Putnam County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Putnam County?

Public records in Putnam County, Florida, are defined under § 119.011(12) of the Florida Statutes as 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 in connection with the official business of any public agency. The Putnam County Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and various constitutional officers each serve as custodians of specific categories of records.

The following record types are currently available to members of the public:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments) — recorded and indexed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Property Appraiser's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — administered through the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County
Business records (local business tax receipts, permits, and fictitious name registrations) — managed by the Putnam County Tax Collector and the Florida Division of Corporations
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Putnam County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser
Voting and election records — held by the Putnam County Supervisor of Elections, including voter registration data and election results
Meeting minutes and agendas (Board of County Commissioners, advisory boards, and authorities) — published through the Putnam County official government portal
Budget and financial documents — available through the Putnam County Finance Department and the BOCC
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — held by the Putnam County Planning and Development Services Department

Is Putnam County an Open Records County?

Putnam County fully complies with Florida's public records laws, making it an open records county under state mandate. Under § 119.07(1) of the Florida Statutes, every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and copied 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 provision establishes a broad right of access that applies to all Putnam County agencies and constitutional officers.

Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law, codified at § 286.011, further requires that all meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, with minutes recorded and made available for inspection. Putnam County agencies are obligated to respond to public records requests in good faith and within a reasonable timeframe. The county does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all offices operate in direct compliance with Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Members of the public seeking records from the Board of County Commissioners may submit requests through the BOCC Public Record Requests portal available on the Putnam County government website.

How to Find Public Records in Putnam County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Putnam County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for submitting a request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county agency or constitutional officer maintains the records being sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court; property and tax records by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector; vital records by the Florida Department of Health in Putnam County; and environmental records through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection public record request system.
Submit a request in person, by mail, by phone, or electronically. Florida law does not require requests to be submitted in writing, though doing so creates a clear record. Many offices provide online submission portals or email addresses designated for public records requests.
Provide sufficient detail. Requestors should describe the records sought with enough specificity to allow the custodian to locate them. No reason or justification is required under Florida law.
Await acknowledgment. The custodial office must acknowledge the request and provide an estimated timeline for fulfillment within a reasonable period.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are ready, requestors must remit any applicable copying or duplication fees before receiving copies.
Inspect or receive copies. Records may be inspected in person at no charge, or copies may be provided in the format requested, subject to availability.

For traffic crash reports, members of the public may access records through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash report portal, which serves as the state's official repository for such documents.

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

Current fees for public records in Putnam County are governed by § 119.07(4) of the Florida Statutes, which establishes the maximum charges custodians may impose for duplicating records. The standard fee schedule currently in effect is as follows:

Single-sided copies (up to 8.5" x 14"): $0.15 per page
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; court document certifications are set by the Clerk of the Circuit Court per applicable court rules
Electronic records: Actual cost of duplication, which may include the cost of the medium (CD, USB drive, etc.)
Extensive use of agency resources: If a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, the agency may charge a special 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. Vital records obtained through the Florida Department of Health carry separate statutory fees established under § 382.025, Florida Statutes, currently set at $9.00 for the first certified copy of a birth or death certificate and $4.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under Florida law, though agencies retain discretion in certain circumstances.

Does Putnam County Have Free Public Records?

Florida law expressly provides that inspection of public records is available at no charge. Under § 119.07(1), any person may inspect public records in person during regular business hours without incurring a fee; charges apply only when copies or duplication are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to Putnam County public records:

Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court — offers free online access to court case information and recorded documents through its official web portal
Putnam County Property Appraiser — provides free online property search tools for parcel data, ownership history, and assessed values
Putnam County Supervisor of Elections — makes voter registration data and election results available for inspection at no cost through the elections public records request page
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — allows free online searches of environmental permits and compliance records affecting Putnam County through its public portals
Putnam County BOCC — publishes meeting agendas, minutes, and budget documents at no charge on the county's official website

Who Can Request Public Records in Putnam County?

Any person, regardless of citizenship, residency, or stated purpose, is entitled to inspect and copy public records maintained by Putnam County agencies. Florida's public records law does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Putnam County and non-Florida residents retain full rights of access under Chapter 119.
Identification is generally not required. Custodians may not condition access to public records on the provision of identification, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain exempt information requiring verification of eligibility.
Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are under no legal obligation to explain why they are seeking records, and agencies may not deny access based on the perceived purpose of a request.
Restrictions apply to specific record types. Certain records, such as those containing personal identifying information, juvenile records, or sealed court files, are subject to statutory exemptions regardless of who is requesting them.
Requesting one's own records. Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Putnam County?

Not all government records in Putnam County are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes numerous statutory exemptions under § 119.071, which identifies categories of records that are confidential or exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following record types are currently protected from public inspection:

Sealed court records — records sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to § 943.0585 or § 943.059, Florida Statutes
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency proceedings, protected under Chapter 985
Active criminal investigation records — investigative records compiled by law enforcement agencies that, if disclosed, would impede an ongoing investigation
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar data embedded in otherwise public documents
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential under Chapter 39, Florida Statutes
Personnel records — certain employee information, including home addresses, personal telephone numbers, and medical history of public employees, is exempt under § 119.071(4)
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies in connection with permit applications or regulatory proceedings
Security plans and infrastructure details — vulnerability assessments and security system specifications for public facilities

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under Florida public records law.

Putnam County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official recorder of public documents in Putnam County, maintaining land records, court filings, official records, and related instruments.

Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 329-0361 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding state and county holidays) Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court

Putnam County Property Appraiser 312 Oak Street, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 329-0286 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Putnam County Tax Collector 115 N. 2nd Street, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 329-0272 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Putnam County Supervisor of Elections 117 N. 2nd Street, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 329-0224 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Putnam County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Department of Health in Putnam County 117 S. 9th Street, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 326-3200 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Florida Department of Health – Public Records Requests

Putnam County Sheriff's Office 2509 Crill Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 329-0800 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.