The Chapter 119 of the State of Florida Law ensures that all government records will be available to the public. These public records include documents, audios, pictures, papers and any other media format collected or created during the government agency's transactions with the public. There are some records though that are restricted and are only open to the people or individuals the government has nominated. Some documents will also be redacted by the office before it is released to the public or to the person requesting the record. The Florida public records are available for the public and can be accessed through several means.
One can make their request by writing or contacting the Office of the Custodian of Public Records. Contacting the office is the fastest way to request the information; however, for those whose requests are a bit complex, they might want to put their request in writing. The Florida public records office has a sample of the letter if one wishes to make their request in writing. Although the law states that the agency is not obligated to answer the request(s) in a certain time, it however requires the office to act on the request within a reasonable time as such processing for the request might take some time.
Chapter 119 states a certain fee that agencies should follow. The fee for a one-sided copy costs $.15 and a two-sided one costs $.20. On the other hand, $1 fee is required for certified copies. The agencies should not charge above the rates indicated though the agencies can charge and go above these fees indicated in certain instances. One is when the person who requested the records wants them in a different format. This can be in audio or CD format. If the agency has such in their records, they can make a copy and charge the cost to the person requesting the records. Another is when one requires a different set of records such as court records, aerial photos, crash or homicide reports and maps of counties. For records that would require extensive searches, the cost of the search will be charged to the person requesting the record. The cost estimate will be relayed to the latter and might need some deposit.
There would be times when the Agency might deny a person's request. The office must state the reason for denial of the request. If the denial is rebuttable, one has three options to have the denial reviewed. One is to contact the Office of the General; second is to file a complaint with one's local state attorney and third is to file a Writ of Mandamus.
Those who would like to access government public records can check the official website of the Florida Public records or visit the county clerk office. Another way to do so is to check out commercial public search sites that offer public researches for free or for a nominal fee. One can check public records such as marriage and divorce decrees, birth or death records, social securities and in some cases, abandoned properties. The advent of the internet makes public records available and one can easily access the records and search important details saving them time from going to the Public Records Office or to the County where the records are filed.
One can make their request by writing or contacting the Office of the Custodian of Public Records. Contacting the office is the fastest way to request the information; however, for those whose requests are a bit complex, they might want to put their request in writing. The Florida public records office has a sample of the letter if one wishes to make their request in writing. Although the law states that the agency is not obligated to answer the request(s) in a certain time, it however requires the office to act on the request within a reasonable time as such processing for the request might take some time.
Chapter 119 states a certain fee that agencies should follow. The fee for a one-sided copy costs $.15 and a two-sided one costs $.20. On the other hand, $1 fee is required for certified copies. The agencies should not charge above the rates indicated though the agencies can charge and go above these fees indicated in certain instances. One is when the person who requested the records wants them in a different format. This can be in audio or CD format. If the agency has such in their records, they can make a copy and charge the cost to the person requesting the records. Another is when one requires a different set of records such as court records, aerial photos, crash or homicide reports and maps of counties. For records that would require extensive searches, the cost of the search will be charged to the person requesting the record. The cost estimate will be relayed to the latter and might need some deposit.
There would be times when the Agency might deny a person's request. The office must state the reason for denial of the request. If the denial is rebuttable, one has three options to have the denial reviewed. One is to contact the Office of the General; second is to file a complaint with one's local state attorney and third is to file a Writ of Mandamus.
Those who would like to access government public records can check the official website of the Florida Public records or visit the county clerk office. Another way to do so is to check out commercial public search sites that offer public researches for free or for a nominal fee. One can check public records such as marriage and divorce decrees, birth or death records, social securities and in some cases, abandoned properties. The advent of the internet makes public records available and one can easily access the records and search important details saving them time from going to the Public Records Office or to the County where the records are filed.
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