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Establishing Residency

To become a legal resident of Florida, one must establish a dwelling place and demonstrate the intent to make Florida the place of permanent residence.  There is no fixed waiting period for residency. A sworn statement declaring residency may be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bay County. There is a small service charge for recording the affidavit. Call 850-763-9061 for information.

Driver’s Licenses
A Florida driver’s license is required within 30 days for any driver who becomes a resident of Florida, is employed in Florida, or registers a child in a Florida public school. To obtain a driver’s license you need a social security card and a current Florida vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

New residents who have a current driver’s license from another state are required to pass only the vision portion of the examination. First-time applicants must take vision, written and road tests. Applicants should make an appointment to take the drivers examination.

The cost of a first time Florida license is $20. The license is valid for six years. License renewal is $15 and a replacement license is $10.

Driver’s License Offices
237 W. 15th Street
Panama City
850-747-5751

104 S. Arnold Road
Panama City Beach
(No road tests)
850-233-5035

Automobile Tags and Registration
New residents must register their vehicles and obtain a Florida license tag within 30 days of establishing legal residency or prior to beginning work or registering children in the public school system.  Military personnel and students are exempt.  Proof of Florida insurance, a copy of your out-of-state title or registration, and a completed Florida State Form 82042 which verifies the vehicle’s identity number and odometer readings is required.

Bay County Tax Collector’s Offices
648 Mulberry Avenue
Panama City
850-784-4090

104 S. Arnold Road
Panama City Beach
850-233-5035

801 Florida Ave.
Lynn Haven
850-271-8850

5416 N. Lakewood Drive
Parker
850-872-4654

Services

Voter Registration
Voter registration may be done at the Bay County Registration and Elections office, local libraries, driver’s license offices or by mail. Florida voters must be a legal resident of Florida and the appropriate county, be 18 years old by Election Day and have no felony record. Voter registration must be completed 29 days prior to the election. The Supervisor of Elections office is located at 205 Mosley Drive Lynn Haven, FL 32444. The phone number is 850-784-6100.

Recycling
Bay County residents may use drop centers, curbside recycling (Callaway, Cedar Grove, Mexico Beach and Parker); or take materials to a buy-back or other recycling center. For information on the recycling centers or programs contact the Recycling Hotline at 850-784-6127.

Fishing
Whether you are fishing for dinner or for a prized trophy, we promise you’ll find it swimming in the waters surrounding Bay County. Charter a boat to take you deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, fish from one of our piers or bridges or, if you prefer freshwater fishing, cast your line into Deer Point Lake. A deep-sea catch might include snapper, grouper, tuna, or marlin while a freshwater catch could be a large-mouth bass or bluegill.

The State requires nonresidents have a saltwater fishing license when fishing from either a boat or land. However, Florida residents may saltwater fish from land without a license, but must have a license when fishing from a boat. Those younger than 16 years or older than 65 years are exempt from having a saltwater license.

When fishing from a pier, deep-sea charter or guide boat, the operator may have purchased a license to cover clients. You should inquire to make sure.

A freshwater license is required for freshwater fishing. Some ages are exempt from licensing. Call the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission at 850-265-3676 for information. Licenses are available from the Bay County Tax Collectors offices or substations; call 850-784-4090. Licenses are renewable annually and the cost varies. For information about saltwater fishing call the Florida Marine Patrol at 850-233-5150.

Transportation Highway Network
Bay County highways are complemented by U.S. Highways 98 and 231, and Florida Routes 20, 22, 77 and 79. Interstate Highway 10 is located 13 miles from the northern portion of Bay County and 38 miles from the center of Panama City.

Utilities
Electric, gas, telephone and water companies require deposits for first time service in the area. Deposits vary in each municipality.

Electricity
Gulf Power Company
800-225-5797

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative
850-265-3631

Natural Gas
TECO Peoples Gas
1-877-832-6747

Telephone
BellSouth Residential: 850-780-2355
Business: 850-780-2800

Knology (phone and cable)
850-215-1000

Comcast Cable (phone and cable)
(850) 769-2929