Hillsborough County public records are government documents kept by local offices in Tampa, Florida. Any person can see most of these records under Florida’s open records law.
The county holds court files, property records, marriage licenses, and many other types of papers. This page explains how to search these records, who keeps them, and what you can get online or in person.
Florida’s Public Records Law Covers Hillsborough County
Florida law gives every person the right to see government records. This law is called Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It applies to all counties in the state, including Hillsborough. Government agencies must let you see records unless a specific law says the record is private. You do not need to tell the agency why you want the records. You also do not need to give your name.
Agencies must answer your request quickly. They can only say no if a law lists the record as private. Common private records include Social Security numbers, juvenile cases, and active criminal investigation files. If an agency denies your request, they must tell you which law allows the denial.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller keeps most court records and official property documents. Victor D. Crist serves as the Clerk. His office runs the main records system for the county. The Clerk’s office handles millions of files each year, from small civil cases to large criminal trials and real estate deals.
Clerk Office Contact Details
| Office | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Victor D. Crist |
| Address | 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 13th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Phone | (813) 276-8100 |
| Website | hillsclerk.com |
| Online Records Search | publicaccess.hillsclerk.com |
The Clerk’s office sits on the 13th floor of County Center in downtown Tampa. You can visit the office during business hours. The office also has branch locations across the county. Branch hours and services can vary, so check the website before you go.
Types of Public Records You Can Search
Hillsborough County holds many types of public records. Each type sits in a different office or system. The list below shows the most common records people look for.
Court Records
Court records include civil cases, criminal cases, family law cases, probate cases, and traffic cases. Hillsborough County is the seat of the 13th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles felonies, divorces, and major civil suits. The county court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic tickets. Most court records are open to the public. You can search them online at hillsclerk.com. Juvenile records, mental health records, and some family law records stay sealed by law.
Property and Land Records
Property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax records. The Clerk’s office records all property documents for Hillsborough County. You can search these records by name, address, or document type. The Property Appraiser also holds data on every parcel in the county, including land value, ownership, and building details.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses come from the Hillsborough County Clerk’s office. You can order a certified copy online or in person. Divorce records sit with the Clerk as part of the circuit court file. Older divorce records may require a visit to the office.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates are not held by the county. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville keeps these records. You can order them through the state’s vital records office or through approved third-party services.
Arrest and Inmate Records
Arrest records show when a person was taken into custody. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office keeps records for arrests in unincorporated areas. The Tampa Police Department keeps records for arrests in the city. Florida’s open records law covers arrest records, with some limits for active investigations. You can search recent arrest data through the Sheriff’s online tools. The county detention center also lists current inmates on its website. Booking photos, sometimes called mugshots, sit within the arrest record. Most arrest records stay public after the booking process ends.
To search arrest data, you can use the Sheriff’s arrest inquiry tool. The tool lets you look up a person by name. It shows booking date, charges, and release status. The Sheriff’s office updates this database often. For older arrest records, you may need to file a written request with the Records Division.
Probate and Estate Records
Probate records deal with wills and estates. The Clerk’s office keeps these files. You can search probate cases through the online court records portal.
Business Records
Business filings, fictitious name registrations, and other corporate records sit with the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee. The Clerk’s office does not hold these files.
How to Search Public Records Online
Most Hillsborough County public records sit online. You do not need to visit an office for many searches. The main online tools are listed below.
Clerk Online Records Portal
The Clerk’s online portal at publicaccess.hillsclerk.com lets you search court cases, official records, and other documents. You can search by name, case number, date, or document type. The site is free to use. You can view most records at no cost. Downloading or printing copies may carry a small fee.
Property Appraiser Website
The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser runs a separate site with parcel data. You can look up any property by address or owner name. The site shows land size, building size, year built, and current value. This data updates often.
Tax Collector Website
The Tax Collector site lets you check property tax payments. It also has a tool for vehicle registration and driver license checks. The site requires a name or tag number to search.
Sheriff’s Office Arrest Tools
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has an online arrest inquiry tool. You can search current inmates, recent bookings, and released persons. The Sheriff’s site also lists active warrants. To use the tool, enter a last name or booking number.
NETR Online Records Directory
NETR Online is a national directory that links to county record sites. It offers a starting point for property and tax record searches across many states, including Florida.
How to Request Records by Mail, Phone, or Email
Online searches work for many records. Some records need a direct request. The Hillsborough County Public Records Department accepts requests in several ways.
Written Request by Mail
You can send a written request to the Public Records Department. The address is 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 13th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602. Your request should include your name, contact details, and a clear list of the records you want. Add dates, case numbers, or names if you have them. The more detail you give, the faster the office can help.
Phone Request
You can call the Public Records Department at (813) 284-2131. Staff can answer questions and walk you through the request process. Phone requests work best for simple questions or to check on a pending request.
Email Request
Florida’s public records law treats emails as public records. Government emails to and from county offices can be requested. The Clerk’s office accepts record requests through its online portal. You can also use the JustFOIA portal at hillsclerk.justfoia.com to submit a written request.
In-Person Request
You can visit the County Center office in Tampa. The main office sits on the 13th floor of 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you search records and order copies on the spot. Branch locations also accept record requests.
Fees for Public Records
Florida law sets limits on what agencies can charge for records. The first 30 minutes of staff time to find records is free. After that, agencies can charge for the time it takes to locate, review, and copy the records.
Standard Copy Fees
- Paper copies: up to $0.15 per page for one-sided copies
- Certified copies: $5.00 certification fee plus copy fees
- Large or unusual records: actual cost of duplication
Court record fees follow a separate fee schedule set by Florida law. Property record fees also have a set rate. The Clerk’s office lists all fees on its website. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card at the office. Online orders accept credit cards.
Other Record Holders in Hillsborough County
The Clerk’s office is the main records hub, but other agencies hold their own records. Each agency responds to requests under Chapter 119.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
The Property Appraiser holds data on every parcel in the county. This includes land ownership, assessed value, building details, and sales history. The Property Appraiser’s office is at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 15th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602. Phone: (813) 272-6100.
Hillsborough County Tax Collector
The Tax Collector handles property taxes, vehicle registrations, and driver licenses. Records sit at the Tax Collector’s main office. Phone: (813) 635-5200.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and inmate data for unincorporated Hillsborough County. The Sheriff’s main office is at 2008 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605. Phone: (813) 247-8200.
Tampa Police Department
The Tampa Police Department keeps records for incidents within Tampa city limits. The Police Department is at 411 N. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602. Phone: (813) 276-3200.
City of Tampa Government
The City of Tampa keeps its own records for city operations. This includes city council minutes, budgets, contracts, and code enforcement files. The City Clerk’s office handles public records requests for city documents.
Court Records Manager
For court record requests, the Clerk’s office acts as the official records manager. Under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, the Clerk is the legal custodian of court files.
Cities and Communities in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County covers about 1,266 square miles. It includes Tampa, the county seat, and several other cities. Each community falls under the county’s public records system.
- Tampa
- Brandon
- Riverview
- Town ‘n’ Country
- Plant City
- Temple Terrace
- Valrico
- Sun City Center
- Ruskin
- Apollo Beach
Records for these cities come from the county Clerk and from each city’s own offices. City-level records, like local ordinances, sit with the city clerk. County-level records, like court cases, sit with the Hillsborough County Clerk.
Neighboring Counties
Hillsborough County borders four other Florida counties. Each has its own Clerk and records system.
- Pasco County
- Polk County
- Pinellas County
- Manatee County
Records that cross county lines, like certain real estate deals, may need requests to two or more counties. The Clerk’s office can help point you to the right agency for nearby records.
Official Contact and Location
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller serves as the main hub for public records. The main office sits in downtown Tampa.
| Office | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 13th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Phone | (813) 276-8100 |
| Public Records Phone | (813) 284-2131 |
| Website | hillsclerk.com |
| Records Portal | publicaccess.hillsclerk.com |
| Request Portal | hillsclerk.justfoia.com/publicportal |
| Business Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
The County Attorney’s Office, which handles legal public records matters, sits on the 27th floor of the same building at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 27th Floor, Tampa, FL 33601-1110. Note that all email and mail to or from this office falls under Florida’s public records law.
Common Questions About Hillsborough County Public Records
The following questions cover the most common issues people face when searching for public records in Hillsborough County. Each answer points you to the right office, tool, or form.
How do I search arrest records in Hillsborough County?
You can search arrest records through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office online arrest inquiry tool. The tool lets you look up current inmates and recent bookings by last name. The Sheriff’s office updates the database as bookings happen. For arrest records within Tampa city limits, contact the Tampa Police Department. The Clerk’s online portal also shows court cases linked to arrests.
Can I see mugshots online?
Yes, most mugshots sit in the public arrest record. The Sheriff’s office arrest inquiry tool shows recent booking photos. The Clerk’s online records system shows older booking data through court case files. Private mugshot sites also collect these images, but official sources give the most accurate and current data.
Are arrest records always public in Florida?
Florida’s public records law makes most arrest records public. Some limits apply. Active criminal investigations stay sealed until the case moves forward. Juvenile arrests stay private. Expunged or sealed records are removed from public view by court order. A person can ask the court to seal or expunge a record under Florida law, which removes it from public databases.
How do I find out if someone is in jail in Hillsborough County?
Use the Sheriff’s inmate search tool. Enter a last name to see current inmates at the Hillsborough County detention center. The tool shows booking date, charges, and bond amount. The jail also has a phone line you can call for inmate status during business hours.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a public record?
Florida law sets the fees. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. After that, agencies charge for time and copies. Standard copies cost up to $0.15 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 fee. Court records follow a separate fee schedule under Florida law.
Can I request records by email?
Yes. The Clerk’s office accepts record requests through its online JustFOIA portal. You can also email the office directly for some record types. Note that all emails you send to a government office fall under Florida’s public records law and may be released if someone requests them.
What if the county denies my public records request?
The county must tell you the legal reason for the denial. The denial must cite a specific Florida law. You can challenge the denial in court. The Florida Attorney General’s Office offers a free mediation program for public records disputes. Call (850) 245-0140 for help. The First Amendment Foundation also offers free legal help to Floridians on records access issues.
How do I get a certified copy of a marriage license or divorce decree?
Marriage licenses sit with the Hillsborough County Clerk’s office. You can order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person. Divorce decrees are part of the circuit court file. You can get a certified copy from the Clerk’s office. Bring a photo ID for in-person orders. The fee for a certified copy is $5.00 plus copy fees.