Bradford County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Bradford County in 2026
BradfordRecords.org provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Bradford County, Florida. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may find relevant data through this resource. Available record categories include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, and liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records in Bradford County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
- The Bradford County government portal provides access to county department information, public records request procedures, and links to relevant offices.
- The Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains online case search tools for court-related records.
- Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are available through the Florida Department of Health in Bradford County.
- No registration is required to submit a public records request, though certain online portals may require account creation for document downloads.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court or the appropriate county department. Requestors should visit the office during regular business hours, identify the records sought with reasonable specificity, and complete any required request form provided by staff.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Records Management Liaison Officer. Per the Bradford County public records request process, the mailing address is:
Public Records Request RMLO
P.O. Drawer B
Starke, Florida 32091
Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, agencies are required to acknowledge requests promptly and provide access within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Email: publicrecordsrequest@bradfordcountyfl.gov
- Phone inquiries may be directed to the Bradford County Clerk's office or the relevant department maintaining the records sought.
What Are Public Records in Bradford County?
Public records in Bradford County are defined under Florida's broad open records framework as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material made or received in connection with official business by any public agency. Under Florida Statutes § 119.011, this definition encompasses a wide range of materials held by county offices.
The following record types are maintained by Bradford County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Clerk of the Circuit Court / Property Appraiser |
| Birth and death certificates | Florida Department of Health in Bradford County |
| Marriage and divorce records | Clerk of the Circuit Court / FL Dept. of Health |
| Business licenses and fictitious name registrations | Florida Division of Corporations / County offices |
| Property tax and assessment records | Bradford County Property Appraiser / Tax Collector |
| Voting and election records | Bradford County Supervisor of Elections |
| Commission meeting minutes and agendas | Bradford County Board of County Commissioners |
| Budget and financial documents | Bradford County Clerk to the Board |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Bradford County Sheriff's Office (where permitted) |
| Land use and zoning records | Bradford County Planning and Zoning Department |
Vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered through the Florida Department of Health in Bradford County, which also maintains marriage certificates issued after June 6, 1927.
Is Bradford County an Open Records County?
Bradford County fully complies with Florida's open records laws, which are among the most expansive in the United States. Under Florida Statutes § 119.01, it is the policy of the state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. This statute, known as Florida's Public Records Law, establishes a strong presumption of openness for all government records.
As stated in the Florida Public Records Law, "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." This provision applies to all offices within Bradford County, including the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and all constitutional officers.
Bradford County's public records policy is administered through the Records Management Liaison Officer, and requests may be submitted via the Bradford County government page. The county operates in compliance with Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law, which requires that meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public and that minutes be recorded and made available.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Bradford County?
The fee structure for public records in Bradford County is governed by Florida Statutes and applies to all county offices. Inspection of records is provided at no charge; fees apply when copies are requested.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-sided copies (up to 8.5" x 14") | $0.15 per page |
| Double-sided copies | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic format (where available) | Cost of duplication medium |
| Extensive use of agency resources (staff time) | Actual cost of labor |
Under Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), agencies may charge no more than $0.15 per one-sided copy and $0.20 per two-sided copy for documents of standard size. When 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.
Certification fees for vital records differ from standard copy fees. The Florida Department of Health charges a set fee per certified copy of birth, death, or marriage certificates, as outlined on the Florida Department of Health public records page.
Accepted payment methods at Bradford County offices include cash, check, and money order. Specific offices may also accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard requests, though indigent requestors may inquire with the relevant office regarding applicable provisions.
Does Bradford County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Bradford County. Florida law requires that any person be permitted to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not require payment; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access to certain records is available through the following official resources:
- The Bradford County official website provides access to meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and other county records at no cost.
- The Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court offers public access terminals at its office for in-person inspection of court records without charge.
- The Florida Department of Health in Bradford County provides informational access to vital records procedures through its certificates and records page.
- The Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz.org) provides free online access to business entity and fictitious name registrations.
Members of the public should note that free inspection differs from free copies. Viewing a record on-site or through an online portal carries no fee; obtaining a physical or certified copy is subject to the statutory fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Bradford County?
Any person may request public records in Bradford County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Florida's Public Records Law does not require requestors to be Florida residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. As affirmed by the Florida Attorney General's office, "Any person may inspect or copy public records."
The following conditions apply under current law:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents have the same right of access as Florida residents.
- Identification: Not required for most records. Certain sensitive record types may require proof of identity or eligibility.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for standard public records requests.
- Restrictions by record type: Some records, such as adoption files, juvenile records, and sealed court documents, are restricted by statute and require a demonstrated legal interest or court order for access.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and relationship to the subject of the record, particularly for certified copies of birth or death certificates through the Florida Department of Health in Bradford County.
What Records Are Confidential in Bradford County?
Not all records held by Bradford County agencies are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes specific exemptions to the Public Records Law, and certain categories of records are withheld from public inspection by statute. The following record types are exempt or confidential under Florida law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Florida Statutes.
- Active criminal investigation records: Records compiled during an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or an arrest is made.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records.
- Medical 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 legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Florida's child welfare statutes.
- Personnel records: Certain employee records, including medical information and home addresses of specified public employees, are exempt.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a government agency under a claim of confidentiality.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities are exempt from disclosure.
Florida Statutes § 119.071 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public records held by state and local agencies. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.
Bradford County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The primary office responsible for public records in Bradford County is the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which also serves as the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners and the county's official records custodian.
Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court
945 N Temple Ave
Starke, Florida 32091
Phone: (904) 966-6280
Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Mailing Address for Public Records Requests:
Public Records Request RMLO
P.O. Drawer B
Starke, Florida 32091
Email: publicrecordsrequest@bradfordcountyfl.gov
Additional Offices:
Florida Department of Health in Bradford County
1450 N Temple Ave
Starke, Florida 32091
Phone: (904) 966-3819
Florida Department of Health in Bradford County
Bradford County Property Appraiser
945 N Temple Ave, Suite A
Starke, Florida 32091
Phone: (904) 966-6216
Bradford County Property Appraiser
Bradford County Tax Collector
945 N Temple Ave
Starke, Florida 32091
Phone: (904) 966-6224
Bradford County Tax Collector
Bradford County Supervisor of Elections
945 N Temple Ave
Starke, Florida 32091
Phone: (904) 966-6266
Bradford County Supervisor of Elections