Hillsborough County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Hillsborough County?

Public records in Hillsborough County are official documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material made or received in connection with the official business of any public agency. Under Florida Statute § 119.011, the term "public record" encompasses all materials regardless of physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received by a public agency in the transaction of official business.

The following record types are currently available to members of the public in Hillsborough County:

Court Records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, accessible through the online case search portal.
Property Records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court's Official Records division; property assessments are maintained by the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.
Vital Records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County and the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Business Records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and local business tax receipts are managed by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector and the Florida Division of Corporations.
Tax Records — Property tax bills, payment histories, and assessment records are maintained by the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector.
Voting and Election Records — Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance filings are held by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas — County Commission meeting minutes, board agendas, and official proceedings are published by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
Budget and Financial Documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial statements are available through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's office.
Law Enforcement Records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Land Use and Zoning Records — Zoning maps, land use plans, and development permits are managed by Hillsborough County Planning and Development Services.

Is Hillsborough County an Open Records County?

Hillsborough County fully complies with Florida's open government framework, making it one of the most transparent jurisdictions in the United States. Under Florida Statute § 119.07, every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and examined by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public record. This statute, commonly known as Florida's Public Records Law, establishes a strong presumption of openness for all government-held documents.

Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, codified at Florida Statute § 286.011, further requires that all meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority, or of any agency or authority of any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision be open to the public. Key provisions of Florida's public records framework include:

Any person may inspect or copy public records without providing a reason or justification for the request.
Custodians must acknowledge receipt of a public records request within a reasonable time and provide records promptly.
Agencies may not require requestors to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request for most record types.
Fees for copies must not exceed the actual cost of duplication, as specified by statute.

Hillsborough County maintains a dedicated public records compliance program and publishes its public records policy through the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller's office. The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online records portals, which provide direct public access to a broad range of official documents without the need to submit a formal written request.

How to Find Public Records in Hillsborough County in 2026

Members of the public may access Hillsborough County public records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought.

Online Access

Visit the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court Official Records Search to search deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments by name, document type, or date range.
Use the Clerk's online case search portal to retrieve civil, criminal, probate, and family court records.
Access property assessment data and ownership history through the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's online database.
Search voter registration and election records through the Supervisor of Elections' official website.

In-Person Requests

Members of the public may visit the Clerk of Circuit Court's main office or branch locations during public counter hours to inspect records in person.
Law enforcement records may be requested directly at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office records division.
Vital records may be obtained in person at the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.

Written or Electronic Requests

Submit a written public records request by mail, email, or through the agency's designated online request portal.
Requests should identify the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow the custodian to locate them.
No specific form is required under Florida law, though many agencies provide optional request forms on their websites to facilitate processing.

Third-Party Certified Requests

Certain records, such as certified copies of vital records or court documents, require submission of a formal application along with applicable fees and, in some cases, proof of eligibility.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Hillsborough County?

Current fees for public records in Hillsborough County are governed by Florida Statute § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges agencies may impose for duplication of public records. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Single-sided copies (up to 8.5" x 14"): $0.15 per page
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies of court records: $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 certification fee per document
Certified copies of Official Records (deeds, mortgages, etc.): $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 certification fee
Electronic records: Provided at no charge when no duplication cost is incurred, or at the actual cost of the medium used
Extensive use of agency resources: If a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, the agency may charge a special service charge based on the actual cost incurred

Accepted payment methods at the Clerk of Circuit Court include cash, check, money order, and major credit or debit cards. Fees may vary by record type and the specific office maintaining the records. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Florida law for standard public records requests; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, particularly for records provided in the public interest or at minimal cost to the agency.

Does Hillsborough County Have Free Public Records?

Florida law guarantees the right of any person to inspect public records at no charge. Members of the public may examine records in person at the custodian's office without incurring any fee, provided no copies are made. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

Several categories of records are currently available at no cost through official online portals:

Court case information is searchable at no charge through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court's online case search system.
Official Records (deeds, mortgages, liens) may be viewed and printed from the Clerk's Official Records Search portal without charge for basic document images.
Property assessment and ownership data is freely accessible through the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's website.
Voter registration and election results are available at no cost through the Supervisor of Elections' online resources.
County Commission meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are published on the Hillsborough County official website at no charge.
Sheriff's Office public arrest and incident information is accessible through the agency's online public records portal.

Who Can Request Public Records in Hillsborough County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation, may request public records in Hillsborough County. Florida's Public Records Law establishes one of the broadest access frameworks in the nation, with no requirement that a requestor be a Florida resident or a United States citizen.

Under current law, requestors are not required to:

Be a resident of Hillsborough County or the State of Florida
Provide government-issued identification
State the purpose or intended use of the requested records
Explain why the records are needed

Certain restrictions apply to specific record types:

Vital records such as birth and death certificates have eligibility requirements; only authorized individuals (the registrant, immediate family members, or legal representatives) may obtain certified copies.
Adoption records are sealed and accessible only through a court order or specific statutory process.
Juvenile court records are restricted and may only be accessed by authorized parties.
Criminal history records maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement may require the subject's consent or a lawful purpose for certain types of background check requests.

Members of the public requesting their own records follow the same general process as any other requestor, though they may be required to provide proof of identity when requesting certified vital records or sealed documents to which they are entitled by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Hillsborough County?

Not all government-held documents are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes numerous exemptions to the Public Records Law, codified primarily in Florida Statute § 119.071, which exempts the following categories of records from mandatory public disclosure:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential.
Active criminal investigation records — Information compiled during an active criminal investigation is exempt until the investigation is closed or an arrest is made.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are redacted from public records prior to release.
Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both Florida law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Records relating to adoption proceedings are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Department of Children and Families relating to abuse, neglect, or exploitation investigations are confidential.
Personnel records — Certain employee records, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and medical information of public employees, are exempt from disclosure.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted in connection with agency proceedings, such information is protected from public release.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records identifying vulnerabilities in critical public infrastructure are exempt to protect public safety.

When an agency withholds a record or portion of a record, it must identify the specific statutory exemption relied upon and provide the requestor with a written explanation. Florida courts apply a balancing framework that favors disclosure, requiring agencies to demonstrate that a specific statutory exemption applies before withholding any document.

Hillsborough County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official recorder for the county, maintaining Official Records including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and other recorded instruments. The Clerk's office also maintains court records for all divisions of the Circuit and County Courts.

Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller — Main Office 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 276-8100 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (excluding official holidays) Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller

Hillsborough County Property Appraiser 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 272-6100 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

Hillsborough County Tax Collector 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 14th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 635-5200 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Hillsborough County Tax Collector

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 744-5900 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office — Records Division 2008 E. 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 Phone: (813) 247-8200 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County — Vital Statistics 1105 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 307-8015 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County