Homestead and domicile filings in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, and Manatee counties
Zacharia Frey PLLC. Updated November 2026.
You apply for the homestead exemption with the property appraiser in the county where the home is, by March 1, and you record a Declaration of Domicile with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you live. Both offices are listed below for Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, and Manatee counties. Lakewood Ranch spans Manatee and Sarasota counties, so check which county your home is in.
Where to file
| County | Homestead exemption | Declaration of Domicile |
|---|---|---|
| Lee CountyBonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel | Lee County Property Appraiser | Lee County Clerk of Court |
| Collier CountyNaples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Ave Maria | Collier County Property Appraiser | Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Charlotte CountyPunta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood | Charlotte County Property Appraiser | Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Sarasota CountySarasota, Venice, North Port, Longboat Key | Sarasota County Property Appraiser | Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Manatee CountyBradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, Anna Maria, Ellenton | Manatee County Property Appraiser | Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller |
The dates are the same in every county
Own and live in the home on January 1. Apply by March 1. The exemption then renews automatically. Each property appraiser explains its own online filing; each clerk sets its own recording procedure and fees.
Common questions
- Where do I file for homestead in Lee County?
- With the Lee County Property Appraiser, by March 1, for a home you owned and lived in on January 1.
- Where do I file for homestead in Collier County?
- With the Collier County Property Appraiser, by March 1, for a home you owned and lived in on January 1.
- Where do I record a Declaration of Domicile in Southwest Florida?
- With the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you live: Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, or Manatee.
Law cited on this page
- § 196.011, Fla. Stat. (Florida Statutes)
- § 222.17, Fla. Stat. (Florida Statutes)
General information about Florida law, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.