What are St. Petersburg Public Records?
Public records consist of pieces of non-confidential information generated, compiled, or stored by a government division, agency, or state body. These include all photographs, data, sound recording, maps, documents, and other materials made in connection with official business or government conduct. While most government records fall under the umbrella of public records, some records may be exempted if they contain information protected by law. Records may be exempted from public view if it’s found to contain:
- Information that may reveal the identity of confidential informants
- Information that may reveal sources used during an investigation
- Information that may identify victims of child abuse offenses or sexual offenses
- Information that may reveal private data such as a social security number
- Information that may reveal surveillance techniques
- Information that may contain private medical diagnostic information or medical history records
St. Petersburg Crime Statistics
The St. Petersburg Police Department compiles city-wide crime statistics and reports for crime reports within the city as part of the FBI UCR program. According to FBI data available for 2019, the city recorded a total of 10,186 reported incidents. A further breakdown of the numbers reveals St. Petersburg recorded 1,594 violent crime cases and 8,592 property crime incidents. Larceny-theft was the most common property crime with 6,765 cases while aggravated assault was the most common violent crime. Compared to the previous year, the violent crime rate decreased by 5% while property crime reports dropped by 3%. Residents in the city had a 1-in-32 chance of being a victim of a property crime vs. a 1-in-168 chance of being a victim of a violent crime - making St. Petersburg safer than 10% of the cities in the U.S.
Are St. Petersburg Criminal Records Public?
Not all criminal records are open to the public. In compliance with Florida’s open record laws, access to some police reports may be restricted to only eligible persons. For instance, police reports linked to ongoing investigations may only be obtained by victims, witnesses, insurance carriers, or legal representatives of victims.
How to Obtain St. Petersburg Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records and Evidentiary Services Division of the St. Petersburg Police Department processes requests for public records. Interested parties can obtain records in person by visiting the Main Lobby of the Headquarters at
1300 First Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
The office opens between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday. The department charges $0.20 per double-sided page and $0.15 per single side page. Requests that require extensive research are charged at a rate of $21.00 per hour.
The St. Petersburg Police Department also processes local requests for criminal history background letters. However, this information is restricted to criminal records for events that occurred within Pinellas County. Citizen-initiated inquiries can also be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
How to Find St Petersburg Inmate Records
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office provides public access to inmate records via a Who’s-in-Jail search platform. Interested parties can search through inmate records by keying in the first and last name of a known inmate, as well as the inmate’s race, sex, and docket number. Searches can also be filtered to reveal inmates by charge, arrest type, or agency. Similarly, the Florida Department of Correction provides information on persons housed in correctional facilities managed by the state. Users can search through records using the department’s Correction Offender Network. It provides general information on each inmate, such as the inmate’s name, sex, date of birth, prison sentence history, and any known aliases.
How Do I Visit an inmate in St. Petersburg Jail?
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office only permits video visits for inmates. Same-day visits aren’t permitted. Friends and family members must schedule an appointment (usually a week) prior to the visit. The prison system permits a maximum of two adults and 40 minutes per visit. A video visitation center is provided at the administration support building of the Pinellas County Jail. Visitors are required to provide a valid government-issued I.D such as a driver’s license or passport. Persons unable to make the trip to the county jail may be able to conduct remote visits by visiting the nearest mobile visitation bus location.
Location #1:
James B. Sanderlin Family Center
2335 22nd Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Every Monday and Wednesday
Location #2:
North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex
900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
Every Tuesday
Location #3:
Tarpon Springs Police Department
444 South Huey Avenue
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Every Thursday
Location #4:
Greater Ridgecrest YMCA
1801 119th Street
Largo, FL 33778
Every Friday
Court Records
The city of St. Petersburg is home to multiple courts, including two county circuit courts and two county courts. The county courts have limited jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases while the circuit courts serve as the main trial courts, with jurisdiction over most criminal and civil cases, including felonies and civil claims over $15,000.
Pinellas County Circuit Court
Tyrone Branch Office
1800 66th Street North,
St Petersburg, FL 33710
(727) 464-7000
Pinellas County Circuit Court
St. Petersburg Judicial Building
545 1st Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 464-7000
Fax: (727) 582-7990
County Court of Pinellas County
Tyrone Branch Office
1800 66th Street North,
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
(727) 464-7000
County Court of Pinellas County
St. Petersburg Judicial Building
545 1st Avenue North,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 464-7000
Fax: (727) 582-7990
Note: Criminal court records are not the same thing as criminal records. These are essentially case files generated in the court during criminal trials.
What are St. Petersburg Vital Records?
St. Petersburg vital records provide information on life events that occurred within the county. This includes birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. Some vital records are open to the public while others. For instance, in compliance with Florida state laws, birth certificates are not considered public records until after 100 years following birth. Access to some records may be restricted to only named registrants, family members, or legal representatives.
Where and How to Obtain St. Petersburg Divorce Records
The Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains copies of divorce decrees located at:
315 Court St,
Clearwater,
FL 33756, USA
The office opens from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m and 4:30 p.m. In addition, the clerk provides a public view tool that members of the public can use to search through online family records. Searches can be made by case, party name, attorney name or filing date. The clerk charges $1.00 per page for court records and an additional $2.00 for certified copies. Requests typically take 2 to 3 days to process from the confirmation of receipt.
How to Obtain Divorce Certificates
The Florida Department of Health manages records for divorces that occurred in St. Petersburg and other parts of the state from 1927 till the present. The department charges $5.00 for divorce records and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. This fee is non-refundable, even if the requested record cannot be found. In cases where no results can be found for a request, the department provides a certified “No Record Found” statement. To get a divorce record by mail, send a signed application to:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Attn: Vital Record Section
Post Office Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Applications must include the full names of the spouses, the city where the divorce was granted, and the date of the event (or a range of years). Individuals must also provide personal details such as their full name, telephone number, and mailing address. Application letters must also be accompanied by a check or money order made out to "Vital statistics"
Processing Speeds for Divorce Requests
Divorce records take approximately five business days to process after the payment has been confirmed. Request for records that predate 1970 may require additional processing time.
How to Obtain St. Petersburg Birth and Death Records
The Florida Department of Health for Pinellas manages and processes requests for birth and death records in St. Petersburg and the rest of the county. Requests can be made in person or by mail at:
Florida Department of Health Pinellas
Vital Statistics
8751 Ulmerton Road, Suite 1700
Largo, FL 33771
Requests must include a completed form as well as a copy of a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military identification card, or state identification card. Birth certifications can only be released to individuals who qualify for eligibility, such as the parents, legal guardian, child, or legal representative. The department charges $13.00 for a certified copy of a birth certificate and $8.00 for each additional copy. Acceptable forms of payment for in-person requests include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.
