Plant City Public Records

Public records in Plant City, Florida are maintained by Hillsborough County offices and City of Plant City departments. Under Florida law, court cases, property documents, police reports, and city permits are open to any person by default in the 13th Judicial Circuit. This page covers each record type and explains how to find what you need.

Plant City Records Under Florida Law

Florida's public records law is one of the strongest in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says any record made or received by a government agency is open to the public, unless a specific exemption covers it. Plant City city departments, Hillsborough County offices, and state agencies that hold Plant City records all fall under this rule.

No reason is required. No name is required. Agencies can't ask why you want a record before they respond. They must act without delay. For bigger requests, they have to give you a time estimate when asked.

Exemptions do exist. They cover active criminal investigations, sealed court files, and limited personal data categories. Outside those, records are open. Most Plant City searches go through without difficulty.

Hillsborough County Clerk Court Records

Court records for Plant City run through the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The clerk's main office is at County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd, 13th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602. Phone is (813) 276-8100. Plant City residents can also access records through the Plant City branch courthouse at 302 N Michigan Ave, Plant City, FL 33563. That branch handles local filings and can process many requests without a trip to Tampa.

Civil cases cover small claims, civil circuit matters, and landlord-tenant disputes. Criminal files include misdemeanor and felony charges tied to Plant City arrests. Family law cases hold divorce records, custody orders, domestic injunctions, and other family matters. Probate cases deal with estate filings, guardianship records, and wills. The Hillsborough Clerk's online portal lets you search all of these by name, case number, or date range at no cost.

Standard copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee. You can request copies in person at either courthouse location, through the online portal, or by mail. Hillsborough is one of Florida's largest counties, and its clerk system is comprehensive and regularly updated.

Plant City Court Branch

Plant City has its own branch courthouse that handles local civil and criminal matters. The Plant City branch at 302 N Michigan Ave is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. It holds hearings and accepts filings for cases tied to the eastern Hillsborough area. Many locals find it easier to visit this branch than to travel to the main courthouse in Tampa.

All records filed at the Plant City branch are part of the Hillsborough County Clerk's main database. You can search them online the same way you would search records filed in Tampa. If you're looking for a case that originated in Plant City, search by name or case number through the Hillsborough Clerk's portal at hillsclerk.com.

Florida Sunshine and Open Government

The Florida Attorney General's office publishes guidance on public records rights for residents across the state. The screenshot below is from the Florida Attorney General's open government resource page, which covers how to make requests, what exemptions apply, and how mediation works for denied requests.

The open government mediation program is free to use and resolves most disputes without going to court.

City of Plant City Records

Plant City Hall is at 302 W Reynolds St, Plant City, FL 33563. The city's own records include building permits, code enforcement files, business licenses, zoning approvals, and city commission minutes. These are separate from the county court system and must be requested through city departments.

Building permits are among the most frequently requested city records. Every construction project in Plant City generates a permit file showing what was approved, who performed the work, and whether the project passed inspection. Real estate buyers, contractors, and insurance companies use these files regularly.

The Plant City Police Department maintains records for incidents within city limits. Incident reports and most arrest logs are public records. Files tied to active investigations may be held temporarily. Contact the department's records division to submit a request. Some departments accept requests by email; check the current process on the city website.

Note: City of Plant City records are separate from Hillsborough County records and must be requested through city offices directly.

Property Records in Hillsborough County

Property records for Plant City split between two offices. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser holds ownership data, assessed values, and parcel information. Search free online by address or parcel number. Recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens go through the Hillsborough County Clerk's official records system. Every property transfer in Plant City generates a recorded deed that is searchable through the clerk's database.

Tax records and payment history are with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. Most lookups are available online without a phone call or office visit.

How to Request Records

Florida law does not require a specific form. You can ask by phone, email, mail, or in person. Just describe what you need clearly. Include the record type, relevant dates, and any names or addresses that help narrow the search.

Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is usually free. After that, agencies may charge based on the pay rate of the lowest-qualified employee who can handle the work. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

If a request is denied and you believe it should not be, the Florida Attorney General offers free mediation. Call (850) 245-0140 or visit myfloridalegal.com. Mediation resolves most disputes faster and at no cost compared to going to court.

Vital Records for Plant City

Birth and death records from Plant City events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics through the Florida Department of Health. Marriage licenses are issued by the Hillsborough County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court files and searchable through the Hillsborough Clerk's online portal. Certified copies require a request and payment of the applicable fee.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have public records available through county clerks and city offices.

Hillsborough County Records

Court records and official records for Plant City are maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court.