Clay County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Clay County?

Public records in Clay County, Florida, encompass all 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 Statutes § 119.011, the term "public record" is broadly defined to include virtually any recorded information created or maintained by a government agency in the course of its official duties.

Members of the public may access the following categories of records maintained by Clay County agencies:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law case files maintained by the Clay County Clerk of Courts
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments recorded with the Clerk of Courts or the Property Appraiser
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates; birth and death records are maintained by the Florida Department of Health, while marriage and divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Courts
Business records — occupational licenses, building permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax records — property tax bills, assessment notices, and payment histories maintained by the Clay County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser
Voting and election records — voter registration data, election results, and precinct maps maintained by the Clay County Supervisor of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Board of County Commissioners, advisory boards, and other public bodies
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions, maintained by the Clay County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning applications, and variance decisions maintained by the Clay County Planning Department

The Clay County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian for the majority of official county records and provides online access through its official records search portal.

Is Clay County an Open Records County?

Clay County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws, which establish one of the broadest public access frameworks in the United States. Under Florida Statutes § 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 provision applies to all Clay County offices, departments, constitutional officers, and boards.

Florida's Public Records Law, commonly referred to as Chapter 119, mandates that agencies respond to public records requests promptly and in good faith. Key provisions include the requirement that custodians acknowledge receipt of requests and provide records within a reasonable timeframe. Agencies may not demand that a requester state a reason for seeking records, nor may they require requesters to identify themselves as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving certain exempt record categories.

Florida's Sunshine Law, codified at Florida Statutes § 286.011, further requires that all meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public and that minutes be recorded and made available. Clay County's Board of County Commissioners and all subordinate advisory bodies operate in compliance with this statute. Meeting agendas, minutes, and supporting documents are maintained as public records and are accessible through the county's official website and the Clerk of Courts.

How to Find Public Records in Clay County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Clay County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a request:

Identify the custodial agency. Determine which county office or department maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of Courts; property and tax records by the Property Appraiser or Tax Collector; vital records by the Florida Department of Health; and election records by the Supervisor of Elections.
Submit a request in person, by mail, by phone, or electronically. Most Clay County offices accept requests through multiple channels. The Clay County Clerk of Courts offers an online records search portal for court and official records. The Clay County Supervisor of Elections provides a dedicated public records and data request form on its website.
Provide sufficient detail. Requesters should include the record type, relevant names, dates, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers to facilitate an efficient search.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are available, requesters must remit any applicable copying or research fees before records are released.
Receive records. Records may be provided in paper or electronic format depending on the nature of the request and the capabilities of the custodial agency.

For health-related records, members of the public may submit requests directly through the Florida Department of Health public records portal, which accepts requests in person, by phone, fax, email, or regular mail. Environmental permit records and agency documents may be requested through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Traffic crash reports involving incidents in Clay County are available through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash records system, which serves as the state's official repository for such documents.

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

Current fees for public records in Clay County are governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges agencies may impose for copies and research. 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: Fees vary by record type; court document certifications are typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee
Electronic records: Agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication, including the cost of the medium used
Extensive use of agency resources: When a request requires more than 15 minutes of staff time to locate, review, or redact records, agencies may charge the actual cost of the labor, including benefits, of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. The Clay County Clerk of Courts may require prepayment for large or complex requests. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Florida law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in individual cases, particularly for requests involving minimal copying costs or requests submitted by governmental entities.

Does Clay County Have Free Public Records?

Florida law guarantees the right of any person to inspect public records at no charge. Under current law, inspection — as distinct from obtaining copies — is free of charge at all Clay County offices. Members of the public may visit any custodial agency during regular business hours and review records in person without incurring any fee.

Several Clay County agencies also provide free online access to records through official government portals:

The Clay County Property Appraiser offers free online access to property assessment data, ownership history, and parcel maps
The Clay County Tax Collector provides free online access to property tax payment status and history
The Clay County Clerk of Courts maintains a free online official records search for recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens
The Clay County Supervisor of Elections provides free access to voter registration data, election results, and precinct maps through its official website
The Florida Department of Health maintains free online access to certain vital statistics data and public health records through its statewide portal

Who Can Request Public Records in Clay County?

Any person, regardless of citizenship, residency, or stated purpose, is entitled to request and receive public records in Clay County. Florida's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Clay County and non-residents of Florida retain full rights to request public records.
Identification is generally not required. Agencies may not condition access to public records on the requester providing identification, except in limited circumstances involving certain exempt categories.
Purpose need not be stated. Requesters are under no legal obligation to explain why they are seeking a record.
Restrictions apply to specific record types. Certain records, such as those involving active criminal investigations, juvenile proceedings, or protected personal information, are subject to statutory exemptions regardless of who is requesting them.

Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court files, tax records, or voter registration information — follow the same process as any other requester. In some instances, such as requests for sealed or expunged records, the subject of the record may have access rights that differ from those of the general public. Florida Statutes § 119.07 governs the general right of access, while specific exemption statutes define the boundaries of restricted records.

What Records Are Confidential in Clay County?

Not all government records in Clay County are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes numerous statutory exemptions that protect certain categories of information from release. The following record types are currently exempt from public inspection under Florida Statutes and applicable federal law:

Sealed and expunged court records — records ordered sealed or expunged by a court are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential under Florida law
Active criminal investigation records — records that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant or compromise an ongoing investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are exempt from disclosure
Medical and health records — protected under both Florida law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Department of Children and Families relating to abuse, neglect, or dependency proceedings
Personnel records — certain employee records, including medical information and home addresses of law enforcement officers, are exempt
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to agencies in connection with permit applications or regulatory proceedings
Security plans and infrastructure details — vulnerability assessments and security system specifications for public facilities

The primary statutory authority governing exemptions is Florida Statutes § 119.071, which enumerates specific categories of exempt records and the conditions under which partial or full exemptions apply. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact only the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Clay County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Clay County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller serves as the official recorder of public records in Clay County, Florida, and is responsible for maintaining court records, official records, and financial records of the county.

Clay County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller 825 North Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Phone: (904) 284-6317 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding state holidays) Clay County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller

Clay County Property Appraiser 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Phone: (904) 269-6305 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clay County Property Appraiser

Clay County Tax Collector 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Phone: (904) 269-6320 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clay County Tax Collector

Clay County Supervisor of Elections 500 North Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Phone: 904-529-5294 Fax: 904-284-0935 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clay County Supervisor of Elections

Clay County Sheriff's Office 901 North Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Phone: (904) 264-6512 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clay County Sheriff's Office