Taylor County public records include arrest logs, booking reports, mugshots, court case files, property records, and marriage documents. These records are held by the Taylor County Clerk of Court, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and other local agencies in Perry, Florida.
Anyone can look at most of these records under Florida’s open records law. You do not need to give a reason. You do not need to show ID. You can search online, walk into the office, or send a written request by mail.
This page explains how to find each type of record, who holds it, what it costs, and what the law says about records that are kept secret. It also covers Taylor County arrest records, Taylor County booking records, Taylor County inmate search tools, and Taylor County mugshot databases in clear, simple steps.
What Taylor County Public Records Include
Taylor County public records cover all documents made or kept by county offices while doing public work. The list is long, but the most searched types are:
- Arrest records and arrest reports
- Booking records and inmate booking logs
- Jail inmate records and inmate search results
- Booking photos and mugshot database entries
- Sheriff’s arrest logs and incident reports
- Court case files from the 3rd Judicial Circuit
- Property deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Tax records and vehicle registration files
Each record type sits in a different office. The Clerk holds court files and official property documents. The Sheriff holds arrest and jail records. The Tax Collector holds tax records. Knowing which office holds the record saves you time.
Florida Open Records Law and Your Right to View Records
Florida law gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. This right comes from Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution. The law applies to Taylor County the same way it applies to all other Florida counties.
You do not need to tell anyone why you want a record. You do not need to give your name. The agency must let you see the record at a reasonable time. If you want copies, the office can charge up to 15 cents per page for standard copies. Certified copies of official documents cost up to $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
Some records are not open. Section 119.071 lists exemptions. Active criminal investigation files, Social Security numbers, and sealed juvenile case files are some of the types that can be kept private. If a request is denied, the agency must name the exact exemption that blocks it.
Taylor County Clerk of Court: Main Record Holder
The Taylor County Clerk of Court is the main records office for the county. The current Clerk, Gary Knowles, Jr., holds court files, official property documents, marriage licenses, and county finance records. The office sits on the first floor of the courthouse at 108 N Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32347.
| Office | Taylor County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Gary Knowles, Jr. |
| Address | 108 N Jefferson St, Ste 102, Perry, FL 32347 |
| Phone | (850) 838-3506 |
| Website | taylorclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
The clerk’s website has an online search tool for court cases and official records. If the record you want is not online, you can call the office. Staff will tell you which division handles your record and what to put in your request.
How to Search Taylor County Court Records
Taylor County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit also covers Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, and Suwannee counties. The circuit court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $50,000, divorces, custody fights, adoptions, juvenile cases, and probate. The county court handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic tickets, and civil cases under $50,000.
Court records are public. You can search them by name, case number, or date. Most records are on the clerk’s website. The main exceptions are juvenile cases and any case where a judge ordered the file sealed or expunged. If you are not sure whether a case file is open, call (850) 838-3506 before driving to Perry.
Taylor County Arrest Records and Arrest Log
Taylor County arrest records are written reports made when someone is taken into custody. They show the arrest date, the charge, the arresting officer, and the booking number. These records are held by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and are open to the public under Florida law.
An arrest log is a running list of arrests. The Sheriff’s Office keeps the daily log at the county jail. You can ask to see the log at the jail front desk during normal hours. The log shows who was booked, the time of booking, and the charge. Older logs are kept on paper and may take a day or two to pull.
The Sheriff’s Office also accepts written records requests. Send a letter that names the person, the date range, and the type of record you want. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the copy fee. The office must respond in a reasonable time under Chapter 119.
What a Taylor County Arrest Report Shows
A standard arrest report has the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, address, the time and place of arrest, the criminal charge, the booking number, and the name of the arresting deputy. It may also list any property taken at the time of arrest. Reports are public once the active investigation is closed.
Taylor County Booking Records and Inmate Booking
Taylor County booking records are made when a person is processed into the county jail. The booking officer records the person’s name, date of birth, height, weight, the charge, and a booking photo. Booking records are public. You can ask to see them at the jail or through the Sheriff’s Office records division.
The booking process at the Taylor County Jail follows a fixed list of steps. Each step creates a public record:
- The arrestee is searched and personal items are logged.
- Personal data is entered into the jail computer system.
- A booking photo and fingerprints are taken.
- A medical check is done to flag health risks.
- The arrestee is placed in a holding cell or assigned a housing unit.
Each step is logged. The final booking record links to the arrest report and the court case. This chain of records lets you follow a case from arrest to court.
Taylor County Inmate Search and Jail Inmate Records
Taylor County inmate search tools let you find out if someone is in the county jail right now. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail at 1454 Airport Road, Perry, FL 32347. The jail phone number is (850) 584-4225.
You have three ways to do an inmate search:
- Online roster: Some Florida county jails post a current inmate list on the Sheriff’s website. Check the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office site for a current roster link.
- Phone check: Call the jail records desk at (850) 584-4225. Give the full name and date of birth. Staff can confirm if the person is in custody.
- In person: Visit the jail lobby and ask to use the public inmate terminal. You can search by name there.
Jail inmate records show the inmate’s full name, booking number, charge, bond amount, housing location, and expected release date. Records for people who have been released are kept on file but may need a written request to view.
Taylor County Jail Contact and Location
| Facility | Taylor County Jail |
|---|---|
| Address | 1454 Airport Road, Perry, FL 32347 |
| Phone | (850) 584-4225 |
| Operator | Taylor County Sheriff’s Office |
Taylor County Mugshots and Mugshot Database
Taylor County mugshots are the booking photos taken at the jail when someone is processed in. They are public records in Florida. Anyone can ask to see them. The Sheriff’s Office keeps the original photos. The Clerk’s office does not hold mugshots.
There is no single statewide mugshot database run by the state of Florida. Each county sheriff decides how to share its own booking photos. Many sheriffs, including Taylor County, post current mugshots on the Sheriff’s Office website or release them on request. Third-party mugshot websites also copy these photos, but the official source is the Sheriff’s Office itself.
To get a Taylor County mugshot, you can:
- Search the Sheriff’s Office website for a public gallery.
- Email the records division with the inmate’s full name and booking date.
- Visit the jail lobby and ask the records clerk.
- Send a written public records request by mail.
Photos of people whose cases were later sealed or expunged must be removed from public view. The Sheriff’s Office handles these removal requests through the court order that sealed the case.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Department Arrest Records
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency for the unincorporated parts of the county. The Sheriff holds arrest records, incident reports, traffic crash reports, and 911 call logs. These are public records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
| Office | Taylor County Sheriff’s Office |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Wayne Padgett |
| Address | 1454 Airport Road, Perry, FL 32347 |
| Phone | (850) 584-4225 |
| Website | taylorsheriff.org |
To request an arrest record, write a short letter that includes the full name of the person, the date or date range, the type of record, and a way to reach you. Mail the request to the records division at the airport road address. The office can charge a copy fee but cannot charge for the first 30 minutes of search time.
Taylor County Police Department Arrest Reports
The Perry Police Department is the city police agency for the county seat. It holds arrest reports, incident reports, and traffic records for events that happened inside Perry city limits. The Police Department shares these records under the same Chapter 119 rules that apply to the Sheriff.
| Office | Perry Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 224 S Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32347 |
| Phone | (850) 584-5071 |
For an arrest made by the Perry Police Department, you contact the city agency directly. For an arrest made by a deputy in the unincorporated county, you contact the Sheriff. Always name the correct agency in your request so the file moves faster.
Taylor County Recent Arrests and Current Arrests
Taylor County recent arrests and Taylor County current arrests are posted on the Sheriff’s daily booking log. This log updates each business day. It lists the name, charge, booking time, and bond for each new arrest.
You can view the recent arrest log three ways:
- On the Sheriff’s website, under the “Recent Arrests” or “Jail” tab.
- At the jail lobby public terminal, 24 hours a day.
- By phone during business hours at (850) 584-4225.
The log only shows people still in custody or recently booked. People who bonded out within hours may not appear. For a full arrest history, you must request the case file through the Clerk or the Sheriff.
Detention Center Records and the County Jail
The Taylor County Detention Center is the same building as the Taylor County Jail. It holds people who are waiting for trial or serving a short county sentence. Detention records include the inmate’s full name, booking number, charge, bond, court date, and release date.
You can ask for a copy of a detention record by phone, in person, or by mail. A simple written request works best. Include the inmate’s name and date of birth. The records clerk will pull the file and tell you the copy fee. Detention records are public once the case is closed, except for medical or mental health notes that are exempt under Florida law.
How to Do a Taylor County Arrest Search by Name
A Taylor County arrest search by name is the most common way to look up an arrest. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Go to the Taylor County Clerk’s website at taylorclerk.com.
- Click the “Court Records” or “Official Records” search link.
- Enter the full last name and first name of the person.
- Set the date range to the time period you want to check.
- Set the case type to “Criminal” to filter out civil cases.
- Read the results list and click any case number to open the file.
If the arrest did not lead to a court case yet, it may not show on the clerk’s site. In that case, call the Sheriff’s records division to check the arrest log.
Taylor County Arrest History and Arrest Database
A Taylor County arrest history is the full list of arrests for one person across all of Taylor County. The state of Florida runs a central database called the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Local law enforcement checks these systems daily.
Members of the public cannot search FCIC or NCIC directly. To build a Taylor County arrest history, you must pull records from each agency that may have arrested the person. In Taylor County, that means the Sheriff’s Office and the Perry Police Department. You can also check the Clerk’s court records for past criminal cases. Each record links to the others by name and date of birth.
Property and Official Records at the Clerk’s Office
Property records and official records sit in the Clerk’s Recording Office. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, and satisfaction of mortgage. They form the legal chain of title for every parcel in Taylor County.
You can search property records by party name, document type, or legal description. Many of these records are online at taylorclerk.com. The Official Records index goes back decades. Certified copies cost up to $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.
Marriage licenses are also held by the Clerk. Divorce decrees are part of the circuit court file in the same office. Both are public records and can be searched by name or case number.
Vital Records: Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates for events in Taylor County are not kept by the Clerk. They are held by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, in Jacksonville. The state office issues certified copies for a fee.
| Office | Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Phone | (904) 359-6900 |
| Online Orders | floridavitalrecords.org |
You can order a Florida birth or death certificate online, by mail, or in person. The standard fee is $15 per copy. Rush service costs more. You will need a valid ID and the basic facts about the event.
How to Request Records: Three Practical Methods
You can request Taylor County public records in three ways. Pick the one that fits your case.
1. Online Search
Use the Clerk’s website for court files, official records, and property records. Use the Sheriff’s website for current inmate lists and recent arrest logs. This method works best for records made in the last 20 years.
2. In-Person Visit
Go to the Clerk’s office at 108 N Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32347, or to the jail lobby at 1454 Airport Road. Bring a photo ID. Ask the front desk clerk to help you pull the file. This method works best for old records or files you need to look at right away.
3. Written Request by Mail
Send a short letter that names the record, the person, and the date range. Include your contact info and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it to the right office. This method works best when you live far from Perry.
What Records Are Sealed or Expunged
Not every record is open. Florida law lets a person ask a judge to seal or expunge certain criminal records. Sealed records still exist but can only be seen by court order. Expunged records are destroyed by the court. Both types are removed from public search results.
When a record is sealed, the Clerk removes it from the online search. The Sheriff removes the booking photo and arrest log entry. A person whose record was sealed can lawfully say they were never arrested for that charge. The court order that sealed the case is the proof.
Other Sources for Taylor County Records
Several other agencies hold records that people often want. Each one is a separate office.
- Taylor County Property Appraiser: Holds current ownership and assessment data for all parcels. (850) 838-3506.
- Taylor County Tax Collector: Holds tax bills, payment history, and vehicle registration files. (850) 584-5815.
- Board of County Commissioners: Holds meeting minutes, adopted budgets, and county ordinances.
- Taylor County Supervisor of Elections: Holds voter registration files and election results.
All of these offices follow Chapter 119. You can request records from any of them the same way you request records from the Clerk.
Fees and Copy Costs at a Glance
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy | Up to $0.15 per page |
| Certified copy of official record | Up to $1.00 per page + $5.00 certification fee |
| First 30 minutes of staff search time | No charge |
| Search time after 30 minutes | Reasonable hourly fee |
| Florida birth or death certificate | $15 per copy |
Agencies cannot charge for the act of inspecting a record. The fee kicks in only when you ask for copies or when staff must spend more than 30 minutes pulling old files.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Requesting Records
People often waste time by sending requests to the wrong office. A few simple rules prevent this:
- Arrest records go to the Sheriff’s Office or the city police.
- Court case files go to the Clerk of Court.
- Property deeds and mortgages go to the Clerk of Court.
- Birth and death certificates go to the state vital records office.
- Tax records go to the Tax Collector.
A second common mistake is not giving enough detail. Always include the full name, date of birth (if you have it), date range, and the type of record. The more detail you give, the faster the office can pull the file.
Helpful Statewide Record Resources
Some records can be checked through statewide portals run by the state of Florida or by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association. These tools cover Taylor County and all other counties at once.
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory: flclerks.com/page/findaclerk
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background check: fdle.state.fl.us
- Florida Vital Records online ordering: floridavitalrecords.org
- First Amendment Foundation records help line: floridafaf.org
Contact Information for Records Requests in Taylor County
Use this list to send your request to the right office. The phone numbers are current as of 2026.
| Agency | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor County Clerk of Court | 108 N Jefferson St, Ste 102, Perry, FL 32347 | (850) 838-3506 |
| Taylor County Sheriff’s Office | 1454 Airport Road, Perry, FL 32347 | (850) 584-4225 |
| Perry Police Department | 224 S Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32347 | (850) 584-5071 |
| Taylor County Property Appraiser | 108 N Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32347 | (850) 838-3506 |
| Taylor County Tax Collector | 201 E Main St, Perry, FL 32347 | (850) 584-5815 |
| Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics | 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 359-6900 |
Most county offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Taylor County Jail lobby is open 24 hours a day for public inmate searches. The Clerk’s office closes on state and federal holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor County Public Records
These questions cover the most common things people want to know about Taylor County public records. Each answer gives a direct, clear response based on Florida law and current office practice.
How do I find out if someone is in the Taylor County Jail right now?
Call the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office records desk at (850) 584-4225. Give the full name and date of birth of the person. The desk can confirm if the person is in custody. You can also visit the jail lobby at 1454 Airport Road, Perry, FL 32347, and use the public inmate terminal. Some booking photos and arrest logs are posted on the Sheriff’s website. The jail lobby is open 24 hours a day. Records requests for full booking files must be made during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Are Taylor County mugshots free to view?
Yes. Under Florida’s public records law, mugshots taken at booking are open to the public. You do not pay to look at them in person. If you want a printed or electronic copy, the Sheriff’s Office can charge a copy fee under Chapter 119. Many third-party websites also repost mugshots, but those sites are not the official source. Always get your copy from the Sheriff’s Office or the Clerk’s office when the record is part of a court case file. Records for cases that were later sealed or expunged are removed from public view.
Can I see Taylor County arrest records online?
You can see some Taylor County arrest records online. The Taylor County Clerk of Court website at taylorclerk.com has a court records search that includes criminal cases. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office website has a recent arrests and inmate roster page. For older arrest records, you may need to submit a written request to the Sheriff’s records division. Active criminal investigation files are not open until the case is closed. Juvenile arrest records are always closed by law.
How long does the Taylor County Clerk take to fill a records request?
Florida law does not set a fixed deadline. It only says the agency must respond in a reasonable time. For a simple request, the Clerk’s office often fills it the same day. For older records or files that take longer to locate, it can take several business days. You will not be charged for the first 30 minutes of search time. If the search goes past 30 minutes, the office can charge a reasonable hourly fee. Call (850) 838-3506 to check the status of a pending request.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a booking record?
An arrest record is the report made by the officer who took the person into custody. It shows the time, place, and reason for the arrest. A booking record is the file made when the person is processed into the jail. It shows the charge, personal data, fingerprint number, medical check, and the booking photo. The arrest record is made by the arresting agency. The booking record is made by the jail. Both records are public in Taylor County and are linked by the booking number.
How do I remove my mugshot from a Taylor County website?
If your case was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or a judge sealed or expunged the record, you can ask the Sheriff’s Office to take down the booking photo. Send a copy of the court order along with a written request to the records division at 1454 Airport Road, Perry, FL 32347. The Sheriff must remove the photo once the order is verified. For third-party mugshot websites, you must contact each site directly. Florida law gives you a legal right to ask for removal from sites that post arrest photos for a fee, but the process takes a written request and proof of the case outcome.
Can I get a Taylor County background check on myself?
Yes. You can run a Florida criminal background check on yourself through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE runs the state repository of criminal history records. You can order a check online at fdle.state.fl.us or by mail. The standard fee is $24 for a name-based check. You will need a set of fingerprints for the most accurate result. A local Taylor County background check can be done at the Sheriff’s Office for a small fee. The Clerk’s office can also give you a list of any open or closed court cases under your name.
Are Taylor County divorce records public?
Yes. Divorce decrees filed in Taylor County are part of the circuit court file held by the Clerk of Court. You can search them by party name or case number at taylorclerk.com. The basic case info is free to view. A certified copy of the divorce decree costs up to $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Some financial details in a divorce file may be sealed by the judge, especially in cases involving child support or business assets. The decree itself, which shows the divorce is final, is always public.