Altamonte Springs Public Records

Altamonte Springs public records are maintained by both the City of Altamonte Springs and the Seminole County Clerk of Courts, depending on the type of document you need. Court filings, property records, and official instruments go through the Seminole County Clerk at seminoleclerk.org. City-generated records like permits, council minutes, and code enforcement files come from city government. Florida's Chapter 119 gives any person the right to inspect or copy these records.

Seminole County Clerk of Courts

All court records for Altamonte Springs are handled by the Seminole County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk serves the 18th Judicial Circuit and maintains filings for civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases heard in Seminole County courts. Grant Maloy serves as Clerk and Comptroller. You can reach the Clerk's office by phone at (407) 665-4330 or through the main website at seminoleclerk.org.

Official records recorded in Seminole County, including deeds, mortgages, and liens tied to Altamonte Springs addresses, are also part of the Clerk's database. The Clerk's office is the right place to look for any document that has been formally recorded in the county's official records system. If you need a certified copy of a deed or a court judgment, start there. The online search portal lets you look up recorded documents without visiting the courthouse in person.

The Seminole County Clerk's office is located in the Sanford area, which is the county seat. If you plan to visit in person, call ahead to confirm hours and location for the specific division you need.

The Seminole County Clerk website provides access to court records, official records, and public records request tools for all cities in Seminole County, including Altamonte Springs.

Altamonte Springs City Records

The City of Altamonte Springs maintains its own set of records tied to city government operations. These include building permits, site plans, code enforcement actions, city commission meeting minutes, and contracts entered into by the city. If you need a permit history for a property, or you want to see a city resolution, the City of Altamonte Springs is the right contact.

City records requests can go in by email, phone, or in person at Altamonte Springs City Hall. The city clerk's office handles most public records requests for municipal documents. Florida law requires agencies to respond as quickly as possible. There is no set deadline, but unreasonable delays can be challenged. You do not need to state a reason for your request, and you do not need to fill out a form. Just describe what you want.

Keep in mind that some records are exempt from disclosure under Chapter 119. Active criminal investigation files, certain personnel records, and some security-related documents may not be released. If you are denied access to something, ask for the specific exemption in writing so you know the legal basis for the denial.

How to Search Altamonte Springs Public Records

Most people searching for Altamonte Springs public records start online. The Seminole County Clerk's portal at seminoleclerk.org lets you search by name, case number, or document type. Court case index information is generally free. Copies of documents carry a fee set by state law.

The Florida Clerks of Court statewide portal at myfloridacounty.com offers another search option if you are not sure which county recorded a document. You can search Seminole County records or run a statewide search at the same time. This is useful if a party may have filed documents in more than one county. The Florida Association of Court Clerks also runs a Find a Clerk directory at flclerks.com that links to every county clerk in Florida.

For state agency records, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles criminal history information. The FDLE public records page at fdle.state.fl.us explains how to request criminal history and other FDLE-maintained records. The Florida Attorney General's open government resources are at myfloridalegal.com and include guidance on how to file a complaint if access is denied.

Florida Public Records Law and Altamonte Springs

Florida Chapter 119 is one of the most open public records laws in the country. It applies to all state and local agencies, including the City of Altamonte Springs and Seminole County. Any person can request records. You do not need to be a Florida resident. You do not need to give your name. You just need to describe the record you want clearly enough that the agency can find it.

Standard copy fees under state law are $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. Certified copies cost more and include a certification fee. If your request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time to compile, the agency can charge for that labor at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. Many basic searches online cost nothing at all.

Note: If you believe a records request was wrongly denied, the Florida Attorney General's office provides free mediation through its open government program at (850) 245-0140.

Altamonte Springs Records Contact Information

Nearby Cities

Other cities in the area are subject to the same Florida public records law and have their own access options.

Seminole County Records

Public records for Altamonte Springs are maintained by the Seminole County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and search tools.