Pinellas County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Pinellas County?

Public records in Pinellas County encompass a wide range of official documents and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). These records are created, received, or maintained by public agencies in the course of official business and are available for public inspection and copying. Pinellas County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessment information maintained by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser
Court records, including civil, criminal, probate, family, and traffic cases processed through the Sixth Judicial Circuit
Vital records, such as birth and death certificates (restricted access), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Tax records, including property tax payments, tax liens, and tax certificates managed by the Pinellas County Tax Collector
Business records, including fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits
Land records, including plats, surveys, and easements
Election records, including voter registration information and election results
Meeting minutes and agendas from the Board of County Commissioners and other public bodies
County ordinances, resolutions, and regulations
Financial records, including budgets, expenditures, and contracts
Geographic Information System (GIS) data available through the Pinellas County Enterprise GIS Portal

These records are maintained by various county departments and agencies, each responsible for specific record types according to their statutory duties.

Is Pinellas County an Open Records County?

Pinellas County is indeed an open records county, operating in full compliance with Florida's Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This comprehensive law establishes the public's right to access government records and mandates transparency in government operations throughout Florida, including Pinellas County.

Pursuant to § 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, which states that "all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person," Pinellas County maintains a policy of openness and accessibility regarding public records. The county's commitment to transparency is further codified in the Pinellas County Administrative Code, which establishes procedures for public records requests in accordance with state law.

The Florida Public Records Act specifically provides that:

Public records must be open for inspection and copying at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions
Agencies must respond to records requests promptly and in good faith
Fees for copies may be charged only as authorized by law
Exemptions to disclosure must be specifically provided by statute

Pinellas County government agencies maintain compliance with these provisions, ensuring that residents and interested parties have appropriate access to public information while protecting confidential information as required by law.

How Do I Find Public Records in Pinellas County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Pinellas County public records in 2025 have multiple methods available to locate and obtain these documents. The county has implemented several user-friendly systems to facilitate public access:

Online Access: Many records are available through dedicated online portals:
- Court records can be searched through the Pinellas County Clerk of Circuit Court website
- Property records are accessible via the Property Appraiser's database
- Geographic and mapping data is available through the Pinellas County GIS Portal
- Tax records can be accessed through the Tax Collector's website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court and official records: Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
- For property assessment records: Pinellas County Property Appraiser, 315 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756
- For tax records: Pinellas County Tax Collector, 315 Court Street, 3rd Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756
Written Requests: Public records requests may be submitted in writing to the specific agency maintaining the desired records. Requests should include:
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Contact information for follow-up
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through online submission forms available on their respective websites.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county facilities, including the Pinellas County Law Library, for public use in accessing digital records.

For assistance with locating specific records, members of the public may contact the Pinellas County Public Records Coordinator at (727) 464-4062 or submit inquiries through the county's central records request portal.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Pinellas County?

The cost to obtain public records in Pinellas County is established in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(4) and varies based on the type of record, format requested, and extent of staff time required for retrieval. The following fee structure applies to most public records requests:

Standard copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"):
- Single-sided copies: $0.15 per page
- Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies: $1.00 per certification plus the cost of copies
Large format documents (maps, plats, etc.):
- 24" x 36": $5.00 per sheet
- Larger formats: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic records:
- Records already in electronic format: No charge for email delivery
- CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus labor costs if applicable
- USB drive: Actual cost of the storage device
Special service charges:
- Requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance (generally exceeding 30 minutes): $20.00 to $35.00 per hour, depending on the level of personnel required
- Specialized database searches: Actual cost of running the search program
Court records (through Clerk of Circuit Court):
- Court case documents: $1.00 per page
- Criminal history searches: $24.00 per name
- Official records: $1.00 per page for certified copies

Pinellas County Clerk of Circuit Court
315 Court Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-7000
Pinellas County Clerk

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (subject to a processing fee) at most county offices. Agencies may require payment in advance for requests exceeding $10.00.

Does Pinellas County Have Free Public Records?

Pinellas County does provide certain public records at no cost to requesters, particularly those available through online platforms. The following free public records resources are available:

The Pinellas County Clerk's Official Records Search provides free online access to:
- Deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Marriage records
- Court dockets and case information (excluding document images)
- Traffic citation information
The Pinellas County Property Appraiser offers free access to:
- Property ownership information
- Property assessment values
- Tax exemption status
- Property characteristics
- Sales history
The Pinellas County Enterprise GIS Portal provides free access to:
- Parcel maps
- Zoning information
- Flood zone data
- Environmental data
- Infrastructure maps
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners website offers free access to:
- Meeting agendas and minutes
- County ordinances and resolutions
- Budget documents
- Annual reports
The Sixth Judicial Circuit provides free access to:
- Court calendars
- Local court rules
- Administrative orders
- Self-help legal information

Additionally, public access computers are available at no charge at the Pinellas County Law Library and various county facilities for individuals who lack internet access. While viewing records at these terminals is free, printing fees may apply.

It should be noted that while many records are available at no cost, fees may still apply for certified copies, extensive searches, or records that require significant staff time to compile or redact.

Who Can Request Public Records In Pinellas County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records maintained by Pinellas County government agencies. The statute defines "any person" broadly, encompassing:

Individual citizens and residents of Florida
Non-Florida residents and foreign nationals
Corporations, partnerships, and other business entities
Media organizations and journalists
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Government agencies and officials
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)
Anonymous requesters

Pursuant to § 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, requesters are not required to:

Disclose their identity
Provide a reason for their request
Make the request in writing (though written requests are recommended for documentation purposes)
Complete a specific form
Have a direct interest in the records requested

The Florida Office of the Attorney General has consistently upheld that the motivation behind a public records request is irrelevant to the obligation of agencies to provide access to non-exempt records.

Pinellas County agencies may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of providing the requested records or communicating about fees, but cannot require this information as a condition of fulfilling the request. The only exception is for requests for certain exempt records where the requester must demonstrate a specific legal right of access.

What Records Are Confidential In Pinellas County?

While Florida's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records maintained by Pinellas County are confidential or exempt from public disclosure pursuant to specific statutory provisions. These protected records include:

Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers (§ 119.071(5), F.S.)
Medical and health information, including records related to communicable diseases maintained by the Florida Department of Public Health (§ 381.0031, F.S.)
Home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of certain public employees including law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and public defenders (§ 119.071(4), F.S.)
Records pertaining to juvenile offenders, except as provided in § 985.04, F.S.
Child abuse reports and investigations (§ 39.202, F.S.)
Sealed and expunged criminal history records (§ 943.0585 and § 943.059, F.S.)
Active criminal investigative information and active criminal intelligence information (§ 119.071(2), F.S.)
Information regarding victims of sexual offenses, child abuse, or domestic violence (§ 119.071(2), F.S.)
Certain adoption records (§ 63.162, F.S.)
Records containing trade secrets or confidential business information submitted to government agencies (§ 815.045, F.S.)
Security system plans and threat assessments for government buildings (§ 119.071(3), F.S.)
Certain attorney-client communications and work product related to pending litigation (§ 119.071(1)(d), F.S.)
Information regarding inmates in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections that would identify confidential informants (§ 945.10, F.S.)
Certain records related to competitive solicitations until contract award (§ 119.071(1)(b), F.S.)
Voter registration information designated as confidential (§ 97.0585, F.S.)

County agencies are required to redact confidential information from records before releasing them to the public. In some cases, limited access to exempt records may be granted to specific individuals or entities with a legal right to access such information.

Pinellas County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Pinellas County Recorder's Office, operated by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, serves as the official custodian of documents for Pinellas County. The office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and other documents affecting real property within the county.

Pinellas County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller - Recording Division
315 Court Street, 1st Floor
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3008
Recording Services

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

North County Branch Office
29582 U.S. Highway 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33761
(727) 464-7000

St. Petersburg Branch Office
545 First Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 464-7000

Recording Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and other real estate documents
Recording of judgments, liens, and releases
Recording of military discharge papers (DD-214)
Issuance of marriage licenses
Processing of passport applications
Certification of official records
Notary services

Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or electronically through the county's e-recording system. Standard recording fees are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page, plus documentary stamp taxes and intangible taxes where applicable, as mandated by Florida Statutes.