Nassau County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Nassau County?

Public records in Nassau County, Florida, 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 public agency. This broad definition ensures that the vast majority of government-generated materials are accessible to members of the public upon request.

Nassau County maintains a wide variety of record types across multiple offices and agencies:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Nassau County Clerk of Courts
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded through the Clerk of Courts and the Nassau County Property Appraiser
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are held by the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
Business records — fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and local permits are managed through the Nassau County Growth Management Department and the Florida Division of Corporations
Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the Nassau County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser
Voting and election records — voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance filings are overseen by the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of county commission sessions, advisory boards, and public hearings are published by the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Nassau County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Nassau County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, variance applications, and land development orders are held by the Nassau County Growth Management Department

The Nassau County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian for court and official records and provides online access through its official records portal.

Is Nassau County an Open Records County?

Nassau County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws, making it an open records jurisdiction. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and examined by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public record. This provision establishes a strong presumption of openness for all government-held documents.

Florida's Public Records Law, commonly referred to as Chapter 119, further requires that custodians acknowledge receipt of a public records request and respond in good faith within a reasonable time. The law does not impose a specific deadline in calendar days but mandates that agencies respond with reasonable promptness. Nassau County agencies are bound by these provisions and may not require requestors to provide a reason for seeking records.

Florida's Sunshine Law, codified under Florida Statutes § 286.011, additionally requires that all meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, with minutes recorded and made available. Nassau County's Board of County Commissioners and all subordinate advisory bodies operate in compliance with this statute. The county does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; state statutes govern all access requests.

How to Find Public Records in Nassau County in 2026

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

Step 1 — Identify the correct custodial office. Different record types are held by different agencies. Court records are held by the Clerk of Courts; property and tax records by the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector; vital records by the Florida Department of Health; and election records by the Supervisor of Elections.

Step 2 — Search online portals first. Many Nassau County records are available at no cost through agency websites. The Clerk of Courts provides an online Official Records Search, and the Property Appraiser maintains a searchable database of parcel and assessment data.

Step 3 — Submit a written or in-person request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a public records request in writing, by email, by mail, or in person at the relevant agency's public counter. Written requests are not legally required under Florida law, but they create a clear record of the request.

Step 4 — Provide sufficient detail. Requestors should describe the records sought with as much specificity as possible — including names, dates, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers — to facilitate timely retrieval.

Step 5 — Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are ready, requestors must pay any applicable duplication or extensive use fees before copies are released.

Step 6 — Inspect records in person if preferred. Under Florida law, any person may inspect public records at the custodial office during regular business hours at no charge.

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

Florida law establishes the standard fee structure that Nassau County agencies must follow when providing copies of public records. Under § 119.07(4), the following fees currently apply:

Single-sided copies (up to 8.5 x 14 inches): $0.15 per page
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies: An additional certification fee applies, which varies by office (the Clerk of Courts charges $1.00 per page for certified copies plus a $2.00 certification fee)
Electronic records: Agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication, including the cost of the medium used
Extensive use fee: When a request requires more than 15 minutes of staff time to locate, review, or redact records, agencies may charge the actual cost of the labor, including benefits, of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the task

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Requestors are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific agency prior to pickup. Fee waivers are not broadly established under Florida law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in individual circumstances.

Does Nassau County Have Free Public Records?

Members of the public are entitled to inspect public records in person at no charge under Florida's Public Records Law. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Several Nassau County agencies also provide free online access to commonly requested records:

The Nassau County Clerk of Courts offers free online searches of official records, court case information, and recorded documents through its public access portal
The Nassau County Property Appraiser provides free online access to property ownership data, parcel maps, and assessment histories
The Nassau County Tax Collector offers free online access to property tax payment histories and current tax bill information
The Nassau County Supervisor of Elections provides free access to voter registration records and election results through its official elections portal; members of the public may access Nassau County election and voter records directly online
The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County makes certain public health data and meeting notices available at no cost through its county health department portal
Driver license and motor vehicle records maintained by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office in Nassau County may be accessed in person at the local service center, with applicable statutory fees for certified copies

Who Can Request Public Records in Nassau County?

Any person may request public records in Nassau County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Florida's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are sought. Specifically:

Residency is not required — non-residents of Nassau County and non-residents of Florida have equal rights to request public records
Identification is generally not required — agencies may not condition access to public records on the provision of a government-issued ID, though identification may be required for certain sensitive record types such as sealed or restricted court files
Purpose need not be stated — requestors are under no legal obligation to explain why they are seeking records, and agencies may not deny a request on the basis that no purpose was provided
Requesting records about oneself vs. others — individuals requesting their own records follow the same process as any other request; however, certain records about third parties (such as medical records or juvenile records) carry additional restrictions regardless of who is requesting them
Attorneys and media representatives — these parties have the same rights as any member of the public and are not entitled to expedited processing solely on the basis of their professional status

Certain record categories, such as criminal history information maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, may require the requestor to submit a formal application and pay a statutory fee, and access to some records may be conditioned on demonstrating a legitimate purpose as defined by specific statutes.

What Records Are Confidential in Nassau County?

Not all government records in Nassau County are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes numerous specific exemptions to the Public Records Law, primarily codified in § 119.071, which exempts the following categories of records from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records — records sealed or expunged by court order are not available to the general public
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency proceedings are confidential under Florida law
Active criminal investigation records — records 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 exempt from disclosure when contained within otherwise public records
Medical records — individually identifiable health information is protected under both Florida law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed and accessible only by court order
Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Florida Department of Children and Families relating to abuse, neglect, or dependency investigations are confidential
Personnel records — certain portions of employee personnel files, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and medical information, are exempt from disclosure
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — records submitted to government agencies that constitute trade secrets are protected from public release
Security plans and infrastructure details — vulnerability assessments and security system specifications for public facilities are exempt to protect public safety

When a requested record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder of the document. Florida courts apply a balancing test in cases where the scope of an exemption is disputed, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the specific harm the exemption is designed to prevent.

Nassau County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Nassau County Clerk of Courts serves as the official recorder of public records and maintains official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, court filings, and other instruments required by law to be recorded.

Nassau County Clerk of Courts 76347 Veterans Way, Suite 456, Yulee, FL 32097 (904) 548-4600 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding state holidays) Nassau County Clerk of Courts

Nassau County Property Appraiser 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 4, Yulee, FL 32097 (904) 491-7300 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nassau County Property Appraiser

Nassau County Tax Collector 86020 License Road, Suite 3, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (904) 491-7400 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nassau County Tax Collector

Nassau County Sheriff's Office (Records Division) 76010 Bobby Moore Circle, Yulee, FL 32097 (904) 225-5174 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Nassau County Sheriff's Office

Nassau County Supervisor of Elections 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 3, Yulee, FL 32097 (904) 491-7500 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Nassau County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Department of Health in Nassau County 1250 S. 18th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (904) 548-1900 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Florida Department of Health in Nassau County

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — Nassau County 474295 E. State Road 200, Yulee, FL 32097 (850) 617-2000 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Nassau County FLHSMV Service Center