Find Public Records in Sanford

Public records in Sanford, Florida are available through the Seminole County Clerk of Courts and City of Sanford departments in the 18th Judicial Circuit. Florida law makes court cases, property documents, police reports, and government records open to any person by default. Sanford serves as the county seat of Seminole County, making it the central hub for records in the area.

Florida Public Records Law

Florida's public records law is one of the strongest in the country and it applies to every government office in Sanford. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says any record made or received by a government agency is public unless a specific exemption applies. That covers Seminole County agencies, Sanford city offices, and state-level offices holding Sanford records.

You don't need to give your name. No reason is needed. Agencies cannot hold up a request by asking you to explain yourself. They must act promptly. If a record is ready right away, it goes out immediately. For more involved requests, agencies must provide a time estimate when asked.

Exemptions are real but narrow. Active criminal investigations, sealed court records, and some personal data categories are restricted. Outside those, government records in Sanford are accessible to anyone who asks.

Seminole County Clerk of Courts

Sanford is the county seat of Seminole County and home to the Seminole County Courthouse. The Seminole County Clerk of Courts is at 301 N Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. Phone is (407) 665-4330. The clerk, Grant Maloy, serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Seminole County. The online portal at seminoleclerk.org lets you search court cases for free by name, case number, or date range.

Civil cases in Sanford include small claims, circuit civil matters, and landlord-tenant disputes. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges tied to Sanford and Seminole County arrests. Family law files hold divorce decrees, custody orders, domestic injunctions, paternity cases, and adoption records. Probate cases cover estate filings, guardianship proceedings, and will contests. The 18th Judicial Circuit covers both Seminole and Brevard counties, but Sanford cases go through the Seminole side.

Standard copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Requests can be made through the online portal at seminoleclerk.org, in person at 301 N Park Ave in Sanford, or by mail to the clerk's office. The Seminole Clerk system is comprehensive and regularly updated. Juvenile files and sealed records are not available to the public.

Official Records and Property Filings

Property records for Sanford split between the Seminole County Property Appraiser and the Seminole County Clerk. The property appraiser holds ownership data, assessed values, and parcel information, all searchable online for free. Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other official instruments go through the Seminole County Clerk's official records system.

Every property transfer in Sanford generates a recorded deed. That document is the legal record of the transfer and goes into the clerk's official records database. Title researchers, lenders, and real estate agents rely on this system. The official records section also covers recorded judgments and marriage licenses. Copies of official recorded documents cost $1.00 per page.

Tax records are with the Seminole County Tax Collector, a separate office. Most lookups are available online.

Florida Chapter 119 Statutes

The text of Florida's public records law is available on the Florida Legislature's website. The screenshot below is from the Florida Legislature's Chapter 119 page, which contains the full statute that governs public records access in Sanford and throughout Florida.

Chapter 119 governs how all Sanford and Seminole County agencies handle records requests, what they can charge, and what limited exemptions apply.

City of Sanford Records

Sanford City Hall is at 300 N Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. The city maintains its own records separate from county court files. City records include building permits, code enforcement cases, business licenses, zoning decisions, and city commission meeting minutes. These must be requested through city departments rather than the county clerk.

Building permits are a common request from city records. Any construction or renovation in Sanford has a permit file showing what was approved, who did the work, and whether it passed inspections. Real estate buyers, contractors, and lenders use these files regularly. The city's development services department handles permit records.

The Sanford Police Department handles records for incidents within city limits. Incident reports and most arrest logs are public. Active investigation files may be withheld temporarily. Contact the department's records unit to submit a request. Some reports can be requested online or by email; check the city website for the current process.

How to Get Sanford Public Records

No specific form is required under Florida law. You can request by phone, email, mail, or in person. Be specific about what you need. Include the record type, any relevant dates, and names or addresses that help narrow the search.

Copies are $0.15 per page for court records. Official recorded documents are $1.00 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is typically free. After that, agencies may charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

Denied requests can be taken to the Florida Attorney General's free mediation program. Call (850) 245-0140 or visit myfloridalegal.com. Mediation resolves most disputes quickly and costs nothing to use.

Vital Records

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

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities in the Central Florida area also have public records through county clerks and city offices.

Seminole County Records

Court records and official records for Sanford are maintained by the Seminole County Clerk of Courts at 301 N Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771.