Collier County Public Records

Collier County public records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Naples, serving a county of roughly 390,000 residents along Florida's southwest Gulf Coast. The office handles court filings, official records, and public records requests under Florida's open government laws, giving anyone the right to inspect and copy documents without stating a reason. This guide explains how to search, request, and access Collier County records through the clerk's office and related agencies.

Collier County Clerk of Courts

The Collier County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of public records in the county. Renata Robbins serves as Custodian of Public Records, the designated point of contact for all public records requests. The office is located at 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, in Naples. You can reach the clerk by phone at (239) 252-2646 or submit requests by email to PublicRecordsRequest@collierclerk.com.

The clerk's office maintains a broad range of records. Court filings, case histories, judgments, official records, deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses are all stored here. Many of these are available through the online search portal at the clerk's website. Walk-in access is available during regular business hours at the Tamiami Trail location.

Florida Public Records Law and Collier County

Florida's public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, sets the framework for access to government records across the state. The law's core policy is simple: all state, county, and municipal records are open by default. That means Collier County records are presumed public unless a specific exemption applies. You do not need to give your name or explain why you want the records.

Under the law, the custodian must let you inspect records at any reasonable time. Fees are limited by statute. For most printed copies, agencies may charge up to $0.15 per one-sided page. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification statement. The first 30 minutes of staff research time must be provided at no charge. If research takes longer, the agency may charge for the additional time at the rate of the lowest-paid staff member who can handle the request.

One rule that helps requesters: if a Collier County office receives your request, they cannot destroy or dispose of the records for at least 30 days. That gives you time to follow up if needed. If you have a dispute about access, the Florida Attorney General's Office runs a mediation program reachable at (850) 245-0140. More information on open government is at the Florida AG's open government page.

Searching Collier County Court Records Online

The Collier County Clerk's website provides an online search tool for court records. You can look up civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases using party names, case numbers, or attorney names. Case status, upcoming hearings, and filed documents are available for many cases. Some older records may require an in-person visit or a written request to the clerk's office.

The Florida Courts system also maintains a statewide portal. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory links to county-level search tools across all 67 counties. For a broader search that crosses county lines, the myFloridaCounty.com platform lets you look up official records like deeds, liens, and other instruments filed in multiple counties.

The Florida Attorney General's office provides guidance for the public on how to use the state's open government resources. Their open government portal explains your rights and what to do if a request is denied.

The AG's site outlines exemptions, explains the mediation process, and links to the full text of Chapter 119.

Collier County Official Records Search

Official records in Collier County include deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgages, liens, judgments, and other documents recorded with the clerk. These are separate from court case records and cover property transactions, financial instruments, and legal notices. The clerk's official records index goes back many decades. You can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, or recording date on the clerk's website.

Property ownership history, deed transfers, and lien status are all part of the official records. If you need to research a property's chain of title or check for encumbrances, the official records index is the place to start. The Collier County Property Appraiser's office is a related resource for property value and ownership data, though that office is separate from the clerk.

Collier County Criminal and Civil Court Records

All criminal and civil cases filed in Collier County go through the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. This circuit also covers Lee, Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry counties, with the administrative offices based in Fort Myers. Collier County has its own courthouse in Naples where cases are heard and records are filed locally.

Criminal records in Collier County include felony and misdemeanor case files, arrest records, and sentencing documents. Civil records cover lawsuits, small claims, domestic relations cases, and probate matters. For traffic citations, you can often pay or contest tickets through the clerk's online portal. Each type of record has its own access point within the clerk's system, so knowing the case type helps speed up your search.

Arrest records and booking information are typically maintained by the Collier County Sheriff's Office, which operates separately from the clerk. The Sheriff's Office may have an online jail roster or inmate search tool. Those records are also subject to Chapter 119 disclosure requirements unless a specific exemption applies, such as an active investigation.

Vital Records in Collier County

Birth and death certificates are not held by the Collier County Clerk. Vital records in Florida are managed at the state level by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can order certified copies through the state's VitalChek system or by mail. The Collier County Health Department can also assist with local vital records requests.

Marriage licenses, however, are issued by the Collier County Clerk of Courts and are part of the official records the clerk maintains. If you need a copy of a marriage license issued in Collier County, you can request it directly from the clerk's office. Divorce records are part of the circuit court's family law files and are accessible through the clerk's court records search.

How to Make a Public Records Request in Collier County

You can submit a public records request to the Collier County Clerk in several ways. The easiest is by email to PublicRecordsRequest@collierclerk.com. You can also call (239) 252-2646 or visit the office in person at 3315 Tamiami Trail East. Written requests by mail are also accepted.

Under Chapter 119, you do not need to fill out a special form or use specific language. A simple description of the records you want is enough. The clerk's office must acknowledge your request and respond within a reasonable time. If the records are extensive or require redaction of exempt information, they may give you an estimate of the time and cost before producing the records.

Beyond the clerk, other Collier County agencies also handle public records. The Board of County Commissioners, the Sheriff's Office, the Property Appraiser, and the Tax Collector are each separate custodians of their own records. If your request involves records from one of those offices, you would contact them directly rather than the clerk.

Other Collier County Record Sources

Several other agencies hold records that people commonly seek in Collier County. The Collier County Tax Collector keeps tax payment records and vehicle registration data. The Property Appraiser maintains parcel maps, assessed values, and ownership records. The Supervisor of Elections holds voter registration data. Each office has its own public records procedures, though all follow the same Chapter 119 rules.

For federal records connected to Collier County, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida handles federal civil and criminal cases. Federal court records are accessible through the PACER system. Federal agency records may require a Freedom of Information Act request rather than a state public records request. Most records that concern local government activity, however, are held at the county level and fall under Chapter 119.

Cities in Collier County

No city in Collier County meets the population threshold for a dedicated public records page on this site. Naples is the county seat and the main location for county court and official records. Marco Island and Everglades City are the other incorporated areas, but neither qualifies for a separate page here.

Nearby Counties

Collier County borders several other southwest Florida counties, each with their own clerk and public records offices.