Search Osceola County Public Records

Osceola County public records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Kissimmee, and Florida law makes them open to any person who wants to inspect or copy them on request. This page covers how to access court filings, official records, and government documents in Osceola County, including online search options, copy fees, and the right contacts for each record type.

Florida Public Records Law in Osceola County

Osceola County operates under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, Florida's open records law, which makes all records created or received by public agencies available for inspection and copying by any person. You do not have to give your name. You don't have to explain why you want a record. The agency must justify any refusal by pointing to a specific statutory exemption. That is the default rule, and it applies to every county office in Florida, including those in Osceola.

Osceola County shares the 9th Judicial Circuit with Orange County. That means court cases filed in Kissimmee may sometimes intersect with Orange County records if parties are from both counties. The Osceola Clerk's office handles cases filed within Osceola County only. If you need records for a case that spans the circuit, you may have to contact both clerks separately.

Exemptions from public access are listed in Section 119.071. They include active criminal investigation files, certain victim information, and some personnel records. Any denial must cite the specific provision. If you believe a denial was wrong, the Florida AG's mediation line at (850) 245-0140 is the right first call. The AG's Open Government page provides more detail on your rights. The Florida First Amendment Foundation also helps when agencies refuse valid requests.

Osceola County Clerk and Comptroller

Kelvin Soto, Esq. serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Osceola County. His office is the primary custodian for 9th Judicial Circuit court records filed in Osceola and for official records such as deeds, mortgages, and liens recorded in the county. The Clerk's office is located at the Osceola County Courthouse in Kissimmee.

The office is open weekdays during standard business hours. It handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic court records, along with official instruments for property transactions in Osceola County. Staff can direct you to the right division when you call the main number.

The image below is a screenshot from the Osceola County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, which is the primary access point for court records and official records in the county.

The site shown above provides access to court records, official records search tools, and information on submitting public records requests to the Osceola County Clerk.

Searching Osceola County Records Online

The Osceola County Clerk's website at osceolaclerk.com provides online access to court records and official records. You can search by party name, case number, or document type for basic lookups. No account is needed for most searches. Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic cases are all in the system, along with recorded instruments in the official records database.

Official records such as deeds and mortgages go back many years in digital form. For older records that have not been digitized, a written request or in-person visit to the Kissimmee courthouse may be needed. The Clerk's staff can tell you how far back the online system goes for the specific document type you are looking for.

The statewide portal at myfloridacounty.com also covers Osceola County official records. Property records are managed by the Osceola County Property Appraiser. Tax records go to the Tax Collector. Each office runs its own separate online system.

Osceola County has grown fast and its records volume is large. The online system handles most common searches well. For complex requests covering many years or multiple case types, allow extra time and consider calling the Clerk's office first to confirm availability and turnaround expectations.

Note: Records requested online or by email may take a few business days to process depending on volume and complexity.

Fees for Public Records Copies

Florida law sets the standard fee structure. Administrative records cost $0.15 per single-sided page, $0.20 per double-sided page. Certified copies of official records from the Clerk run $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification statement. Court certified copies also cost $1.00 per page.

Research fees apply after the first 15 minutes of staff time, billed at the employee's hourly rate. For large requests, ask for a cost estimate before the work starts. Many records in the Clerk's online system are free to view and download. If a document is already scanned and marked public, there is no fee to access it online. Charges apply only for physical copies or certified documents.

Osceola County Sheriff Records

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office keeps its own records apart from the court system. These include arrest records, incident reports, jail booking logs, and offense reports. They are public records under Chapter 119 unless an exemption such as an active investigation applies.

Requests go directly to the Sheriff's Office by call, mail, or in person. No reason or name is required. Anonymous requests are accepted. Fees are $0.15 per single-sided page, $0.20 per double-sided page. No charge applies for the first 15 minutes of staff research time. Victims of certain crimes may receive copies at no cost.

Types of Osceola County Public Records

Osceola County holds a wide range of public documents. Court records from the 9th Judicial Circuit cover civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases filed in the county. Official records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments. Property records sit with the Property Appraiser. Tax records go to the Tax Collector. Each office is a separate custodian for its own documents.

Other records you can request in Osceola County include county commission meeting minutes, planning and zoning documents, building permits, code enforcement files, and agency-specific records from various county departments. The Clerk's office is the first stop for most searches, but knowing which agency holds the specific record you want speeds things up considerably.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory can help when records cross county lines or involve state-level filings. For statewide criminal history, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement operates the central criminal records repository covering all 67 counties.

Note: Some records are exempt from disclosure under Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes. Common exemptions include certain law enforcement records, medical information, and records tied to active criminal investigations.

How to Submit a Records Request

Requests can be made in any format. Call, write, email, or visit in person. No specific form is required under Florida law. Be specific about the type of document, the date range, and the parties involved when you know them. That speeds up the search and reduces back-and-forth questions from the agency.

For records held outside the Clerk's system, contact the relevant county department directly. If you are not sure which agency holds what you need, the Clerk's office can often help you identify the right place. Anonymous requests are always accepted. If your request is denied or delayed without good cause, call the AG's mediation line at (850) 245-0140. Mediation is free and resolves most disputes quickly.

Cities in Osceola County

Osceola County includes Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and Poinciana among its larger communities. Each of these cities has a dedicated public records page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Osceola and each has its own public records office and Clerk.