DeSoto County Public Records

What Are Public Records in DeSoto County?

Public records in DeSoto 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 the official business of any public agency. Under Florida Statutes § 119.011, the term "public record" is broadly defined to include virtually any recorded information created or maintained by a government agency in the course of its official duties.

The following categories of records are currently available through various DeSoto County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court, which serves as the official custodian of all DeSoto County court records within the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded and maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court and the DeSoto County Property Appraiser.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County. Marriage certificates are filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court after the ceremony and forwarded to the state vital statistics office. Dissolution of marriage certificates recorded from June 6, 1927 to present are also available through the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Business records — Occupational licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the DeSoto County Tax Collector and the Florida Division of Corporations.
Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the DeSoto County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser, respectively.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections.
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission meeting minutes, board agendas, and related documents are maintained by the DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial statements are available through the DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court and the Board of County Commissioners.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, land use plans, and permit applications are maintained by the DeSoto County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is DeSoto County an Open Records County?

DeSoto County fully complies with Florida's broad public records framework, which is among the most expansive in the United States. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and examined by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public record. This statute further requires that custodians furnish copies of records upon request and payment of applicable fees.

Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law, codified at Florida Statutes § 286.011, additionally mandates that all meetings of public boards or commissions at which official acts are to be taken must be open to the public. As the county seat of DeSoto County, the City of Arcadia acknowledges that Florida has a very broad public records law and that most written communications to or from government officials regarding official business are subject to public disclosure.

DeSoto County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that restricts or expands upon state law. All county agencies are bound by the provisions of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and are required to respond to public records requests promptly and in good faith.

How to Find Public Records in DeSoto County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain DeSoto County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In person — Requestors may visit the relevant custodial office during regular business hours and inspect records on-site. No appointment is required for most record types.
By mail — Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requestors should include a clear description of the records sought, a return mailing address, and payment or a payment method for applicable fees.
By telephone — Many offices accept verbal requests for basic record lookups, though written requests are recommended for complex or voluminous records.
Online — The DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains an online portal through which members of the public may search court records, official records, and related documents. Federal court records for cases involving DeSoto County are accessible through the Middle District of Florida PACER system, as DeSoto County falls within the jurisdiction of that federal district court.
By email — Several county offices accept public records requests submitted via email. Requestors should direct inquiries to the specific custodial agency responsible for the records sought.

No specific form is required under Florida law to submit a public records request. Requestors are not required to identify themselves, state a reason for the request, or demonstrate any particular interest in the records.

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

Current fees for public records in DeSoto County are governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges that custodians may impose for copies of public records. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Single-sided copies (up to 8.5" x 14") — $0.15 per page
Double-sided copies — $0.20 per page
Certified copies — An additional certification fee applies, which varies by record type and office
Electronic records — Fees for records provided in electronic format are limited to the actual cost of duplication
Extensive use fee — Where a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, the custodian may charge a reasonable service charge based on the actual cost incurred

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fees for certified copies of vital records, court documents, and official records may differ from standard copy fees and are set by separate statutory provisions. No fee waiver provision is established under Chapter 119 for standard public records requests, though individual agencies may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.

Does DeSoto County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Florida law. Any person may examine public records in person at the custodial office at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to DeSoto County records:

The DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court provides free online access to court case information and official records through its public search portal.
The DeSoto County Property Appraiser offers free online access to property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel maps.
The DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections provides free access to voter registration records and election results online.
The Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County provides information about vital records availability, including marriage certificate records and dissolution of marriage documentation, through its official web presence.
The Florida Courts system provides free access to DeSoto County court structure and location information through the statewide courts portal.

Who Can Request Public Records in DeSoto County?

Under Florida's public records law, any person — regardless of citizenship, residency, or stated purpose — is entitled to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by DeSoto County agencies. Florida Statutes § 119.07 does not require requestors to:

Be a resident of Florida or DeSoto County
Provide personal identification
State the purpose of the request
Demonstrate a specific interest in the records sought

These broad access rights apply equally to individuals, businesses, organizations, members of the media, and non-residents. Certain record types, however, carry specific access restrictions. For example, access to some law enforcement records, juvenile records, and sealed court documents is limited by statute to authorized parties. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal criminal history or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity to verify eligibility and protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Attorneys and legal representatives may access additional categories of restricted records upon presentation of appropriate credentials.

What Records Are Confidential in DeSoto County?

Florida law establishes numerous exemptions to the general public records access requirement. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.071, the following categories of records are currently exempt from public disclosure in DeSoto County:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Florida law
Active criminal investigation records — Records that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant or compromise an ongoing investigation are exempt
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are redacted from public records
Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Adoption records — Records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed and confidential
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by the Department of Children and Families regarding child abuse or neglect investigations are exempt
Personnel records — Certain portions of employee personnel files, including home addresses and medical information, are exempt from disclosure
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Information constituting a trade secret as defined by Florida law is exempt
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records revealing vulnerabilities in critical public infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

The exemptions set forth in § 119.071 are construed narrowly, and the burden of establishing that a record is exempt rests with the agency asserting the exemption. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder.

DeSoto County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the official recorder of public records in DeSoto County, maintaining official records, court filings, and vital records indexes.

DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court 115 E. Oak Street, Suite 101, Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 993-4876 DeSoto County Clerk of Circuit Court

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

DeSoto County Property Appraiser 201 E. Oak Street, Suite 101, Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 993-4860 DeSoto County Property Appraiser

DeSoto County Tax Collector 201 E. Oak Street, Suite 103, Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 993-4864 DeSoto County Tax Collector

DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections 201 E. Oak Street, Suite 104, Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 993-4871 DeSoto County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County 32 N. Brevard Avenue, Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 993-4601 Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office 208 E. Cypress Street, Arcadia, FL 34266 (863) 993-4700 DeSoto County Sheriff's Office