Search Florida people records using free state, county, and city databases open to the public. Florida law makes most people search records open, free, and available 24 hours a day.
You can check court files, business filings, voter rolls, license records, and more without paying a third-party site. This page lists every free tool, what each one shows, and how to use them step by step in 2026.
Florida Public Records Laws
Florida has some of the strongest open records laws in the country. Two main rules control who can see people search records and how to ask for them. State agencies, county offices, and city governments must follow these rules every day.
Chapter 119 Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all records made or received by any public agency are open for inspection and copying. Any person can ask to see them. The law covers state offices, county offices, city halls, school boards, and special districts. You do not need to be a lawyer, a citizen, or live in Florida. You only need to ask. Agencies must respond in a reasonable time. They can charge only the actual cost of copying.
Article I Section 24 of the Constitution
Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution puts the right to access public records in the state constitution. This right goes beyond a regular statute. It is a basic right of every person. The constitution says any person can inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, county, or city. Few states give this right such strong protection.
Records That Stay Private
Some records stay private no matter what. Social security numbers, medical files, juvenile court files, and certain law enforcement files are exempt. Active criminal intelligence information is restricted too. Voter records list names, addresses, and party, but social security numbers are exempt under Section 97.0585. Knowing what is private saves time during a people search.
Free State Databases for People Search
Florida runs several free databases that work for a people search. Each one covers a different type of record. You can use them from any device with internet. No account or payment is needed for most searches.
Sunbiz Business Entity Search
The Florida Division of Corporations runs Sunbiz, the state’s official business entity index. You can search by entity name, officer or registered agent, street address, or FEIN number. The officer and registered agent search helps you locate people tied to Florida businesses. Addresses from these filings are often professional addresses, but they can lead to more details. Sunbiz is free to use, and no account is needed.
The Sunbiz search portal covers all registered businesses in the state. You can use it to look up officers, directors, and registered agents of any Florida business.
Use the officer search to locate people linked to any Florida business filing.
FDLE Sex Offender Registry
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s sexual offender and predator registry. You can search by name, address, city, county, or zip code. This is a free public resource. Be careful of third-party sites that charge for the same data. The FDLE site gives you direct access at no cost. It is updated regularly with data from all 67 Florida counties.
The FDLE registry is a free people search tool covering the full state. Search by name or location to check the registry for any area in Florida.
Search by name or location to check the registry for any area in Florida.
Florida Health License Search
The Florida Department of Health runs the Medical Quality Assurance search portal. You can verify a license for any healthcare professional or facility in Florida. Search by name, license number, city, or county. The database shows disciplinary history and public contact addresses for medical professionals. It is a useful people search tool when you need to verify a health care worker in the state.
Under Section 456.057, Florida Statutes, patient records stay private. But the license status and discipline records for professionals are open. The MQA license verification portal covers all licensed healthcare providers in Florida.
License status, disciplinary actions, and contact details are all public in Florida.
Statewide Official Records Portal
County clerks across Florida keep official records you can search online. The Florida Clerks of Court portal provides access to official records search and document ordering from many counties at once. You can search for deeds, mortgages, liens, and other public records that help in a people search. This portal pulls data from multiple Florida counties.
Under Section 28.222, Florida Statutes, the clerk of the circuit court is the recorder of all instruments required or authorized by law in each county. The statewide official records portal lets you search across multiple Florida counties from one place.
Search for property records, liens, and other documents tied to individuals in Florida.
Florida Statutes Online
The Florida Statutes website has the full text of all public records laws that apply to people search in the state. You can read Chapter 119, Article I Section 24, Section 97.0585, and every exemption. Reading the law helps you know what is public and what is private before you make a request.
The Florida Statutes site is free, has no ads, and runs through the official Legislature website. You can search by statute number or keyword.
Check the statutes directly to see what records are public and what exemptions apply in Florida.
Voter Registration Records
Florida voter registration data is public. It includes name, address, date of birth, party affiliation, phone number, and email address. Under Florida law, email addresses in voter files are public records. Voter rolls are one of the most complete free people search tools in the state.
Division of Elections Voter Lookup
The Division of Elections voter lookup tool lets you check registration details for anyone in the state. You need a name and date of birth to run a search. The result shows current address, party, status, and county. This is one of the most detailed free people search tools in Florida because voter rolls contain so much personal data. The full voter database is also available through public records requests.
Section 97.0585 Exemptions
Section 97.0585, Florida Statutes lists some exemptions. Social security numbers stay confidential and exempt from disclosure. But most voter data stays open. For a broad Florida people search, voter rolls can give you a current address, phone number, and more at no cost. The law treats voter files as public by default and lists each exemption one by one.
County Clerk of Court Records
Each of Florida’s 67 counties has a Clerk of Court who keeps public records. The clerk is the official record keeper for that county. You can search court files, property records, and marriage files online or in person.
Court Case Files
Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic court files are public. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney. Most counties now offer online search through the clerk’s website. Older files may only be available in person at the courthouse. Court files often list current address, date of birth, and other details useful for a people search.
Property Deeds and Liens
Property records show who owns real estate in Florida. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax records are all public. The clerk records each deed. You can search by name to look up properties a person owns. Property records also show mailing addresses, which help confirm a current address during a people search.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses and divorce decrees are filed with the clerk. They list full names, dates, and sometimes addresses. Some counties index them online. Older marriage files may require a visit to the clerk’s office. Marriage and divorce records are useful for verifying identity and family ties.
Other State and Federal Record Sources
Florida runs more free databases beyond the main ones. Each one helps with a different part of a people search. State and federal sites often have the freshest data on a person living in Florida.
Florida Department of Corrections
The Florida Department of Corrections runs an inmate search. You can look up current inmates and people on community supervision. Search by name or Department of Corrections number. The result shows the facility, status, and offense. This tool helps you check if a person is in state prison or on probation in Florida.
Florida Death and Marriage Indexes
The State Archives of Florida holds indexes of statewide death records and marriage records going back to the early 1900s. The Florida Memory Project also has many of these records online. You can search by name and year. The indexes show county of event and certificate number. For full records, contact the county clerk or the state birth and death records office.
FDLE Wanted Persons Search
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also lists wanted persons. You can search active fugitives by name, location, or charge. The database is updated as fugitives are added or caught. Wanted persons records show photos and last known addresses. They are a free public resource for a Florida people search.
How to Request Records by Mail or Phone
Some records are not online. You may need to contact a state agency by mail or phone. The main state agencies that handle people search records keep offices in Tallahassee. You can call during business hours or send a written request.
Department of State Contact Info
The Florida Department of State handles business filings, voter records, and election data. The main office sits at the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. The general phone line is 850-245-6500. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Division of Corporations, Division of Elections, and State Archives all sit in the same complex.
FDLE Contact and Address
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles criminal history, the sex offender registry, and wanted persons data. The main office sits at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308. The general phone line is 850-410-7000. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Public records requests can be made in person or by mail.
Florida Health Department Contact
The Florida Department of Health handles healthcare license records, birth and death records, and public health data. The main office sits at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. The general phone line is 850-245-4444. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. License searches are free online. Certified copies of birth and death records require a small fee.
Free vs Paid Search Methods
Most Florida people search records are free through state and county websites. Paid services exist, but they rarely have data the free sites lack. Knowing where to look saves money and time.
Why Free State Sites Work
State and county sites pull data straight from the source. They are updated daily or weekly. No middleman sits between you and the agency. The records are the same ones a paid service pulls. Free sites also let you see the record source, so you can verify the data yourself.
When Paid Services Help
Paid people search sites bundle data from many sources into one report. They can save time if you need to check someone across all 67 counties at once. They are useful for batch searches, address history reports, and criminal background checks across state lines. For a single Florida people search, the free state and county tools cover most needs.
Florida People Search Tips
Good search habits save time. A few small steps help you get the right person faster. The tips below work with both free and paid tools.
Start With One Detail
Start your search with one solid detail. A full name and a city or county works best. The more specific you are, the smaller the result list. If you have a date of birth, add it. Voter lookup needs a date of birth. Court searches need a name and year. Less data means more names returned. More data means fewer names and faster results.
Cross Check Records
Cross check the same person across two or three databases. If the address, age, and county match in voter rolls, court files, and property records, you have the right person. Mismatches mean you have the wrong person or the data is stale. Florida data changes fast, so a recent match matters more than an old one.
Verify Through Multiple Sources
Verify key facts through multiple sources before you act. A voter record shows a current address. A property record shows ownership. A court file shows legal history. All three together give a full picture. One source can be wrong. Three sources rarely agree on the wrong person. Use at least two before you trust a record.
Contact Details and Office Hours
The main state agencies that handle people search records keep offices in Tallahassee. You can call or visit during business hours. The map below shows the Florida Department of State at the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. The main phone line is 850-245-6500. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Florida Department of State website: dos.myflorida.com
Florida Department of Law Enforcement website: fdle.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Health website: floridahealth.gov
Florida Clerks of Court portal: myfloridacounty.com
Florida People Search FAQs
People often ask the same questions about Florida people search records. The answers below cover the most common ones. They reflect Florida law and state agency rules as of 2026.
Is Florida People Search Free?
Yes. Most Florida people search records are free through state and county websites. Sunbiz, the FDLE sex offender registry, the MQA license search, and the Division of Elections voter lookup are all free. Court records, property records, and marriage indexes are free at the county clerk’s office. Small fees apply only for certified copies. Third-party sites charge for data you can get for free from the source.
What Records Are Private?
Some records stay private. Social security numbers, medical files, juvenile court files, and active criminal intelligence are exempt. Adoption records are sealed. Driver license numbers and certain ID numbers are restricted. Most other records tied to a person are open. The Florida Statutes site lists each exemption by name and section number. Check Chapter 119 and the specific statute for the record you want before you ask.
Can I Search By Phone Number?
Florida does not have a free statewide phone number lookup. You can run a reverse phone search through the county property appraiser or voter file. Some county sites let you search by address. If you have a name and a city, the voter lookup tool often returns a current phone number. The voter file lists phone numbers by default under Florida law.
How Long Does Records Request Take?
Response times vary by agency. Online searches return results right away. Mail requests for simple records take 5 to 10 business days. Complex requests can take up to 30 days. Agencies must respond within a reasonable time under Chapter 119. If a request is denied, the agency must cite the exact exemption in writing. You can appeal denials in court.
Do I Need an Account to Use Sunbiz?
No. Sunbiz is free and does not need an account for basic searches. You can search by name, officer, registered agent, address, or FEIN. To order certified copies or filings, you need to create a free account and pay a small fee. Basic people search through Sunbiz works without any sign-up.
Are Voter Emails Public in Florida?
Yes. Email addresses on voter registration are public records in Florida. The Division of Elections voter lookup shows the email if one is on file. Section 97.0585 does not list emails as exempt. Phone numbers, addresses, party, and date of birth are also public. Use this data for a people search, but follow all laws on how you use it.
What If I Cannot Locate the Person?
Try a different county. The person may have moved or may be in a county you did not check. Florida has 67 counties, and records are split by county. Check the county of last known address, the county of birth, and the county of any known business. If the person is out of state, the Florida records may not help. Try the equivalent state databases in their current state.