48‑Hour Reporting in Florida: what triggers it, what to report, and where to go (CCS vs DHSMV vs sheriff)

A change of residence is one of the biggest 48-hour triggers in Florida. This includes any change to a permanent, temporary, or transient residence within the state. Legal name changes - whether through marriage or another legal process - follow the same rule. These updates must be handled in person at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) within 48 hours. If they can't get to DHSMV in time to secure or update their driver license or ID card, there's a fallback: report the change in person at the county sheriff's office where they live or are located, also within 48 hours.

Employment changes also start the 48-hour clock. Starting a job, ending a job, and even creating a new business if they're self-employed - all of these require reporting. Details matter here. The required information includes their occupation, the business name, the employment address, and a telephone number.

Vehicle changes are another common 48-hour trigger. Adding a vehicle or updating vehicle information must be reported within 48 hours. For those eligible to report through CCS, the system asks for specific details: year, make, model, color, VIN, and whether the registrant owns the vehicle.

Online identifiers and contact information can trigger 48-hour reporting too. Internet identifiers used for social internet communication must be reported within 48 hours after use. Same for email addresses. Phone numbers must be reported within 48 hours of a change. If the registrant isn't on supervision, these items can be submitted through Florida's Cyber Communication System (CCS).

In-state travel can trigger a 48-hour requirement when it rises to the level of an "in-state travel residence." Florida defines this as a temporary residence established by someone who already has a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in the state. Once established, it must be reported within 48 hours. For registrants not on supervision, there are two paths: online through CCS or in person at the county sheriff's office where they're located.

Start with one question: is your loved one under supervision with the Department of Corrections (DOC) or the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)? If yes, CCS isn't an option - they can't use it to report or update information online. If they're not on supervision, CCS may be used for certain updates. But even then, using CCS doesn't replace the normal in-person reregistration schedule (biannual or quarterly).

If the sheriff's office is the correct reporting route - or if you're using it instead of CCS - Putnam County registrants can report in person at the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, 130 Orie Griffin Boulevard, Palatka. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, by appointment only, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

For in-state travel residences, the reporting option depends on supervision status. If the registrant isn't on DOC/DJJ supervision, the in-state travel residence can be reported within 48 hours either online through CCS or in person at the county sheriff's office where they're located (in Putnam County, that's the Putnam County Sheriff's Office).

Practical Checklist

• ✓ Identify the change and start the 48‑hour clock right away (employment, vehicle, internet identifier/email/phone, or establishing an in‑state travel residence).
• ✓ For employment changes, gather: occupation, business name, employment address, and telephone number.
• ✓ For vehicle changes (if reporting through CCS), gather: year, make, model, color, VIN, and whether it’s owned by the registrant.
• ✓ For internet identifiers used for social internet communication, note what was used and the date it was first used (must be reported within 48 hours after use).
• ✓ For email addresses, note the address and when it was first used (must be reported within 48 hours after use).
• ✓ For phone numbers, note the new number and the date it changed (must be reported within 48 hours of a change).
• ✓ For an in‑state travel residence, confirm it meets the definition and record when it was established (must be reported within 48 hours).
• ✓ Choose the reporting method based on supervision status: use CCS only if the registrant is not on DOC/DJJ supervision; otherwise report in person through the required supervising agency.
• ✓ If not supervised and you don’t want to use CCS, report the eligible updates in person at the county sheriff’s office instead.
• ✓ Keep proof of what was submitted and when (screenshots/confirmation details for CCS, or appointment/visit notes for in‑person reporting).

No. Reporting updates through CCS does not change or replace the biannual or quarterly in‑person reregistration requirements.

An “in‑state travel residence” is a temporary Florida residence established by someone who already has a permanent, temporary, or transient residence in Florida. Once it’s established, it must be reported within 48 hours. If the registrant is not supervised, it can be reported online through CCS or in person at the county sheriff’s office where they’re located.