Center Court - The Newsletter of the Orange County Clerk of Courts
Marriage Licenses and Passports Expand to Serve You Better
After several weeks of remodeling and construction, our new Marriage License and Passport Division is now open at the courthouse in suite 350. This expansion was necessary to better serve our customers who have been literally lining up to use these services.  

Many days customers had to crowd with family and friends into our small lobby area as they waited to attend wedding ceremonies or apply for passports. The space simply could not handle the volume. In fact, the lobby started getting so packed that benches had to be installed in the hallways.

On the plus side, this significant growth also brought in more non-court revenue in marriage license and passport fees. Using the revenue from those areas, we were able to create a better Marriage License/Passport space to meet the ever-growing demands and improve the customer experience in several ways. 

The biggest rush of passport renewals typically happens in January. According to the State Department, now is the best time to apply for passports because processing times are shorter between September and December. If you want to apply for a passport, come see our new remodeled space and enjoy the shorter processing times this time of year. 

We celebrate this successful opportunity to better serve our customers and look forward to serving you. 
Self Help Expands - Register for Legal Matters Forum
With a population of nearly 50,000 and a land mass of 24 square miles, Apopka is the second largest city in Orange County. That is why we are expanding our Self Help Center one day a week to our Apopka Service Center starting Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Several weeks after that we will then host our next Legal Matters forum right in the city of Apopka. On November 2nd, we will have our next Legal Matters: Access to Justice Workshop in partnership with the Orange County Bar Association. We will use this forum to highlight our continued partnership with the Orange County Bar Association and how the Self Help Center can assist customers in navigating small claims matters, divorces or evictions. 
We are less than one month away so make sure you register soon as space is limited. Click below for more information and to register for our Legal Matters: Access to Justice Workshop. Make sure you share it with your network.
Register Now
October is Domestic Violence
Awareness Month
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. In Florida alone, more than 120,000 cases of domestic violence were reported last year. Domestic violence prevention is an important issue facing the citizens of Orange County. Serving both on the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Commission and the Domestic Violence Taskforce, I along with my fellow justice partners and community leaders work to identify trends and reduce the incidence of domestic violence in the community. 

My Family Services Division Injunctions Leadership Team recently joined Harbor House of Central Florida and other partners at the City of Orlando chambers to help proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness month. The injunctions team works hard every day helping customers in need. In just 2016, 6,397 injunctions were filed in our office, and we helped over 17,000 customers. These numbers are staggering, however the more we educate the public on how to get help, the more we can reduce the threat of domestic violence.  

Our mission is to increase access to justice by providing our community and partners access to services with transparency and integrity. Our enhanced technology, educational forums, and communication will help citizens connect with the Clerk  in their time of need.  

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Tell Us How We're Doing
If you have recently conducted business with the Clerk’s Office, I’d like to hear from you. Customer service is at the core of what we do for the citizens of Orange County. From process improvements and educational initiatives to technological advancements and community outreach, the customer is always our top priority.
Please take a moment to let us know what we did well as well as where we still have opportunities to improve.
Give Feedback
October Star Performer
Congratulations to Jessica Hart, our Star Performer for the month of October. Jessica is a deputy clerk in the Civil division. Teammates say she is detail-oriented, professional, bright, and efficient. She brings dedication and confidence to the Civil Probate Mental Health group.
"Jessica has been a strong asset for our customers," said a colleague. "She exemplifies the meaning of a team player by showing efficiency in getting work done and a willingness to embody our office standards. Her assistance is vital to the success of our team."
In the Community
Left: Dawn, Lillian, and Andrea attended the annual State of Winter Park hosted by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. Center: Clerk Russell spoke to the City of Apopka Council regarding our upcoming Apopka Self Help Center and Legal Matters forum. Right: Deputy clerks provided information and materials to our community on National Night Out.
Upcoming Events
  • Saturday, October 14: Habitat for Humanity Service Project, Deputy Clerks will give back to the community by helping to build a home
  • Saturday, October 21, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Orange County Hispanic Heritage Fiesta in the Park, Scott Pine Community Park
  • Saturday, October 28, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Lake Eola

Tiffany Moore Russell
Orange County Clerk of Courts
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