United States Government General Information & Services, 329 6th Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205, US

The historic courthouse building, built in 1912, is home to the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court. R.B. "Chips" Shore has served as the county's Clerk & Comptroller since 1977, overseeing a staff of over 275. His office processes and maintains all court records, county commission meeting records, personal property transactions, marriage licenses and tax liens, serves a "checks and balances" function on behalf of taxpayers, administers the county's Child Support Enforcement program and more. The courthouse, located next to the Manatee County Judicial Center and across the street from the administration building, is the place to go to get a passport, apply for a marriage license or even tie the knot in the marriage ceremony room. The picturesque courtyard in front of the building includes such landmarks as memorials for the county's fallen law enforcement officials and Vietnam War casualties, Phi Beta Psi's "Ye Olde Wishing Well," which collects donations for cancer research and a stone marker recognizing Hernando De Soto's march across Florida after his landing at the Manatee River.