Sebastian Public Records

Public records in Sebastian, Florida are available through Indian River County offices and the City of Sebastian under the 19th Judicial Circuit. Court cases, property documents, police reports, and city permits are open to any person by default under Florida law. This page covers each record type and where to find it.

Sebastian and Florida's Open Records Law

Florida's public records law comes from Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It says any record made or received by a government agency is public unless a specific exemption applies. For Sebastian, that covers Indian River County court records, city government files, county sheriff records, and state agencies with Sebastian records.

You don't have to give your name or explain why you're asking. Agencies must respond without unnecessary delay. If a record is ready immediately, it goes out right away. For more complex requests, the agency must give you a time estimate when you ask.

Exemptions are narrow. Active criminal investigations, sealed court files, and limited personal data categories are restricted. Almost everything else is public and available to anyone who requests it.

Indian River County Clerk Court Records

Court records for Sebastian go through the Indian River County Clerk of Courts. The clerk, Ryan L. Butler, serves as Clerk and Comptroller. The main courthouse is at 2000 16th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Phone is (772) 226-3100. The online portal at clerk.indian-river.org lets you search cases by name or case number at no cost.

Civil cases include small claims, circuit civil matters, and county court filings. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges tied to Sebastian and Indian River County arrests. Family law files hold divorce records, custody orders, domestic injunctions, and paternity proceedings. Probate cases cover estate filings and guardianship records. The 19th Judicial Circuit covers Indian River, Okeechobee, Martin, and St. Lucie counties, but Sebastian cases go through Indian River.

Standard copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Requests can be made through the online portal, in person at the Vero Beach courthouse, or by mail. Sebastian residents making the trip to Vero Beach should bring a case number or the name tied to the record. It speeds up the process. Sealed cases and juvenile records are not publicly available.

Property Records for Sebastian

Property records in Sebastian split between two offices. The Indian River County Property Appraiser holds ownership data, assessed values, and parcel details, all searchable online for free. Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official instruments go through the Indian River County Clerk's official records system.

Every property sale in Sebastian generates a recorded deed. That record is the legal evidence of the transfer and goes into the clerk's official records database. Lenders, title researchers, and real estate agents rely on this system. The official records database at clerk.indian-river.org covers decades of recorded instruments in Indian River County. Copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page.

Tax records are with the Indian River County Tax Collector, a separate office from the clerk. Most lookups can be done online without a phone call.

Florida Department of State

The Florida Department of State manages statewide record systems separate from county court records. The screenshot below is from the Florida Department of State website, which covers business entity filings, elections records, and other state-level documents relevant to Sebastian residents.

Business records are searchable through the Division of Corporations at sunbiz.org, which covers businesses registered in Indian River County, including Sebastian.

City of Sebastian Records

Sebastian City Hall is at 1225 Main St, Sebastian, FL 32958. City records include building permits, code enforcement files, business licenses, zoning decisions, and city council meeting minutes. These records are separate from county court files and must be requested through city departments directly.

Building permits are among the most common city record requests. Any construction or renovation in Sebastian has a permit file showing what was approved, who did the work, and whether it passed inspections. Real estate buyers, contractors, and insurance adjusters use these files regularly. The city's building department handles permit records.

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

Note: Sebastian's small size means the city clerk's office may handle multiple department functions. Call ahead at the main city number to confirm the right contact for your request type.

How to Request Records

Florida law does not require a specific form. You can request by phone, email, mail, or in person. Just describe what you need well enough for staff to find it. Include the record type, relevant dates, and any names or addresses tied to the search.

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

If a request is denied without a valid reason, the Florida Attorney General offers free mediation at (850) 245-0140 or myfloridalegal.com. It costs nothing and resolves most disputes faster than a court challenge would.

Vital Records for Sebastian

Birth and death records from Sebastian events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics through the Florida Department of Health. Marriage licenses come from the Indian River County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court files searchable through the Indian River Clerk's online portal. Vero Beach is the county seat where these records are centrally housed. Certified copies require a written request and payment of the applicable fee. Vero Beach does not have a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities have public records available through their respective county offices. Vero Beach does not currently have a dedicated page on this site.

Indian River County Records

Court records and official records for Sebastian are maintained by the Indian River County Clerk of Courts in Vero Beach.