Are Orange County Records Public?

Yes, Orange County records are publicly accessible to interested parties in compliance with Florida State laws, the principal of which is the Florida Public Records Law (Fla. Stat. ch. 119). Per this law, each state, county, and municipal agency has a duty to provide public access to records of their official functions, except when disclosure is prohibited by law (Fla. Stat. § 119.01).

On a similar note, Florida's Sunshine Law (Fla. Stat. § 286.011) reinforces the public nature of government records by requiring that meetings of public boards and commissions remain open to the public.

Furthermore, Florida court records (including Orange County court records) are accessible to the public under Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, rule 2.420.

What is Exempted Under the Florida Public Records Act?

Florida's Public Records Act promotes government transparency and accountability. Still, specific records are restricted from the public because their disclosure may compromise an individual's safety or jeopardize public security or government interests.

General exemptions to the Florida Public Records Act are outlined in Fla. Stat. § 119.071. These exemptions apply in Orange County and throughout the state, limiting access to particular types of information, such as

• Examination questions and answer sheets used for licensure, certification, or employment
• Competitive bidding documents
• Information related to security systems, threat assessments, and emergency response plans
• Personnel data, including home addresses, phone numbers, and photographs of judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and their families
• Personal data, such as medical information, bank information, and social security numbers
• Law enforcement investigative records
• Identities of certain crime victims

Sometimes, agencies may remove a document's confidential part(s) while making the rest available to the public.

Orange County Public Records Search

To obtain public records in Orange County, individuals can contact the agency responsible for maintaining a specific record (known as the agency custodian or official custodian of records). Per Fla. Stat. § 119.01(2)(e) and (f), government agencies may make non-confidential public records accessible via electronic means. Hence, one can access an agency's official website to find a public records search tool or portal. For instance, an individual can visit the Orange County Property Appraiser's website for property records, land ownership details, and property tax assessments. Meanwhile, arrest records and inmate inquiries can be directed to the County Sheriff's Office.

Nonetheless, agencies also accept in-person and mail requests from the public.

Regardless of the chosen search method, individuals must provide adequate information about the record they seek, including name, dates, and record numbers, where applicable.

Researchers should note that Florida's Open Records Law does not impose the following obligations on government agencies when handling requests:

• Creating new records that do not already exist (Fla. Stat. § 119.07(1)(c)). Also, if a record exists in a particular format, the agency custodian is not required to convert it into another format or medium to satisfy a request (Fla. Stat. § 119.01(2)(f))
• Providing free records. Agencies can charge fees for copying, labor-intensive searches, or extensive use of resources to fulfill requests (Fla. Stat. § 119.07(4))
• Providing explanations, summaries, or interpretations of the information contained in records
• A strict deadline for responding to requests. Instead, the law requires agencies to respond "within a reasonable time" (Fla. Stat. § 119.07(1)(a))
• Disclosure of exempt or confidential information

Find Public Records For Free in Orange County

Public records researchers can find some records for free on official custodians' websites, or they can visit a custodian's office to inspect records at no cost during regular office hours.

Another way to find Orange County public records for free is through a third-party aggregator website. These sites have extensive record collections from different government agencies and allow users to search with minimum criteria, such as a first and last name. Initial searches are typically free on third-party sites, but many databases charge fees for complete reports or comprehensive record access.

Overall, third-party sites are superb starting points for public records searches in Orange County. However, users are advised to verify retrieved information with official sources to confirm record accuracy and completeness.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

Certain public records in Orange County, Florida, may be eligible for removal, redaction, or sealing under specific circumstances. The process for removing or restricting information from public records depends on the type of information and governing laws. However, one can generally apply to the agency custodian for removal.

For instance, according to Fla. Stat. § 119.0714 et seq., any person can request the Clerk of the Court or County Recorder to remove confidential details (social security number, bank account number, card information, etc). from official or court documents. Interested individuals can complete the Redaction of Exempt Personal Information form and send it to the Orange County Clerk and Recorder's Office.

Similarly, to remove or restrict criminal history records from public access, individuals may apply for a sealing or expungement under Fla. Stat. § 943.0585 and Fla. Stat. § 943.059. For such court petitions, the first step is to ask the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to issue a Certificate of Eligibility.

Who Can Access Orange County Public Records in Florida?

In Orange County, Florida, public records are accessible to all individuals for personal inspection and copying. Verifying one's eligibility to access a public record is not required, nor is state residency mandated. However, records deemed confidential or exempt by law may not be accessible to the general public.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

Government agencies sometimes deny public records requests for particular reasons, including:

• Incomplete or unclear record requests
• Requests for nonexistent records
• Requests for confidential or sealed documents or information (when the requester is not a legally authorized party)
• Labor-intensive requests. In such cases, the agency may charge special service fees or refuse the request until the requester agrees to pay
• Requests that would compromise an individual's privacy

Under Florida law, public agencies must provide a written explanation for rejecting a public records request. If dissatisfied with the agency's answer, the applicant can appeal to the records custodian or file a formal complaint with the Florida Attorney General's Office.

Finally, applicants may seek a judicial review by submitting a Petition for Writ of Mandamus in the local circuit court to compel the record's release. If the court rules in favor of the petitioner, the agency will be ordered to release the documents.