Newcomer Information

Florida residency requirements, licensing and tax information, voter registration and links to important phone numbers.

Marion County is often called the crossroads of Florida, and rightly so. Its location in the north-central part of the state puts it within an hour or two of major metropolitan areas. Ocala is the hub of the system of federal and state highways that crisscross this country.

• Florida Residency Requirements
• Motor Vehicle Registration
• Obtaining a Driver's License
• Hunting, Boating, and Fishing License  
• Tax information
• Occupational License Information
• View Important Phone Numbers
• Voter Registration

Florida Residency Requirements

Some employers require proof of residency, particularly state and county governments whose requirement is one year. No minimum length of time is required to establish state residency, but you do have to file a Declaration of Domicile form with the Clerk of the Court for Marion County (620-3904).

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Motor Vehicle Registration

Within 30 days of establishing residence in Florida, you must register your motor vehicle. To register a vehicle in Florida you will need:

• a current driver's license,
• proof of auto insurance,
• the car's title or other proof of ownership.
• Newcomers must apply for a Florida Title Certificate.

Please call the Tax Collectors office at (352) 368-8230 for a comprehensive list of everything you will need to bring with you to register your motor vehicle .

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Obtaining a Driver's License

To obtain a Florida driver's license, you must:

• Apply within 30 days of becoming a resident
• Show proof of vehicle registration
• Show valid out of state license
• Pass a vision test
• Without a valid out-of-state license, take a written exam and driving test.

For further information on obtaining a license, call (352) 732-1251.

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Hunting, Boating and Fishing

Anyone who is fishing or hunting in Florida, except for residents over 65 and under 16, must obtain a license. For residents, an annual fishing/hunting license is $23.50; for fishing only, it is $13.50. You may purchase licenses from any of the tax collectors offices or from bait shops and sporting goods stores.

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Occupational Licenses

Occupational licenses are required for all incorporated cities in Marion County in which you do business. Licenses for Belleview, Ocala, Dunnellon, McIntosh and Reddick can be obtained from their city halls. As of October 1, 2006 Marion County no longer requires Occupational Licensing

Bars & Institutions

Environmental Health

1801 SE 32nd Avenue

Ocala, FL  34471

(352) 622-7744

Restaurants - State of Florida

Business & Professional Regulation

Division of Hotels & Restaurants

277 N Magnolia Drive

Tallahassee, FL  32301

(850) 487-1395 

 

Convenience Stores

State of Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

680 Maple Street

Chattahoochee, FL  32324 

(800) 435-7352

Special Events Beverage License

State of Florida Business & Professional Regulation

240 NW 76th Drive

Gainesville, FL  32607

(352) 333-2515

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