Find Public Records in Gainesville

Public records in Gainesville are open to the public under Florida's sunshine laws, covering court filings, arrest reports, property documents, and city government files kept by Alachua County and the City of Gainesville. This guide walks through the key offices, online tools, and request procedures for getting records in the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Florida Public Records Law

Florida's Chapter 119 Statutes set the baseline for public access to government records. Anyone can ask for records. You don't need to give your name or say why you want them. The law applies to every level of Florida government, from state agencies down to city departments right here in Gainesville.

The default is openness. If a record exists, it's public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Section 119.071 lists all the categories that can be withheld, including certain law enforcement investigative records and personal medical data. Outside those carve-outs, agencies must give you what you ask for.

Responses must come promptly. There's no hard deadline set in the statute, but Florida courts have said agencies cannot stall without good reason. If a request is large, ask for a written estimate of when the records will be ready.

Alachua County Clerk of Courts

Court records for Gainesville are filed with the 8th Judicial Circuit, and the Alachua County Clerk of Courts is the keeper of those files. The clerk's office handles civil, criminal, family, and probate court records. Their website at alachuacounty.us gives access to case search tools and downloadable records.

Civil records include lawsuits filed in Alachua County, small claims cases, foreclosures, and injunctions. Criminal records cover charges filed in county and circuit court, from misdemeanors to felonies. Family court records deal with divorce, custody, and support matters. These are generally public but some portions, like records involving children, may be sealed.

The main courthouse is at 201 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601. If you need certified copies, visit the clerk's office or submit a written request by mail. Standard copy fees apply: $0.15 per page for plain copies, $1.00 for the first page of a certified document. Bring payment and any case identifiers you have.

The Alachua County Clerk also offers an online records request portal through NextRequest. You can submit requests digitally at alachuacountysoefl.nextrequest.com. The system lets you track your request and get updates by email. This is one of the more convenient systems in North Florida for managing records requests online.

City of Gainesville Records

The City of Gainesville maintains its own records separate from the county court system. City records include permits, zoning decisions, city commission minutes, contracts, and financial reports. City Hall is at 200 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601. Main line: 352-334-5000.

The City of Gainesville's website has a section for open records and public information requests. Agendas for city commission and board meetings are posted online. Budgets and financial audits are available without a formal request. For everything else, contact the city clerk's office.

Gainesville has its own police department. The Gainesville Police Department handles requests for incident reports, arrest logs, and police records. Some reports are available online. Others must be requested directly from the records unit. Active investigations may be partially exempt from disclosure, but most routine reports are open once a case is no longer active.

Note that the University of Florida is located in Gainesville but is a separate entity. UF is a state university and subject to Florida's public records law, but its records are managed through its own offices, not through City of Gainesville departments. If you need UF records, contact the university's general counsel or records office directly.

Gainesville City Website

The image below is from the official City of Gainesville website, which provides public records request forms and department contact information.

The city site includes links to open records tools, city commission meeting archives, and the city clerk's contact page.

Property Records in Alachua County

Property records for Gainesville are held at the county level. The Alachua County Property Appraiser maintains a database of all parcels in the county, including ownership information, assessed values, tax data, and property details. Searches by address or parcel number are free online.

Deeds, mortgages, and recorded liens are kept by the Alachua County Clerk's Official Records division. Every sale, refinancing, or lien placement results in a recorded document. These records are publicly searchable and are used for title searches, real estate due diligence, and legal research. Viewing them online is generally free; certified copies carry a fee.

Alachua County has a mix of urban and rural properties, and the records system covers all of them. If you're researching a rural parcel outside city limits but still in Alachua County, the same offices apply. City limits don't change which county agency holds the records.

How to Request Records in Gainesville

A public records request in Florida doesn't need a special form. A plain email or letter describing the records you want is enough. That said, using an agency's own form can move things along since staff know exactly where to route it.

You can submit requests in person, by email, by mail, or by phone. Written requests are best because they create a record of what you asked and when. Include the type of document, date range, and any names or addresses involved. The more specific you are, the less time staff spend searching.

Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page under Florida law. If staff time exceeds 30 minutes to gather records, the agency can charge for additional time at the rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee. Most requests don't hit that threshold. Large requests covering many years of records may trigger those fees.

If an agency denies your request, you can contact the Florida Attorney General's Government Records Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140 or online at myfloridalegal.com. Mediation is free and faster than a lawsuit. Most disputes are resolved within a few weeks.

Vital Records

Birth and death records for events in Gainesville are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can order certified copies through the Florida Department of Health. Alachua County health offices may also have some records, depending on when the event occurred.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Alachua County Clerk. Divorce filings are part of the circuit court record system. Both types of records are maintained through the Clerk's office and searchable through their online portal. The statewide clerk directory at flclerks.com lists contact details for all Florida county clerks.

Alachua County Records

Public records for Gainesville are maintained through the Alachua County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and online search tools.