Access Hillsborough County Public Records

Hillsborough County public records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Tampa and are open to any person under Florida's Chapter 119 open records law. As one of Florida's largest and most active counties, Hillsborough maintains extensive online records access covering court case files, official property documents, and a wide range of government records for Tampa and surrounding communities.

Florida Public Records Law in Hillsborough County

Florida's open records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives every person the right to inspect and copy government records. It applies equally to all Florida counties, and Hillsborough is no exception. Records are presumed public. You do not need to give your name or state a reason for the request. Agencies must respond promptly, and any denial must be based on a specific statutory exemption.

Hillsborough County is one of Florida's most populous counties, and its records infrastructure reflects that scale. The Clerk and Comptroller's office handles millions of document transactions and maintains robust online access. But the county also includes multiple other record-holding agencies: the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff's Office, city of Tampa, and county administration all maintain separate records and respond to requests under Chapter 119 independently.

If you have a records dispute in Hillsborough County, the Florida Attorney General's Office provides a free mediation program at (850) 245-0140. The AG's Open Government page explains how mediation works. The First Amendment Foundation also offers free guidance to Floridians seeking help with public records access.

Hillsborough County Clerk and Comptroller

Victor D. Crist serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Hillsborough County. His office is headquartered at County Center in Tampa and is the primary custodian for court records and officially recorded documents in the county. The Clerk's office handles an enormous volume of filings, from routine civil cases to major criminal proceedings, property transactions, and probate matters across the entire county.

The office maintains multiple branch locations across the county to serve residents who cannot reach the downtown Tampa courthouse. Hours and services vary by location. The clerk's website lists all branch locations and their contact details. For most online searches, you do not need to visit in person at all.

The screenshot below comes from the Hillsborough County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, which is the primary hub for public records access in the county.

From the clerk's site you can access the online records search, find branch location information, and submit public records requests electronically for many document types.

Court Records in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County is the seat of the 13th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles civil cases, felony criminal matters, family law proceedings including dissolution of marriage and adoption, juvenile cases, and probate. With Tampa as the county seat and one of Florida's most active court systems, Hillsborough generates a high volume of case filings across all divisions. County court handles misdemeanors, traffic matters, and civil claims under the statutory threshold.

Most Hillsborough County court records can be searched through the online portal at hillsclerk.com/records. This portal covers a broad range of case types and allows searches by party name, case number, and other criteria. Older records that predate digitization may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office. For sealed and expunged records, the standard exemptions under Florida law apply and those records are not publicly accessible.

Court records are generally open under Chapter 119. Juvenile records remain confidential. Mental health and some domestic relations records carry specific protections. If you have questions about whether a particular case file is accessible, the clerk's office can advise you before you make a formal request. You can also verify Hillsborough County clerk contact information through the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory.

Official Records: Property and Land Documents

The Hillsborough County Clerk records and indexes all official documents related to real property in the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, lis pendens filings, judgment liens, tax liens, and other recorded instruments. The official records index covers the entire county, including Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Town 'n' Country, and all unincorporated areas.

Most official records are searchable online through the clerk's records portal. You can search by name, document type, or date range. For a simple review, accessing records through the online portal costs nothing. If you need paper copies, the standard fee is up to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an additional $5.00 certification fee. For large title searches or bulk record pulls, calling the clerk's office first to understand the process is a good idea given the volume of documents the office handles.

How to Request Hillsborough County Public Records

Hillsborough County offers several ways to request public records. You can use the online records search at hillsclerk.com/records for many document types. You can visit the main office at 601 E Kennedy Blvd in Tampa or one of the branch locations. You can call (813) 276-8100 to reach staff. You can also submit a written request by mail.

No specific form is required. Describe the records you need clearly, including names, dates, case numbers, and document types if you have them. Florida law requires agencies to respond promptly. The first 30 minutes of staff research time is free. Beyond that, a reasonable fee may apply. Standard administrative copies cost up to $0.15 per page. Court record copies are governed by separate statutory fee schedules.

Given the size of Hillsborough County government and the volume of records it holds, being specific in your request saves time on both sides. The clerk's website also includes guidance on the records request process and which division handles which record types. Hillsborough County's online systems are among the most developed in Florida, so many requests can be resolved without any in-person visit at all.

Other Record Sources in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County has a large and varied government structure, which means records are spread across multiple agencies. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser maintains parcel data, ownership records, and assessment information for all parcels in the county. The Tax Collector handles property tax records, vehicle registrations, and driver licenses. Both operate under Chapter 119.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office holds law enforcement records including incident reports and arrest records for unincorporated county areas. The Tampa Police Department maintains records for incidents within city limits. Both are subject to Chapter 119, though active investigation exemptions apply. The City of Tampa also maintains its own administrative records, municipal court records, and city government documents, accessible through the city's public records process.

Vital records like birth and death certificates are handled at the state level by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Marriage records are issued and held by the Hillsborough County Clerk. Divorce case files are part of the circuit court record.

Cities in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County is home to several large communities, with public records for each handled through the county clerk's office and, for incorporated cities, through city government offices as well.

Nearby Counties

Hillsborough County borders four other counties in the Tampa Bay region, each with its own clerk and records access system.