Escambia County Tax Collector’s Downtown and Molino Offices Shift to Appointment-Only Service on Sept. 3
On September 3, 2025, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford announced that the downtown Pensacola and Molino service centers will transition to appointment‑only service for all driver license and motor vehicle transactions. This change is intended to streamline operations at two of the busiest offices and provide customers with shorter wait times by eliminating walk‑in traffic. Lunsford said residents may schedule appointments through the office’s “Join the Line” system or by calling the tax collector, and he encouraged people to plan ahead if they need in‑person assistance.
Escambia County’s tax collector is responsible for issuing titles and registrations, collecting property taxes, processing hunting and fishing licenses, and providing driver license services on behalf of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Over the past year the office has experienced increased traffic from customers seeking Real ID‑compliant driver licenses, which require additional paperwork to verify identity ahead of the federal deadline. The downtown Pensacola office and the Molino branch handle much of that volume. By moving these two locations to appointments only, officials hope to ensure each customer has adequate time with a clerk and that the lobby does not become overcrowded during peak months such as November and December.
The tax collector emphasized that the appointment‑only policy applies only to the downtown Pensacola and Molino service centers. Other branches at Marcus Pointe, Warrington and Century will continue to serve walk‑in customers for tag renewals, tax payments and other standard transactions. Customers who need to renew a registration, pay property taxes or obtain a disabled parking placard may still do those things online, by mail or at a walk‑in branch. Only those seeking driver license or identification card services at Pensacola or Molino must make an appointment.
To book a slot, customers should visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the blue “Join the Line” button, which allows them to choose their preferred office, type of transaction, and day and time. They will receive a confirmation with instructions on what documents to bring – for example, proof of identity, Social Security number and two pieces of address verification for Real ID compliance. Individuals may also call the tax collector’s phone number if they need assistance scheduling. The office recommends arriving a few minutes early with all paperwork prepared, as incomplete applications can delay service.
Residents are reminded that the appointment requirement begins September 3, 2025, and does not affect other offices. By leveraging appointments, the tax collector hopes to improve efficiency, minimize wait times and ensure that Escambia County residents continue to receive friendly, timely service during the busy fall season.