Suwannee County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Suwannee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents, court filings, property data, and other official materials may access a broad range of publicly available information through SuwanneeRecords.us and through the official custodial offices of Suwannee County, Florida. The site aggregates publicly available data that may include records across several categories, such as:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
- Vital records including birth and death certificates
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Land use, zoning, and permit records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners maintains an official county website where members of the public may access a variety of government documents, including meeting agendas, budget documents, and administrative records. The county's public records request portal allows individuals to submit requests electronically. The Suwannee County Clerk of Courts maintains a separate online case search system for court-related records. No registration is required to submit a public records request, though requestors may be asked to provide contact information for response purposes.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Suwannee County administrative offices to inspect records in person. The Public Records Liaison is located at:
Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners – Public Records Liaison
200 South Ohio Avenue
Live Oak, FL 32064
(386) 362-2276
Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county-observed holidays. Requestors are advised to bring a written description of the records sought to facilitate prompt retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be directed to the Public Records Liaison at 200 South Ohio Avenue, Live Oak, FL 32064. Requests should include a clear description of the records sought, the preferred format for response, and return contact information. Under Florida Statute § 119.07, agencies are required to acknowledge requests promptly and provide records within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email: The County Administrator's office, which oversees public records compliance, may be reached by phone at (386) 362-2276. The County Administrator's office notes that under Florida law, email addresses submitted to government agencies are themselves public records.
What Are Public Records in Suwannee County?
Public records in Suwannee County encompass 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, as defined under Florida Statute § 119.011. The following record types are maintained by various county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | Suwannee County Clerk of Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Suwannee County Clerk of Courts |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County |
| Business licenses and permits | Suwannee County Growth Management |
| Property tax and assessment records | Suwannee County Property Appraiser |
| Voting and election records | Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Board of County Commissioners |
| Budget and financial documents | County Administrator's Office |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Suwannee County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Suwannee County Growth Management |
Vital records, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County, which processes orders for certified copies in accordance with state vital statistics law. Driver license and motor vehicle records are administered through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Suwannee County service center.
Is Suwannee County an Open Records County?
Suwannee County fully complies with Florida's open records framework, which is among the most expansive in the United States. Under Florida Statute § 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, commonly referred to as Florida's Public Records Law, establishes a strong presumption of openness for all government-held documents.
As stated in the county's official policy, "It is the policy of the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners to comply with Florida's Public Records Law." This commitment extends to all county departments, constitutional officers, and agencies operating under county authority.
Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law further reinforces open government principles by requiring that meetings of public boards and commissions be conducted openly and that records of those proceedings be made available to the public. The county's public records request page provides the designated contact information for the Public Records Liaison, who coordinates compliance across county departments.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Suwannee County?
The fee structure for public records in Suwannee County is governed by Florida Statute § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges agencies may impose for copies and related services. Current standard fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-sided copy (up to 8.5" x 14") | $0.15 per page |
| Double-sided copy | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copy | Varies by record type |
| Electronic records (where applicable) | Actual cost of duplication |
| Extensive use of staff time (>30 min) | Actual cost of labor |
- Inspection fees: No charge is assessed for inspecting public records in person.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of court records and vital records carry separate fees set by the Clerk of Courts and the Florida Department of Health, respectively.
- Electronic format fees: When records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication, which does not include labor unless the request requires extensive use of information technology resources.
- Extensive requests: When a request requires extensive use of agency resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, the agency may charge the actual cost of the labor involved.
- Payment methods: The county accepts cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit card payments; requestors should confirm accepted methods with the specific office.
- Fee waivers: No statutory fee waiver provision applies broadly to all requestors; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.
Does Suwannee County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Florida law. Members of the public may visit county offices during regular business hours to inspect records at no charge, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure. The right to inspect without charge is distinct from the right to obtain copies, for which standard fees apply.
The following government resources provide free access to certain records:
- The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners website provides free online access to meeting agendas, minutes, budget documents, and adopted ordinances.
- The Suwannee County Clerk of Courts maintains public access terminals at the courthouse where members of the public may search and view court records at no cost.
- The Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County provides informational resources online, though certified copies of vital records carry statutory fees.
- The Suwannee County Property Appraiser's online portal allows free access to property assessment data and ownership information.
Free inspection applies to all non-exempt records held by county agencies. Copies of those records are subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Suwannee County?
Any person may request public records in Suwannee County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Florida's Public Records Law does not require requestors to identify themselves, provide a reason for the request, or demonstrate any particular interest in the records sought. This broad access right applies equally to residents, non-residents, businesses, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public.
Specific conditions that do and do not apply include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Florida retain full access rights under state law.
- Identification: Not required for most records. Certain restricted record types, such as personal criminal history or sealed court files, may require the requestor to establish identity or eligibility.
- Stated purpose: Not required. Agencies may not condition access on the requestor's explanation of intended use.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal vital records or criminal history, may be required to provide identification and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, including adoption files, juvenile court records, and sealed proceedings, are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute.
The County Administrator's office notes that email addresses provided in connection with public records requests are themselves subject to disclosure under Florida law.
What Records Are Confidential in Suwannee County?
Not all government-held records are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes specific exemptions from the Public Records Law, codified primarily in Florida Statute § 119.071, which identifies categories of records that agencies are required or permitted to withhold. The following record types are currently exempt from public inspection in whole or in part:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential under Florida law.
- Active criminal investigation records: Records that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant or compromise an active investigation are exempt.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are exempt from disclosure when contained within otherwise public records.
- Medical records: Patient health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only to authorized parties.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Department of Children and Families relating to abuse investigations are confidential.
- Personnel records: Certain employee records, including medical information and home addresses of specified public employees, are exempt.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted business data qualifying as a trade secret under Florida law is exempt.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Records revealing vulnerabilities in critical public infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.
Agencies applying an exemption are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding the record. Where a record is partially exempt, the non-exempt portions must be made available after redaction of the exempt material.
Suwannee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Office Name: Suwannee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Physical Address:
200 South Ohio Avenue
Live Oak, FL 32064
Phone: (386) 362-0500
Website: Suwannee County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on county-observed holidays
Additional Offices:
Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners – Public Records Liaison
200 South Ohio Avenue
Live Oak, FL 32064
(386) 362-2276
Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners
Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County (Vital Records)
1308 SW 11th Street
Live Oak, FL 32064
(386) 364-3130
Florida Department of Health in Suwannee County
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Suwannee County (Driver License and Motor Vehicle Records)
1208 Helvenston Street SE
Live Oak, FL 32064
(386) 362-1286
Florida HSMV Suwannee County Service Center
Suwannee County Administrator's Office
224 Pine Avenue SW, 2nd Floor
Live Oak, FL 32064
(386) 362-2276
County Administrator