Indian River County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Indian River County?

Public records in Indian River County encompass a wide range of documents and information maintained by government agencies for public access. According to Florida's Public Records Law § 119.01, public records include "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency."

Indian River County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court cases, and traffic citations maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (restricted access), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious name registrations, and contractor information
• Tax Records: Property tax records, tax deeds, and assessment information
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission, advisory boards, and committee proceedings
• 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: Development applications, permits, zoning maps, and comprehensive plans

The Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the primary custodian for many county records, particularly court and official records. Property records are maintained by both the Clerk's office and the Property Appraiser's Office. Vital records are available through the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County. Business records can be accessed through the Indian River County Tax Collector and the Florida Division of Corporations.

Is Indian River County an Open Records County?

Indian River County fully adheres to Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law." Under Florida Statutes § 119.01(1), "it is the policy of this 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 government records in Florida.

The law specifically states that "providing access to public records is a duty of each agency" and that agencies must provide "reasonable access to and reasonable facilities for the inspection of all public records." Indian River County government offices comply with these requirements by maintaining accessible records and established procedures for public records requests.

Indian River County has implemented specific policies to ensure compliance with state transparency laws. The Indian River County Administrative Policy outlines procedures for handling public records requests, including response timeframes, fee structures, and exemption guidelines.

Additionally, Indian River County adheres to 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, properly noticed, and minutes recorded.

How to Find Public Records in Indian River County in 2026

Members of the public may access Indian River County records through several methods:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:

   • The Clerk of Circuit Court's Records Search provides access to court cases, official records, and marriage licenses
   • The Property Appraiser's website offers property record searches
   • The Tax Collector's Office provides tax record information
   • The Supervisor of Elections maintains voter and election records

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court
   2000 16th Avenue
   Vero Beach, FL 32960
   (772) 770-5185
   Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court

   Indian River County Property Appraiser
   1800 27th Street
   Vero Beach, FL 32960
   (772) 567-8000
   Indian River County Property Appraiser

   Indian River County Tax Collector
   1800 27th Street
   Vero Beach, FL 32960
   (772) 226-1338
   Indian River County Tax Collector

3. Written Requests: Submit a formal public records request:

   • Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
   • Include contact information for response
   • Submit to the appropriate department or the county's designated records custodian
   • Requests may be submitted via email, mail, or in person

4. Florida Department of Health in Indian River County (for vital records):
   1900 27th Street
   Vero Beach, FL 32960
   (772) 794-7400
   Florida Department of Health in Indian River County

When requesting records, it is advisable to be specific about the information sought. Pursuant to Florida law, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request for most public records.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Indian River County?

Indian River County charges fees for public records in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the following standard fees:

• Paper Copies:

  • $0.15 per one-sided copy (8½ × 11 inches)
  • $0.20 per two-sided copy (8½ × 11 inches)
  • $1.00 per certified copy

• Special Service Charges: May apply when requests require extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance. The rate is based on the actual labor cost (hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task).

• Electronic Records:

  • CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
  • Email delivery: Generally no charge if records are readily available electronically
  • USB drive: Actual cost of the storage device

• Specific Record Types:

  • Certified copies of marriage licenses: $3.00
  • Certified copies of court records: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
  • Recorded documents: $1.00 per page
  • Maps and large format documents: Varies based on size and reproduction costs

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (at most locations). Some departments may have different fee structures for specialized records. The Clerk's office accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for in-person transactions.

Pursuant to Florida law, agencies may require payment in advance if fees are expected to exceed $10.00. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for indigent persons requesting court records related to their case.

Does Indian River County Have Free Public Records?

Indian River County provides free inspection of public records in compliance with Florida law. While copying fees may apply, the following free options are available:

• In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine records at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. Advance notice may be required for voluminous records or those in storage.

• Free Online Resources:

  • Indian River County Public Records Search - Court cases, official records, and marriage licenses
  • Property Appraiser's Property Search - Property ownership and assessment information
  • Tax Collector's Tax Record Search - Property tax information
  • Supervisor of Elections Voter Information - Voter registration verification and election results
  • Indian River County Commission Agendas and Minutes - Meeting documents and recordings
  • Indian River County Code of Ordinances - County laws and regulations

The Indian River County Library also provides public access computers where residents can access online county records at no charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Indian River County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Indian River County. As stated in Florida Statutes § 119.01(1), public records are open for inspection and copying "by any person."

Key points regarding eligibility:

• No Residency Requirement: Non-Florida residents have the same access rights as residents
• No Identification Required: For most records, requestors are not required to show identification or provide their name
• No Purpose Statement Required: Requestors generally do not need to explain why they want the records
• Anonymous Requests: Anonymous requests are permitted for most records
• Agents and Representatives: Attorneys, media representatives, and other agents may request records on behalf of others

Exceptions apply for certain protected records:

• Vital Records: Birth certificates are restricted to the named person, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper identification
• Medical Records: Access is limited to the patient or authorized representative
• Juvenile Records: Generally confidential with limited access
• Records with Exempt Information: Some records containing exempt information may require verification of eligibility to access the non-exempt portions

Government agencies may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of responding to the request or providing cost estimates, but this information is not required to fulfill most public records requests.

What Records Are Confidential in Indian River County?

While Florida has a strong presumption of openness for public records, Florida Statutes § 119.071 establishes numerous exemptions from public disclosure. Records that are confidential or exempt in Indian River County include:

• Personal Information:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Bank account, debit, credit, and charge card numbers
  • Medical and health information protected under HIPAA
  • Personal information of certain government employees (law enforcement, judges, prosecutors)
  • Home addresses and phone numbers of victims of violence

• Law Enforcement Records:

  • Active criminal intelligence and investigative information
  • Confidential informant identities
  • Surveillance techniques and procedures
  • Juvenile arrest records (with exceptions)
  • Victim information in certain crimes

• Court Records:

  • Sealed court records and expunged criminal history information
  • Certain family court records (dependency cases, termination of parental rights)
  • Guardian ad litem records
  • Adoption records

• Business and Government Information:

  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information
  • Security system plans and vulnerability assessments
  • Bids and proposals until contract award
  • Attorney-client privileged communications

• Other Protected Records:

  • Child abuse reports and investigations
  • Certain personnel records and evaluations
  • Educational records protected under FERPA
  • Emergency medical services records containing patient information

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county must redact only the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records or redacting information.

Florida law requires agencies to apply a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure.

Indian River County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
2000 16th Avenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 770-5185
Indian River County Clerk of Circuit Court

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

Recording Division Contact Information:
Phone: (772) 226-1276
Email: recording@clerk.indian-river.org

Branch Office:
Indian River County Courthouse
2000 16th Avenue, Suite 101
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 770-5185

The Recording Division of the Clerk's Office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining the Official Records of Indian River County. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, marriage licenses, and other official documents. The office also issues marriage licenses and processes passport applications.

For research assistance, the public can visit the Official Records department during regular business hours. Self-service computer terminals are available for searching records. Staff members are available to assist with navigating the records system, but cannot provide legal advice.

Lookup Public Records in Indian River County