The Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is there for the highs and lows of life: It's where you apply for a marriage license or pay a traffic ticket. This office does much more than what you may think, though — here's what we know.

About the Clerk

Stacy Butterfield is Polk County's current Clerk. She's serving her third term since first being elected in 2013. The role of Clerk was established by Florida's state government in 1838.

The Clerk's main priority is safely keeping public funds and records. The Polk County Clerk even holds official records dating back to the 1800s. They also work with the courts to process and file all legal documents and court records.

What the Clerk does

The Clerk's services cover a wide array of offerings. On the courts side, this is where you'll receive jury duty summons, file for a marriage license or name change, pay child support and traffic tickets, and more.

You can also find public records via the Clerk, including tax deeds, court dockets, and land records. Pro tip: You can typically request your records for free without paying a fee for an external service.

Additional resources

Sign up for the Clerk's free Property Alert Service. Register property you own, and receive alerts when documents are filed that may affect your property (read: Keep an eye out for any fraudulent activity).

This Saturday, March 25 is the Clerk's Saturday Passport Application Event. Visit the Lakeland branch (930 E. Parker St.) or Winter Haven branch (3425 Lake Alfred Rd.) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for a convenient way to apply for a passport outside of regular hours.