Citrus County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Citrus County?

Public records in Citrus County are defined according to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119, which states that 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 pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency are considered public records. These records are available for inspection by any person unless specifically exempted by law.

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners maintains a wide variety of public records, including:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious names)
Tax records (property tax, assessment records)
Voting and election records
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards)
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports - where allowed)
Land use and zoning records

Different county offices maintain specific types of records:

The Citrus County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains court records, official records, and marriage licenses
The Citrus County Supervisor of Elections maintains voter registration and election records
The Citrus County Property Appraiser maintains property assessment records
The Citrus County Tax Collector maintains tax payment records
The Citrus County Health Department maintains vital statistics and health-related records
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records

Pursuant to § 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, these records are presumed open for public inspection and copying unless there is a statutory exemption.

Is Citrus County an Open Records County?

Citrus County fully complies with Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law." Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners has established specific policies to ensure compliance with these laws.

Florida Statutes § 119.01(1) explicitly states: "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency."

The county's commitment to transparency is further reinforced by Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, codified in Chapter 286 of the Florida Statutes, which requires that meetings of public boards or commissions be open to the public, noticed, and minutes recorded.

Citrus County has adopted Administrative Regulation 17.02-3, which establishes procedures for public records requests. This regulation ensures that all county departments respond to public records requests in a timely and consistent manner, as required by state law.

The county's dedication to open government extends to its online presence, where many records are made available through the county's official website. This commitment to transparency helps foster public trust and ensures accountability in local government operations.

How to Find Public Records in Citrus County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Citrus County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple avenues for accessing public records:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites. The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners website provides access to meeting minutes, agendas, and various departmental records. Additionally, the Clerk of Circuit Court offers online access to court records and official records.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person. Staff members are available to assist with locating specific documents.
Written Requests: Public records requests may be submitted in writing to the relevant county department. The county's public records request form can be used to facilitate this process.
Email Requests: Many departments accept public records requests via email. The county's website provides contact information for each department's records custodian.
Telephone Requests: Simple records requests may be made by telephone, though complex requests are typically better handled through written communication.

When making a request, individuals should:

Clearly identify the records being requested
Provide contact information for follow-up questions
Specify the preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
Indicate whether inspection or copies are desired

The Florida Department of State recommends being as specific as possible when requesting records to expedite the process. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.07(1)(c), each agency must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith.

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

The cost of obtaining public records in Citrus County is governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes standard fees for copies of public records. The current fee structure for Citrus County public records is as follows:

Standard paper copies (letter or legal size): $0.15 per one-sided copy
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per copy
Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus copy charges
Large format documents (maps, plans, etc.): Actual cost of duplication
Electronic records provided via email or download: No charge for the records themselves, though special service charges may apply
Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus labor costs if applicable

For requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or clerical assistance (generally defined as more than 15 minutes of staff time), an additional special service charge may be assessed based on the actual cost incurred. This charge is calculated based on the hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the required task.

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners accepts payment in the following forms:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Check or money order
Credit/debit cards (for certain departments)

Payment is typically required prior to the release of records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly for requests from other governmental agencies or in cases where the request serves a significant public purpose. The determination regarding fee waivers is made on a case-by-case basis.

Does Citrus County Have Free Public Records?

Citrus County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost to requestors. In accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(1)(a), all public records are available for inspection at no charge during regular business hours. Individuals may visit the appropriate county office to view records without incurring any fees, provided the records are readily available and do not require extensive staff time to locate.

The following free public records resources are available in Citrus County:

In-person inspection: All non-exempt public records may be inspected free of charge at the office where they are maintained during regular business hours.
Online resources: The Citrus County website provides free access to numerous public records, including:
- County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
- County ordinances and resolutions
- Budget documents and financial reports
- Building permit information
- Property information through the Property Appraiser's website
Citrus County Supervisor of Elections: Provides free access to voter information, election results, and candidate financial reports.
Florida Department of Health in Citrus County: Offers certain public health statistics and reports at no cost.
Public access computers: Available at county libraries and certain government offices for accessing online public records.

While inspection of records is free, fees may still apply for copies or for requests requiring extensive staff time to fulfill. Additionally, certain records may only be available in copy form due to preservation concerns or other practical limitations.

Who Can Request Public Records in Citrus County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Citrus County. The Florida Department of State confirms that requestors do not need to:

Provide identification
State the purpose of their request
Make the request in writing
Disclose their name or contact information

Florida Statutes § 119.01(1) explicitly states that providing access to public records "is a duty of each agency" and that records must be open for inspection and copying "by any person." This broad access right applies equally to individuals, organizations, businesses, and media outlets.

There are, however, certain limitations and special considerations:

For records containing exempt information, the requestor's identity and purpose may become relevant if they are seeking access under a specific statutory exemption.
Requests for certain vital records, such as birth certificates, may require the requestor to demonstrate a relationship to the subject or other qualifying interest as specified in Florida Statutes § 382.025.
Individuals requesting their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity.
Commercial entities requesting certain records may be subject to special provisions under Florida law.

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners processes all public records requests in accordance with these statutory requirements, ensuring equal access regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose, except where specifically limited by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Citrus County?

While Florida's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under specific statutory provisions. In Citrus County, as throughout Florida, the following categories of records are generally confidential or exempt:

Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other financial information are protected under Florida Statutes § 119.071(5).
Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and Florida Statutes § 119.071(4)(a).
Juvenile records: Most records related to juvenile offenders are confidential under Florida Statutes § 985.04.
Active criminal investigative information: Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations as defined in Florida Statutes § 119.071(2)(c).
Security system plans: Information related to security systems for government buildings or infrastructure as specified in Florida Statutes § 119.071(3).
Personnel records: Certain information in government employee personnel files, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of specific categories of personnel such as law enforcement officers, as outlined in Florida Statutes § 119.071(4).
Child abuse records: Reports and records related to child abuse investigations as protected under Florida Statutes § 39.202.
Sealed and expunged criminal history records: Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to Florida Statutes § 943.059 and § 943.0585.
Trade secrets: Proprietary business information and trade secrets as defined in Florida Statutes § 815.045.
Certain attorney-client communications: Communications related to pending litigation until the conclusion of the litigation as provided in Florida Statutes § 119.071(1)(d).

The Florida Supreme Court has established that exemptions to the Public Records Law must be narrowly construed, and the burden of demonstrating the applicability of an exemption falls on the agency claiming it. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency must redact only the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record.

Citrus County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
110 North Apopka Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450
(352) 341-6424
Citrus County Clerk of Court

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Satellite Office - Meadowcrest:
2804 W. Marc Knighton Court
Lecanto, FL 34461
(352) 341-6424
Citrus County Clerk of Court

Satellite Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the county recorder and is responsible for maintaining the official records of Citrus County. The Clerk's Office records, indexes, and preserves all deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and other official documents. These records are available for public inspection during regular business hours.

Services provided by the Recorder's Office include:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other legal documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Processing of passport applications
Maintenance of court records
Collection of court fees and fines
Recording of tax deeds and tax certificates

The Clerk's Office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1887. Many records are now available through the Clerk's online records search system, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the official website.