Madison County Records Search

Madison County public records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Madison and are open to any person under Florida law. This guide covers the primary and secondary sources of public records in Madison County, how to request copies, what fees apply, and where to go when the records you need sit outside the Clerk's office.

Florida's Open Records Law in Madison County

Florida's Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the legal foundation for public records access in Madison County and every other Florida county. The core policy in Section 119.01 is openness: all state, county, and local records are public unless a specific exemption applies. You don't need to explain why you want a record. You don't have to give your name. The agency must cite a specific law if it wants to withhold anything.

Florida's Constitution takes this further. Article I, Section 24 guarantees the right to inspect and copy public records as a constitutional right. That means even the Legislature cannot easily take it away; any exemption must be written into law with a specific, stated purpose.

In Madison County, those rules apply to every office: the Clerk, the Sheriff, the Property Appraiser, the Tax Collector, and the county commission. Each office is its own custodian of its own records. Section 119.07 requires each one to allow inspection at any reasonable time during business hours. If a request is denied improperly, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program at (850) 245-0140 offers free assistance. More detail on the process appears at the AG's Open Government page.

Madison County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Madison is the primary custodian of court records and official records for Madison County. The office processes all civil, criminal, family law, and probate filings for the 3rd Judicial Circuit cases originating in Madison County. It also records official instruments affecting real property in the county, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.

Madison County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which includes Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. Each county maintains its own Clerk. Madison County's courthouse on SW Range Avenue in the city of Madison is the local access point for records and filings. The office is staffed to handle requests in person, by phone, and through online channels.

Below is a screenshot from the Madison County Clerk's official website, which provides access to the online records search, filing information, and contact details for the office.

The site shown above is the official access point for Madison County court records, official records filings, and public records information.

Online Search Options in Madison County

The Madison County Clerk's website at madisonclerk.com offers online access to court case records and official records. Court cases can be searched by party name or case number for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Official records such as deeds and mortgages are also searchable by name and recording date without needing an account or paying a fee.

Madison County participates in myfloridacounty.com, the statewide official records portal that combines records from multiple Florida county clerks. That system is useful when a property transaction or court matter involves more than one county, as can happen in the North Florida region where county lines are relatively close together.

Madison County is a mid-size rural county, and some older records may not be digitized. If an online search doesn't return what you need, contact the Clerk's office by phone. Staff can confirm whether a record exists and explain how to submit a formal request. The Florida Court Clerks directory is a useful reference for locating the right contact when records span county lines.

Public Records Fees

The fee structure for public records copies in Madison County follows Florida law. Administrative records from county agencies cost $0.15 per single-sided page or $0.20 per double-sided page. Court records and official records from the Clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies of official records include a $5.00 certification statement fee in addition to the per-page cost.

Research fees can apply when locating or preparing records requires significant staff time. The first 30 minutes of research time are not charged. After that, the county may bill at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the work. Ask for a written estimate before agreeing to any request that looks like it will take substantial time. The agency is required by law to give you that estimate if you request it.

Many basic online searches are free through the Clerk's portal. Printing or downloading certified copies triggers the standard per-page fee.

Types of Records in Madison County

The Clerk of Court handles the widest range of public records in Madison County. Court records cover all civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases filed in the 3rd Judicial Circuit for Madison County. Official records include every instrument recorded against real property in the county: deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgages, judgment liens, construction liens, and notices of commencement.

Other records held by or through the Clerk include county commission meeting minutes and agendas, marriage license applications, tax deed proceedings, jury management records, and county financial reports. Each of these is a public record under Chapter 119 unless a specific exemption applies under Section 119.071.

Beyond the Clerk, other Madison County offices maintain their own records. The Madison County Sheriff's Office holds arrest records, booking data, and incident reports. The Property Appraiser maintains parcel data, ownership history, and assessed values. The Tax Collector keeps property tax payment records. Each of these offices handles its own records requests independently from the Clerk.

For statewide criminal background records, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides a public access system at fdle.state.fl.us. FDLE records and local arrest records held by the Sheriff are separate systems; a complete picture may require checking both.

How to Make a Request

Requests to the Madison County Clerk can be submitted in person at the courthouse, by phone, by mail, or by email. No specific form is required. Give a clear description of what you need, including names, dates, and document types if you know them. Anonymous requests are accepted; you don't have to give your name or state a reason under Florida law.

For records held by other county offices, address your request to the relevant custodian. The Sheriff handles arrest and incident records. The Property Appraiser handles property and parcel data. If you aren't sure which office holds the records you need, calling the Clerk's office first is a reasonable approach. Staff there can often direct you to the right place. For any dispute about a denial, the AG's mediation program at (850) 245-0140 is a free first step.

Cities in Madison County

The city of Madison serves as the county seat of Madison County. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Madison County and each has its own Clerk and public records access system.