Monroe County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Monroe County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Florida's southernmost jurisdiction may access a wide range of materials through MonroeFLRecords.us, which aggregates publicly available information related to Monroe County public records. The types of records that may be found include court filings, property documents, vital records, arrest logs, business licenses, and election data, among other categories maintained by county and state agencies. Access to specific records depends on the custodial agency, the nature of the document, and applicable exemptions under Florida law.

Online Access:

Members of the public may search records digitally through several official portals:

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts maintains an online records search for court filings, official records, and recorded instruments such as deeds and liens.
The Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services provides access to state-level archives and agency records through the Florida Records Management program.
Property records and tax assessments are searchable through the Monroe County Property Appraiser's online portal at mcpafl.org.
No registration is required to search most publicly available online databases maintained by Monroe County agencies.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Monroe County Clerk of Courts. Requestors should present a written or verbal request identifying the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Public access terminals are available at the clerk's office during regular business hours.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, agencies are required to acknowledge requests promptly and provide records within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Monroe County Clerk of Courts: (305) 292-3550
Email inquiries may be directed through the contact form on the official clerk's website.

What Are Public Records in Monroe County?

Public records in Monroe County are defined under Florida Statutes § 119.011 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 transaction of official business by any agency. The following record types are currently maintained by Monroe County agencies:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records	Monroe County Clerk of Courts
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens	Monroe County Clerk of Courts
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Florida Department of Health in Monroe County
Business licenses and fictitious name registrations	Florida Division of Corporations / County offices
Property tax and assessment records	Monroe County Property Appraiser / Tax Collector
Voting and election records	Monroe County Supervisor of Elections
County commission meeting minutes and agendas	Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Budget and financial documents	Monroe County Clerk of Courts (Finance)
Arrest logs and incident reports	Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Monroe County Planning Department

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian for official records, court documents, and recorded instruments. Vital records are maintained separately by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, while election-related documents are held by the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections.

Is Monroe County an Open Records County?

Monroe County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law and the Florida Public Records Law. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. The Florida Attorney General's office states that "the Public Records Law is to be construed liberally in favor of open government, and exemptions from disclosure are to be construed narrowly." Monroe County does not impose additional local restrictions beyond those established by state statute. The county's compliance with Florida's Sunshine Law means that meetings of public boards and commissions are open to the public, and records of those proceedings are available for inspection. The Florida Attorney General's Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual provides authoritative guidance on the scope of these obligations.

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

The fee structure for public records in Monroe County is governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges agencies may impose. Current standard fees are 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 document type; court record certifications are set by statute and at present range from $1.00 to $2.00 per page depending on the document
Electronic records: When the nature or volume of the request requires extensive use of information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, a special service charge may apply
Inspection: No fee is charged for inspecting public records in person

Accepted payment methods at the Monroe County Clerk of Courts include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Florida law, though certain statutory provisions allow agencies to waive fees at their discretion for indigent requestors or for records provided in the public interest.

Does Monroe County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Florida law. Members of the public may examine records at no cost during regular business hours at the custodial agency's office. The following resources provide free access to Monroe County records:

The Monroe County Clerk of Courts provides free online access to the official records index and court case information through its public search portal.
The Monroe County Property Appraiser offers free online access to property ownership data, assessment values, and parcel maps.
The Monroe County Supervisor of Elections provides free access to voter registration data and election results through its official website.
The Florida Department of State's online Sunbiz portal provides free access to business entity filings and fictitious name registrations at search.sunbiz.org.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, obtaining physical or electronic copies may incur the per-page fees described above. Certain records, such as publicly posted meeting agendas and budget summaries, are provided at no cost on official county websites.

Who Can Request Public Records in Monroe County?

Any person may request public records in Monroe County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Florida's Public Records Law does not require requestors to identify themselves, provide a reason for the request, or demonstrate any particular interest in the records sought. The Florida Attorney General has affirmed that "the identity of the person making the public records request is irrelevant to whether the records must be produced."

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Florida retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Not required for most records. Certain sensitive record types, such as personal vital records, may require proof of identity or legal interest.
Purpose: Not required to be stated for standard public records requests.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to additional access in certain categories, such as criminal history or vital records, upon providing appropriate identification.
Restrictions: Some record types, including sealed court records, juvenile records, and records subject to statutory exemptions, are not available to the general public regardless of the requestor's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Monroe County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes specific exemptions from the Public Records Law, codified primarily in Florida Statutes § 119.071 and throughout various subject-matter statutes. The following categories of records are at present exempt from public inspection in Monroe County:

Sealed and expunged court records
Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
Active criminal investigative and intelligence information
Social Security numbers and financial account information
Medical records and protected health information (subject to HIPAA)
Adoption records
Child welfare and protective services records
Certain personnel records, including home addresses and personal information of law enforcement officers, judges, and other protected employees
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
Security plans, vulnerability assessments, and critical infrastructure details
Attorney-client communications involving government agencies

Florida Statutes § 119.071 exempts the foregoing categories from mandatory disclosure and provides the legal basis for agencies to withhold such materials. When an agency denies a public records request, it is required to identify the specific statutory exemption upon which the denial is based. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek enforcement through the circuit court or file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General's office.

Monroe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Office Name: Monroe County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller

Physical Address:
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040

Mailing Address:
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040

Phone: (305) 292-3550
Website: Monroe County Clerk of Courts

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and official county holidays

Additional Offices:

Monroe County Supervisor of Elections
530 Whitehead Street, Suite 101, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-3416
Monroe County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Department of Health in Monroe County
1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 293-7500
Florida Department of Health in Monroe County

Monroe County Property Appraiser
500 Whitehead Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-3420
Monroe County Property Appraiser

Monroe County Sheriff's Office
5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 292-7000
Monroe County Sheriff's Office