Flagler County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Flagler County?
Public records in Flagler County encompass a wide range of documents and information created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business. According to Florida's Public Records Law § 119.011(12), public records are defined as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, 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."
Flagler County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, family law cases, and court dockets maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plat maps, and property transfers
- Vital Records: Marriage licenses (issued locally), while birth, death, and divorce certificates are maintained at the state level through the Florida Department of Health
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious name registrations, and contractor information
- Tax Records: Property tax records, tax rolls, and assessment information maintained by the Flagler County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission, advisory boards, and committee proceedings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain exemptions), and booking information
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land development records
The Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the primary custodian for many county records, particularly court and official records. Other records are maintained by specific departments based on their functions, such as the Property Appraiser for property assessments or the Tax Collector for tax records.
Is Flagler County an Open Records County?
Flagler County fully adheres to Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law." Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, all government agencies in Florida, including those in Flagler County, must provide access to public records upon request, with limited exceptions.
The law specifically states in § 119.01(1) that "it is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency."
Flagler County government agencies operate under this mandate, ensuring transparency and public access to official records. The county also complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law § 286.011, which requires that meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, properly noticed, and minutes recorded.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners has established policies to facilitate public records access in accordance with state law. County officials are trained to respond to records requests promptly and to provide reasonable accommodations for records inspection.
While Flagler County maintains an open records policy, certain records may be exempt from disclosure under specific provisions of Florida law. These exemptions are strictly defined by statute and are designed to protect sensitive information while maintaining the general principle of government transparency.
How to Find Public Records in Flagler County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Flagler County may utilize several methods to access information. The county offers both in-person and online options for records retrieval.
For online access to many public records, individuals may visit the Flagler County Official Records Search portal. This system provides access to:
- Search for records by name, document type, or date range
- View images of recorded documents
- Access court case information
- Review property records
For in-person requests, individuals may follow these steps:
- Identify the appropriate agency that maintains the desired records
- Submit a public records request in writing or using the agency's designated form
- Provide sufficient detail to identify the requested records
- Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents
- Arrange for inspection of records during regular business hours
The primary agencies for records requests include:
Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #1
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4400
Flagler County Clerk of Court
Flagler County Administration
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #2
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4000
Flagler County Government
Flagler County Property Appraiser
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #2
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4150
Flagler County Property Appraiser
For court records, the public may use the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to access case information. Criminal history information may be requested through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Pursuant to Florida law, agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable time. While no specific timeframe is mandated by statute, agencies typically process straightforward requests within days, while more complex or voluminous requests may take longer.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Flagler County?
Flagler County agencies charge fees for public records in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes standard fee structures for public records throughout the state. Current standard fees include:
- $0.15 per one-sided copy (letter or legal size)
- $0.20 per two-sided copy (letter or legal size)
- $1.00 per certified copy
- Actual cost for other sizes or formats (e.g., large maps, electronic media)
For extensive requests requiring significant staff time, agencies may charge an additional special service charge based on the labor cost of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work. This applies when the nature or volume of records requires extensive use of technology resources or clerical/supervisory assistance.
The Flagler County Clerk of Court maintains a specific fee schedule for court and official records:
- $1.00 per page for certified copies of court records
- $2.00 per document for official records certification
- $1.00 per page for exemplified documents
- Recording fees: $10.00 for first page, $8.50 for each additional page
Payment methods accepted by most Flagler County agencies include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Credit/debit cards (subject to convenience fees)
- Checks or money orders
- Online payments for certain services
Agencies may require payment before producing requested records, particularly for extensive requests. Under Florida law, agencies cannot charge for the cost of reviewing records for exempt information, only for the actual cost of duplication and, when applicable, extensive labor costs.
Does Flagler County Have Free Public Records?
Flagler County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost. Under Florida's Public Records Law, all persons have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The law specifically states in § 119.07(1)(a) that "every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public records."
Free resources available to the public include:
- In-person inspection of records at the appropriate agency office
- Flagler County Official Records Search - provides free online access to view recorded documents
- Flagler County Property Appraiser's website - offers free property record searches
- Flagler County Tax Collector's website - provides tax record information
- Flagler County Board of County Commissioners meeting agendas and minutes
- Flagler County Court Records Search - allows basic case searches
While viewing these records online is free, downloading or printing copies may incur fees in some instances. Additionally, some specialized databases or comprehensive searches may require payment of statutory fees.
Government agencies in Flagler County maintain public access terminals at their offices where individuals may view electronic records at no cost. The Flagler County Public Library system also provides public computers with internet access that can be used to search online public records.
Who Can Request Public Records in Flagler County?
Under Florida's Public Records Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Flagler County agencies. As stated in § 119.01(1), public records are open for inspection and copying "by any person." This broad access right has been consistently upheld by Florida courts.
Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:
- Requestors do not need to be Florida residents
- Identification is generally not required to view public records
- Requestors do not need to state a purpose or reason for their request
- Requests may be made anonymously in most cases
- Agencies cannot require requests to be made in writing, though written requests help ensure accuracy
For most public records, agencies cannot:
- Ask why the information is being requested
- Require the requestor to identify themselves
- Demand the request be made on a specific form
- Require the request be made in person
However, certain specialized records may have specific requirements:
- Criminal history information requests through FDLE require identification
- Requests for one's own confidential records may require proof of identity
- Certain driver license information requires a qualifying purpose under federal law
- Vital records such as birth certificates have specific eligibility requirements
Business entities, media organizations, and government agencies may also request public records under the same provisions that apply to individuals. Florida law does not distinguish between different types of requestors in terms of access rights, though commercial users may face different fee structures for certain specialized records.
What Records Are Confidential in Flagler County?
While Florida maintains a strong public records law, certain records are exempt from disclosure under specific statutory provisions. Flagler County agencies must withhold or redact these exempt records in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.071, which establishes general exemptions, and numerous other statutes containing specific exemptions.
Records that are confidential or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers
- Medical and health information protected under HIPAA and state law
- Personal information of certain government employees (law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors)
- Home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of current or former law enforcement personnel
- Active criminal investigative information and active criminal intelligence information
- Juvenile offender records (with certain exceptions)
- Child abuse reports and investigations
- Sealed and expunged criminal history records
- Adoption records
- Certain personnel records and evaluations
- Trade secrets and confidential business information
- Security system plans and vulnerability assessments
- Attorney-client privileged communications and work product
- Certain educational records protected under FERPA
- Victim information in certain cases, including domestic violence and sexual assault
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, agencies must redact only the exempt portions and provide the remainder of the record. As stated in § 119.07(1)(d), "A person who has custody of a public record who asserts that an exemption applies to a part of such record shall redact that portion of the record to which an exemption has been asserted and validly applies, and such person shall produce the remainder of such record for inspection and copying."
Flagler County agencies must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records. Individuals who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek judicial review of the denial.
Flagler County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Flagler County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller - Recording Department
1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building #1, Suite 106
Bunnell, FL 32110
(386) 313-4360
Flagler County Clerk of Court
Regular Business Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
The Recording Department of the Flagler County Clerk's Office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining the Official Records of Flagler County. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, marriage licenses, and various other documents required by law to be recorded.
Services provided by the Recording Department include:
- Recording legal documents
- Issuing marriage licenses
- Processing passport applications
- Providing certified copies of official records
- Maintaining the county's Official Records index
Documents may be recorded in person during regular business hours or submitted by mail to the address listed above. The Recording Department accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (with a convenience fee) for payment of recording fees and other services.
For electronic recording services, the Clerk's Office participates in the statewide e-recording system. Approved submitters may transmit documents electronically through authorized e-recording vendors.
The public may search and view recorded documents online through the Flagler County Official Records Search system. This database provides access to images of recorded documents dating back to the county's founding.