Collier County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Collier County?

Public records in Collier County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies that are accessible to the public pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions that affect Collier County residents. The following categories of public records are maintained and provided by various county departments:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property ownership history
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
Court Records - Civil, criminal, probate, family, and traffic case files
Vital Records - Marriage licenses and death certificates (birth certificates are maintained at the state level)
Business Records - Fictitious name registrations, business tax receipts, and occupational licenses
Land Records - Plats, surveys, zoning documents, and land use permits
Election Records - Voter registrations, election results, and campaign finance reports
County Commission Records - Meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
Building Records - Building permits, inspections, and code enforcement actions
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information

These records are maintained by various county offices including the Clerk of Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, and other county departments in accordance with Florida's records retention schedules.

Is Collier County an Open Records County?

Collier County operates as an open records county in full compliance with Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This comprehensive transparency framework establishes that all records made or received by any public agency in the course of its official business are available for public inspection, unless specifically exempted by law.

Pursuant to §119.01(1), Florida Statutes, which states that "all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person," Collier County maintains a policy of maximum accessibility to government records. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this commitment by establishing a constitutional right of access to public records.

The Florida Office of the Attorney General provides oversight and guidance regarding public records compliance, and Collier County agencies adhere to these standards by:

Providing prompt access to records during normal business hours
Responding to public records requests in a timely manner
Charging only statutorily authorized fees for record reproduction
Training staff on proper records management and public access procedures
Maintaining records in accessible formats

County officials are prohibited from placing arbitrary conditions on access to public records and must provide reasonable accommodation for public inspection in accordance with §119.07, Florida Statutes.

How Do I Find Public Records in Collier County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Collier County records in 2025 may utilize several established methods to locate and obtain the information they require. The county has implemented multiple access points to facilitate public records retrieval:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county office that maintains the desired records
Complete a public records request form if required by the specific agency
Present identification when requesting certain records as required by statute

Online Access:

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller provides a comprehensive online portal for court and official records
The Collier County Property Appraiser maintains searchable property records and assessment information
The Collier County Open Data Portal offers GIS mapping and property data

Written Requests:

Submit detailed written requests via mail, email, or fax to the appropriate agency
Include specific information about the records sought to facilitate prompt retrieval
Provide contact information for follow-up questions or clarification

Telephone Inquiries:

Contact the relevant department directly for guidance on records availability
Obtain information about record request procedures and requirements
Determine if records are available electronically or require in-person inspection

For specialized records, requestors should contact the specific agency responsible for maintaining those records. For example, court records are available through the Clerk of Courts, property records through the Property Appraiser, and tax records through the Tax Collector. Each agency maintains its own procedures for records access in compliance with state law.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Collier County?

The cost structure for obtaining public records in Collier County is established pursuant to Florida Statutes §119.07(4), which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication and labor costs under specific circumstances. The following fee schedule applies to most public records requests in Collier County:

Standard Reproduction Fees:

Paper copies (letter or legal size): $0.15 per one-sided page
Paper copies (letter or legal size): $0.20 per two-sided page
Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy charges
CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
USB drive: Actual cost of the drive

Special Service Charges:

Extensive use of agency resources (more than 30 minutes): Hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work
Computer programming or information technology resources: Actual cost incurred
Specialized document reproduction (large format, blueprints, maps): Actual cost of reproduction

Court Records Specific Fees:

Court case documents: $1.00 per page
Court certified copies: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
Complete case files: Variable based on volume

The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller may assess additional statutory fees for specific document types as authorized by Florida law. Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (subject to convenience fees) depending on the agency and request method.

Agencies are required to provide an estimate of costs when charges are anticipated to exceed $10.00, and requestors may be required to make advance payment before records production begins for extensive requests.

Does Collier County Have Free Public Records?

Collier County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law and county policies designed to promote government transparency. The following records and access methods are available without charge:

Free Online Access:

The Collier County Open Data Portal provides free access to GIS data, maps, and property information
The Collier County Property Appraiser offers free online property record searches and assessment information
The Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller provides free access to court dockets and case information
The Collier County Tax Collector maintains free online tax record searches

Free In-Person Inspection:

All public records may be inspected in person at no charge during regular business hours
Computer terminals are available at various county offices for public use in accessing electronic records
Self-service research is permitted at no cost in public areas of county offices

Free Electronic Delivery:

Records already in electronic format may be emailed at no charge if the file size permits
Records that do not require extensive staff time to compile or redact may be provided electronically without charge

Pursuant to §119.07(4)(d), Florida Statutes, agencies may not charge for inspection of public records or for records sent via email when the agency routinely uses email for such purposes and the records are in the format maintained by the agency.

Who Can Request Public Records In Collier County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, access to public records in Collier County is broadly available with minimal restrictions on who may submit requests. The following guidelines apply to public records requestors:

Eligible Requestors:

Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status
Individuals, corporations, associations, partnerships, and other legal entities
Representatives acting on behalf of others, including attorneys and media personnel
Anonymous requestors (identification cannot be required as a condition of access)
Minors (no age restrictions apply to public records access)

Request Requirements:

Requestors are not required to provide identification unless specifically mandated by statute for certain record types
Requestors need not state a purpose or reason for their request
Requests may be made verbally or in writing
Requestors are not required to submit requests on specific forms, though agencies may offer optional forms for convenience

Pursuant to §119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, and as affirmed by the Florida Office of the Attorney General, custodians of public records may not impose conditions on access based on the requestor's identity, purpose, or motive. The Florida Supreme Court has consistently held that the public's right of access is virtually unlimited, subject only to statutory exemptions.

County agencies may ask for contact information solely for the purpose of communicating about the request or providing cost estimates, but providing such information cannot be mandated as a condition of fulfilling the request except where specifically authorized by law.

What Records Are Confidential In Collier County?

While Florida's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records in Collier County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to specific statutory provisions. These exemptions are designed to protect privacy, security, and other compelling interests as determined by the Florida Legislature. The following categories of records are generally confidential or exempt:

Personal Information Exemptions:

Social Security numbers (§119.071(5)(a), F.S.)
Medical and health information (§119.071(4)(a), F.S.)
Bank account, debit, and credit card numbers (§119.071(5)(b), F.S.)
Home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of certain public employees and officials (§119.071(4)(d), F.S.)
Birth records and adoption records (§382.025, F.S.)
Juvenile offender records, with limited exceptions (§985.04, F.S.)

Public Safety Exemptions:

Active criminal investigative information (§119.071(2)(c), F.S.)
Security system plans and vulnerability assessments (§119.071(3), F.S.)
Sealed and expunged criminal history records (§943.0585 and §943.059, F.S.)
Victim information in certain crimes (§119.071(2)(h), F.S.)
Emergency communication E911 recordings (§365.171, F.S.)

Business and Government Operation Exemptions:

Trade secrets and confidential business information (§815.045, F.S.)
Bids and proposals until decision or award (§119.071(1)(b), F.S.)
Attorney work product and attorney-client privileged communications (§119.071(1)(d), F.S.)
Examination questions and answer sheets (§119.071(1)(a), F.S.)

The Florida Office of the Attorney General maintains a comprehensive Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual that details all statutory exemptions. County agencies are required to cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records. Partial redaction is employed when only portions of records are exempt, allowing for maximum disclosure consistent with legal requirements.

Collier County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The official recording of documents in Collier County is administered by the Recording Department of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller's Office. This department serves as the county's official record keeper for land records, mortgages, liens, and other official documents pursuant to Chapter 28, Florida Statutes.

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102
Naples, FL 34112
(239) 252-2646
Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Satellite Office - North Collier Government Services Center
2335 Orange Blossom Drive
Naples, FL 34109
(239) 252-8205

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

The Recording Department accepts documents for recording during all business hours. Documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically through the county's e-recording system. The department records, indexes, and preserves official records including:

Deeds, mortgages, and satisfactions
Liens and lien releases
Judgments and judgment satisfactions
Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Plats and surveys
Notices of commencement
Marriage licenses
Tax deeds and certificates
Condominium and homeowners' association documents

Staff members are available during business hours to assist with record searches and to provide certified copies of recorded documents. Self-service computer terminals are also available for public use to search and view recorded documents.