StJohns County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The StJohns County?

Public records in St. Johns County encompass a wide range of official documents and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). These records are created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business. St. Johns County maintains the following categories of public records:

Court Records - Case files, dockets, judgments, and court proceedings maintained by the St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court
Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property ownership information
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
Vital Records - Marriage licenses (birth and death certificates are maintained at the state level)
Voting and Election Records - Voter registration information and election results
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest reports, incident reports, and jail records
County Commission Records - Meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
Building and Zoning Records - Permits, inspections, and code enforcement actions
Business Records - Business licenses, fictitious name registrations, and tax certificates
Geographic Information System (GIS) Data - Maps, aerial photographs, and spatial data
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, and financial reports
Environmental Records - Environmental permits, assessments, and compliance reports

These records are maintained by various county departments and agencies, including the Clerk of Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, Sheriff's Office, and other county offices.

Is StJohns County an Open Records County?

St. Johns County is indeed an open records county, operating in full compliance with Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law" (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This comprehensive transparency framework establishes that all government records in Florida are presumptively open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this commitment to transparency by establishing a constitutional right of access to government records. St. Johns County adheres to these principles through the following measures:

County agencies maintain systems for prompt responses to public records requests
Records custodians are designated within each department to facilitate access
Electronic records are increasingly made available through online portals
The county provides reasonable accommodations for records inspection during regular business hours
Staff training emphasizes the importance of public records compliance

As stated in Florida Statute § 119.01(1): "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency." St. Johns County government agencies operate under this mandate, ensuring that citizens have appropriate access to public information while balancing privacy concerns as required by law.

How Do I Find Public Records in StJohns County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to St. Johns County records in 2025 may utilize several established methods to locate and obtain public information. The county has implemented multiple access points to facilitate public records retrieval:

Online Access Options:

The St. Johns County Public Records Portal provides 24/7 access to many official records
The St. Johns County Open Data Portal offers GIS data, maps, and other digital resources
Property information and tax records can be searched through the Property Appraiser's website
Court records are accessible through the Clerk's online research portal

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours
Complete a public records request form (available at agency offices or downloadable from county websites)
Provide sufficient detail to identify the requested records
Present identification if required for certain restricted records

Written Requests:

Submit requests via mail, email, or fax to the relevant department
Clearly identify the records being sought
Include contact information for follow-up communications
Specify preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, digital files, etc.)

For assistance determining which agency maintains specific records, citizens may contact the St. Johns County Administration Office at (904) 209-0530. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable timeframe, though complex requests may require additional processing time.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In StJohns County?

St. Johns County agencies may assess reasonable fees for public records in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07(4). These fees are designed to recover the actual cost of duplication and, in some cases, the extensive labor involved in fulfilling requests. The standard fee schedule for St. Johns County public records is as follows:

Standard Reproduction Fees:

Paper copies (letter/legal size): $0.15 per one-sided page
Paper copies (letter/legal size): $0.20 per two-sided page
Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy charges
Large format documents (maps, plans): Actual cost of duplication
Digital media (CD/DVD): $1.00 per disc
Electronic records emailed: No charge if records already exist in electronic format

Special Service Charges:

Requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance (defined as more than 30 minutes): $20.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes
Specialized staff time (when required): Actual hourly rate of employee providing service
Computer programming (if needed to extract data): Actual cost based on staff time

Court Records Specific Fees:

Court case documents: $1.00 per page
Court dockets or case indexes: $1.00 per page
Criminal history searches: $24.00 per name search

Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card (where available). Agencies may require advance payment for large requests or when special service charges apply. Fee waivers or reductions may be available in limited circumstances as permitted by law.

St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 819-3600
St. Johns County Clerk

Does StJohns County Have Free Public Records?

St. Johns County does provide certain public records at no cost to requesters, particularly through its online platforms and for limited in-person inspections. The following free public records services are available to the public:

Free Online Records:

The St. Johns County Open Data Portal offers free access to GIS data, maps, and spatial information
Basic property information is available at no cost through the Property Appraiser's website
The Supervisor of Elections provides free access to voter information and election results
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office maintains a free inmate lookup service and basic incident information
County Commission meeting agendas and minutes are freely accessible on the county website

Free In-Person Services:

Inspection of records during regular business hours (when no extensive staff assistance is required)
Review of public documents on public access terminals at various county offices
Self-service research at the St. Johns County Public Library branches

Free Records by Email:

Small electronic records that already exist in digital format may be provided via email at no charge
Routine public notices and press releases
Publicly distributed reports and publications

While these free services cover many basic public records needs, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, extensive searches, or specialized records as outlined in the county fee schedule and in accordance with Florida Statute § 119.07. Additionally, certain records available for free inspection may incur charges if copies are requested.

Who Can Request Public Records In StJohns County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records maintained by St. Johns County agencies. The broad eligibility criteria for records requesters include:

Florida residents and non-residents alike
Individual citizens and representatives of organizations
Media representatives and journalists
Businesses and commercial entities
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies and officials
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)
Anonymous requesters (identification is not required for most records)

Florida Statute § 119.01(1) explicitly states that public records are open for inspection and copying "by any person," establishing a presumption of access regardless of the requester's identity or purpose. St. Johns County agencies may not:

Require requesters to disclose their identity
Ask for the purpose or motive behind a request
Require requests to be submitted in writing (though written requests may help clarify complex inquiries)
Deny access based on a requester's intended use of the information

Exceptions to these principles exist only for certain protected records where identification may be required to verify eligibility for access, such as:

Records containing exempt personal information
Records with access restricted to specific individuals by statute
Certain law enforcement or security-sensitive records

The Florida Attorney General has consistently affirmed that the right of access belongs to all persons, and agencies may not impose additional requirements beyond those specifically authorized by statute.

What Records Are Confidential In StJohns County?

While Florida's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records maintained by St. Johns County agencies are confidential or exempt from public disclosure pursuant to specific statutory provisions. These protected records include:

Personal Information Exemptions:

Social Security numbers (§119.071(5)(a), F.S.)
Medical and health information (§119.071(4)(a), F.S.)
Bank account, debit, and credit card numbers (§119.071(5)(b), F.S.)
Birth records (maintained at state level) (§382.025, F.S.)
Personal information of certain government employees including law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and their families (§119.071(4)(d), F.S.)

Public Safety Exemptions:

Active criminal investigative information (§119.071(2)(c), F.S.)
Security system plans and vulnerability assessments (§119.071(3), F.S.)
Confidential informant identities (§119.071(2)(f), F.S.)
Juvenile offender records (with exceptions) (§985.04, F.S.)
Victim information in certain cases (§119.071(2)(h), F.S.)

Business and Government Operation Exemptions:

Trade secrets and confidential business information (§815.045, F.S.)
Sealed bids and proposals until decision or award (§119.071(1)(b), F.S.)
Attorney-client privileged communications (§119.071(1)(d), F.S.)
Certain audit workpapers until audit completion (§119.0713(2), F.S.)

Court and Legal Process Exemptions:

Records sealed or expunged by court order (§943.0585, F.S.)
Grand jury proceedings (§905.27, F.S.)
Child dependency case records (§39.202, F.S.)
Baker Act and Marchman Act records (§394.4615, §397.501, F.S.)

County agencies are required to redact exempt information from records before release when the exemption applies only to a portion of the record. Requesters seeking access to records that may contain exempt information should be prepared for potential redactions or partial denials in accordance with applicable law.

StJohns County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the county recorder and maintains official records for the county. This office provides essential recording services and public access to a wide range of official documents.

St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 819-3600
St. Johns County Clerk

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Recording Department Services:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Filing of liens, judgments, and satisfactions
Marriage license applications and recording
Passport application processing
Notary services and authentications
Certified copies of recorded documents

Branch Office Location:
St. Johns County Clerk of Court - Julington Creek Branch
725 Flora Branch Boulevard
St. Johns, FL 32259
Phone: (904) 819-3650

Branch Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Documents for recording may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the Clerk's electronic recording system. The recording department processes documents in accordance with Florida Statute § 28.222, which establishes the duties of the county recorder. Standard recording fees apply as set forth in Florida Statute § 28.24.