Here are some agencies that you will want to contact as you get settled in your new home.

Brevard area utility companies and their phone numbers are listed below. These are numbers you’ll need to get settled. If you want an idea about the cost of utilities for a particular home or apartment, call the utility company. They will be able to give you a monthly average. The power companies require deposits based on your credit history and they do accept MasterCard or Visa payment.

Eligible Florida residents may apply for year-round homestead exemption by March 1st.  If applicant is older than 65, an additional homestead exemption may be available if less than $20,000 is earned per year.

To apply, you need the following documents for all people on the title and residing on the property deed or tax bill in your name: Florida driver's license, Florida vehicle registration, and Florida's voter and Social Security cards.

These are numbers for local licensing agencies: Car and Boat Tags; Driver's License.

New residents must apply for Florida tags and car titles within 10 days after they begin working, apply for homestead tax exemption or enroll children in school. Proof of Florida insurance is required.

A Florida driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of gaining employment, establishing residence, claiming a homestead exemption, registering to vote or registering a child in the public school system.  All new residents will be required to take a vision examination, even those who have valid out-of-state licenses.  Prior to receiving a license on any vehicles they own that are in the state, the vehicles must be registered in Florida and the registration certificate must be presented to the driver's license agency.  Vehicles are registered at the Brevard County Tax Collector's Office.  For people without a vehicle, a driver's license and one additional form of identification (Social Security card, marriage license, military ID card or passport) must be presented,  The cost of the license is $20 for six years.  Renewals are $15.

To obtain a driver's license:
First time drivers must attend a 4 hour substance abuse course (DATE).  The completion certificate must be presented to the driver's license agency when applying for a driver's license.  The DATE Course can be scheduled by looking in the telephone directory's yellow pages under Driver Instruction.

A learner's license can be obtained at age 15 but cannot be converted to a regular license until age 16.  Any minor, age 16 and 17, must hold a learner's license for a minimum of six months prior to conversion to a regular license.  Other restrictions apply to minors under the age of 18.  A parent or legal guardian of any minor applicant must sign a parental consent form.  Two forms of legal ID also are required.  Applicants must take a written examination and vision screening.  The only exception to the DATE course and written examination is if the course is taught as part of driver's education in high school. A waiver form from the school must be presented.

A  non-driver identification card can be obtained for those who do not drive and require legal identification.  Two legal forms of ID are required in order to obtain an ID card.  Cost is $3 for six years with $2.50 for renewal.

For appointments:

To register to vote, a person must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age or be age 18 on or before election day, a permanent resident of Brevard County, not currently adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting and not be convicted of a felony without civil rights having been restored.  A Florida voter registration application form must be completed in order to be a registered voter.  The application also may be used to record a change of name, address or party affiliation.  The registration does not become effective until received and verified by the Supervisor of Elections.

New registrations must be received at least 29 days before an election for a person to be eligible to vote in that election.  Florida is a closed primary state which means that a person must be registered with a party in order to vote in that party's primary election.    At a general election, a voter may vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation.  A registered voter may vote for nonpartisan candidates and issues in any election.

Under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 which became effective Jan. 1, 1995, voter registration is available at the Supervisor of Elections offices listed below: