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Plain-language guides to the paperwork behind a government office visit, and what to do in an emergency before help arrives.
Register to vote by Oct 5for the Nov 3 electionIn an emergency, call 911. Guides do not replace emergency services or training.
Offices & Paperwork
Get it right the first time
What to Bring to a Florida Government OfficeA practical checklist of documents to bring for a driver license, vehicle registration or title, voter registration and county health visits.Disabled Parking Permits in Florida: Types and How to ApplyWhat a disabled parking permit is, who can qualify, and the usual application steps.How to Order a Florida Birth CertificateWho can order, what it costs, and the three ways to order.What to Do After a Car Accident in Florida: Reporting RulesWhen to call the police, when you must file your own report, and what to exchange at the scene.
Vehicle & Driver License
Fees, renewals, titles
How to Calculate Florida Vehicle Registration FeesFlorida registration fees are set by vehicle weight and type, not value. Use the calculator for a quick estimate.Florida Driver License and ID Renewal: Cycles and Online ServicesHow often to renew, how early you can start, what you can do online, and when you must go in person.How to Prepare for In-Person Vision and Medical ScreeningsWhat happens at the vision test, what to bring, and what to do if you need a medical report.How to Transfer a Vehicle Title Between Two Private Parties in FloridaSteps for sellers and buyers, the forms you need, fees, taxes and the 30-day deadline.Florida REAL ID: What It Is, What to Bring and How to Get OneWhich documents you need for a REAL ID-compliant Florida license or ID, and when you must visit in person.How to Replace a Lost, Stolen or Damaged Florida Driver License or IDWhat a replacement costs, what to bring, and what to do if your license was stolen.How to Get a Duplicate (Replacement) Florida Vehicle TitleWhen you can apply for a duplicate title, the form, the fees and what to do if there is a lien.How to Renew Your Florida Vehicle RegistrationWays to renew, what you need, and what happens if you renew late.VIN Verification in Florida: When You Need It and Who Can Do ItWhy Florida requires a VIN and odometer check for some vehicles, and who is allowed to sign the form.
Voting & Elections
Register, vote by mail, early voting
How to Register to Vote in FloridaEligibility, the registration deadline, three ways to register, and how to update your information.Vote by Mail and Early Voting in FloridaHow to request a mail ballot, the deadlines, and how to return it.
Moving & Relocating
Deadlines and address changes
Preparing to Move Out of Florida: Name and Address ChangesA checklist for leaving Florida, plus how to update your address and name with the state while you still live here.Legal Timelines for Registering a Vehicle and License After Moving StatesFlorida's deadlines for new residents, and a checklist for finding the deadline in any other state.
Safety & Reporting
Report a crime safely
911 & Emergency Communication
Say the right things on the call
How to Describe Someone's Medical Condition Accurately to a 911 DispatcherSay what you see, hear and know, not what you think the diagnosis is. A short script that gives responders the facts they need.How to Communicate with a 911 DispatcherWhat to say, in what order, and how to describe consciousness, breathing, bleeding and the way someone was hurt.The Difference Between: 18 Look-Alike Conditions and When to Get HelpSide-by-side comparisons of common conditions that look alike, what you can observe, and when to call 911 or get assessed.When to Call 911, When to Use a Non-Emergency Number, and Text-to-911How to decide which number to use, plus the facts about texting 911 in Florida.
First Aid
What to do before EMS arrives
How to Spot and Stop Severe BleedingHow to recognize life-threatening bleeding, and the three actions that save lives: call, press, and tourniquet.What Is Triage? The ABCs of First Aid Before EMS ArrivesHow responders decide who needs help first, and the simple order of checks anyone can use while waiting for an ambulance.How to Spot a Heart Attack, a Stroke (F.A.S.T.) and Cardiac ArrestWarning signs of three different emergencies and what to do right now.How and When to Do CPRHands-Only CPR for adults, how it changes for children and infants, and how to use an AED.What Is a Seizure and How to RespondWhat seizures look like, how to keep a person safe, and when to call 911.What to Do When You Assist Victims of a Vehicle AccidentKeeping yourself safe, what dangers to look for, and how to help before responders arrive.Burns, Heatstroke and Hypothermia: How to Recognize and Treat ThemImmediate care and warning signs for three temperature-related emergencies, including what you should not do.Electrocution: Dangers to Look For and How to HelpHow to stay safe around electrical hazards, how to help a shock victim, and why even a “minor” shock needs a check-up.How to Assess and Respond to Head and Spinal InjuriesWarning signs of a serious head, neck or spine injury, and why keeping the person still can protect them.Choking First Aid for Adults, Children and InfantsRecognize choking and learn the back-blow and abdominal-thrust sequence.Poisoning Emergency: When to Call 911 and When to Call Poison ControlThe Poison Help number, what to have ready, and what to do for swallowing, skin, eye and inhalation exposures.
Storms & Safety
Hurricanes, water and home safety