Pinellas County Public Records (2026 Guide)

Pinellas County, Florida is home to over 970,000 residents spread across one of the most densely populated counties in the Sunshine State. Whether you’re a landlord screening a prospective tenant, a small business owner vetting a contractor, or simply trying to reconnect with a long-lost relative, public records in Pinellas County are a powerful — and largely free — resource available to every resident and citizen. Florida’s robust Sunshine Law and Government-in-the-Sunshine Act make the state one of the most transparent in the country, granting the public broad access to government-held documents, court filings, arrest records, property data, and much more. This 2026 guide walks you through everything you need to know about accessing Pinellas County public records, what they contain, and how to use them effectively.

What Are Public Records?

Public records refer to documents, data, multimedia files, photographs, and digital records that are created, maintained, and stored by government agencies and public service bureaus. In Pinellas County, this includes records from the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, local municipalities, the Florida Department of Health, and dozens of other agencies funded by taxpayer dollars.

The logic is straightforward: because taxpayers fund the creation and storage of these records, the public is entitled to access them. From property liens and court judgments to arrest logs and vital statistics, these records belong to the people. Florida law mandates that all government agencies — at the county, municipal, and state levels — maintain public records and make them available upon request.

That said, not every record is fully open. Certain information may be exempt or confidential under Florida law, including records that could compromise national security, ongoing criminal investigations, trade secrets, or the personal safety of protected individuals such as domestic violence victims. When you request a record and it is withheld, the agency must cite the specific legal exemption.

Public records in Pinellas County span a wide range of categories, and understanding what falls under this umbrella will help you search more efficiently. The most commonly searched include criminal history records, civil court filings, property deeds and tax records, marriage and divorce records, death certificates, and business license filings.

Florida’s Sunshine Law & Your Rights

Florida is nationally recognized as one of the most open states when it comes to public records. The Florida Sunshine Law — officially codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes — gives every person the right to inspect or copy public records maintained by any state or local agency. You do not need to be a Florida resident to make a public records request, and you are not required to provide a reason for your request.

The law applies to all branches of local and state government, including Pinellas County constitutional officers, the county commission, school boards, law enforcement agencies, and courts. Agencies must respond to public records requests promptly and provide records in the format requested (paper or electronic) when feasible.

You may be charged a fee for copying records — typically no more than 15 cents per single-sided page — or for staff time if a request requires more than 15 minutes of labor. Extensive requests involving data extraction or programming may incur additional costs, but standard document requests should cost little or nothing.

Florida also maintains a robust online portal system. Many Pinellas County agencies have digitized their records and made them searchable online, meaning you can often conduct your search without ever visiting a government office. You can review Pinellas County’s official public records page for access to key portals and contact information.

Why Search Public Records in Pinellas County?

There are dozens of practical, everyday reasons why residents, businesses, and individuals search public records in Pinellas County. Here are the most common scenarios:

• Screening tenants: If you own or manage rental property in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or anywhere in Pinellas County, running a background check on prospective tenants using public records is a smart and legal practice. In some cases, your landlord insurance policy may actually require it.
• Vetting a landlord: Tenants also benefit from searching public records. Before signing a lease, you can look up your prospective landlord to see if they have unresolved code violations, foreclosure proceedings, or a history of legal disputes with past tenants.
• Online dating safety: Florida has one of the highest rates of online romance scams in the country. Before meeting someone from a dating app in person, a quick public records search can verify their identity and surface any criminal history you should know about.
• Hiring contractors: Before allowing a contractor, handyman, or renovation crew into your home, use public records to check for prior complaints, licensing violations, or court judgments. Online reviews can be manipulated — court records cannot.
• Protecting children: If you are hiring a babysitter, nanny, tutor, or youth sports coach, public records — including the Pinellas County sex offender and predator registry — can help ensure that anyone spending time with your children has a clean record.
• Reconnecting with family: Public records including vital records, address histories, and court filings can help you locate long-lost relatives or old friends who may have moved to or through Pinellas County.
• Business due diligence: Before entering a business partnership or signing a contract, public records can reveal lawsuits, liens, judgments, or bankruptcies that would otherwise remain hidden.

Types of Public Records Available in Pinellas County

Pinellas County maintains an extensive catalog of public records spread across multiple agencies. Understanding where each type of record is stored will save you significant time during your search. Here is an overview of the primary record categories and the agencies that maintain them:

• Criminal and arrest records: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Civil court records: Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Property records and deeds: Pinellas County Property Appraiser, Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Tax records: Pinellas County Tax Collector
• Marriage and divorce records: Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Birth and death certificates: Florida Department of Health
• Business licenses and filings: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz.org)
• Driving records: Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• Sex offender registry: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office / Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Inmate and jail records: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
• Probate and will records: Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Unclaimed property: Florida Department of Financial Services

Criminal Records & Arrest Histories

Criminal records are among the most frequently searched public records in Pinellas County. These records include arrest logs, booking records, mugshots, charging documents, conviction histories, and records of incarceration. In Florida, most criminal records are available to the public unless they have been sealed or expunged by court order.

To search for criminal records in Pinellas County, you have several options. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online inmate search and arrest inquiry tool on its official website, allowing you to search for individuals currently in custody or recently booked. For conviction records and court-level criminal case files, the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides an online case search portal where you can look up criminal cases by name, case number, or offense type.

For statewide criminal history searches, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) operates the Florida Crime Information Center. You can submit a name-based criminal history request through the FDLE website, though a small processing fee applies. For certified background checks required for employment or licensing purposes, fingerprint-based searches are available through FDLE-authorized vendors.

It is important to understand that county-level records only capture crimes prosecuted within Pinellas County. If a person has criminal history in Hillsborough County, Polk County, or another Florida county — or in a different state entirely — those records will not appear in a Pinellas County search alone. For a comprehensive criminal history review, you may need to search multiple jurisdictions or use an aggregated search service.

Florida law allows for the expungement or sealing of certain criminal records. Sealed records are not available to the general public, and expunged records are effectively destroyed. If your search returns no results, it does not necessarily mean the person has no prior history — it may mean their records have been sealed or expunged.

Court Records in Pinellas County

The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the primary custodian of court records in the county. The Clerk maintains civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic court records spanning decades. Many of these records have been digitized and are searchable through the Clerk’s online portal at pinellasclerk.org.

Pinellas County court records include:

• Circuit Civil: Lawsuits involving amounts over $30,000, including personal injury, contract disputes, and foreclosure cases
• County Civil: Small claims and civil cases under $30,000
• Family Law: Divorce proceedings, child custody orders, child support modifications, and domestic violence injunctions
• Probate: Wills, estate administration, guardianship proceedings, and mental health commitments
• Criminal: Felony and misdemeanor cases prosecuted in Pinellas County
• Traffic: Moving violations, DUI proceedings, and license suspension hearings

To search online, visit the Clerk’s case search portal and enter the person’s name or a case number. Results will show you the case status, filing dates, charges or claims, upcoming hearing dates, and in many instances, links to scanned documents. Physical case files can be accessed in person at the Clerk’s office in Clearwater during regular business hours.

Property Records in Pinellas County

The Pinellas County Property Appraiser maintains detailed property records for every parcel of land in the county. These records are fully searchable online and include ownership history, assessed value, tax exemptions, building characteristics, and parcel maps. You can search by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number at