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Levy County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Levy County?

Public records in Levy County are defined under § 119.011, 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. This definition is intentionally broad and encompasses records created, maintained, or received by county offices, constitutional officers, and other governmental bodies operating within Levy County.

Members of the public may access the following categories of records through the appropriate Levy County office:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Levy County Clerk of Courts, which serves as the official custodian of all circuit and county court documents.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are filed with the Clerk of Courts; property assessments are maintained by the Levy County Property Appraiser.
  • Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued through the Florida Department of Health in Levy County. Marriage certificates predating June 6, 1927, are obtainable from the Clerk of Court in the county where the marriage license was originally issued.
  • Business records — Local business tax receipts, permits, and fictitious name registrations are processed through the Levy County Tax Collector and the Florida Division of Corporations.
  • Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the Levy County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector.
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports are available through the Levy County Supervisor of Elections.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Board of County Commissioners, advisory boards, and other public bodies are maintained by the County Administrator's office and the Clerk of Courts.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Levy County Board of County Commissioners.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where not otherwise exempt, may be requested from the Levy County Sheriff's Office.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, land use plans, and permit applications are maintained by the Levy County Planning Department.

Is Levy County an Open Records County?

Levy County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws, which are among the most expansive open records frameworks in the United States. Under § 119.01, Florida Statutes, it is the policy of the State of Florida that all state, county, and municipal records shall at all times be open for personal inspection and copying by any person. This statute establishes a strong presumption of openness, meaning that any record not specifically exempted by law is presumed to be available to the public.

Pursuant to this framework, the Levy County Supervisor of Elections treats voter registration records, election reports, and related documents as public information that may be requested by any person. The county does not require requestors to demonstrate a specific need or purpose in order to access non-exempt records. Florida's Sunshine Law, codified under Chapter 286 of the Florida Statutes, further requires that meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, with advance notice provided. Levy County government bodies adhere to these requirements in the conduct of all official business.

How to Find Public Records in Levy County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Levy County public records through several channels, depending on the record type and the custodial office involved.

  • In person — Requestors may visit the relevant office during public counter hours and submit a verbal or written request. The Levy County Clerk of Courts, located at 355 South Court Street, Bronson, FL 32621, accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • By mail — Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requestors should include a clear description of the records sought, preferred format, and return mailing address.
  • Online — Several offices provide online access to records or electronic request submission. The Levy County Supervisor of Elections maintains an online public records request portal through which election-related records may be requested. Driver license and motor vehicle records may be accessed through Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — Levy County service locations.
  • By phone or email — Requestors may contact individual offices by telephone or email to initiate a request or obtain guidance on the appropriate submission process. Under Florida law, email addresses submitted to public agencies are themselves considered public records.

No specific form is mandated by state law for most public records requests; however, individual offices may provide optional request forms to facilitate processing.

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

Current fees for public records in Levy County are governed by § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, which establishes the maximum charges that agencies may impose for copies and related services. The standard fee schedule is as follows:

  • Single-sided copies (up to 8½ × 14 inches): $0.15 per page
  • Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
  • Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; court record certifications are set by statute and currently range from $1.00 to $2.00 per page depending on the document.
  • Extensive use of clerical or supervisory labor: When a request requires more than 15 minutes of staff time to locate, review, or redact records, the agency may charge the actual cost of the labor involved, at the rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task.
  • Electronic records: When records are provided in electronic format, agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication, which is typically minimal.
  • Vital records: Certified copies of birth and death certificates issued by the Florida Department of Health carry a statutory fee; the Florida Department of Health in Levy County can provide current pricing for vital record certifications.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard public records requests, though agencies retain discretion in individual circumstances.

Does Levy County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Florida law. Agencies are not permitted to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting records in person; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources are currently available at no cost:

  • In-person inspection — Any person may inspect non-exempt public records at the custodial office during regular business hours without charge.
  • Online election records — The Levy County Supervisor of Elections provides voter registration reports, election results, and campaign finance data through its official website at no cost.
  • Online motor vehicle and driver license information — General service and location information for Levy County is available through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency website.
  • Online vital records guidance — Information regarding how to obtain birth, death, and marriage certificates is available through the Florida Department of Health in Levy County's official web presence.

Who Can Request Public Records in Levy County?

Under Florida's public records law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Levy County agencies. The statute does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation. Specifically:

  • Requestors are not required to be Florida residents or United States citizens.
  • Requestors are not required to provide identification in most circumstances.
  • Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for the vast majority of records.
  • Requestors may be asked to provide contact information to facilitate delivery of records, but this is not a condition of access.

Certain categories of records carry additional access restrictions. For example, criminal history information maintained by law enforcement agencies may be subject to specific statutory requirements. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court files or vital records — may be required to provide proof of identity to verify eligibility, particularly for certified copies of vital records. Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under § 119.01, Florida Statutes.

What Records Are Confidential in Levy County?

Not all government records in Levy County are open to public inspection. Florida law establishes specific exemptions from disclosure, primarily codified under § 119.071, Florida Statutes, which exempts the following categories of records from mandatory public disclosure:

  • Sealed court records — Records sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection.
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Florida law.
  • Active criminal investigation records — Documents 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 prior to release.
  • Medical records — Health information protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state law is not subject to public disclosure.
  • Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and confidential.
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Case files maintained by child protective agencies are exempt from public disclosure.
  • Personnel records — Certain employee records, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and medical information of public employees, are exempt, though employment history and compensation are generally public.
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Information submitted to government agencies that qualifies as a trade secret under Florida law is protected from disclosure.
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are exempt to the extent that disclosure would create a security risk.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Florida courts apply a balancing framework that favors disclosure in cases of ambiguity.

Levy County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Levy County Clerk of Courts serves as the official recorder for Levy County, maintaining court records, official records, and a broad range of public documents. The Clerk's office is the primary point of contact for members of the public seeking recorded instruments, court filings, and related documents.

Levy County Clerk of Courts 355 South Court Street, Bronson, FL 32621 (352) 486-5266 Levy County Clerk of Courts Public counter hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding state and federal holidays)

Levy County Supervisor of Elections Court Street, Bronson, FL 32621 (352) 486-5163 Levy County Supervisor of Elections Public counter hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Florida Department of Health in Levy County 7765 NW 80th Avenue, Chiefland, FL 32626 (352) 493-4580 Florida Department of Health in Levy County Public counter hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Levy County Property Appraiser 355 South Court Street, Suite 1, Bronson, FL 32621 (352) 486-5222 Levy County Property Appraiser

Levy County Tax Collector 355 South Court Street, Bronson, FL 32621 (352) 486-5172 Levy County Tax Collector

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — Levy County Service center locations and hours are available through the FLHSMV Levy County office locator, which provides current information on driver license and motor vehicle service centers operating within the county.

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