Home Solicitation Permit
It is unlawful for any person to conduct any home solicitation sale, as defined in statute 501.021 in this state without first obtaining a valid home solicitation sale permit. You should carefully read chapters 501.21-501.55 of the Florida Statutes regarding the home solicitation process to determine if obtaining a license is appropriate for your circumstance. Please note that local law enforcement frequently will ask to see a seller’s permit. A Home Solicitation License or Permit is good for one (1) year from the date of issuance. The following documents will guide you on how to obtain a permit.
Steps To Obtain a Permit
Step 1: Contact the Walton County Jail to schedule a time to have your fingerprints submitted for a background check.
Contact: Mary Francis
850-892-8196
Address: 796 Triple G Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Submission ORI Number: FL766007Z (Ask the sheriff to use this number when submitting the fingerprints)
MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF YOUR FINGERPRINTS. THEY ARE NECCESSARY FOR STEPS 2 AND 3.
Step 2: Visit https://caps.fdle.state.fl.us and remit fee for the background check. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid directly to FDLE.
NOTE: A TCN NUMBER IS REQUIRED WITH PAYMENT. THIS NUMBER IS LOCATED ON THE TOP LEFT OF YOUR FINGERPRINT CARD.
“EXAMPLE: 70TESTCMM0000397”
Step 3: Complete the Home Solicitation SalesPermit Application, and deliver it to us at one of our office locations.
Office Locations:
- Walton County Courthouse, Court Division, 2nd
Floor, 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433.
- South Walton Courthouse Annex, 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
You will need to bring with you:
- (Un-Signed) Completed Application for Home Solicitation Sales Permit
- Two Recent Passport Photos (These photos may be taken in our office for $15.00 per set of two)
- $49.00 (Non-Refundable) Filing Fee
- Photo Identification
- Fingerprint Card obtained from Sheriff in Step 1.
Step 4: Upon the completion of a permit application and receipt of all applicable criminal background check(s), the Clerk or his/her designee will review the application results and decide to approve, deny, or revoke permit. Please be advised this decision can take up to sixty (60) days per Florida Statutes, Sec 501.022(3). If the decision is made to approve, we will contact you via the telephone number listed on your application.
If a decision is made denying or revoking a permit, the Clerk shall notify you by certified U.S. mail, pursuant to Florida Statutes, Sec 501.022(6), using the address provided on your application.
Renewals
Renewals: All permits expire one year from the date of issuance unless later revoked, as provided by Florida Statute 501.022(4). Renewals will require a new application and background check.
The expiration date is provided on all issued permits. It is the responsibility of each applicant to know this expiration date and to contact the clerk’s office to apply for a new permit before the previously issued permit expires. Per Florida Statute 501.055, any person who conducts, or attempts to conduct, a home solicitation sale without first obtaining and having in their possession a valid, current permit, or who attempts to use an expired, suspended, or revoked home solicitation sale permit, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Additional Relevant Statutes
Florida Statute 501.022(4)
(4) A clerk of the circuit court for the county may revoke, suspend, or deny the issuance of any home solicitation sale permit if it is determined that an applicant or permit holder has:
(a) Been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime against the laws of this state or any other state or the United States, involving moral turpitude, fraudulent or dishonest dealing, or the illegal use or sale of a controlled substance, or been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a violation of any of the provisions of Florida Statute. 501.021-501.055.
(b) Has obtained a permit by fraud, false statement, misrepresentation, or failure to truthfully answer any question in the required permit application.
(c) Has failed to obtain required county or municipal occupational licenses.
(d) Has failed in any material respect to comply with the provisions of Florida Statute. 501.021-501.055
Florida Statute 501.055
(1) Violation of any of the provisions of ss. 501.025-501.047 is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) Any person who conducts or attempts to conduct a home solicitation sale without first obtaining and having in her or his possession a valid, current permit as required by s. 501.022 or who uses or attempts to use an expired, suspended, or revoked home solicitation sale permit in a home solicitation sale is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Upon second or subsequent conviction for violation of this subsection, the offender is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) Any person who uses a false or fictitious name in any application for a home solicitation sale permit or certificate as provided for in s. 501.022 or who makes a false statement, conceals a material fact, or otherwise commits a fraud in any such application is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Upon a second or subsequent conviction for violation of this subsection, the offender is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. The obtaining of two or more permits which are in different names or the possession of two or more such permits shall be prima facie evidence that this subsection has been violated.