Oviedo Public Records Lookup

Public records in Oviedo, Florida are open to any person under state law and include court filings, property documents, police reports, city permits, and other government records held by Seminole County offices and Oviedo city departments in the 18th Judicial Circuit. This page explains where each type of record is kept and how to request access.

Public Records Law in Oviedo

Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets the rule: all records made or received by a government agency are open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. That covers Oviedo city departments, Seminole County agencies, and state offices that hold records connected to Oviedo residents and properties.

You don't need to give your name. No explanation is required. Agencies must respond promptly and cannot delay without cause. If the record is available right away, it goes out without delay. For larger requests, the agency must give a time estimate when asked.

Exemptions exist but are narrow. Active investigations, certain health data, sealed court records, and a few other categories are restricted. Court filings, property deeds, permits, meeting minutes, police blotters, and code enforcement files are all open to the public in Oviedo.

Seminole County Clerk Court Records

Court records for Oviedo are maintained by the Seminole County Clerk of Courts, led by Grant Maloy. The clerk's main office is at 301 N Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. The phone number is (407) 665-4330. Online records searches are available through the clerk's website at seminoleclerk.org.

The Seminole Clerk handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the 18th Judicial Circuit. Civil cases include small claims and circuit civil matters. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges filed in Seminole County. Family court records hold divorce decrees, custody orders, and domestic injunctions. Probate covers estate filings and guardianship cases. All are searchable online by name or case number.

Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page for plain copies. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Records can be requested online, in person at the Sanford courthouse, or by mail. If you have a case number, it speeds up any in-person visit significantly.

Sealed records and juvenile case files are not available to the public. For everything else, the Seminole Clerk system is updated regularly and handles a steady volume of online searches. Oviedo residents often handle their requests fully online without needing to visit Sanford.

Oviedo City Records

Oviedo maintains its own city records separate from Seminole County court files. These include building permits, code enforcement files, zoning decisions, city commission meeting minutes, and municipal contracts. Florida law makes all of these public. Some are posted directly on the city's website. Others require a formal request to the city clerk.

Building permits are frequently requested in Oviedo. Any construction or renovation within city limits has a permit file showing what was approved, who did the work, and whether inspections passed. Real estate buyers, sellers, and lenders use these records before property closings.

The Oviedo Police Department keeps incident reports and arrest logs for activity within city limits. Most of these are open public records. Active investigations may carry a temporary hold. Contact the department's records unit to submit a request. Many Seminole County agencies accept email requests. Check the city website for the current method.

Note: City records and county court records are held by separate offices. A request submitted to one does not cover records kept by the other.

Florida Attorney General Open Government Page

The image below is from the Florida Attorney General's Open Government page, which describes public records rights for all Florida residents including those in Oviedo and Seminole County.

The Attorney General's office also runs a free mediation program that helps resolve disputes when agencies deny access to public records. Anyone in Oviedo can use the service by calling (850) 245-0140.

Property Records in Seminole County

Property records for Oviedo are held by the Seminole County Property Appraiser. You can search by address or parcel number to get ownership history, assessed values, and lot details. The search is free online.

Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official documents are filed with the Seminole County Clerk. Every time an Oviedo property changes hands, a deed is recorded there. Title researchers, real estate agents, and lenders rely on these records. The clerk's official records database covers documents going back many decades.

Tax records sit with the Seminole County Tax Collector. Current bills and payment history are available online without a visit or phone call.

First Amendment Foundation Resources

The image below shows the First Amendment Foundation website, a Florida nonprofit that supports open government and public access to records across the state, including in Seminole County and Oviedo.

The foundation publishes the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual each year, runs a public records hotline at (850) 222-3518, and offers training for both the public and government staff. The hotline is free to use.

How to Request Records

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

Copy fees are $0.15 per one-sided page. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. After that, agencies charge based on the pay rate of the lowest-qualified employee who can handle the work. You can request a cost estimate before work begins.

If access is denied without a valid statutory basis, use the Florida Attorney General's mediation program. Call (850) 245-0140 or visit myfloridalegal.com. Mediation is free. Most cases settle faster through mediation than through a court challenge.

Vital Records and Criminal History

Birth and death records tied to Oviedo events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics through the Florida Department of Health. Local Seminole County health offices can sometimes help with access.

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

Statewide criminal history records are handled separately by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE records are different from court case files held by the Seminole County Clerk. Contact FDLE at (850) 410-7676 for statewide background information.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near Oviedo in the Central Florida area have public records through their own county clerks and city departments.

Seminole County Records

Court records and official records for Oviedo are maintained by the Seminole County Clerk of Court in the 18th Judicial Circuit.