Bradford County public records include arrest logs, booking records, inmate rosters, mugshots, court files, and official documents held by county offices in Starke, Florida. Florida’s strong Chapter 119 public records law gives every person the right to view, copy, and request these records from the Clerk of Court, the Sheriff’s Office, and other county agencies without giving a reason or showing ID.
This page covers how to access Bradford County arrest records, recent arrest logs, jail booking data, inmate search tools, mugshot databases, sheriff arrest reports, and the daily booking log. It also explains which offices hold which records, the fees charged for copies, and what stays exempt from public view.
What Bradford County Public Records Include
Bradford County public records cover a wide range of documents created and kept by local government offices. These include court case files, arrest records, jail booking logs, inmate records, mugshots, official property records, marriage licenses, and meeting minutes.
Each office keeps the records tied to its own duties. The Clerk of Court holds court files, official recordings, and some financial records. The Sheriff’s Office holds arrest reports, incident reports, and jail booking data. The Property Appraiser holds land ownership files. The Tax Collector holds tax payment records.
Records that become part of a criminal case stay public once filed. This includes the arrest report, booking photo, charges, bond amount, and court outcomes. The same applies to civil cases, probate cases, and family court files unless a judge orders them sealed.
Florida Public Records Law and Bradford County
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes controls access to Bradford County public records. This law has existed for decades and is one of the strongest open records laws in the United States. It covers all records made or received by any county, city, or state agency in the course of public business.
Under this law, any person can ask to see or copy records held by a Bradford County office. You do not need to show ID. You do not need to give a reason. The agency must answer your request within a reasonable amount of time. Simple requests for a single record get handled fast. Large requests for many years of records may take longer, but the agency must give you a timeline and keep you updated.
If part of a record is exempt from public view, the agency must black out only that part and release the rest. Blocking the whole record because one section is exempt breaks the law. The Florida Attorney General’s Office and the First Amendment Foundation can help you if a Bradford County office fails to follow the law.
Bradford County Clerk and Comptroller
The Clerk of Court serves as the main record holder for Bradford County. Denny Thompson holds the position of Clerk and Comptroller. His office sits at 945 North Temple Avenue in Starke, Florida. The office phone number is (904) 966-6280. The office website is bradfordclerk.com.
| Office | Bradford County Clerk and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Denny Thompson |
| Address | 945 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone | (904) 966-6280 |
| Website | bradfordclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Clerk’s office handles court case files, official recorded documents, and county financial records. Bradford County sits inside the 8th Judicial Circuit along with Alachua, Baker, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. The circuit office sits in Gainesville, but all Bradford County cases get filed and managed at the local Starke courthouse.
The Clerk’s website gives access to court searches, official records searches, and forms for submitting public records requests. Because Bradford County is small, some records may not be online. Older files may require a visit to the office or a written request by mail.
Bradford County Court Records
Bradford County court records include all case files handled by the local courthouse. These cover civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, probate cases, traffic tickets, and small claims. Each case generates a file that becomes a public record once filed with the Clerk.
You can search court records online through the Clerk’s website. Some Florida counties also use the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which lets the public look up basic case data. The myfloridacounty.com platform may also provide access to Bradford County official records.
To request a court record that is not online, send a written request to the Clerk’s office. Include the full name of each party in the case and the year the case was filed. A case number will speed up the search. Older paper records may sit in storage and require staff to pull them, which can add time to the request.
Bradford County Arrest Records and Booking Logs
Bradford County arrest records list every person taken into custody by local law enforcement. These records include the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, the arrest date, the charges filed, the arresting agency, and the booking number. The Sheriff’s Office creates and keeps these records.
The booking log, also called the daily arrest log, shows the names of people booked into the Bradford County Jail over a set period. Most Florida sheriff’s offices release a daily booking log that lists each new arrest from the past 24 hours. The log shows the name, booking date, charges, and bond amount.
To get a recent arrest log, contact the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office directly. Some sheriff’s offices post the daily log on their website or social media page. Others release it only on request. A written request under Chapter 119 should get a response within a reasonable time.
What Arrest Records Contain
A standard Bradford County arrest record holds the arrestee’s full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address, the date and time of arrest, the location of arrest, the arresting officer’s name, the charges, and the booking photo number. It may also show whether the person posted bond, was released on their own recognizance, or stayed in custody.
Arrest records do not always show the final court outcome. To find a case outcome, search the court records at the Clerk’s office using the same name and date range.
How to Request Arrest Records
To request a copy of an arrest record, write a public records request to the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office. Include the name of the person, the date of arrest if known, and the type of record you want. The Sheriff must release the non-exempt portions of the record.
You can submit the request by mail, email, or in person at the Sheriff’s Office. There is no fee to view records in person. Printed or certified copies carry a small charge per page under Florida law.
Bradford County Inmate Search and Jail Records
The Bradford County Jail sits inside the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office complex in Starke. The jail holds people arrested in the county who are awaiting trial or serving short county sentences. Inmate records are public under Chapter 119.
An inmate search lets you check if a person is currently booked into the Bradford County Jail. Inmate records show the person’s name, booking date, current charges, bond amount, and scheduled release date if known. The search helps families, lawyers, bail bondsmen, and the public track custody status.
To search for a current inmate, call the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 966-6380 or visit the office in person. Ask for the booking desk or the records unit. Give the full name and date of birth if you have it. Staff can confirm custody status, charges, and bond amount.
Inmate Booking Details
Booking records include the date and time of intake, the arresting officer, the arresting agency, fingerprints taken, mugshot photo number, personal property logged, medical screening notes, and housing assignment inside the jail. The full booking file is a public record, though medical and mental health details may be exempt.
You can ask the Sheriff’s Office for a copy of a booking record. Provide the inmate’s full name and booking number if possible. The office will release the public portions of the file and may charge a copy fee.
Bradford County Mugshots
A mugshot is the photo taken when a person is booked into jail. Mugshots in Bradford County get stored as part of the booking file at the Sheriff’s Office. They are public records under Florida law unless a judge orders them sealed or expunged.
You can request a mugshot by sending a public records request to the Sheriff’s Office. Include the person’s name, date of birth, and the approximate booking date. The office will provide a copy of the booking photo along with the public booking record.
Some third-party websites collect mugshots from county sources and post them online. These sites often charge a fee to remove the photo. Under Florida law, people whose charges were dropped, dismissed, or expunged can ask these sites to take down the photo for free.
Bradford County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Reports
The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office handles arrests made within the county limits. The Sheriff’s Office also holds arrest reports written by deputies, including the full narrative of what led to the arrest, witness statements, and evidence lists. These reports are public records under Chapter 119.
| Office | Bradford County Sheriff’s Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 945 N Temple Ave Suite A, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone | (904) 966-6380 |
| Jail Phone | (904) 966-6380 |
| Website | bradfordsheriff.org |
To request a sheriff’s arrest report, contact the records unit at the Sheriff’s Office. Provide the case number if you have it, or the full name of the person arrested and the date of the incident. Reports can take time if they are still under review or part of an active investigation.
Active investigation files are often exempt from release until the case closes. Once a case ends, the full report becomes public. The Sheriff can withhold witness names, victim information, and other details protected by law even after release.
How to Search Arrest Records by Name in Bradford County
To search arrest records by name in Bradford County, you can use online tools, phone calls, or in-person visits. The best results come from having the full legal name and date of birth of the person you are searching for.
- Visit the Bradford County Clerk’s website at bradfordclerk.com and use the court records search tool to look for criminal cases tied to a name.
- Call the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 966-6380 to ask if a person is currently in custody or has a recent arrest record.
- Submit a written public records request to the Sheriff’s Office for all arrest records tied to a specific name within a date range.
- Check the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) public access system for statewide criminal history data.
- Use the Vinelink service or third-party inmate search tools for custody status updates.
Each method gives different types of data. Court searches show case outcomes. Sheriff records show arrests and bookings. Statewide searches show full criminal history across Florida. For a complete picture, use all three sources.
Recent Arrests in Bradford County
Recent arrests in Bradford County get posted through the Sheriff’s Office daily booking log. The log updates each day with new people booked into the county jail. Each entry shows the arrestee’s name, booking date, charges, and bond.
You can ask for the recent arrest log by calling the Sheriff’s Office or by submitting a public records request. Some Florida sheriff’s offices also post daily bookings on social media. Check the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for recent booking announcements.
Recent arrest data stays useful for up to a few days. After that, the person may post bond, get released, or transfer to another facility. Always confirm custody status by calling the jail before taking action based on an old log.
Bradford County Detention and Corrections Records
Detention records cover all aspects of a person’s stay in the Bradford County Jail. This includes intake screening, housing moves, disciplinary actions, medical care, visitation logs, phone call records, and release paperwork. Most of these records are public, with limits on medical and mental health data.
Corrections records also include inmate work assignments, program participation, and release dates. Family members and lawyers often request these records to track an inmate’s status and plan for release.
To request detention or corrections records, contact the jail records unit at the Sheriff’s Office. You will need the inmate’s full name and booking number. The office will release the public portions and apply standard copy fees.
Bradford County Official Records
Official records are different from court records. Official records cover documents recorded with the Clerk of Court for public notice. They include deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions of mortgage, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and other legal instruments.
You can search official records through the Clerk’s website. Results show the document type, recording date, grantor and grantee names, and book and page numbers. Recent filings often have PDF images of the full document. Older instruments may need a paper copy request.
Certified copies of official records cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Plain copies cost $0.15 per single-sided page or $0.20 for double-sided pages.
Bradford County Public Records Fees
Bradford County follows Florida’s standard fee rules for public records copies. The fees cover the cost of duplication, not the cost of staff time for simple requests.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Administrative records (single-sided) | Up to $0.15 per page |
| Administrative records (double-sided) | Up to $0.20 per page |
| Court records | $1.00 per page |
| Certified official records | $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification |
| Research time (after 30 minutes) | Based on lowest-paid qualified staff salary |
Viewing records in person is free. You only pay for copies. The first 30 minutes of staff research time for a request are not charged. Beyond that, the agency can charge for the actual time spent. For large requests, ask for a cost estimate before the work starts.
Most county offices accept cash, check, money order, and credit card. Confirm payment methods with the Bradford County Clerk or Sheriff’s Office when you submit your request.
Exempt and Sealed Records in Bradford County
Some records stay exempt from public view even under Florida’s open records law. These include active criminal investigation files, juvenile records, medical and mental health records, Social Security numbers, and certain personal data of law enforcement officers and victims.
Records can also be sealed by a judge. Sealed court cases hide the file from public view. Expunged records get destroyed or returned to the person. After expungement, the person can lawfully say they were never arrested for that case.
If a record has been sealed or expunged, the Clerk and Sheriff must deny requests for those records. Requests for sealed records need a court order. A person whose record was sealed or expunged can request a certificate from FDLE proving the case no longer exists for most purposes.
Other Bradford County Record Sources
Beyond the Clerk and Sheriff, other Bradford County offices hold public records. The Property Appraiser keeps land ownership and assessment data. The Tax Collector holds tax payment histories and delinquent tax records. The Supervisor of Elections holds voter registration and election results. Each of these offices releases records under Chapter 119.
For records that cross county lines or involve state agencies, use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for criminal history, the Florida Department of Corrections for state prison inmates, and the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory to find clerks in other counties.
Contact Information and Office Locations
Bradford County keeps its main records offices in Starke. The Clerk of Court and the Sheriff’s Office sit within a short distance of each other on North Temple Avenue.
Bradford County Clerk and Comptroller
945 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091
Phone: (904) 966-6280
Website: bradfordclerk.com
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and Jail
945 N Temple Ave Suite A, Starke, FL 32091
Phone: (904) 966-6380
Website: bradfordsheriff.org
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for jail services
Frequently Asked Questions About Bradford County Public Records
People searching for arrest logs, booking records, inmate data, and mugshots in Bradford County often have similar questions. The answers below cover the most common requests, the law that applies, and what to expect from local offices. These details help you get the records you need without delays or denials.
How do I find recent arrests in Bradford County?
Call the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 966-6380 and ask for the records unit. Request the daily booking log for a specific date or date range. The log shows the name of each person booked into the jail, the charges, the bond amount, and the booking date. Some Florida sheriff’s offices also post the daily log on their official social media pages. You can check the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for recent booking posts. If the log is not posted online, a written Chapter 119 request gets the same data by email or mail. The Sheriff’s Office must respond within a reasonable time. For a small county like Bradford, most requests get answered within a few business days.
Can I look up Bradford County mugshots for free?
You can view mugshots at the Sheriff’s Office during business hours at no cost. To get a printed or digital copy, the office can charge up to $0.15 per page under Florida law. Submit a public records request with the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, and approximate booking date. The Sheriff’s Office will release the booking photo as part of the public booking file. Third-party mugshot websites also post photos, but many charge a fee and some ignore Florida’s law that lets people ask for free removal after a case ends or charges are dropped.
How do I do an inmate search in Bradford County Jail?
Call the Bradford County Jail at (904) 966-6380 and ask the booking desk. Give the full legal name and date of birth. Staff will confirm if the person is in custody, the charges, the bond amount, and the scheduled release date if known. You can also visit the Sheriff’s Office in person at 945 N Temple Ave in Starke. For statewide searches, use the Florida Department of Corrections inmate search tool or the Vinelink victim notification service. These tools track inmates across county jails and state prisons.
Are Bradford County arrest records removed after expungement?
Yes. Once a judge orders a record sealed or expunged, the Clerk of Court and the Sheriff’s Office must take the record out of public search. The agency will deny requests for that case. The person whose record was cleared can ask FDLE for a certificate showing the case was expunged. That certificate lets the person lawfully say no arrest happened for most jobs, housing, and background check questions. Police agencies and certain government offices can still see expunged records for law enforcement purposes.
What is the cost to get a certified copy of an arrest record in Bradford County?
A certified copy of an arrest record costs $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee under Florida law. A plain copy costs up to $0.15 per single-sided page. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the Sheriff’s Office. There is no fee to view records in person. The first 30 minutes of staff research time for a public records request is free. After that, the office may charge for the actual time based on the salary of the staff member handling the work.
Can I access booking photos of people who were never charged?
Yes, in most cases. Booking photos taken at intake are public records even if the State Attorney later drops the charges. The booking photo stays in the public file unless a judge orders it sealed. People whose charges were dropped, dismissed, or expunged can write to third-party mugshot websites and ask for free removal under Florida law. They can also ask the Sheriff’s Office to flag the file, though the agency cannot remove a public record on its own without a court order.
How long does the Sheriff’s Office have to respond to a public records request?
Florida law does not set a fixed deadline, but it requires a response within a reasonable time. Simple requests for a single record often get answered in a few business days. Large requests for many years of records can take weeks. The agency must give you a timeline and keep you updated if more time is needed. If the office fails to respond or wrongly denies your request, the Florida Attorney General’s Office runs a mediation program at (850) 245-0140. The First Amendment Foundation also gives free help to residents who face records denials.