New Resident Guide · Starke, Florida
Bradford CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Bradford County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, Brooker, and the rest of the county — power, water, gas, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Bradford County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Bradford County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services (tags & DL: (904) 966-6240). New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Bradford County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Bradford County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents (Official Records: (904) 966-6283); also court records.
Building & Permitting
Bradford County Building & Zoning
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Bradford County (via the county main line).
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Bradford County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
Three providers by address — Starke city limits are municipal; most rural areas are Clay Electric.
Clay Electric Cooperative
Serves: Most unincorporated Bradford County (rural co-op territory).
City of Starke Electric
Serves: Inside Starke city limits only (municipal).
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: Pockets of southern/eastern Bradford (the Hampton/Brooker area).
Water & Sewer
Inside Starke, the city; many rural homes are on a private well and septic.
City of Starke Utilities
Serves: Inside Starke (water, sewer, garbage).
Natural Gas
Piped gas is the City of Starke system; rural homes use propane.
Trash & Recycling
Unincorporated areas use county drop-off sites; Starke bills curbside garbage on the city account.
Bradford County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated county drop-off sites.
City of Starke
Serves: Inside Starke (curbside garbage on the city bill).
Internet & TV
Availability varies block to block — check your address on each provider's site.
Xfinity (Comcast)
Serves: Starke and parts of the county (the main wired provider).
Kinetic by Windstream
Serves: Scattered Bradford coverage — check by address.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Bradford County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Bradford County, FL?
Three providers split the county by address: the City of Starke runs its own electric inside city limits; most rural Bradford is Clay Electric Cooperative; and some south/east edges (Hampton/Brooker) are Duke Energy. Confirm by exact address.
How do I set up water service in Bradford County?
Inside Starke, the city provides water, sewer, and garbage at (904) 964-5027. Many rural homes are on a private well and septic.
How do I file for the Florida homestead exemption in Bradford County?
File with the Bradford County Property Appraiser at bradfordappraiser.com or (904) 966-6216. The deadline is March 1, and you must own and occupy the home as your permanent residence as of January 1 of that year.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Bradford County?
The Bradford County Tax Collector (bradfordtaxcollector.com, (904) 966-6246) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses (tags & DL at (904) 966-6240). New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Bradford County?
Register or update your address through the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections at votebradfordfl.gov or (904) 966-6266. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Bradford County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Bradford County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.