Access Leon County Public Records

Leon County public records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Tallahassee and are open to any person under Florida law. As Florida's capital county, Leon County is home not only to its own Clerk's office but to a large concentration of state agencies, courts, and government bodies that generate public records of statewide significance. This guide covers the local and state-level access points available to anyone seeking records in Leon County.

Florida Public Records Law in Leon County

Florida's Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs public records access across the state. The default rule is openness. All state, county, and municipal records are public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. In Leon County, that means records held by county offices and state agencies headquartered in Tallahassee are both subject to the same open records framework.

Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution backs this up at the constitutional level. The right to inspect or copy public records belongs to every person, not just Florida residents, and is not contingent on explaining why you want a document.

The fact that Leon County is the state capital adds a layer of access that most counties don't have. Many state agencies, including the Florida Department of State, the Attorney General's Office, and the Legislature, are headquartered in Tallahassee. Records requests directed at those bodies go to those agencies, not to the Leon County Clerk. Understanding which office holds the records you need is the first step.

If a request is improperly denied, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program is at (850) 245-0140. The AG's Open Government page is an excellent resource on the full scope of your rights under Florida law.

Leon County Clerk of Courts

The Leon County Clerk of Courts in Tallahassee handles court records, official records, and county financial documents for the county. As the primary local custodian of public records, the Clerk processes all filings made in the 2nd Judicial Circuit for Leon County cases and records instruments affecting Leon County real property.

The 2nd Judicial Circuit includes Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Wakulla, Franklin, and Liberty counties. Leon County is the largest in the circuit by far. The Leon County Clerk's office is fully staffed and has an online search system that covers most record categories. In-person access at the courthouse on South Monroe Street is available during regular business hours.

The screenshot below is from the Florida Department of State's public records page, which is based in Tallahassee and handles state-level records separate from Leon County's own Clerk.

The page shown above handles public records requests directed at the Florida Department of State, which is headquartered in Tallahassee in Leon County.

Searching Leon County Court and Official Records

The Leon County Clerk's website at leonclerk.com provides online search access for court case records and official records. Court cases can be searched by party name, case number, or filing date. The search covers civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases. Official records such as deeds, mortgages, and judgment liens are searchable by name and recording date. Neither search requires an account or a fee to run.

Leon County also participates in myfloridacounty.com, the statewide official records portal. That system is useful when a transaction involves property or parties in multiple Florida counties. Documents going back to the late 1980s and early 1990s are generally accessible online; older instruments may require a direct request to the Clerk's office.

For state agency records separate from the county, each agency in Tallahassee handles its own requests. The Florida Department of State has a dedicated public records portal. Other agencies have their own contact points. If you are looking for legislative records, the Florida Legislature's website and the Division of Legislative Library Services are additional resources.

Public Records Fees

Florida law sets baseline fees for public records copies. Administrative records from county departments cost $0.15 per single-sided page or $0.20 for double-sided copies. Court records and official records from the Clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies of official records include a $5.00 certification fee on top of the per-page cost.

Research fees may apply to requests that require significant staff time. The first 30 minutes of staff research time are not charged. After that, the agency can bill at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work. For large requests, ask for a written cost estimate before agreeing to proceed. State agencies in Tallahassee follow the same fee structure as county agencies for most record types.

Types of Records in Leon County

Leon County's records ecosystem is broader than most Florida counties because of the concentration of state government in Tallahassee. At the county level, the Clerk of Courts maintains court records for the 2nd Judicial Circuit (Leon County cases), official records affecting Leon County real property, county commission minutes, marriage licenses, tax deed records, and other standard county documents.

At the state level, agencies headquartered in Tallahassee include the Governor's Office, the Florida Legislature, the Department of State, the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Law Enforcement, and dozens of others. Each is an independent custodian of its own records. Requests for state agency records go to those agencies directly.

The Leon County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, booking data, and offense reports for the county. The Property Appraiser maintains parcel maps, ownership data, and assessed values. The Tax Collector holds property tax payment records and vehicle registration files. These are all separate from the Clerk.

For state-level criminal history records, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us maintains the statewide criminal records database. That is separate from what the Leon County Clerk holds and from arrest records at the Sheriff's Office.

Requesting Records from Leon County Offices

Requests to the Leon County Clerk can be made in person at the courthouse, by phone, by mail, or through the online options on the Clerk's website. No form is required. Describe the records you need clearly so staff can locate them efficiently. Anonymous requests are accepted.

For records held by other county departments, contact those offices directly. The Leon County Board of County Commissioners, the Sheriff's Office, the Property Appraiser, and the Tax Collector each handle their own requests. If you're not sure which office holds what you need, the Clerk's main line or the county's general information line is a reasonable first call.

For state agency records, each agency has its own public records contact. The Florida Court Clerks directory covers court clerks specifically. For broader state agency records, check the agency's website for its public records request process. Many state agencies in Tallahassee now have online request portals.

Cities in Leon County

Tallahassee is the county seat and by far the largest city in Leon County. It has a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Leon County and each has its own Clerk and public records access system.