CORONAVIRUS AND REGISTRATION
The purpose of this post is to serve as an advisory for those who are trying to comply with registration obligations during this period. On March 12, 2020, anticipating certain counties would close courthouses, jails and administrative offices where registration is performed, the Florida Action Committee contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to determine what procedures have been implemented to accommodate registration in counties where offices are closed.
While we wait for a reply, check the comments below to see if information about your county has been posted. If not, please call your county registration office to find out whether they are open, whether they anticipate closing, whether they are taking precautions to implement social distancing during this period and what accommodations have been made for registration should their office be closed or closing.
A list of all county registration offices, along with their telephone numbers are published here: https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/Documents/REREGISTRATIONLOCATIONS.pdf
For any questions, call the FDLE at: 1-888-357-7332 or e-mail [email protected].
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The State of Florida FDLE has posted the following on the FDLE website in the area where registrants update internet identifiers and employment info:
During the current State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 virus, below is information provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) and Florida Sheriffs Offices regarding their temporary mechanisms and accommodations for registrants to report registration information as required under Florida laws. As updated information is made available during this time it will be updated here. Please contact and check the website of the Sheriffs Office in your county to determine any alternative registration reporting procedures they may have in place during this State of Emergency.
Registrants may request a Driver License/Identification Card Address Update Form by:
Calling the HSMV Customer Service Line: (850) 617-2000, OR
Downloading the Form from DHSMV at
Florida Registrant Address Update Request, OR
https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/registrant_address_update_request.pdf
And What if Certain Registrants Do Not Have Access to The World Wide Web?
PALM BEACH COUNty –
P.S. On the sheriff’s web site https://www.pbso.org/spot-unit/
it says “Biohazard Please Note:
Due to COVID-19 ALL Criminal Registrations are currently being conducted via phone only.
Please call 561-688-4990, -4931, or -4932.”
Further on Palm Beach County. Today I was told on the phone that my registration was complete, signature not needed, just report again in six months. I’m hanging on to the log showing my conversations with the sheriff’s office, and also a message one deputy left me.
Au Contrair,
The web page (https://www.pbso.org/spot-unit/) now says
“Due to COVID-19 ALL Criminal Registrations are currently being conducted via phone.
Sex Offenders/Sexual Predators are still required to show up in person.
Please call 561-688-4990, -4931, or -4932.
These rules seem to be set by whoever is the shift supervisor.
PALM BEACH COUNTY Today 4/2/20 I went to Palm Beach County usual registration place, by the fairgrounds, for my semi-annual reporting. You no longer go in and report; it is closed to the public. Signs have changed. There was a new sign in the window saying to register call 561 688-4990, 688-4931, 688-4932. Those are the numbers of some of the deputies that handle SOs in the sheriff’s office. I eventually got someone (familiar voice, but I didn’t note the name) When I told him I had held my ID up in front of the door so the person on the other side could see it, so “someone saw my ID”, as he put it, he went over all my information and said I had fulfilled my registration requirement, but I still had to appear to sign my paperwork. but he said the office would be closed for the next 2 weeks and I should call then to see if they were open or would be closed longer. I got the impression there was some confusion, if you have to present an ID and sign paper, what is being done on the phone? My conclusion is that they want to eliminate as much face to face contact as possible. I also had occasion to deal with the county court today on an unrelated civil matter, and found out that they are on a 2 day a week schedule and things scheduled for April are being pushed back into May.
We are truly blessed to have FAC there for us to help us get organized. This is a ‘battle’ that we are going to win.
All the discussions about in person reporting is really unbelievable, (figure of speech), when as has been so many times pointed out there are other alternatives. When I read and listen to discussions about in person reporting I think about two sayings. First, “do onto others as you would have others do onto you”. Next, “am I my brothers keeper”. The answers are obvious.
My heart and prayers go out to all those who are subjected to the excessive rules and restrictions placed upon them who are under Florida’s jurisdiction.
Along with all those who recognize, respect and appreciate Florida Action Committee, (FAC), I am so thankful for the services they render. Keep up the “fight of good faith”!
So here’s the real deal on registration in Jacksonville-Duval:
904-630-8633 is the correct NEW number. I did not want to leave a message so I persisted and called several times before a human picked up. The detective took my name and last four of my SSN and told me my detective would call back. My detective called back and I did my registration over the phone. Took about 5 minutes. The $25 fee is being waived.
Thanks JZ did they state they are now doing this by phone for all registrants ?
Barbara, I did not ask that question directly, so I can only assume they are. Others have commented that they have also re-registered by phone in Jacksonville-Duval.
Also, during my quest, I stumbled across a JSO (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office) information phone number that is very helpful: 904-630-7600.