Winter Garden Public Records Database
Public records in Winter Garden, Florida are open to any person under state law and include court cases, property documents, city permits, police reports, and other records held by Orange County agencies and Winter Garden city departments. Winter Garden is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit, and all court filings go through the Orange County Clerk of Courts, which has one of the most comprehensive online records systems in Florida.
Winter Garden Quick Facts
Orange County Clerk Court Records
Court records for Winter Garden are maintained by the Orange County Clerk of Courts. The clerk's main office is at 425 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. The main number is (407) 836-2000. Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., serves as the clerk for the 9th Judicial Circuit, which covers both Orange and Osceola counties. Orange County has one of the most extensive online records systems in the state, with the eClerk portal at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com providing broad online access to court records.
Civil records include small claims, civil circuit cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil injunctions. Criminal records cover both misdemeanor county court cases and felony circuit court filings. Family court holds divorce decrees, custody orders, parenting plans, and domestic violence injunctions. Probate records cover estate cases, will contests, and guardianship filings. Each of these divisions is separate but all are searchable through the Orange County Clerk's online systems.
Many records in the Orange County system are available to view online at no cost. Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page for plain copies. Certified copies carry a higher fee. Sealed records, juvenile case files, and confidential documents are restricted by law and cannot be accessed through the public search tools.
City of Winter Garden Records
Winter Garden has its own city government with a City Hall that serves as the contact for municipal records. This includes building permits, city commission minutes, zoning decisions, code enforcement actions, and city contracts. All are public records that any person can request under Chapter 119.
Building permits are frequently requested records. Every construction project in Winter Garden, from home additions to commercial renovations, creates a permit file. These files show what was approved, who did the work, and which inspections were completed. Real estate buyers, lenders, and contractors use permit records often when researching a property. The city's building department is the place to start for any permit-related request.
City commission agendas and meeting minutes are generally posted on the city's official website. Budget documents and approved city contracts are also available on request. For records not posted online, contact the City Clerk's office. You can submit a request by phone, email, in-person visit, or mail. No special form is required under state law. Describe the record and the relevant time period, and staff must respond promptly.
The Winter Garden Police Department maintains incident records within the city. Incident reports and public arrest logs are open to anyone who asks. Active investigation files may face a temporary hold. Contact the police records unit for current procedures on submitting a request.
Your Public Records Rights
Florida's Chapter 119 declares that all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying by any person. Section 119.01 states clearly that "providing access to public records is a duty of each agency." This duty applies to every agency that holds Winter Garden records, from the City of Winter Garden to Orange County offices to state agencies.
You do not need to show ID. You don't have to say why you want the records. No form is required. Just describe what you need, and the agency must respond promptly. If a record is available right away, it should be provided without delay. For larger requests, the agency has to give you a time estimate when asked.
Exemptions under Section 119.071 cover active criminal investigations, some health data, sealed court documents, and a limited number of other categories. Everything outside those is public. If a denial is received, request a written citation of the specific statute. If the denial seems improper, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program at myfloridalegal.com/open-government handles disputes for free.
Find a Clerk Directory
The image below links to the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers' Find a Clerk directory, which lists all 67 county clerks in Florida, including the Orange County Clerk who handles Winter Garden court and official records.
Florida's clerks are elected officials who serve as the primary custodians for public records in each county. The directory makes it easy to find contact information, website links, and online search tools for any county clerk in the state, including those serving communities near Winter Garden.
Property Records in Orange County
Property records for Winter Garden are maintained by the Orange County Property Appraiser. You can search free online using an address, owner name, or parcel number. Results show current ownership, assessed values, lot details, and property history. No fee is required for basic searches.
Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other official documents are filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts. Every time a Winter Garden property changes hands, a deed is recorded. Liens and mortgages are also recorded here. Title searches for Winter Garden real estate typically start with the Orange County Clerk's official records system, which covers documents going back many decades and is fully searchable online.
Tax bills and payment histories are with the Orange County Tax Collector. These are free to search online. For most Winter Garden property record needs, everything is available online without any in-person visit.
Note: The Orange County Corrections Department also maintains public records separately from the clerk. Their custodian can be reached at OCCDRecords@ocfl.net or (407) 836-0321 if you need records from that agency.
Vital Records and Additional Sources
Birth and death records for Winter Garden events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics under the Department of Health. Certified copies require a request to the state office. The Orange County Health Department may also assist with local questions about vital records availability.
Marriage licenses in Orange County are issued by the Orange County Clerk of Courts. Divorce records are part of the circuit court file and are searchable through the clerk's online systems. Certified copies of either type require a formal request and payment of applicable fees.
State-level criminal history records are maintained by FDLE, separate from court records at the Orange County Clerk. If you need a background check rather than a specific court case record, direct your request to FDLE.
Requesting Winter Garden Records
City department requests can be submitted by phone, email, in-person visit to City Hall, or by mail. No form is required. Include the record type, relevant date range, and any names or addresses that help identify the document. Staff must respond promptly under Florida law.
For Orange County Clerk records, the online portal at myorangeclerk.com or myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com is the fastest starting point. Court and official records searches are free to view online in most cases. Printed copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost more and are typically needed for legal proceedings.
The first 30 minutes of staff time for extensive requests is free under state law. After that, the agency can charge based on the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work. If a request is denied without a valid statutory basis, contact the Attorney General's mediation program at (850) 245-0140. It's free and usually faster than going to court.
Nearby Cities
These Central Florida cities near Winter Garden share the 9th Judicial Circuit or have their own county clerk systems for public records.
Orange County Records
Court records and official records for Winter Garden are maintained by the Orange County Clerk of Courts, the primary custodian for all public records filed in Orange County.