Dixie County Public Records

Dixie County public records are held by the county clerk in Cross City, covering one of Florida's smaller and more rural counties along the Gulf Coast with a population of about 16,000. Florida's open records law gives anyone the right to inspect and copy records held by Dixie County agencies, with no requirement to explain why the records are needed. This page covers the main ways to access and request records from Dixie County.

Dixie County Clerk of Courts

The Dixie County Clerk of Courts in Cross City is the official custodian of the county's court records and official records. The clerk records property deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments, and also maintains the dockets for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases heard in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. The clerk's website at dixieclerk.com provides contact details and information on how to search or request records.

Because Dixie County is small and rural, the clerk's office operates with a limited staff. In-person visits to the Cross City courthouse are often the most efficient way to get records, especially for older files. Staff can help with lookups and explain what is available. It is a good idea to call ahead if you plan to visit, both to confirm hours and to ask whether the records you need require any advance preparation.

Public Records Law in Dixie County

All Dixie County government records are subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, Florida's public records law. The law's default position is that government records are open. If an agency wants to withhold a record, it must point to a specific exemption in the law. The most common exemptions in Florida are listed in Section 119.071 and cover things like active criminal investigations, personal identifying information in certain contexts, and medical records.

The Dixie County Clerk's website provides access to the office and information about requesting public records in Cross City.

The site is the starting point for online record searches and contact information for the Cross City office.

When you make a request, the agency must respond within a reasonable time. They cannot delay unreasonably or set up barriers that make it harder to get records. The first 30 minutes of staff research time must be provided for free. After that, the agency may charge based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid staff member who can handle the task. Printed copies cost no more than $0.15 per one-sided page, and certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $5 certification fee.

Dixie County Court Records

Dixie County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, a large multi-county circuit that covers Suwannee, Columbia, Hamilton, Madison, Lafayette, Taylor, and Dixie counties. The circuit court handles the full range of cases: felony criminal matters, civil disputes, family law (including divorce and child custody), and probate proceedings. County court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and minor civil cases. All of these records are filed with the Dixie County Clerk.

Online access to Dixie County court records may be more limited compared to larger counties. The clerk's website should be the first place to check for any available online search tools. If records are not available online, you can request them in person or by contacting the clerk directly. For multi-county record searches, the Florida Court Clerks directory links to all 67 county clerk portals, and myFloridaCounty.com provides cross-county official record searches.

Dixie County Official Records

Official records filed in Dixie County include property deeds, mortgage documents, liens, satisfaction of mortgages, and other recorded instruments. The clerk maintains an index of all recorded documents, searchable by party name and document type. This index is the foundation for any property title search in Dixie County.

Property researchers and legal professionals use the official records system to verify ownership chains, identify encumbrances, and confirm that past financial obligations have been cleared. The clerk can provide certified copies of any recorded document. If you need a copy for legal purposes, the certified version carries the clerk's seal and is accepted by courts and other agencies as an official document.

Criminal and Arrest Records in Dixie County

Court-based criminal records for Dixie County are maintained by the clerk. These include charging documents, court orders, guilty pleas, and sentencing records for cases heard in the 3rd Circuit. Arrest records and jail information are held separately by the Dixie County Sheriff's Office, which operates its own records division subject to Chapter 119.

Both sets of records are generally public. Active investigation files and records that identify confidential informants are among the exceptions. If you want arrest data or jail records, contact the Dixie County Sheriff's Office directly. For court records, contact the clerk. The Florida AG's open government resources explain the rules and help you understand what to do if a request is denied.

Vital Records and Other Dixie County Documents

Birth and death certificates from events in Dixie County are held by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. These are state records and must be requested through the state agency, not the county clerk. The local Dixie County Health Department can help direct you to the right state office or online request system.

Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Dixie County Clerk, so they are available at the local level. Divorce records are part of the family law court file and are also accessible through the clerk. Property tax and vehicle registration records are held by the Tax Collector's office, which is separate from the clerk but operates under the same public records rules. Voter registration data is held by the Dixie County Supervisor of Elections.

How to Get Dixie County Records

To request records from the Dixie County Clerk, you can visit the courthouse in Cross City, call the clerk's office, write a letter, or use the contact form on the clerk's website. Under Chapter 119, no specific form is required. You just need to describe what you want clearly enough for staff to locate the records. The agency must respond within a reasonable time and must not delay the response without good cause.

If you need records from other county agencies, such as the Sheriff's Office or the Board of County Commissioners, contact those offices separately. Each agency is its own custodian of its own records. If a request is denied, ask for the specific exemption in writing. If the denial seems improper, you can contact the Florida Attorney General's mediation program at (850) 245-0140 for assistance.

Cities in Dixie County

No city in Dixie County meets the population threshold for a dedicated public records page on this site. Cross City is the county seat where the clerk's office handles all court and official records. Horseshoe Beach is the only other incorporated municipality in the county but does not qualify for a separate page here.

Nearby Counties

Dixie County borders several other north Florida counties along the Gulf Coast region.