What are Gainesville Public Records?
Under the Florida Sunshine Law, Gainesville public records include data created, filed, or stored by a public agency, unless exempted by Florida law. The definition of public records covers books and papers, photographs, maps, statistical tables and graphs, sound recordings, tapes, films, and computer-generated documents. Nevertheless, the Sunshine Law allows government agencies to restrict access to the following:
- Juvenile records
- Data on forensic behavioral health evaluation.
- Information on the identity of confidential sources or informants in an investigation.
- Biometric identification information.
- Personal identifying information obtained via an automated license plate recognition platform.
- Information from pawnbrokers’ records.
- Information on the personal details of crime victims and crime suspects related active criminal investigations.
- Personnel records
- Information on tests or examination prepared by government entities for the evaluation of:
- Qualifications for certificates or licenses issued by public entities.
- Students’ performance.
- Employees’ aptitude for promotion, employment, or retention.
- Information on a patient's medical history.
Crime Statistics
The Gainesville Police Department generates and maintains records of all arrests carried out within the city. It also publishes yearly statistics on reported crimes for inclusion into the FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR). According to the 2019 report, the city of Gainesville recorded a total of 5,460 crimes. This accumulated figure consists of 932 violent crimes and 4,712 property crimes. Listed violent crimes include 2 murders, 153 rapes, 185 robberies, and 588 aggravated assaults. For property crimes, the Gainesville Police Department listed 501 burglaries, 3,803 larcenies-thefts, and 408 motor vehicle thefts.
Compared with the 2016 report, the Gainesville crime rate declined by nearly 6 percent. Furthermore, violent crimes dropped by 7 percent, while property crimes fell by 4 percent. The percentage differences in violent crimes include murder (-33%), rape (7%), robbery (-2%), and aggravated assault (10%). Percentage differences for listed property crimes show that burglary (-15%), larcenies-thefts (-4%), and motor vehicle thefts (-11%) all reduced.
Are Gainesville Criminal Records Public?
According to the Florida State Statute 119.07, not all Gainesville criminal records are accessible to members of the public. For instance, juvenile criminal records and information on ongoing criminal investigations are exempt from public view. However, the Gainesville Police Department provides the general public with access to non-confidential criminal records via telephone, online, or in-person requests. Interested persons may obtain these records by calling the Gainesville Police Department (352) 393-7565.
Furthermore, requesters may get criminal records by filling out the online criminal records request form. Requesters must provide the following information:
- The record subject's last, first, and middle name, aliases, date of birth, age, sex, social security number, and driver's license number.
- The requester's full name, street address, city address, state, zip code, phone number, and email address.
On the other hand, requesters may order criminal records in-person by visiting the Gainesville Police Department at:
413 Northwest 8th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) via the Division of Criminal Justice Information Services provides a statewide repository for Florida criminal records. Requesters may order Gainesville criminal records from the FDLE via an Instant Internet search, a non-certified/certified search, and ORI-based search options.
To order criminal records via the Instant Search, interested persons can visit the CCHinet application and input billing information, email information, and details on the subject of the record. Each instant search costs $24 and an additional $1 for credit card processing. Certified or non-certified copies of Gainesville criminal records are available via the Florida Criminal History Search.
To order certified or non-certified copies of criminal records, requesters may visit the Florida Criminal History Search platform and follow these steps -
- Provide a mailing address.
- Enter search subject.
- Request confirmation.
- Provide payment details.
Lastly, interested parties may use the ORI-based criminal records search. This option requires the party to provide an agency’s ORI number. Note that depending on the agency, accessibility levels may vary.
How to Obtain Gainesville Police Reports and Arrest Records
Gainesville police reports and arrest records are accessible to the public via various platforms maintained by local and state agencies or departments. For instance, the Gainesville Police Department’s Record Section provides a searchable online platform for obtaining arrest records and police reports.
Besides searching for arrest records, the platform also enables requesters to search for accident and incident reports. A requester may obtain an arrest record by providing a case number, arrest date or incident report date, the subject's full name, and the subject’s address. The Records Section also enables in-person requests for arrest records. Requests may take up to three days. The first ten pages of an incident report are free. Each additional page costs $0.15. Interested persons may obtain arrest records or police reports in-person or by mail at the:
Gainesville Police Department Administration Building
545 Northwest 8th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Gainesville
The FDLE, in conjunction with other local and state law enforcement agencies, maintains a statewide online database of all convicted sex offenders. Requesters may find Gainesville sex offenders using the name-based search or the location-based search. The platform also features a list of absconded sex offenders and provides details such as a full name, birth date, address, and physical descriptors. Furthermore, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office also regularly updates the names, pictures, and addresses of convicted sex offenders in the county.
How to Find Gainesville Inmate Records
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) provides access to details of all inmates currently incarcerated in any correctional facility via a searchable online portal. Interested persons may get Gainesville inmate records by filling out the following details:
- The inmate's full name.
- DC Number
- Aliases
The FDC's inmate search portal features each inmate’s photograph, full name, DC number, sex, age, race, date of birth. The portal also displays a release date, sentence history, and the correctional facility where the person is held.
Requesters may also search for inmates in Gainesville correctional facilities via the Alachua County Sheriff's online inmate database. Obtain Gainesville inmate records by inputting the inmate's first and last name.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Gainesville Jail?
All intending visitors must schedule visits at least 24 hours in advance. Gainesville correctional facilities allow two visitation sessions per week, with each one lasting up to one hour. Per the Visitation rules, only two visitors are allowed per inmate, excluding minors less than two years old. In addition to this, visitors must dress appropriately to avoid having visitation rights revoked. Visitors must also present clear photo identification before entering the jail premises.
The Alachua Sheriff's Office also provides remote visitation as an alternative option. Inmates’ families and friends may use the remote visitation platform to schedule visits at least 24 hours in advance. A 10-minute remote visit via the platform costs $4. 25-minute remote visits cost $10 each. Remote visitation is from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. all week.
Court Records
As part of the Florida Northern Judicial District, the city of Gainesville and Alachua County courts provide the public with access to Gainesville court records. These include administrative court records, traffic records, domestic relations records, civil records, and criminal records.
Location of All Courts in Gainesville
The courts in Gainesville and Alachua County include two Circuit Courts and two County Courts. Contact details are listed below:
Alachua County Circuit Court
Alachua County Criminal Justice Center
220 South Main Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3636
Fax: (352) 338-3201
Alachua County Circuit Court
Alachua County Family / Civil Justice Center
201 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3636
Fax: (352) 338-3201
County Court of Alachua County
Alachua County Family / Civil Justice Center
201 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3636
Fax: (352) 338-3201
County Court of Alachua County
Alachua County Criminal Justice Center
220 South Main Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3636
Fax: (352) 338-3201
Are Gainesville Court Records Public?
Most Gainesville court records are open and accessible to the public. All persons may access desired court records by contacting the relevant courts. However, courts do not grant public access to confidential information such as child adoption and juvenile court records. These records may be partly or completely restricted from public view.
Can You Look up a Gainesville Court Case Online?
The Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides online access to Gainesville court case records filed since 1999. The online platform allows requesters to search for court records using the case number, court filing date, case type, case status, and the parties’ names. Some records, such as delinquency, juvenile dependency, and adoption cases, are not available online. Court records before 1999 may only be obtained at the Records Department, which is located at:
201 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3625
How to Obtain Gainesville Civil Court Case Records
Interested persons may get Gainesville civil court records via a searchable online access platform or in-person requests to the Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court. To order Gainesville civil court records via the online platform, requesters may use the General Index Search or the Case/Name Information index search.
To use the General Index Search, users will need to mark the "Civil" box and provide last and first names or a company name, case number, case type, file data range, and citation number. Requesters may also use the Case/Name Information Index Search by inputting names, a case number, date range, and other required details. Alternatively, interested persons can obtain Gainesville civil court records by visiting the:
Alachua County Clerk of the Court
Attn: Official Records
201 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3625
How to Obtain Gainesville Criminal Court Case Records
Requesters may get Gainesville criminal court records from the Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court via an online search platform or in person. To order Gainesville criminal court records via the online platform, requesters may use the provided General Index Search or Case/Name Information Index Search by providing details required on both pages. Persons using the General Index Search must select the “Criminal” check box. Alternatively, requesters may visit the:
Alachua County Clerk of the Court
Attn: Official Records
201 East University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3625
What are Gainesville Vital Records?
Gainesville vital records are official records of life events in the city, including births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. These records are generated by government entities and are obtainable from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Some vital records are not accessible by members of the general public.
Where and How to Obtain Gainesville Divorce Records
The Florida Department of Health, via the Bureau of Vital Statistics, maintains a statewide repository of divorce records from 1927 to the present. Requesters may order copies of Gainesville divorce certificates via walk-in or mail-in requests. For walk-in requests, interested parties should download the application for dissolution of marriage and submit it to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at:
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Record seekers may also access divorce certificates via mail by downloading and filling out the application for dissolution of marriage. A divorce certificate costs a non-refundable $5 search fee. Each additional copy costs $4. Mail requests require checks or money orders payable to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Requests should be sent to the:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Where and How to Obtain Gainesville Marriage Records
Interested persons may get certified copies of Gainesville marriage certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains marriage certificates from 1927 to the present and issues them to requesters via mail-in and in-person options. Gainesville marriage records are public records.
Interested persons may complete the application for a marriage certificate and submit the form to:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
For walk-in services, requesters can make payments via money orders, checks. and credit or debit cards from MasterCard or Visa. The Bureau of Vital Statistics is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays.
For mail-in requests, requesters must download and fill out the application for a marriage certificate, attach the search fee as a money order or check payable to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, and send to the:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Requesters who cannot access the online form may send written requests with information on the record bearer and the requester. The request should include the full names of both spouses before the marriage, dates of birth, and the place of marriage. The requester's full name, phone number, mailing address, signature, and relationship with either spouse should also be included.
A Gainesville marriage certificate costs a $5 non-refundable search fee. Additional copies of marriage certificates cost $4 each. The processing time for mail requests is 3 to 5 business days, including shipping time.
Where and How to Obtain Gainesville Birth Records
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics only issues certified copies of birth certificates to eligible requesters, including the following:
- The record bearer.
- The parents listed on the record.
- Legal guardians and legal representatives of the record bearer.
- Immediate family members (sibling, grandchild, child, and current spouse upon the record bearer’s death.
Gainesville birth certificates are available via mail or in-person requests. Eligible parties may request in person by downloading and submitting a completed application for birth and a valid proof of identification to the:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Requesters may also complete the application form, attach a check or money order payable to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and send the request by mail. The first copy costs a non-refundable $9 search fee, while additional copies cost $4 each. Processing takes between 3 and 5 business days. Requests should be mailed to the:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Where and How to Obtain Gainesville Death Records
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains and issues certified copies of Gainesville death records. Death records without the cause of death are open records and are accessible to the public. However, death records, including information on the cause of death and the decedent’s social security number, are only accessible to the decedent’s parents, surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, beneficiaries to the will, or an insurance policy legal representative. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics provides access to Gainesville death certificates via in-person or mail-in requests.
To get death records in-person, requesters should visit the Florida Bureau of Vital at:
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
To get Gainesville death certificates via mail requests, interested parties may download and complete the application for a death record, include a money order or check payable to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, and send to the:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
The first copy of a Gainesville death certificate costs a $5 search fee. Additional copies of divorce certificates cost $4 each. Note that search fees are non-refundable.
