The Chapter 119 of the State of Florida Law ensures that all government records will be available to the public. These public records include documents, audios, pictures, papers and any other media format collected or created during the government agency's transactions with the public. There are some records though that are restricted and are only open to the people or individuals the government has nominated. Some documents will also be redacted by the office before it is released to the public or to the person requesting the record. The Florida public records are available for the public and can be accessed through several means.
One should address their request to the Custodian of Public Records who is in charge of the public records of the State. Requests can be made through calling the office or making a request in writing. A request made through phone is easier and faster; however, those who have to request some important or restricted files might find it easier to have their request(s) made in writing. This is so, especially if details of the record are needed to find the report. Processing time varies and depends on the volume of requests the Office receives although all request will be granted, as the Law requires that government agencies should fulfil the request within reasonable period.
To request for a copy, the Law states a fee schedule that agencies must follow. It allows government agencies to charge $.15/one sided copy and $.20 for two-sided copies of the record. Certified copies cost about $1/record. The agencies must not charge above the cost of the materials and supplies used in duplicating the copies. There are however, some instances when the law allows the agencies to charge more than the amount mentioned above. One instance is when record/case(s) include court records, crash/homicide, county maps and aerial photographs. Another is when the case would require an extensive research of the records of the Office. Last is when the person requesting the information wants the record copies to be released in a media format such as a disk or tape and the agency maintains the same in the said medium/format.
There are requests that the Office will deny, usually with a written note on why the request was denied. For those who feel that the denial is rebuttable, they can try out several options to reverse the denial. One would be to contact the Attorney General's Office. Another is to talk with the local state attorney and lastly, is to file for a Writ of Mandamus.
Those who would like to access government public records can check the official website of the Florida Public records or visit the county clerk office. Another way to do so is to check out commercial public search sites that offer public researches for free or for a nominal fee. One can check public records such as marriage and divorce decrees, birth or death records, social securities and in some cases, abandoned properties. The advent of the internet makes public records available and one can easily access the records and search important details saving them time from going to the Public Records Office or to the County where the records are filed.
One should address their request to the Custodian of Public Records who is in charge of the public records of the State. Requests can be made through calling the office or making a request in writing. A request made through phone is easier and faster; however, those who have to request some important or restricted files might find it easier to have their request(s) made in writing. This is so, especially if details of the record are needed to find the report. Processing time varies and depends on the volume of requests the Office receives although all request will be granted, as the Law requires that government agencies should fulfil the request within reasonable period.
To request for a copy, the Law states a fee schedule that agencies must follow. It allows government agencies to charge $.15/one sided copy and $.20 for two-sided copies of the record. Certified copies cost about $1/record. The agencies must not charge above the cost of the materials and supplies used in duplicating the copies. There are however, some instances when the law allows the agencies to charge more than the amount mentioned above. One instance is when record/case(s) include court records, crash/homicide, county maps and aerial photographs. Another is when the case would require an extensive research of the records of the Office. Last is when the person requesting the information wants the record copies to be released in a media format such as a disk or tape and the agency maintains the same in the said medium/format.
There are requests that the Office will deny, usually with a written note on why the request was denied. For those who feel that the denial is rebuttable, they can try out several options to reverse the denial. One would be to contact the Attorney General's Office. Another is to talk with the local state attorney and lastly, is to file for a Writ of Mandamus.
Those who would like to access government public records can check the official website of the Florida Public records or visit the county clerk office. Another way to do so is to check out commercial public search sites that offer public researches for free or for a nominal fee. One can check public records such as marriage and divorce decrees, birth or death records, social securities and in some cases, abandoned properties. The advent of the internet makes public records available and one can easily access the records and search important details saving them time from going to the Public Records Office or to the County where the records are filed.
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