Key Takeaways
- Tax Guardian and Premium plans include Declaration of Domicile preparation, and on those plans we reimburse the county recording fee
- We prepare the document and give you county-specific filing steps; you sign it before a notary and file it with your county Clerk of Court, by mail if you like
- Once it is recorded, you send us a copy (a scan or photo works) and we keep it with your domicile record
- Once you mail it, allow 1-2 weeks for recording and any return mail, plus postal time if you mail it from abroad
What We Do For You
Filing a Declaration of Domicile is an important step in establishing Florida residency. We prepare the document and guide you through notarization, then hand you county-specific filing instructions. Signing it before a notary and mailing it to your Clerk of Court are short steps you control.
Included In: Declaration of Domicile preparation is included in our Tax Guardian ($90/month) and Premium ($250/month) plans, and on those plans we reimburse the county recording fee. Essential plan members can add preparation for a one-time fee. You sign the completed Declaration before a notary and file it with your county Clerk of Court.
How The Process Works
Step 1: Document Preparation
We prepare your Declaration of Domicile with all required information:
- Your full legal name
- Your Florida residential address (your address with us)
- Your previous state of residence
- Declaration language meeting Florida legal requirements
- Formatting that follows your county clerk's recording requirements
Step 2: Notarization Coordination
The Declaration must be notarized before filing. We offer two options:
Option A: Remote Online Notarization (Recommended)
- Complete via video call from anywhere in the world
- Takes approximately 15 minutes
- You'll need two forms of ID
- We give you the prepared document and the steps to follow
Option B: In-Person Notarization
- Visit any notary public (banks, UPS Store, etc.)
- We provide the prepared document
- You keep the notarized original to file
Step 3: Filing with Clerk of Courts
You file the Declaration. We give you everything the filing needs:
- The correct Clerk of Courts for your county, with address and hours
- The current recording fee and the payment methods that office accepts
- Whether that county accepts filing in person, by mail, or electronically
- What to ask for so the recording information comes back complete
Step 4: Certified Copies
Once it is recorded, send us your certified copy and we:
- Store a digital copy in your account so it is there when an institution asks
- Forward the physical copy to wherever you are
- Keep it with the rest of your domicile record
Who Does What, and How Long It Takes
| Step | Who | Where | Typical Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| We prepare your Declaration | Your Tax Base | Online, through your dashboard | 1-2 business days | Included on Tax Guardian and Premium; one-time add-on on Essential |
| You sign it before a notary | You | Any notary public, in person or online | 1-3 business days to schedule | The notary's own fee, if any |
| You mail it to your county Clerk of Court | You | By mail; some counties also take in-person or electronic filing | 1-2 business days to send, plus postal transit | Postage, plus the county recording fee |
| The Clerk records it and issues a certified copy | Your county Clerk of Court | Your county's Official Records | 3-7 business days to record; certified copy in 5-10 business days | Certified copy fee set by the county |
| You send us a copy for your domicile record | You | A scan or photo works | Once it is recorded | None |
| We reimburse the recording fee | Your Tax Base | Paid back to you | After it is recorded | Covered on Tax Guardian and Premium; on Essential you pay the county fee |
| Total | Once you mail it, allow 1-2 weeks for recording and any return mail, plus postal time if you mail it from abroad | |||
Our Declaration of Domicile county guide lists the clerk address, recording fee and accepted filing methods (mail, in person or electronic) for eight of Florida's largest counties; your dashboard gives the exact filing steps, clerk address and fee for your own county.
What You Receive
- Your record: The copy you send us is kept with your domicile record
- Certified copy: The official certified copy the Clerk mails back after recording, if you include the small extra fee when you file
- Recording information: Book/page number or document ID for your records
- Domicile record: Your certified copy and recording details kept with the rest of your domicile file, ready when an institution or your former state asks
Keep Your Certified Copy Safe: Store your certified Declaration of Domicile with your important documents. You may need it for state tax audit defense, homestead exemption applications, or other legal purposes.
Why Use Our Service?
Convenience
- No need to research county clerk procedures
- No need to visit a Florida clerk's office in person: you can mail your Declaration to the Clerk
- We prepare all the paperwork and keep your certified copy on file
Accuracy
- Properly formatted document meeting legal requirements
- Prepared for the right county, with that county's filing steps
- Formatted to Florida's recording requirements, so it is ready to sign
Speed
- Sign before any notary near you, with no trip to Florida
- Your clerk's address, fee and filing steps in your dashboard
- Faster than navigating the process yourself
How to Get Started
- Ensure you're on Tax Guardian or Premium plan (or purchase as add-on)
- Complete your account profile with accurate information
- Request Declaration of Domicile preparation through your dashboard
- Sign it before a notary (online or in-person)
- File it with your Clerk of Court (by mail works) using the county-specific instructions we give you, then send us a copy for your domicile record
Prefer to Do Everything Yourself?
If you'd rather handle your Declaration of Domicile yourself, see our comprehensive Declaration of Domicile Guide for step-by-step instructions on the DIY process.