Port Orange Public Records Lookup
Public records in Port Orange, Florida are maintained by Volusia County offices and the City of Port Orange in the 7th Judicial Circuit. Under Florida law, court filings, property documents, police reports, and city permits are open to any person by default. This page covers each record type and where to find them.
Port Orange Quick Facts
Your Rights to Port Orange Records
Florida's public records law operates under a clear presumption of openness. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says every record made or received by a government agency is public unless a specific exemption applies. That covers Port Orange city records, Volusia County court files, and state agency records tied to this area.
No reason required. You can ask by name or stay anonymous. Agencies must respond without unnecessary delay. If a record is available right away, it goes out immediately. For larger requests, the agency must provide a time estimate on request.
Exemptions are real but limited. They include active criminal investigations, sealed court records, and narrow personal data categories. Everything outside those is open to the public. Most Port Orange record searches are straightforward.
Court Records Through the Volusia Clerk
Court records for Port Orange cases are held by the Volusia County Clerk of Courts. The main office is at 101 N Alabama Ave, DeLand, FL 32724. Phone is (386) 822-5710. The clerk's online case search portal at clerk.org covers civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases. Court records can be searched by name, case number, or within a date range. The maximum date range for a single search is seven days when searching by date.
The Volusia Clerk offers a detailed breakdown of what's available online. Civil cases include small claims and circuit civil matters. Criminal records cover both misdemeanor and felony charges. Family law files hold divorce decrees, custody orders, and domestic injunctions. Probate cases cover estate proceedings and guardianship filings. The official records section covers property transactions, judgments, marriages, and tax deed information.
Not every recorded document is immediately available for online viewing. Some go through an indexing and verification step before they become searchable. Others are designated as View On Request, meaning clerk staff must review them before release. Nonpublic records are sealed by statute or court order and are not accessible to the public under any standard request process. System maintenance on the Volusia Clerk's system happens Thursday nights between 7 and 9 PM.
Copies are $0.15 per page for standard court records. Certified copies cost more. You can request records through the online portal, in person in DeLand, or by mail.
Property and Official Records
Property records for Port Orange split between two county offices. The Volusia County Property Appraiser handles ownership history, assessed values, and parcel details. Search free by address or parcel number. Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official instruments go through the Volusia County Clerk's official records system. Both are available online.
The Volusia Clerk's official records database covers property transactions, recorded judgments, tax deed sales, and marriage licenses. Every property transfer in Port Orange generates a deed that goes into this system. Title researchers and real estate agents use it regularly. Search by name or document type at the clerk's site.
FDLE and Statewide Criminal Records
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains a statewide criminal history database separate from county court files. The screenshot below is from the FDLE public records page, which covers how to request Florida criminal history information for individuals.
FDLE criminal history searches are separate from the Volusia County Clerk's case search and use a different database. Both are useful depending on what you're looking for.
City of Port Orange Records
Port Orange City Hall is at 1000 City Center Cir, Port Orange, FL 32129. City records include building permits, zoning decisions, code enforcement files, business licenses, and meeting minutes from city council. These are separate from county court records and must be requested through city departments.
Building permits cover every construction project in Port Orange. These files show what was approved, who did the work, and inspection outcomes. Buyers, contractors, and lenders look at these regularly. Permit records go back years and are available on request.
The Port Orange Police Department handles records for incidents within city limits. Incident reports and most arrest logs are public. Active investigation files may be held temporarily. Contact the department's records unit to submit a request.
How to Request Records
No specific form is required under Florida law. You can request by email, phone, mail, or in person. Be specific about what you need. Include the record type, relevant dates, and names or addresses tied to the search.
Standard copies are $0.15 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff time is usually free. After that, agencies may charge by the hourly rate of the lowest-qualified employee who can do the work. Certified copies cost more. Official recorded documents through the clerk's official records system cost $1.00 per page.
Disputed denials can go to the Florida Attorney General's free mediation program. Reach them at (850) 245-0140 or visit myfloridalegal.com. The process is free and resolves most issues faster than court.
Vital Records
Birth and death records from Port Orange events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Submit requests through the Florida Department of Health. Marriage licenses come from the Volusia County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court files searchable through the Volusia Clerk's online portal. Certified copies require a written request and fee.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also have public records accessible through county clerks and city departments.
Volusia County Records
Court records and official records for Port Orange are maintained by the Volusia County Clerk of Courts.