Find Public Records in Clearwater

Clearwater public records span court filings, property documents, city permits, and official records held by the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County. Florida's Chapter 119 gives anyone the right to inspect or copy these records, with no requirement to state a reason or provide your name. Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, which means the main courthouse and clerk offices are located here.

Pinellas County Clerk of Courts

Since Clearwater is the county seat of Pinellas County, the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts is the central office for court records here. The Clerk handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case records filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit. You can search records online at mypinellasclerk.gov. The Clerk also offers a records viewing tool where you can search by name, case number, or document type without visiting the courthouse.

The official records index maintained by the Pinellas Clerk covers deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, judgments, and other recorded instruments. If you need to check for a lien on a Clearwater property or see who holds a recorded mortgage, the official records system is the place to look. Viewing the index online costs nothing. Copies of documents carry the standard per-page fee set by state law.

The image below is captured from the City of Clearwater's official website, a good starting point for city department contacts and public records requests.

From the city site, you can reach the City Clerk's office and find guidance on submitting a records request to any Clearwater city department.

City of Clearwater Public Records

City records that are not part of the court system are handled by the City of Clearwater directly. This covers building permits, code enforcement files, city council meeting minutes, city contracts, and documents from city departments like planning, public works, and parks. The city's main office is at 112 S Osceola Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756. You can call city hall at (727) 562-4040. More information is at myclearwater.com.

Requests to the city can be made in person at city hall, by phone, by mail, or through an online request form if the city offers one. No formal form is required by law. You just need to describe what you want clearly enough that the right department can find it. If the city needs more detail, they can ask. They cannot demand your name or reason for the request.

Fees for city records follow the same state schedule. Copies are $0.15 per page. If a request requires more than 30 minutes of staff time to fulfill, the city may charge for that time at the wage of the lowest-paid qualified employee. The first 30 minutes of research are always provided free of charge.

Court Records and the 6th Judicial Circuit

Clearwater is home to the Pinellas County Courthouse, where 6th Judicial Circuit cases are heard. Cases from across Pinellas County are filed here. This includes civil suits, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, and probate proceedings. The Clerk's online search tool lets you look up cases by party name or case number. Most basic case information is free to view. If you need actual document copies, those are available at the Clerk's office or sometimes as digital downloads for a fee.

Small claims and county court cases are also filed through the Pinellas Clerk's system. These cases cover civil disputes up to a certain dollar amount, landlord-tenant actions, and minor criminal matters. They are all part of the same public records system and searchable through the same online portal at mypinellasclerk.gov.

Property Records in Clearwater

Two offices handle property records for Clearwater. The Pinellas County Clerk of Courts holds the official records of deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Pinellas County Property Appraiser maintains ownership data and assessed values. Both are public. If you want to trace the chain of title on a Clearwater property, or find out if there are any recorded judgments or liens, start with the Clerk's official records index. If you just need to know who owns a parcel and what it is assessed at, the Property Appraiser's website has that information.

Many records from both offices go back decades and are available online. You do not have to visit any office in person to do basic research. If you need certified copies for a legal transaction, you can request those from the Pinellas Clerk's office in person or by mail. The Florida Association of Court Clerks maintains a statewide directory at flclerks.com to help locate clerk offices across the state.

Exemptions and Denied Requests

Not all records are open. Florida law under Section 119.071 contains a specific list of exemptions. Common ones in Clearwater as in any city include active criminal investigative records, medical records, certain personal data like Social Security numbers, and some details from law enforcement files. If a city or county agency denies your request, they must tell you in writing which exemption they are relying on. A blanket refusal with no reason given is not lawful under Chapter 119.

If you believe a denial is wrong, the Florida Attorney General's open government mediation program can help. Call (850) 245-0140 to start a mediation. The service is free. The AG's office at myfloridalegal.com also has written guidance on your rights and the exemption process. Most disputes are resolved without going to court. The First Amendment Foundation at floridafaf.org provides additional advocacy and guidance for Florida residents navigating records disputes.

Other Public Records Sources in Clearwater

Vital records like birth and death certificates are not held locally. They come from the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage records, though, are filed with the Pinellas Clerk because marriages are a court-recorded event in Florida. The same is true for marriage dissolutions, which are civil cases in the circuit court. If you need either, start with the Pinellas Clerk's office at mypinellasclerk.gov.

Police incident reports from the Clearwater Police Department may be available as public records. Some portions may be redacted if an investigation is ongoing. Contact the department directly for those requests. State-level records guidance is also available from the Florida Department of State at dos.fl.gov.

Nearby Cities

Other large cities near Clearwater also have public records through Florida's open records system.

Pinellas County Records

Court records and official records for Clearwater are maintained by the Pinellas County Clerk of Court.