St. Lucie County Public Records

What Are Public Records in St. Lucie County?

Public records in St. Lucie County are defined according to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119, which states that all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency are public records. These records are available for public inspection and copying, subject to certain exemptions.

St. Lucie County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court cases, and traffic citations maintained by the St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, tax rolls, and assessment records maintained by the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission, advisory boards, and committee meetings
Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain exemptions), and booking information
Land Use and Zoning Records: Comprehensive plans, zoning maps, and development permits

The St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the primary custodian for official records and court documents, while specialized records are maintained by various county departments including the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, and the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County.

Is St. Lucie County an Open Records County?

St. Lucie County fully adheres to Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," which is one of the most comprehensive open government laws 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 establishes a constitutional right of access to any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body.

The law specifically states: "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any person." This clear mandate ensures that St. Lucie County operates with transparency and accountability to its citizens.

St. Lucie County has implemented specific procedures to comply with these requirements, including designated public records custodians within each department and standardized request procedures. The county also complies with Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law (Florida Statutes § 286.011), which requires that meetings of public boards or commissions be open to the public, noticed, and minutes recorded.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online records portal, which provides 24/7 access to many commonly requested documents. While certain records are exempt from disclosure under specific provisions of Florida law, the county operates under a presumption of openness in accordance with state requirements.

How to Find Public Records in St. Lucie County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to St. Lucie County records may utilize several methods to obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official records search portal, which provides immediate access to:
- Official records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Court case information
- Property records and tax information
- Meeting minutes and agendas
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records and official documents: Visit the Records Department at the Clerk's Office
- For property records: Visit the Property Appraiser's Office
- For tax records: Visit the Tax Collector's Office
Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request in writing to the appropriate department:
- Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
- Provide contact information for response
- Submit via email, mail, or in person
Public Records Request Form: Complete the county's public records request form for the most efficient processing
Specialized Records:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): Contact the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County
- Voter registration information: Contact the Supervisor of Elections
- Law enforcement records: Contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office

The county strives to respond to all requests promptly, typically within 3-5 business days, though complex requests may require additional time. Requestors are encouraged to be as specific as possible when describing the records sought to facilitate efficient processing.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Lucie County?

St. Lucie County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum allowable charges for copies of public records. The current fee structure includes:

Standard Paper Copies:
- Letter/Legal size (single-sided): $0.15 per page
- Letter/Legal size (double-sided): $0.20 per page
- 11"x17" size: $0.25 per page
Certified Copies:
- Court documents: $2.00 per document plus copy fees
- Official records: $1.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic Records:
- Records provided via email or download: No charge for transmission
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
- Records provided on USB drive: Actual cost of the drive
Special Service Charges:
- Extensive use of clerical/supervisory assistance: Hourly rate of lowest-paid employee capable of performing the service
- Extensive use of information technology resources: Actual cost incurred
Specialized Records:
- Marriage license: $86.00
- Certified copy of marriage record: $5.00
- Certified copy of death certificate: $5.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
- Recording fees for official records: $10.00 for first page, $8.50 for each additional page

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (subject to a convenience fee) at most county offices. Some departments may have varying payment options.

The county may waive fees when doing so serves the public interest. Additionally, pursuant to Florida law, individuals who are indigent may receive copies of public records at no charge upon submission of an affidavit of indigency.

Does St. Lucie County Have Free Public Records?

St. Lucie County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost to residents and non-residents alike. In accordance with Florida's Public Records Law, the inspection of public records is always free of charge. The following free services are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Any person may inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. County staff will provide reasonable accommodation for this purpose.
Online Access: The county offers free access to numerous records through its online portals:
- Official Records Search - Access to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded documents
- Court Records Search - Access to civil, criminal, and traffic case information
- Property Appraiser Database - Property ownership, assessment values, and tax information
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget documents and financial reports
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Clerk's Office and county libraries for public use to access electronic records at no charge.
Email Delivery: When records are available electronically and do not require extensive staff time to compile, they may be provided via email at no cost.

The St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains public access computers at their main office where members of the public can search and view records without charge. Printing from these terminals incurs standard copy fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in St. Lucie County?

Under Florida Statutes § 119.01(1), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in St. Lucie County. The statute explicitly states that records shall be open for "personal inspection by any person," establishing a broad right of access. Key provisions regarding eligibility include:

No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be Florida residents or U.S. citizens to access public records.
No Identification Requirement: For most records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state their purpose for requesting records. Anonymous requests are permitted.
No Purpose Justification: Requestors generally do not need to explain why they want the records or how they will use them.
Corporate Entities: Businesses, organizations, and media outlets have the same right of access as individuals.
Incarcerated Persons: Inmates in state correctional facilities have modified access rights pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(6)(d).
Minors: There are no age restrictions on public records requests, though certain records pertaining to minors may be exempt from disclosure.

Exceptions to these general provisions exist for certain protected records, such as:

Records containing exempt personal information may require verification of identity when the requestor seeks their own records
Certain vital records (such as birth certificates) may only be requested by the named individual, immediate family members, or legal representatives
Records sealed by court order have restricted access determined by the terms of the sealing order

The county cannot deny a request based on the requestor's purpose or intended use of the information, except in very limited circumstances prescribed by law.

What Records Are Confidential in St. Lucie County?

While Florida maintains a strong presumption of openness for public records, Florida Statutes Chapter 119 establishes numerous exemptions for records that are confidential or exempt from public disclosure. In St. Lucie County, the following categories of records are generally not available for public inspection:

Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit/debit card numbers
- Medical and health information protected under HIPAA
- Personal information of certain government employees (law enforcement, judges, etc.)
Criminal Justice Records:
- Active criminal intelligence and investigative information
- Juvenile offender records (with limited exceptions)
- Information revealing the identity of victims of sexual offenses or child abuse
- Confidential informant identities
Court Records:
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Certain family court records involving minors
- Guardian ad litem reports
- Adoption records
Business Information:
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Certain economic development information
- Bids and proposals until contract award
Security Information:
- Security system plans
- Building plans for certain government facilities
- Emergency response plans
Personal Identifying Information:
- Driver license numbers
- Military service records
- Biometric information
Vital Records:
- Birth certificates less than 100 years old (limited access)
- Certain death, marriage, and divorce records with exempt information

These exemptions are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, which provides detailed specifications for each category of exempt information. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact only the exempt portions and provide the remainder of the record.

The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against potential harm that might result from release of the information.

St. Lucie County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

St. Lucie County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-6900
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Records Department - South County Branch Office
250 NW Country Club Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
(772) 462-6900
St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

St. Lucie County Property Appraiser's Office
2300 Virginia Avenue, Room 107
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
(772) 462-1000
St. Lucie County Property Appraiser

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County - Vital Statistics
5150 NW Milner Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
(772) 873-4941
Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in St. Lucie County

Search official records including deeds, mortgages, and liens maintained by the St. Lucie County Clerk of Circuit Court.

Access public records search portal for comprehensive records including criminal history, wanted persons, and sex offender registry information.

Find property information through the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser's database for ownership, assessment values, and property characteristics.

Search court case information for civil, criminal, traffic, and family court proceedings in St. Lucie County.

Submit a public records request to the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser's office for specialized document needs.

Access health department records including vital statistics, environmental health reports, and public health information.