Find Public Records in Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach public records are maintained by the City of Daytona Beach and the Volusia County Clerk of Courts, covering court case files, property documents, police reports, city permits, and all other government records open by default under Florida's public records law.

Florida's Open Records Law

Every government record in Florida is public by default. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says so plainly. Any record made or received by a public agency is open to any person unless a specific exemption applies. That covers Daytona Beach city departments, Volusia County offices, and every state agency connected to either.

No identification is needed. No reason is required. Agencies cannot demand you prove a legitimate interest before responding to a request. They must act promptly. If a record is ready right away, it should go out. For larger requests, the agency must give a time estimate if asked.

The exemptions that do exist are listed in Section 119.071. They cover things like active criminal investigations, some personal health records, and certain sealed court matters. Outside those narrow categories, access is the rule. Most everyday records searches run into no problems at all.

Court Public Records in the 7th Judicial Circuit

Daytona Beach is located in Volusia County and falls within the 7th Judicial Circuit. The Volusia County Clerk of Courts maintains all court records tied to Daytona Beach. Use the clerk's records search tool to look up cases by name, case number, or filing date at no charge to view.

Civil records include small claims, civil circuit cases, and injunctions. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges filed in the county. Family court holds divorce cases, child custody orders, domestic violence injunctions, and adoption filings. Probate records deal with estate cases, guardianship proceedings, and wills. All of these flow through the same clerk's office, organized into separate divisions.

To get copies, use the online portal, submit a written request, or visit the clerk's office in person. Standard copies run $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost more. Having a case number makes any request go faster and reduces the time staff spend searching for what you need.

Juvenile records and sealed cases are not available to the public. For all other case types, the Volusia Clerk system is well-organized and searchable. Most people find what they need online without ever going in person.

City of Daytona Beach Records

Daytona Beach City Hall is at 301 S Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. The main number is (386) 671-8000. The screenshot below is from the City of Daytona Beach official website, which provides department contacts, posted agendas, budget documents, and records access for city-level requests.

The city site provides links to permit lookups, meeting records, and contact details for the departments that handle public records requests in Daytona Beach.

Building permits are among the records most requested from the city. Any construction, renovation, or addition done in Daytona Beach has a permit on file. These records show what was approved, who did the work, and whether inspections were passed. They are used regularly by real estate buyers, lenders, and contractors.

City commission meeting minutes, city contracts, budget documents, and zoning records are all public. Many are posted on the city website. For those that are not, a formal request to the city clerk's office is the next step. The city must respond under the same rules that govern all Florida public agencies.

Daytona Beach Police and Law Enforcement Records

The Daytona Beach Police Department handles law enforcement records within city limits. Incident reports and many arrest logs are public records under Chapter 119. Files tied to active cases may carry a temporary exemption while the investigation is ongoing.

The department's records unit handles requests. You can call or check the city website for current submission options. Once a case is closed and no active investigation is underway, most police records become available. That includes incident reports, crash reports, and arrest information. For records from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office on matters outside city limits, contact the Sheriff's office separately.

Property Records in Volusia County

Property records for Daytona Beach are held by two county offices. The Volusia County Property Appraiser maintains ownership data, assessed values, and parcel information. That database is free to search online by address or parcel number.

Recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens are filed with the Volusia County Clerk. Every time a Daytona Beach property sells, a deed goes into the county record. These documents go back many decades and are part of the permanent public record. Title researchers and real estate professionals rely on them when doing due diligence on any property.

Tax records live with the Volusia County Tax Collector. Payment history and current tax status are available online without a fee for basic lookups. If you need certified copies of any of these documents, a fee applies.

How to Request Daytona Beach Public Records

You can request records in person, by phone, email, or mail. No specific form is required. Describe what you need well enough for staff to locate it. Include the record type, the date range, and any names or addresses involved.

The standard copy fee is $0.15 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff time to find or compile records is free. After that, agencies may charge based on the hourly pay of the lowest-qualified employee who can handle the search. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Many digital records requests involve no charge at all.

If a request gets denied without good reason, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program is a free option. Call (850) 245-0140 or visit myfloridalegal.com to learn more. Mediation resolves most disputes faster than legal action and costs nothing to use.

Vital Records and Other Daytona Beach Records

Birth and death records from Daytona Beach events go to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Request them through the Florida Department of Health. These are state-level records and are not held locally.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Volusia County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court file and searchable through the Volusia Clerk's online portal. Certified copies of either type require a request and a fee.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers statewide directory at flclerks.com can point you to any county clerk in Florida. If your research involves records from more than one county, that directory is a useful starting point. It lists each clerk's website and contact details.

Nearby Cities

Other cities in Volusia County and the surrounding area have public records through their county clerks and city offices.

Volusia County Records

Court records and official records for Daytona Beach are maintained by the Volusia County Clerk of Court.