Manatee Clerk hosts free community shred day on Nov. 14; Free services for veterans throughout month of November

The Office of Angel Colonneso, Esq., Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County, will host its fall Clerk's Community Shred Day on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Manatee Technical College, 6305 SR 70 E, Bradenton, FL 34203.

This free drive-thru event allows people to safely dispose of personal documents containing sensitive information and destroy hard drives removed from computers or laptops—helping protect against identity theft and fraud.

What to Know Before You Arrive:

• No need to arrive early. Come anytime during the event. With two shred trucks on-site, everyone in line before closing will be served.
• Residential shredding only; no commercial or business services.
• Bring up to two boxes per vehicle, each about the size of a standard Bankers Box (12 by 10 by 15 inches). Documents can come in any container.
• Don't tape boxes or knot bags before the event.
• Stay in your vehicle. The event doesn't accept drop-offs; staff and volunteers will securely place your items into a bin for shredding or destruction.
• No need to remove paper clips, staples, rubber bands, labels, or file tabs.
• All document shredding takes place on-site.

What to Bring:

Accepted items include:

• Personal documents with sensitive information (any color or paper type)
• Old tax returns, W-2s, and 1099 forms
• Bank statements, cancelled checks, and credit card statements
• Pay stubs and employment records
• Social Security cards, birth and death certificates
• Medical records, insurance policies, and explanation of benefits (EOBs)
• Pre-approved credit offers
• Plastic credit cards and expired IDs
• Hard drives (must be removed from computers or devices)

Items NOT Accepted:

• Binders
• Junk mail, magazines, or newspapers
• Wet or damp paper
• Business or commercial documents
• Electronics (laptops, computers, monitors, etc.)

On-site shredding will be provided by Shred-Medic, a NAID AAA Certified secure document destruction company, ensuring all materials are destroyed safely and securely.

The Clerk & Comptroller's office provides Community Shred Days twice annually—once in spring and once in fall—as a free service to help Manatee County residents safeguard their identities and prevent fraud.

Throughout November, the Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s office is offering FREE services to our veterans and active-duty military personnel in recognition of Veterans Day!

What's included:

• Passport photos

• Notary services

• Certified copies of official and court records 

What you need: Valid military ID or DD214 form

"Offering these complimentary services to the men and women who served and still serve this great nation to protect the values we hold dear is an honor," said Clerk Angel Colonneso. "It is a small token of our appreciation for their sacrifice and service."

Please note that the complimentary services do not apply to e-certify services.

For more information, visit www.ManateeClerk.com or call (941) 741-4007.