Access Tallahassee Public Records

Tallahassee public records come from three separate levels: the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and the state of Florida. As the state capital, Tallahassee is home to Florida's major state agencies, which hold records of statewide significance alongside city and county documents. Florida's Chapter 119 public records law covers all public agencies at every level, giving any person the right to inspect and copy records without providing a reason.

Tallahassee City Records

The City of Tallahassee generates public records through its city commission, city manager's office, and city departments. Records you can request from the city include city commission minutes and agendas, city ordinances, city contracts, building permits, and records from city utilities and services. Tallahassee's city hall is at 300 S Adams St, Tallahassee, FL 32301. The city phone is (850) 891-8200. City records are separate from Leon County records and separate from state agency records, even though many state offices share the same zip codes.

The Tallahassee city website at talgov.com is the right starting place for city-level public records. City departments are listed there along with contact information for records requests.

Leon County Clerk Records in Tallahassee

Court records and official property records for Tallahassee go through the Leon County Clerk of Courts, which serves the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The Clerk maintains case files for civil matters, criminal cases, family law filings, probate records, and small claims cases. Property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting Leon County real estate are also recorded with the Clerk and form part of the official records series. You can search the Clerk's records at leonclerk.com. The online index is generally free to search, with copy fees applying to documents you want printed or certified.

State Agency Records in Tallahassee

Because Tallahassee is Florida's capital, many state agency headquarters are located here. Records held by these agencies are state public records and are also subject to Chapter 119. The Florida Attorney General's open government page at myfloridalegal.com offers guidance on how to request state agency records and what your rights are if a request is denied. The Florida Department of State handles certain state public records requests at dos.fl.gov. The Florida Legislature's official statutes are also publicly available at leg.state.fl.us, and all state statutes are free to read and download.

When requesting records from a state agency in Tallahassee, make sure you direct your request to the right agency. Each state agency has its own records custodian and its own process for handling requests. If you are not sure which agency has what you need, the AG's open government resources can help you narrow it down. The AG's mediation line at (850) 245-0140 can also help if you run into a dispute over a state agency's response to your request.

How to Request Tallahassee Public Records

No form is required. Florida's open records law does not impose any special format. You can ask by phone, email, mail, or in person. You do not need to explain why you want the record or give your name. Just describe what you need clearly enough that the agency can find it. They must respond in a reasonable time based on the scope and complexity of your request.

State-set fees apply to all Florida public agencies. Copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification statement. If your request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time to pull together, the agency can charge for extra time at the lowest qualifying employee's hourly rate. Simple requests for a specific document usually cost nothing at all. If a request is denied and you think it shouldn't be, the AG's free mediation service is the fastest path to resolution.

Tallahassee Property and Court Records

Property records for Tallahassee are part of the Leon County official records series. Deeds, mortgages, and liens are all searchable through the Leon County Clerk's online system. The Leon County Property Appraiser maintains assessment and ownership data separately. Both are open to the public. Court records for the 2nd Judicial Circuit are also held by the Leon County Clerk. If you are looking for a past case that was heard in a Tallahassee court, the Clerk's online system at leonclerk.com is the right tool to use. Many records go back many years and are indexed online.

Tallahassee Records Contacts

Nearby Cities

Other Florida cities also have public records available through their local clerk offices.

Leon County Records

Public records for Tallahassee are maintained by the Leon County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and search resources.