or an expired passport that was issued within the last 15 years should not attend this event, but instead should follow the instructions found on the website of the U.S. Department of State, Office of Passport Services, www.travel.state.gov.

“It’s time to travel again! Countries are lifting travel restrictions, cruise ships will soon be sailing, and Americans want to travel,” said Clerk Crystal Kinzel. “We understand that families have to juggle hectic work and school schedules during the regular business week, so this is a great opportunity for them, especially if they are planning to travel during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.”

Before arriving to apply for a passport, it is requested that applicants visit the website of the U.S. Department of State, Office of Passport Services, www.travel.state.gov, to learn about the specific requirements, including identification, photos and other documentation. Those filling out the application in advance (form DS-11 found at travel.state.gov) must use black ink and should not sign the application until in the presence of a deputy clerk.

To successfully apply for a passport, all applicants must bring the following:

Evidence of United States Citizenship, such as:

  • U.S. birth certificate with official seal
  • Prior U.S. passport
  • Certificate of naturalization (if applicable)

Photo Identification, such as:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Prior passport
  • Certificate of naturalization (if applicable)

Evidence of United States Citizenship, such as:

  • U.S. birth certificate with official seal
  • Prior U.S. passport
  • Government employee identification (city, county, state, or federal)
  • U.S. military or military dependent identification

Passport Photo

  • Recent color photo (white background, eyeglasses removed)
  • 2 inches by 2 inches in size

Two Separate Forms of Payment
As part of the service, separate fees are paid to both the Clerk’s office and the Department of State, as follows:

  • $35.00 acceptance fee for each application payable, to the Collier County Clerk of Court. This fee must be paid by cash, credit card, money order or certified check (no personal checks).
  • $110 fee for each adult application, and $80 fee for each minor child application, payable to the U.S. Department of State. This fee must be paid by personal check or money order (no cash or credit card payments).
  • Those who wish to receive expedited services from the U.S. Department of State can pay an additional $60 expedited service fee.

According to the U.S. Department of State, approved applicants can expect to receive their passport in approximately 10 to 12 weeks with routine service, and approximately four to six weeks with expedited service.

The Office of the Collier County Clerk is the only agency in the county that has been designated by the U.S. Department of State as an acceptance facility for passport services. In this capacity, deputy clerks ensure that application forms have been properly completed and are accompanied by the proper documentation and fees.

For more information about Passport Saturday, contact Mike Sheffield at (239) 252-6879.

 

 

News Release
March 23, 2021

Collier Courthouse Will Be Closed on Good Friday, April 2, 2021
Services of the Clerk will continue to be available at all branch locations

In accordance with the Twentieth Judicial Circuit holiday schedule, the Collier County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, April 2, 2021 in observance of Good Friday. Although services of the Clerk of Court will be unavailable that day at the courthouse, services will continue to be available at all branch locations. Those services include:

  • Passport application services
  • Court & traffic citation payments
  • Recording of Notices of Commencement & Declarations of Domicile
  • Marriage license services

Regular business hours will resume Monday, April 5. Residents are reminded that a wide-range of secure online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.CollierClerk.com, including the acceptance of court & traffic citation payments and access to court and official records.

 

 

News Release
March 16, 2021

Beware of Jury Duty Scam

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court are reminding residents not to fall victim to the jury duty scam.

The scam typically involves a telephone call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer or court official. The caller states that a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you have failed to show for jury duty. The only way to avoid arrest and incarceration is to immediately pay a fine by credit card, prepaid debit cards/gift cards, or money transfer.

If you protest that you never received a jury summons, the scammer asks for your Social Security number and date of birth, claiming to need it to cancel the arrest warrant. However, the personal information that you divulge may be used to commit additional fraud.

Remember: Neither law enforcement nor court clerks will ever contact you by telephone or email about missed jury duty or call you to collect payment of a fine by any method including credit card or prepaid debit cards/gift cards. To protect yourself do not reply to the email or voicemail. Unless you have initiated contact, never give out your personal or financial information to anyone.

This scam can take other forms, including impersonating the IRS, your bank, utilities, and many other legitimate organizations. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Collier County Clerk’s Office encourage residents to report this type of activity immediately. For assistance with any suspicious encounter involving a request for money or personal information, contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s “Call Before You Pay” hotline – (239) 252-CALL (2255). The hotline is staffed Monday through Friday by a deputy in the Financial Crimes Bureau.

 

News Release
March 9, 2021

Reminder from the Collier Clerk’s Office:
Sunshine Week is March 15-21

A Time to Celebrate Government Transparency and the People’s Right to Access Public Meetings and Records

Lots of bright sunny days are in the forecast for Southwest Florida, but “Sunshine Week” is not about our beautiful weather.

Sunshine Week (March 15-21, 2021) is observed annually in Collier County to promote the importance of open government and to celebrate the people’s right to access public meetings and public records. The observance, which is held in mid-March to coincide with the anniversary of James Madison’s birth, serves as a reminder that a well-informed citizenry is essential in order to have an honest and accountable government. At their meeting held on March 9, 2021, Collier County Commissioners recognized the week with a proclamation.

The Office of the Collier County Clerk is responsible for recording, safeguarding, and providing access to public records, including:

  • Court judgements and other court records
  • Official Records such as deeds and liens
  • Wills and marriage licenses
  • Financial records and audits
  • Minutes and records of the Board of County Commissioners

Public access to records is not limited to weekday office hours; thousands of records can easily be viewed and printed day or night at www.CollierClerk.com. While providing quicky and easy access to public records is among our highest priorities, the Collier Clerk’s Office is also committed to protecting from disclosure all legally confidential, sealed, and exempt information in accordance with statutes and court orders.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield, Director of Community Relations and Outreach at (239) 252-6879.

 

News Release
February 1, 2021

Need Documentation to Prove Florida Residency?
Print a Copy of your Deed or Mortgage at CollierClerk.com

Residents seeking “proof of residency” documentation for the COVID-19 vaccine are reminded that the Collier County Clerk’s office is the recorder of Official Records, including deeds and mortgages, and those records are available to the public for free on the Clerk’s website, www.CollierClerk.com.

The statewide public health directive that prioritizes Floridians for the COVID-19 vaccine requires recipients to demonstrate proof of residency prior to the first dose. Residents without a valid Florida driver license or valid Florida identification card must provide two forms of acceptable documentation consistent with the criteria set forth in Florida Statute 381.986(5)(b). Copies of deeds and mortgages are among those documents identified in the statute as acceptable.

The Collier County Clerk’s office provides the public with access to a free online database of Official Records, which is accessible from the convenience of your own home via our website. Copies of documents can easily be viewed, saved, and printed. In addition to deeds and mortgages, the database includes, but is not limited to, liens, subdivision plats, declarations of domicile, declarations of condominium, and mortgage/lien satisfactions.

Follow these steps to search for and print your deed and/or mortgage:

  1. Go to www.CollierClerk.com. On the homepage, click Records Search
  2. Click the link, Official Records found toward the middle of the page
  3. In the box titled Official Records (upper left-hand) click OR Document Search
  4. Enter your name as it appears on the deed or mortgage (last, first). You do not need to enter a document number.
  5. For Document Type, click the box(s) for Deed and/or Mortgage
  6. Click Search (lower right-hand)
  7. A list of documents matching the search criteria will display
  8. Locate your deed and/or mortgage. Click the Adobe PDF icon on the left-hand margin to display the document information.
  9. To print a copy, right-click on your mouse and click Print . To save the document to your computer, double click on the document – it will change color – then right-click. Select save image as or copy image .

Residents without computer access can purchase copies at the Clerk’s office for a small fee. Visit us at our main office or any of our six branch locations during regular business hours. A list of office locations can be found on our website, www.CollierClerk.com.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield, Director of Community Relations and Outreach at (239) 252-6879.

 

News Release
January 28, 2021

Collier County Clerk’s Office to Hold Operation Green Light
A One-Day Opportunity to Restore Suspended Driving Privileges and Save Money

Friday, February 26, 2021
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Do you have a suspended driver license? Past due traffic ticket or court costs? We want to help you save money and legally get back behind the wheel. The office of Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel will hold “Operation Geen Light,” a one-day-only opportunity for those who have lost driving privileges as a consequence of unpaid fines, to pay those overdue costs without having to pay additional collection fees. Operation Green Light will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, February 26, at the Golden Gate Government Services Center, 4715 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples FL, 34116.

Once overdue costs are paid, individuals who meet all eligibility requirements will be able to restore their driving privileges. The Collier County Tax Collector’s office will be on hand to process new licenses.

“For this one-day event, the extra collection agency fees won’t be assessed,” said Clerk Kinzel. “This is a great opportunity to pay your overdue bill, save some money, and get back on the road – legally. If you’re experiencing financial hardship and can’t pay the full amount at one time, please talk to us about the flexible payment plans that we have available.”

A person is not eligible for reinstatement by the Clerk’s office if his/her driver license or driving privilege has been suspended or revoked due to:

  • Failure to fulfill a court-ordered child support obligation;
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
  • Failure to complete a required driver training program, driver improvement course, or alcohol or substance abuse education or evaluation program;
  • A traffic-related felony; or
  • Being a habitual traffic offender as defined in Florida Statute 322.264.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield at (239) 252-6879 or Mike.Sheffield@CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
December 21, 2020

Collier County Clerk’s Office Awarded Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel has proudly announced that her office has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The award was achieved in recognition of the clear financial reporting and “spirit of transparency and full disclosure” demonstrated in the 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) which was produced by the Clerk’s Finance and Accounting Department.

The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment. However, this isn’t the first time that the Collier Clerk’s Office has received this honor; it’s been achieved every year since 1986.

“We take our stewardship of public funds very seriously, and we are honored to receive this prestigious award once again,” said Clerk Kinzel. “Our goal with the CAFR is to provide transparent and thorough financial reporting to our citizens, and our finance team works hard to achieve that goal.”

The CAFR encompasses the entire financial operations of county government, and it serves as a valuable tool for assessing the county’s fiscal health and for long-term financial planning. The 2019 CAFR is available for viewing on the Clerk’s website, www.CollierClerk.com.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield, Director of Community Relations and Outreach at (239) 252-6879 or Mike.Sheffield@CollierClerk.com.

 

News Release
September 18, 2020

National Financial Experts:
Collier’s Credit Position is Superior and Among the Best in the Nation

As the COVID-19 health crisis continues to cause an unprecedented global economic slowdown, two of the world’s largest credit rating surveillance agencies, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, report excellent financial health for Collier County.

Moody’s Investors Service has assigned an Aaa General Obligation rating to Collier County, which is the credit agency’s highest credit rating. Moody’s most recent analysis found no “material immediate credit risks for Collier County” and identified the county’s ratings outlook as stable. In a summary issued on August 21, 2020, Moody’s wrote, “The credit position for Collier County is superior. Its Aaa rating is higher than the median rating of Aa2 for US counties. The financial position of the county is robust and is aligned with the assigned rating of Aaa.”

Some of the key factors identified by Moody’s for assigning their highest rating include the county’s robust financial position and substantial tax base. The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Finance team is responsible for managing and accounting for public funds held by the Board of County Commissioners, including the investment of surplus funds and financial reporting on debt.

Fitch Ratings specifically reviewed $61.8 million in outstanding Tourist Development Tax Revenue Bonds – Series 2018, and their rating was affirmed at AA+. The AA+ rating is a revised upgraded rating that moves the bonds outlook position from negative to stable. In a summary issued by Fitch on September 3, 2020, one of the key factors identified for the upgraded rating was solid expectations of long-term growth in the county. The revenue bonds reviewed by Fitch were issued to construct the county’s new tournament-caliber amateur sports complex.

Having the Aaa and AA+ ratings enables Collier County to sell long-term bonds at the most favorable rates, saving taxpayers millions of dollars over the life of the bonds.

“Working together, the County’s Office of Management and Budget and the Clerk’s Finance and Accounting Department work diligently to secure the high-level ratings for our county,” said Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel. “I want to recognize the great cooperation to achieve these results for the taxpayers.”

For more information, contact Derek Johnssen, Director of Finance and Accounting at (239) 252-7863.

 

News Release
September 16, 2020

Jury Trials to Resume in Collier County…Slowly and Cautiously

After a suspension of jury trials that has lasted for seven months, jury trials will slowly and cautiously resume in Collier County beginning in October.

In response to the public health emergency, the Florida Supreme Court and the 20th Judicial Circuit suspended or limited in-person procedures and services including criminal and civil jury trials. Using a four-phased transitioning timeline, the 20th Judicial Circuit is gradually authorizing the resumption of services, which includes a handful of felony and misdemeanor jury trials in Collier County beginning Oct. 6.

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will mail juror summonses for two upcoming jury trials that are scheduled to be held in October. A jury summons is a court order directing a citizen to appear in court for potential jury service.

“We are moving forward! Jury trials are a vital part of our justice system and it’s great to see them restored in Collier County,” said Clerk Crystal Kinzel. “If you receive a summons, know that you are crucial to the restoration of our court system. I am grateful for your service.”

People entering the courthouse, including potential jurors, are required to follow mandatory safety measures ordered by the Chief Judge. Those measures include wearing a face mask at all times, a brief health screening that will include a temperature scan, and maintaining six feet social distancing. To learn more about the COVID-19 courthouse safety measures, the public is encouraged to view an informational video produced by staff in the Collier Clerk’s Office. A link to the video can also be found on CollierClerk.com.

The 20th Judicial Circuit has authorized COVID-19 related juror excusals and postponements to enhance juror safety, mitigate the spread of the virus, and address hardships related to the pandemic.

Prospective jurors who indicate (subject to penalty of perjury) that they meet any of the criteria listed below may request a COVID-19 related excusal:

  • Prospective juror does not meet the court’s screening requirements for courthouse entry;
  • Prospective juror is at higher risk for severe illness due to COVID-19 infection;
  • Prospective juror must care for a child or relative whose regular care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19;
  • Prospective juror is receiving leave pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Prospective jurors who indicate (subject to penalty of perjury) that they meet any of the criteria below may request a COVID-19 related postponement:

  • Prospective juror recently returned to work after being unemployed due to COVID-19;
  • Prospective juror has suffered a financial or personal loss due to COVID-19 that makes it a hardship to perform jury service.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield at (239) 252-6879. To view up-to-date juror information, visit the Clerk’s Jury Duty page.

News Release
August 11, 2020

Clerk Kinzel Receives Certificate of Appreciation from Sheriff Rambosk for Her
Contributions Combatting Identity Theft and Fraud in Collier County

On Monday, August 10, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel was presented with a certificate of appreciation from Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, in recognition of her innovative and proactive approach to combatting identity theft and fraud in Collier County by providing citizens with the free Risk Alert Notification Program.

“By providing the Risk Alert Notification Service to property owners, Clerk Kinzel has given our residents a means to easily monitor their property records for fraudulent activity,” said Sheriff Rambosk. “This is a significant contribution in our efforts to combat identify theft and fraud in Collier County, and Clerk Kinzel and her team are to be commended.”

Earlier this year, the Collier Clerk’s Office launched the Risk Alert Notification Program, which is a free service designed to help property owners monitor and protect their property records from property fraud. Property fraud can be committed in a number of ways when a scammer files a phony property document, such as a deed, to make it appear as if they own property that is not theirs, and then they often deceive people into giving them money to buy or rent the property, or deceive banks into giving them a loan.

Subscribers to the Risk Alert Notification Program will receive an email alert if a deed, mortgage or other record matching the subscriber’s name is recorded in the Official Records of Collier County. Subscribers can then determine whether the activity was legitimately initiated, or if a scammer is committing fraud. If fraud did occur, the subscriber can quickly take the next steps with law enforcement agencies.

“As criminals evolve in their methods to commit crimes, we must also evolve in our methods to meet those threats,” said Clerk Crystal Kinzel. “The Clerk’s Office is proud to work in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office to fight fraud and protect our residents and I am grateful to Sheriff Rambosk for this recognition.”

Over 800 residents and businesses have already subscribed to the free service. Those interested in subscribing will find a link to the online registration form on the homepage of the Clerk’s website, www.CollierClerk.com. For more information, contact Mike Sheffield, Director of Community Relations and Outreach at (239) 252-6879.

News Release
July 31, 2020

Collier Clerk’s Office Seeks Rightful Owners of Millions in Uncashed Checks

Everyone likes to find forgotten money – a $10 bill in the pocket of an old pair of pants; an overlooked $20 tucked inside a pocketbook. But did you know that you might also find money that belongs to you at the Collier Clerk’s Office? Just look for your name on the Clerk’s lists of outstanding checks, and if it’s there, hurry and claim your money.

Collier Clerk Crystal Kinzel wants you to know that lists of outstanding checks held by the Clerk’s Office and the Board of County Commissioners have been compiled and are available for viewing on the Clerk’s website, CollierClerk.com – Unclaimed Monies. As of June 30, the combined total was over $8.9 million in outstanding checks payable to individuals and businesses for reasons that include jury duty compensation, court fees and vendor payments. The checks, in various amounts ranging from $1 to over $1 million, were either received by the recipient but never cashed, or were returned by the post office because the addressee moved without providing a forwarding address.

“This money belongs to our citizens, and we want them to have what is rightfully theirs,” said Clerk Crystal Kinzel. “Whether you are an individual or business, please make sure to look for your name on the unclaimed checks lists and help us by spreading the word to others. We would love to see this money returned to its owners.”

If your name appears and you believe that you have a valid claim to funds, follow the directions to complete the appropriate affidavit. Claimants must sufficiently prove ownership which includes providing a valid government issued photo identification and a notarized affidavit.

The lists of unclaimed funds, instructions, blank affidavit forms, and a link to unclaimed funds held by the State of Florida (www.fltreasurehunt.gov) can be found on the Clerk’s website, www.CollierClerk.com – Unclaimed Monies.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield, Director of Community Relations, at (239) 252-6979.

 

News Release
June 22, 2020

Tax Collector Larry Ray and Clerk Crystal Kinzel,
Announce the Relocation of the
Eagle Creek Government Services Satellite Office

Customers in southern Collier County will benefit by the new, larger location, especially during the busy winter months. Collier County Tax Collector Larry Ray and Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel are pleased to announce the relocation of the Eagle Creek Government Services Satellite Office to a larger location. Formerly located at the Shops At Eagle Creek near the intersection of Tamiami Trail East/Collier Blvd., the new office is located south of the intersection, at 6654 Collier Blvd., in front of the Walmart Superstore.

To better serve residents, the Tax Collector and the Clerk routinely co-locate services at satellite locations across the county. The Eagle Creek office, which is especially busy during the winter high season, serves southern Collier County, including residents in Marco Island and Goodland, and communities that include Eagle Creek, Fiddler’s Creek, Hammock Bay, Isles of Capri, Lely/Lely Resort, Naples Heritage, Naples Lakes, Naples Manor, Treviso Bay and Verona Walk.

“I don’t think we could have found a better location for our customers and for our team members,” said Collier County Tax Collector Larry Ray. “The new location is larger and has more customer service windows, which will increase our service capacity. We want our customers to be in and out as quickly as possible, especially during peak season.”

“This new bright location offers enough space to serve our residents living in the growing communities to the south,” said Collier Clerk Crystal Kinzel. “Because our county is so vast, our goal is to bring first-class services to our citizens in the neighborhoods where they live. We’re very excited to greet residents at this new location.”

The new office is now open and offering all the same services as before, including:

Tax Collector Services:

  • Partial driver license services (no testing)
  • Motor vehicle registration
  • Acceptance of property tax payments
  • Registration services for boats/vessels
  • Hunting & fishing license services

Clerk of Court Services:

  • Acceptance of payments for court fines and traffic citations
  • Recording of Notices of Commencement and Declarations of Domicile
  • Passport application services (available 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • Marriage license services (available 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • Marriage ceremonies (by appointment 239-252-2654)

The Eagle Creek Government Satellite Office is located at 6654 Collier Blvd. Naples FL, 34114, south of the intersection of Tamiami Trail East/Collier Blvd., in front of the Walmart Supercenter. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday.

For more information, contact Mike Sheffield at (239) 252-6879.

 

News Release
May 28, 2020

Collier Clerk Opens New Customer Service Counter at the Tax Collector’s Driver License Facility on Airport Road

Collier Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that residents visiting the Tax Collector’s Driver License Facility on Airport Road can now pay traffic citations, pay court ordered fines, establish payment plans, submit documents for Official Recording, apply for a marriage license, and more.

The facility, located at 725 Airport Rd., across from the Naples Municipal Airport, has been a busy location for several years, providing residents with driver license and vehicle registration services. The Tax Collector and the Clerk routinely co-locate services at satellite locations to better serve the people of Collier County, and with the addition of Clerk services at the Airport Road location, a convenient “one-stop” facility is provided.

“Some of the Tax Collector’s customers seeking a driver license or vehicle registration may have outstanding costs for traffic citations or other court payments. Until now they have had to drive to the courthouse or another satellite office to pay their fines and then return to the Driver’s License facility to complete the process,” said Clerk Kinzel. “Co-locating services at this location simply makes sense and will help the people we serve get through some of the red tape a bit easier.”

A current employee of the Clerk’s office has been assigned to the new service counter so there will be no additional personnel costs. Clerk services were previously offered at this location until budget cuts during the economic downturn of 2008-2009 caused some expanded services to be discontinued.

Beginning Monday, June 1, walk-in services offered at this location include:

  • Acceptance of court ordered payments;
  • Acceptance of traffic citation payments;
  • Payment plan arrangements;
  • Recording of Notices of Commencement and Declarations of Domicile;
  • Marriage license services, and more.

Passport services are not yet available at this location because the U.S. Department of State has limited its passport operations during the pandemic.

The Driver License facility is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. This location brings the number of conveniently located customer service counters provided by the Clerk to seven, as follows:

Main Office
Gov. Center/Courthouse
3315 Tamiami Trail E.
Naples. FL 34112

Satellite Offices
Golden Gate Gov. Center
4715 Golden Gate Parkway
Naples. FL 34116

Immokalee
106 South First Street
Immokalee, FL 34142

North Collier Government Center
2335 Orange Blossom Drive
Naples, FL 34109

Everglades City Hall
102 Copeland Ave. N.
Everglades City, FL 34139

Eagle Creek – Now at the new location next to the Walmart Superstore
6654 Collier Boulevard
Naples, FL 34114

Driver’s License Facility – New, beginning June 1
725 Airport Road South
Naples, FL 34104

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eNewsletters

Dear Collier Residents,

I invite you to add your email address to the Clerk’s email distribution list to receive information electronically from the Clerk’s Office.

The information you will receive will be in the form of press releases, announcements and updates from the Clerk, as well as summaries on issues related to county government.

I am working hard to bring great transparency to county government. With that goal in mind, I am reaching out to you in an attempt to expand the number of citizens receiving electronic information from the Clerk.

Sign Up Here

Respectfully,

Crystal K. Kinzel signature

Crystal K. Kinzel
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Collier County, Florida

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”
— Thomas Jefferson

Latest Newsletters

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Invite the Clerk

Clerk Kinzel is Committed to Community Outreach

Crystal welcomes every opportunity to speak to county residents and taxpayers.

Schedule an informational presentation for your homeowner’s association, condo association, civic group or club. Clerk Kinzel will give a general presentation or she can tailor her presentation based on the specific interests of your organization.

Presentation topics include any/all of the following:

  • The many roles and responsibilities of the Clerk and Comptroller
  • How the Clerk protects taxpayer dollars
  • How to easily search for records on CollierClerk.com including court records & official records such as condo declarations, deeds & mortgages
  • How to participate in foreclosure & tax deed auctions
  • How to utilize the Self-Help Center if representing yourself in small claims, family law or landlord/tenant cases
  • How to register to receive Risk Alert Notifications

To schedule a presentation contact: community.outreach@collierclerk.com

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In the News

Interviews 

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel interview by James York of the York Group of Downing Frye Reality

Watch full interview here: 

 

Recent Articles 

Say ‘I do’ this Halloween

from Marco Eagle News – Oct. 21, 2024

Put a ring on your lover’s finger if they are a fellow Halloween enthusiast. A themed wedding ceremony to celebrate the holiday will be available at the Collier County Courthouse Chapel this Oct. 31.

Read more here.

 

Clerk Crystal Kinzel Invites You to Say ‘I Do’ this Halloween

from Marco Eagle News – Oct. 7, 2024

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is inviting Collier County couples who have a penchant for anything spooky to tie the knot in this year’s Halloween-themed wedding ceremony to be held on Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Collier County Courthouse Chapel.

Read more here. 

 

Say ‘I do’ this Halloween

from Naples Daily News – Oct. 6, 2024

Put a ring on your lover’s finger if they are a fellow Halloween enthusiast. A themed wedding ceremony to celebrate the holiday will be available at the Collier County Courthouse Chapel this Oct. 31.

Read more here.

 

Collier Clerk Receives GFOA Distinguished Budget Award

from SWFL Business Today – June 11, 2024

The Government Finance Officers Association announced the Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller has been recognized with GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 23rd year.

Read more here. 

 

Florida Clerks Notification Programs now exempt from public records

from Naples Florida Weekly – June 6, 2024

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office announced that the Collier Risk Alert Notification Program is now exempt from public records disclosure and invites the community to sign up for the free service.

Read more here. 

 

Florida Clerks Notification Programs Now Exempt from Public Records

from Coastal Breeze News – June 6, 2024

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office announces that the Collier Risk Alert Notification Program is now exempt from public records disclosure and invites the community to sign up for the free service. 

Read more here. 

 

A Day in the Life of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

from Coastal Breeze News – May 23, 2024

Have you ever thought about how the government works? I mean, really thought about it in a dial-down, deep-dive kind of way? Citizens and commissioners can endlessly debate where our tax money should be spent, but who is actually in charge of that money once the decision is made?

Read more here.

 

Be a more informed voter: Collier County’s constitutional officers

from Naples Daily News – May 19, 2024

With August elections just around the corner, this article looks at Collier County’s constitutional officers. All but one are seeking reelection.

Read more here. 

 

Jury duty scams on the rise, victims losing thousands of dollars

from NBC-2 – May 3, 2024

Collier County Clerk Crystal Kinzel also had to put out a scam warning to residents. In the month of April alone they’ve received 14 jury scam complaints. Collier County Clerk of Courts Senior Investigator Ruben Ramos says in some of these cases, they are seeing victims lose thousands of dollars.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County clerk’s office warns of potential scam threatening fines

from NBC 2 – April 11, 2024

Two Collier County residents lose thousands of dollars in fake clerk’s scam. Two victims reported that the scammers convinced them to pay the money demanded. One paid $1,800 and another paid $3,500.

Read more here. 

 

Nine new reports of phone scams in Collier County. What to know

from Marco Eagle – April 11, 2024

Phone scams are on the rise in Collier County. This is according to the Collier County Clerk of Courts Office of Inspector General, which reports it has received nine reports from residents and former residents since April 4.

Read more here. 

 

Passport Saturday: Collier County hosting weekend event for locals to apply for passports

from Naples Daily News – March 7, 2024

If you want to apply for a passport but have trouble doing so during your regular work day, Collier County has you covered. The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court is hosting an event called Passport Saturday where locals can submit their applications.

Read more here.

 

3 To Know: Spring forward this weekend; Passport Saturday, more

from Marco Eagle – March 6, 2024

If you want to apply for a passport but have trouble doing so during your regular workday, Collier County has you covered. The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court is hosting an event called Passport Saturday where locals can submit their applications.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County Businesses are Reminded to Reset Sales Tax Rates to 6%

from SWFL Business Today – February 28, 2024

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel reminds Collier County businesses to review and update sales tax rates in automated terminals in accordance with guidelines issued by the Florida Department of Revenue.

Read more here. 

 

Collier Clerk to host Passport Saturday

from Naples Florida Weekkly – February 22, 2024

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be holding Passport Saturday on Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Heritage Bay Government Services Center, 15450 Collier Blvd, Naples.

Read more here. 

 

Love was in the air on Valentine’s Day 2024 in Lee, Collier counties

from WGCU – February 19, 2024

In two years, Valentine’s Day will fall on a Saturday. For Chabely Reinoso and Danyer Laffita, Feb. 14, 2026, will mark their two-year wedding anniversary. When that day comes, they will be celebrating with both their families together for the very first time.

Read more here.

 

Collier Clerk of Court holding weekend passport application event in March

from NBC-2 – February 15, 2024

According to the Collier County Clerk of Court, Passport Saturday will be held on March 9, 2024, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Heritage Bay Government Services Center located at 15450 Collier Blvd.

Read more here. 

 

Businesses are reminded to reset sales tax rates to 6%

from Naples Florida Weekly – February 8, 2024

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel reminds Collier County businesses to review and update sales tax rates in automated terminals in accordance with guidelines issued by the Florida Department of Revenue.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County residents warned of businesses overcharging amid sales tax cut

from NBC2 News – January 30, 2024

The Collier County Clerk of Courts is reminding county residents to check their receipts on purchases to prevent overcharging.

County officials told NBC2 that some residents have reported businesses have yet to lower their current sales tax to 6%, despite new county policies.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County warns against phone scam

from WINK News – January 26, 2024

The Collier County Courthouse is warning against a new phone scam aiming to steal money from unsuspecting callers.

The phone scam consists of calling their victims claiming to be a judge demanding payments for failing to appear in court.

Read more here. 

 

You might get a call from a ‘judge’ saying you missed jury duty and now owe money. It’s a scam.

from FOX4 News – January 25, 2024

You might get a phone call from a person claiming to be a judge, and demanding payment for failure to appear in court.

That’s according to the Collier County Clerk’s Office.

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel issued an alert following recent fraud cases targeting people living in Florida.

Read more here. 

 

Speaking of love…

from Marco Eagle – January 4, 2024

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel recently announced that registration is open for the 4th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony, which will be held in the Eva Sugden Gomez Center at Baker Park on Feb. 14.

Read more here. 

 

Love is in the Air

from Coastal Breeze – January 4, 2024

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that registration is open for the Fourth Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony, which will be held in the Eva Sugden Gomez Center at Baker Park on February 14, 2024. This event is organized by the Collier County Clerk of the Courts.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County Clerk urges submitting official records by noon Dec. 26 to guarantee 2023 recording date

from WGCU – December 11, 2023

With the end of the year quickly approaching, Collier County residents are urged to submit any documents for recording by noon on December 26, to ensure they are officially recorded in 2023.

Read more here. 

 

Collier Clerk Kinzel serving as Fraud Week Ambassador

from WGCU – November 13, 2023

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel will serve as one of the Fraud Week Ambassadors for this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week.

Kinzel is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Law Enforcement and Government Alliance Program. The ACFE observance runs through Nov. 18.

Read more here.

 

Collier County Clerk Invites You to Tie the Knot this Halloween

from Coastal Breeze News – October 5, 2023

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that appointments are open for couples to get married or renew their vows in the Collier County Courthouse Chapel located at 3315 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, Florida, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. 

Read more here.

 

Collier County Encourages Halloween Weddings

from ESPN Southwest Florida – October 2, 2023

Have you been thinking about tying the knot but have not figured out how to do it or where to do it? This idea is for you. The clerk’s office in Collier County encourages Halloween weddings this year. The Collier County Courthouse Chapel in Naples is fully decorated for the fall season and the clerk wants it to see it get some action.

Read more here. 

 

Idalia: What Collier County offices will be open, what else to know

from Naples Daily News – August 28, 2023

While the main Collier County Courthouse annex will be closed Tuesday, all eight satellite offices will remain open to help taxpayers with services such as processing official records, accepting passports, issuing marriage licenses, processing payments and providing access to legal forms.

Read more here. 

 

LCF names Youth Leadership Collier Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award winner

from Naples Floridaweekly – July 27, 2023

The Leadership Collier Foundation of the Greater Naples Chamber announced the recipient of the 2023 YLC Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, Peter Falisi. This award honors an individual who embodies the mission of YLC with exemplified leadership through community involvement and professional achievements.

Read more here.

 

Collier Clerk’s Office celebrates 100 years of service

from Marco Eagle News – July 25, 2023

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office held its Centennial reception to celebrate their 100 years of service to Collier County residents. The event was hosted on July 7, which was the 100th anniversary of the first Collier County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held in the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City.

Read more here. 

 

Clerk’s Office Celebrates Collier County

from Coastal Breeze News – July 12, 2023

Did you know the first civil case filed in the newly minted Collier County in 1923 was for a divorce? Or that the County’s first elected woman judge was in 1975? These are just some of the fascinating details on display at a reception held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court office on July 7th, the exact date Collier became a county 100 years ago. The Courthouse Atrium had a fantastic interactive display showing the history of the Clerks, the Courthouse and other county events through the decades.

Read more here.

 

Collier County Clerk’s Office Recognized in Best Practices Excellence Program

from Coastal Breeze News – June 20, 2023

Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to share that the office has been recognized by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FCCC) for receiving a Recognition of Excellence certificate in all the 10 Best Practices categories at the Third Annual Best Practices Excellence Program.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County Clerk’s Office Recognized in the 2022-2023 FCCC Best Practices Excellence Program

from SWFL Business Today – June 19, 2023

Collier County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to share that the office has been recognized by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FCCC) for receiving a Recognition of Excellence certificate in all the 10 Best Practices categories at the 3rd Annual Best Practices Excellence Program.

Read more here. 

 

Fraud alert: victims surfacing in jury duty appearance scam

from Naples Florida Weekly – June 1, 2023

Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller, Crystal K. Kinzel, warns residents and visitors about a new round of telephone scams that are emerging in Southwest Florida.

Seven similar complaints were reported in January. In the scam, the caller identifies themselves as a deputy with the Collier

Read more here. 

 

Fraud alert: New victims surface in jury duty appearance scam

from WGCU – May 26, 2023

A claim of failing to appear for alleged jury duty is part of a new round of telephone scams emerging in Southwest Florida.

The Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel issued a warning this week to residents and visitors about seven similar complaints reported in January.

Read more here.

 

Passidomo Appoints Collier Clerk To Florida Clerks Of Court Operations Corporation Executive Council

from Gulfshore Business – May 11, 2023

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo appointed Collier County Clerk and Comptroller Crystal K. Kinzel to a two-year term on the Florida Clerk of Courts Corporation.

As a member of the executive council, Kinzel, who began her career at the Collier Clerk’s office in 2005 after serving 16 years as finance director with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, will review matters of statewide concern to clerks, including budgets and operations.

Read more here. 

 

Jury duty? Dealing with summons just got easier in Collier County

from Naples Daily News – Apr. 10, 2023

Got summoned for jury duty?

In Collier County, the Clerk of the Courts has gone digital to make it easier for potential jurors.

The Clerk’s office recently completed a switch to a high-tech management system.

Read more here.

 

Annual Collier County Passport Saturday Coming April 22nd

from Coastal Breeze – Mar. 13, 2023

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court will be holding Passport Saturday on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 9:00 AM to – 2:00 PM at the Heritage Bay Government Services Center located at 15450 Collier Blvd, Naples, Florida. 

Read more here.

 

Collier County Operation Green Light to be held on March 25

from Florida Weekly – Mar. 9, 2023

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court in conjunction with the Collier County Tax Collector’s Office will be holding Operation Green Light on Saturday, March 25, from 9 am – 2 pm at the Heritage Bay Satellite Office located at 15450 Collier Blvd., Naples.

Read more here. 

 

Court services for Immokalee Residents

from Immokalee Bulletin – Mar. 3, 2023

Are you an Immokalee resident planning to seek court services at the main Collier County Courthouse in Naples? Instead of wasting time and money commuting to East Naples, you should know that many services are available online at CollierClerk.com or through the Clerk’s satellite office at the Immokalee Courthouse.

Read more here. 

 

Accessing Collier County Court’s Self-Help Center

from The Vine (Vineyards Community Magazine) – March 2023 Issue

Clerk of Courts across the state of Florida, including Collier County, offer self-help programs for individuals that choose to represent themselves in court, regardless of their financial situation. 

Read more here.  

 

Love in the Air on Valentine’s Day

from Coastal Breeze News  – Feb. 23, 2023

The “I Do’s” were ringing on Valentine’s Day when the Collier County Clerk of Court’s held their annual wedding and vow renewal event at 21 Spices by Chef Asif. Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Crystal Kinzel, performed the ceremonies for nineteen married and ten engaged couples.

Read more here.

 

E-Filing Tips to Help you Stay Productive

from Adverse Witness – Feb. 2023 Issue

Our office has worked to implement technological solutions that can save you time and help you stay productive throughout the year. For more than 10 years, we have offered secure e-filing services. While the database is a great resource, it is much easier to navigate using the following tips to file documents:

Read more here.

 

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year at the 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony

from North Naples News – February 2023 Issue

Are you engaged and ready to get married? Or would you like to celebrate with your sweetheart at the third annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony, hosted by Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

Read more here. 

 

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year at the 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony

from Old Naples News – February 2023 Issue

Are you engaged and ready to get married? Or would you like to celebrate with your sweetheart at the third annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony, hosted by Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

Read more here. 

 

Moments in Collier County’s 100-year History: The Move to East Naples

from The Vine (Vineyards Community Magazine) – Feb. 2023 Issue

Many people might be aware that the first Collier County Courthouse was built in Everglades City, but how exactly did it get transferred to East Naples and become the courthouse that we know today? We went back into the Clerk’s archives to review articles for this interesting piece of history.

Read more here.

 

Seminar on Common Mistakes Home Buyers and Sellers Make

from Coastal Breeze News – Feb. 2, 2023

Collier County residents and visitors are invited to learn more about The Five Most Common Mistakes Buyers and Sellers Make on Thursday, February 16, 2023. The seminar will be held at Collier County Library (2385 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples, FL 34109) from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. 

Read more here. 

 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the 3rd Annual Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony Scheduled for February 14, 2023

from The Vine (Vineyards Community Magazine) – Jan. 2023 Issue

Are you engaged and ready to get married? Or would you love to celebrate the love of your life by renewing your vows? Make plans for our 3rd Annual Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony which I am proud to officiate!

Read more here. 

 

More victims come forward in court appearance fraud scheme

from Florida Weekly – Jan. 19, 2023

Two weeks ago, Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Crystal Kinzel alerted Collier County residents that scammers are calling and falsely claiming that they failed to appear at a court hearing. In total, seven complaints have been reported to either the Office of Inspector General or Collier County Sheriff ’s Office Financial Crimes Bureau.

Read more here.

 

More victims surface in Collier County court appearance fraud scheme, bringing total to seven

from WGCU – Jan. 12, 2023

More victims have come forward after Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Crystal Kinzel’s recent alert to Collier County residents that scammers are calling and falsely claiming that they failed to appear at a court hearing.

Read more here.

 

Clerk’s Office warns of court appearance fraud scheme alert

from Florida Weekly – Jan. 12, 2023

Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Crystal Kinzel cautions that scammers are contacting county residents, claiming that they failed to appear at a court hearing.

Read more here.

 

Say I Do on Valentine’s Day

from Coastal Breeze News – Jan. 12, 2023

Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel is pleased to announce that registration is open for the third annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony, which will be held at 21 Spices by Chef Asif on February 14, 2023.

Read more here.

 

Start the New Year Off Right by Closing out 2022 Cases

from Adverse Witness – Jan 2023 Issue

As we celebrate the fresh start that comes with the new year, it is important to take the time to properly close out cases from 2022. By taking the time to file a Final Disposition, you can help us clean up the cases in our system and submit timely reports to the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA).

Read more here.

 

American Legion learns about fraud prevention

from Marco Eagle News – Jan. 6, 2023

We have all seen those ads on TV where the homeowner has his house sold or taken without his or her knowledge by fraud. On Dec. 27, Marco Island’s American Legion Post 404 learned of a free county service that will help prevent such fraud. Crystal Kinzel (Collier Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller) visited the meeting to discuss her responsibilities in an informative presentation.

Read more here.

 

Florida District Courts of Appeal Realignment and Questions

from Adverse Witness – Dec 2022 Issue

Beginning January 1, 2023, appeals from the trial in Collier County, as well as from the entire Twentieth Judicial Circuit, will be filled in the newly created Sixth District Court of Appeals. The new district court of appeals will be composed of the Ninth, Tenth and Twentieth Judicial Circuits. This realignment results in a district court of appeals which is more focused on the counties of central Florida.

Read more here.

 

Make sure your end-of-year donations are going where you intended

from The Vine (Vineyards Community Magazine) – Dec 2022 Issue

According to donorbox,org, December is often the busiest time of year for donations. Non-profit organizations fill a critical role in providing services to those in need in our community, but it is important for donors to e prudent in researching and evaluating the charities they are supporting.

Read more here. 

 

Collier County Clerk’s Marco Island Satellite Office Approved to Receive Passports

from Coastal Breeze News – Dec. 8, 2022

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is proud to announce that the Clerk’s satellite office located in Marco Island City Building is now approved to receive passport applications.

Read more here.

 

Now You Know: Get your passport at Collier Clerk’s Marco satellite office

from Marco Eagle News – Dec. 6, 2022

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller recently announced that the clerk’s satellite office, located in Marco Island city building, is now approved to receive passport applications.

Read more here.

 

Collier Clerk’s Office continues to Safeguard Collier County Residents

from ENCompass Magazine – Nov/Dec 2022 Issue

As Collier County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, I represent all residents of Collier. However, it is important to me to visit with the businesses and people that make each community special.

Read more here.

 

Collier Clerk’s Office continues to Safeguard Collier County Residents

from: The Vine (Vineyards Community Magazine), November 2022 Issue

As Collier County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, I represent all residents of Collier. However, it is important to me to visit with the businesses and people that make each community special.

Read more here. 

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