Find Public Records in New Smyrna Beach

Public records in New Smyrna Beach, Florida are open to anyone under state law and cover court filings, property documents, police reports, building permits, and other government records held by Volusia County offices and New Smyrna Beach city departments in the 7th Judicial Circuit. This page outlines how to find each type of record and how to request them.

Florida Public Records Law

Florida's public records law is rooted in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes and in Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution. The basic rule is that all records made or received by government agencies are open to the public. That includes New Smyrna Beach city offices, Volusia County agencies, and state offices that hold records tied to the area.

No reason is needed to request a record. No name is required. Agencies must act promptly. If a record is ready immediately, it goes out without delay. For more complex requests, the agency must provide a time estimate when asked. That estimate has to be in good faith.

Exemptions under Section 119.071 are specific. Active law enforcement investigations, certain personal health data, sealed court files, and a defined set of other categories can be withheld. Everything outside those is public. Property records, court dockets, code enforcement files, permits, and meeting minutes are all open records in New Smyrna Beach.

Volusia County Clerk Court Records

New Smyrna Beach is part of Volusia County and the 7th Judicial Circuit. Court filings for the city go through the Volusia County Clerk of Courts, led by Laura E. Roth, Esq. The main office is at 101 N Alabama Ave, DeLand, FL 32724, phone (386) 822-5710. Records can be searched online through the clerk's public search system at clerk.org/Search-Records.aspx.

The Volusia Clerk handles case searches for Circuit Civil, County Civil, Family Law, Probate, and Criminal cases. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Date range searches are limited to a 7-day window. Some documents are released for online viewing only after a clerk reviews them. Others are nonpublic by statute or court order and cannot be viewed at all.

The clerk's system also includes Official Records, which covers property deeds, mortgages, judgments, marriages, divorces, and probate documents. These go back many years and are searchable online. System maintenance runs Thursday nights between 7pm and 9pm, so plan searches outside that window.

Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost more. You can request records online, in person at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand, or by mail. Bringing a case number saves significant time if you visit in person.

New Smyrna Beach City Records

New Smyrna Beach city government keeps its own records separate from county court files. Building permits, code enforcement cases, zoning decisions, city commission meeting minutes, and city contracts are all public records under Florida law. Many are available through the city's website. Others require a formal request to the city clerk's office.

Building permits are among the most common records requests in New Smyrna Beach. Any construction, renovation, or addition done within city limits has a permit file showing approvals, contractors, and inspection results. Real estate buyers, lenders, and sellers use these records regularly.

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department holds incident reports and arrest logs for incidents within city limits. Florida law makes most of these open. Files tied to active investigations can carry a short hold. Contact the department's records unit directly. Some departments accept requests by email or through an online portal. Check the city's website for current methods.

Note: The city and the county are separate custodians. A request to one does not get you records held by the other.

Florida Department of State Records Portal

The image below is from the Florida Department of State public records request page, which handles records requests for state-level agencies and documents managed by the Department of State, including corporate filings and state archives.

State-level records can be requested by mail, phone, fax, or email. Note that email addresses sent in requests become public records themselves under Florida law. Use phone or mail if you want to keep your contact information private.

Property Records in Volusia County

Property records for New Smyrna Beach are held by the Volusia County Property Appraiser. You can search by address or parcel number to find ownership history, assessed values, and property details. This is free online.

Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official documents are filed with the Volusia County Clerk. When a New Smyrna Beach property changes hands, the deed is recorded with the clerk. Title companies, agents, and lenders use the clerk's official records system regularly. It covers documents going back many decades.

Tax records are with the Volusia County Tax Collector. You can check current tax bills and payment history online without a visit or phone call.

Chapter 119 Statutes

The image below shows Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes as displayed on the Florida Legislature's website. This is the governing law for all public records access in New Smyrna Beach.

Section 119.07 requires that every person who has custody of a public record must allow it to be inspected and copied at any reasonable time under reasonable conditions. That applies to every office in New Smyrna Beach and Volusia County.

How to Request Records

Requests can be made in person, by phone, email, or mail. No specific form is required. Be clear about what you need. Include the record type, date range, and any names or addresses that help narrow the search.

Standard copies are $0.15 per one-sided page, not larger than 14 by 8.5 inches. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. After that, charges are based on the pay rate of the lowest-qualified employee who can do the work. Certified copies carry a separate fee schedule.

If access is denied, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program is a free resource. Call (850) 245-0140 or go to myfloridalegal.com. Both sides must agree to mediate. Most disputes resolve faster through this process than through the courts.

Vital Records and Criminal History

Birth and death records tied to New Smyrna Beach events go to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics through the Florida Department of Health. The Volusia County Health Department office can assist in some cases.

Marriage licenses come from the Volusia County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court file. Both are searchable online through the Volusia Clerk's system. Certified copies require a formal request and a fee.

Statewide criminal history records are handled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement through the Office of Open Government. FDLE records are different from the court case files held by the county clerk.

Nearby Cities

Other Volusia County communities near New Smyrna Beach have public records available through the county clerk and their own city offices.

Volusia County Records

Court records and official records for New Smyrna Beach are maintained by the Volusia County Clerk of Court in the 7th Judicial Circuit.