Open the door on public records in Florida.
Florida is known across the country for open government. Here, every person has a right to see public records. It is in the state constitution.
Florida's open records law exists so the public can see how its government works. The state constitution gives every person the right to inspect or copy public records. State law makes giving that access a duty of each agency. You do not need a reason. When records are open, the work of public officials can be checked. That is how the law keeps government accountable. And when an agency stalls, the law gives you ways to push back, from a fast court hearing to, in the right case, getting your legal fees paid.
How it works
- 1
Know what you are entitled to
What Florida's public records law actually says.
- 2
Make the request
Step-by-step playbooks for getting records out of Florida agencies.
- 3
Push back when they stall
What to do when they ignore you, overcharge you, or wrongly deny.
The guides
Browse the guides
Seven topics. Every article, free to read.
Foundations
What Florida's public records law actually says.
- What Is a Public Record? How Florida Law Defines It
- Are Emails to and from Florida Government Officials Public Records?
- What Agencies Are Covered by Florida Public Records Law? Who Is Exempt
- Are Text Messages from Florida Elected Officials Public Records?
- The \"In Connection With Official Business\" Test for Florida Public Records
- Florida Constitution Article I, Section 24: Your Right to Public Records
- Are Private Contractor Records Public in Florida? The Agency Test
- Electronic Records and Metadata Under Florida Public Records Law
- Florida Records Retention Schedule: GS1-SL and What an Agency Must Keep
- Florida FOIA: Why Florida's Public Records Law Is Not FOIA
How to request
Step-by-step playbooks for getting records out of Florida agencies.
- How to Make a Public Records Request in Florida, Step by Step
- Do I Have to Give My Name to Request Public Records in Florida?
- Florida Public Records Request Form: A Free Letter Template
- Records Custodian: Who Has to Produce Florida Public Records?
Exemptions
What is not public, why, and how narrowly the courts read each exception.
- Are Records of an Active Criminal Investigation Public in Florida?
- When Does the Active Criminal Investigation Exemption End in Florida?
- Are Public Employee Personnel Records Public in Florida?
- Who Can See Sealed or Expunged Records in Florida?
- Florida Open Government Sunset Review Act: How Public Records Exemptions Are Created and Repealed
- Florida Public Records Exemptions Are Narrowly Construed: How Courts Read Them
- How to Remove Your Address From Public Records in Florida
- Are School Records Public in Florida?
- State of Florida Employee Salaries: Are They Public, and Where Can You Look Them Up?
Fees and timing
What an agency can charge, how long they have, and when delay becomes a denial.
- The Special Service Charge Trap in a Florida Public Records Request
- How Long Does a Florida Agency Have to Respond to a Public Records Request?
- How Much Can a Florida Agency Charge for Public Records? Fees Under Section 119.07(4) of the Public Records Law
- How to Push Back on an Inflated Florida Public Records Cost Estimate
- Can a Florida Agency Refuse the Format of My Public Records Request?
- Florida Public Records Inspection vs. Copying: Chapter 119 Rules
Police and court records
Body cam, 911, arrest reports, dash cam, jail records, criminal court files.
- How to Request Body Cam Footage in Florida: Body Camera Footage Records Requests
- Are 911 Calls Public Records in Florida? How to Get 911 Call Recordings
- Are Arrest Records Public in the State of Florida?
- How to Get Body Cam Footage of Your Own Arrest in Florida: Requesting the Bodycam Video
- Are Car Accident Reports Public Record in Florida? The 60-Day Crash Report Rule Explained
- How Do I Get a Florida Police Report After an Arrest?
- Are Court Records Public in Florida?
- Florida Divorce Records and Marriage Records: Are They Public?
- Are Police Reports Public Record in Florida? How to Get a Copy
- Are Criminal Records Public in Florida? Criminal Records State of Florida
- Are mugshots public record in Florida, and can you get one taken down?
Agency stalls and denials
What to do when they ignore you, overcharge you, or wrongly deny.
- What to Do When a Florida Agency Is Ignoring Your Public Records Request
- Florida Public Records Request Denied? What to Do Next
- Florida Public Records Request: What If the Agency Says the Records Don't Exist?
- How to Sue a Florida Agency for Public Records: Step by Step
- Can I Get Attorney Fees in a Florida Public Records Lawsuit?
- Section 119.12, Florida Statutes: The 5-Day Notice Trap Before Suing Under Chapter 119 for Public Records and Attorney Fees
- Florida Attorney General Public Records Mediation: How It Works
- Penalties for Violating Florida Public Records Law: Section 119.10
Templates
Request letters, follow-up scripts, escalation language, complaint shells.
- New templates are on the way. Until then, browse all articles.
The Florida Public Records Request Checklist
A one-page checklist of what to put in a request, what fees an agency can and cannot charge, and the next move when they stall. Sent to your inbox when it ships.
Why this site exists
Florida agencies count on requesters not knowing the rules. Most people give up after the first stall. This guide closes that gap. We translate Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes into the steps a person can actually use, and we publish the templates that do most of the work.
This site was founded by Adam Bair. See how we research and verify, or read about the site and its founder.