Access Ocala Public Records

Ocala public records are held by the Marion County Clerk of Courts and the City of Ocala, covering court filings, official recorded documents, city permits, and other government records that any person may request under Florida law. Since Ocala is the county seat of Marion County, many records for the surrounding region are also filed and accessible here through the same county clerk office.

Marion County Clerk of Courts

The Marion County Clerk of Courts serves the 5th Judicial Circuit and maintains court records for Ocala and all of Marion County. The clerk is Gregory C. Harrell, Clerk and Comptroller. The office is located at 110 NW First Ave, Ocala, FL 34475. Phone: (352) 671-5604. The clerk's website at marionclerk.org provides access to court case searches, official records, and information on how to request documents.

Court records from the 5th Circuit include civil cases, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate filings, and small claims actions filed in Marion County courts. Official records recorded with the clerk cover property deeds and transfers, mortgage filings, judgment liens, and marriage licenses for Ocala and the surrounding area. Because Ocala is the county seat, the courthouse is located within the city, making in-person access straightforward.

The Marion County Clerk's website is the starting point for searching Ocala court records, official documents, and recorded instruments online.

Ocala City Records

The City of Ocala maintains records produced by city government operations. These include Ocala City Council meeting minutes, city ordinances and resolutions, contracts, building and zoning permits, code enforcement files, and records from city departments including the Ocala Police Department and fire services. City Hall is at 110 SE Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471. The main city number is (352) 629-8351.

You do not need a form or a reason to ask for city records. Florida's public records law, found at Chapter 119, says that all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying by any person. City staff must acknowledge requests quickly and fulfill them in good faith. Most basic requests are handled at no charge.

Court Records in the 5th Judicial Circuit

The 5th Judicial Circuit covers Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Lake, and Sumter counties. Cases originating in Ocala are part of Marion County's docket. The Marion County Clerk handles all case indexing and maintains the official record for each case. You can search by party name, case number, or other identifiers through the clerk's online system.

Some case types have restricted access by statute. Juvenile cases, certain mental health proceedings, and cases sealed by court order may not be available online or in person to the general public. For those records, you would need to demonstrate a legal right of access or obtain a court order. For all other records, access is open under the state's strong presumption of openness.

Traffic citations issued in Ocala are also handled through the 5th Circuit clerk system. If you need to look up a ticket, pay a fine, or request a hearing, the Marion County Clerk office is where to start.

Requesting Ocala Public Records

You can request records from the Marion County Clerk by visiting the office in person, calling (352) 671-5604, or using the online portal at marionclerk.org. For city records, contact the City of Ocala at City Hall or by phone. Neither office can require you to put your request in writing, though doing so often speeds up the process and creates a paper trail.

Copy fees for paper records are $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 for two-sided pages. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus $5.00 for the certification. Extended requests that require more than 30 minutes of staff time may carry an additional hourly charge. The Florida Attorney General's Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140 offers free help if you believe a request was wrongly denied.

The First Amendment Foundation also provides a free hotline at (850) 222-3518 and publishes the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual, which is updated each year. Their resources are useful if you want to understand the full scope of your rights under Florida's open government laws. Both organizations exist to help the public, not just journalists or lawyers.

Ocala Records Contact Summary

Nearby Cities

Other cities near Ocala have public records accessible under Florida's open government law.

Marion County Records

Ocala public records are filed with the Marion County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for full office details and online access tools.