Florida Public Records
State Level Information
In Florida, the Sunshine Law was created as a series of laws to guarantee the public access to public records of governmental bodies in the state. It was first enacted in 1995 with Florida Statute Section 119 governing the inspection and copying of public records. According to the statute, "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any person."
The term "records" are defined within these laws as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency."
According to the Florida Supreme Court, records may also include "any material prepared in connection with official agency business which is intended to perpetuate, communicate, or formalize knowledge of some type."
State of Florida Department of Public SafetyState of Florida Secretary of State
Florida Department of Agriculture
State of Florida Department of Real Estate
Florida Department of Revenue
Florida Department of Transportation
Florida State Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Court Record Resources
The Florida Legislature implemented a fee for criminal history checks made by members the public in the amount of $24. These requests are accepted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) which is the central repository for criminal history information throughout the state of Florida. It is this office's job to provide criminal records to the public when requested.
Florida Judicial BranchFlorida Criminal Justice Commission
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Department of Corrections
Florida Office of Administrative Hearings
Florida Department of Health
Vital Records Facts
State of FloridaFlorida State Library, Archives and Public Records