Find Orlando Public Records

Orlando public records span two levels of government: the City of Orlando and Orange County. City records such as permits, city contracts, and commission minutes are held by city departments at 400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Court records and official property documents are handled by the Orange County Clerk of Courts in the 9th Judicial Circuit. Both sets of records are open to any person who asks. You do not need to provide a reason or identification to make a request.

Orlando City Records and Government Documents

The City of Orlando produces records through its many departments: the city council, the city attorney's office, planning and zoning, building services, and more. These city-generated records are subject to Florida's public records law and must be made available on request. Common city records include city council agendas and minutes, building permit files, code enforcement cases, city-issued contracts, and correspondence from elected officials and city staff. You can reach city hall at (407) 246-2121 to find the right department for your specific request.

The City of Orlando's website at orlando.gov provides links to city departments and contact information for different types of city records requests.

Orlando Court Records and the Orange County Clerk

Court records for Orlando are maintained by the Orange County Clerk of Courts, which serves the 9th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk handles civil cases, family law matters, criminal records, probate filings, and small claims cases. The online case search system is available at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com and lets you search by name, case number, or filing date. Case index data is generally free. Physical or certified document copies carry standard copy fees set by state law.

The city's government page at orlando.gov/Our-Government organizes all city departments and can help you figure out which office has the record you need before you contact them.

How to Request Orlando Public Records

No form is required. Florida law gives everyone the right to inspect and copy public records. You can make a request by phone, email, in person, or by mail. You do not need to state your reason. The agency must respond in a reasonable time based on the scope of what you asked for.

The standard copy fee is $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification statement. If your request needs more than 30 minutes of staff time to locate and pull records, the agency can charge for that time at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. For most routine requests, there is no charge. If you believe a request was wrongly denied, the Florida Attorney General offers a free mediation program at (850) 245-0140.

Orlando Property Records

Property records for Orlando are part of the Orange County official records series. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments are recorded with the Orange County Clerk of Courts and are searchable through the Clerk's online system. The Orange County Property Appraiser maintains a separate database of ownership and assessment information. Both offices are public agencies and both records sets are open under Chapter 119. If you need a title search or want to verify ownership, the Clerk's official records index is the right place to start. The Clerk's main site is myorangeclerk.com.

Exemptions and Denials

Some Orlando public records are exempt. Florida law at Section 119.071 F.S. lists many specific categories that agencies can withhold. Examples include active criminal investigation files, certain personnel records, security system details, and personal data like Social Security numbers. If an agency denies your request, they must put the reason in writing and cite the specific exemption. You can challenge a denial through the AG's mediation program or, as a last resort, through circuit court. Most people find that mediation resolves the issue faster and at no cost.

Orlando Records Contact Information

Nearby Cities

Cities near Orlando in Central Florida also have public records available through their county clerk offices.

Orange County Records

Public records for Orlando are maintained by the Orange County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and search resources.