What Are St. Johns County Public Records?
The Florida Sunshine Law defines St. Johns County public records as all information produced, stored, and amended by a public office in relation to a public activity. Public records may exist as traditional-written documents such as books and papers, statistical tables and graphs, photographs, maps, sound recordings, tapes, films, and computer-generated documents. Government bodies, which serves as custodian agencies, may choose to restrict access or redact parts of public records it satisfies the following criteria:
- Juvenile records information.
- Personal identifying information obtained via an automated license plate recognition platform
- Information gleaned from pawnbroker’s records.
- Data on forensic behavioral health evaluation
- Information on tests or examination prepared by government entities in the assessment of:
- qualifications for certificates or licenses issued by public entities.
- Students performance.
- Information on the identity of confidential sources or informants in an investigation
- Biometric identification information
- Information on the personal details of crime victims, criminal suspects, and law enforcement agencies on an active criminal investigation
- Personnel records
- Employees and employee's aptitude for promotion, employment, or retention
- Information on patient's medical history
St. Johns County Crime Statistics
Crime data for all Florida counties are collated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Records for 2018 reveal that St. Johns County recorded 371 violent crimes and 2,991 property crimes. Compared with its 2014 crime data, violent and property crime rates fell by 33.4% and 22.6%, respectively in St. Johns County in 2018. Reported incidences of violent crimes in St. Johns County in 2018 included four homicides, 42 rapes, 39 robberies, and 286 aggravated assaults. Property crime incidences included 390 burglaries, 2,387 larceny-thefts, and 214 motor vehicle thefts. The county’s most recent five-year crime trend indicates that the homicide rate was unchanged while rape (10.5%) and motor vehicle theft (26.6%) rates increased between 2014 and 2018. On the other hand, St. Johns County recorded fewer robberies (31.6%), aggravated assault (37.6%), burglaries (44.2%), and larcenies (20.1%) in the same period.
Are St. Johns County Criminal Records Public?
According to the Florida State Statute 119.07, most St. Johns County criminal records are open to the public members. However, juvenile criminal records and data on an ongoing criminal investigation are exempt from public disclosure. Furthermore, according to the Florida Statutes 943.053 and 985.04, only the record bearer and designated persons can obtain juvenile criminal records from the Records Division of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. At the county level, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office provides local criminal history records. A certified copy of such records costs $1, while the Sheriff’s Office charges $0.15 per single-sided page for photocopies and $0.20 per page for double-sided pages. To obtain this countywide criminal background record, visit the Records Unit of the Sheriff's Office at:
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
4015 Lewis Speedway Street
Augustine, FL 32084
Similarly, the FDLE’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) is the central repository for criminal history information for Florida. This division provides background checks for St. Johns County. A request for criminal history records can be made from the division in person, by regular mail, and via email. Send email requests to backgroundchecks@fdle.state.fl.us or visit the office to make an in-person request at:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Those opting to submit their requests by mail can forward them to:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Criminal History Services
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
A certified background check costs $24. It takes six to seven business days, excluding mail delivery time, to process a criminal record at the FDLE. For further information, contact the CJIS by calling (850) 410-8161.
How to Obtain St. John County Police Reports and Arrest Records
St. Johns County police reports and arrest records are under the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Through the Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office, interested persons can request and access police reports and county residents’ arrest records. Arrest records and police reports are available via online, in-person requests, fax, and phonecall. Obtain St. Johns County arrest records and police reports via the Records Request Center online platform. Create an account or log-in into an existing account on the online platform.
Record seekers can visit St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office to obtain police reports for the City of St. Augustine. Such a request can be made in person from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at:
151 King Street
City of St. Augustine
P.O. Box 1950
St. Augustine, FL 32085-1950
Phone: (904) 825-1074
Fax: (904) 209-1542
How to Find Sex Offender Information in St. Johns County
The FDLE maintains a database of registered sex offenders/predators living in the various counties of Florida. It also makes this registry publicly available on its website. Users can conduct searches by name, street address, or county zip code. As a complimentary service to the FDLE Sex Predator and Offender database, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office provides the OffenderWatch tool on its website to help residents find registered offenders in their neighborhoods.
How to Find St. Johns County Inmate Information
The St. John County Sheriff’s Office, via a searchable portal, maintains and updates information on all incarcerated offenders in the county’s correctional facilities. Use the online searchable portal to access inmate information, such as the inmates’ full names, status, age on booking, booking date, Mni No, Bond amount, Booking No, and home address.
The Florida Department of Corrections also provides access to all offenders in the state’s correctional facilities via an online searchable portal. Access inmate information on the searchable portal by filling out the inmate’s full name, DC number, and aliases. As a result, requesters can obtain the following inmate details - photograph, full name, DC number, sex, age, race, date of birth, the release date, and the correctional facility where the inmate is being held.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in St. Johns County
St. Johns County has two correctional facilities for inmates’ housing: The Main Detention Unit and the Community Work Release Center (CWRC). The Main Detention Unit is a 664-bed facility housing both male and female inmates awaiting pre-trial hearings. The CWRC is a 100-bed facility housing male inmates participating in the work release program. Both are located at:
St. Johns County Detention Center
3955 Lewis Speedway,
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Inmates at the St. Johns County Detention Center are eligible for two 60-minute visits per week. Hence, visitors can visit inmates on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. At the Detention Center, visitors must fill out a questionnaire and provide a valid ID before visitation. A legal guardian must accompany visitors under the legal age. The St. Johns County Detention Center does not allow visitors less than six years into the prison facility.
St. Johns County Court Records
As a part of the Florida Middle Judicial District, the St. Johns County court system consists of a Circuit Court and a County Court. The clerk of these courts handles different types of court cases, such as small claims, traffic, criminal, and civil court cases.
The Circuit Court handles all felony cases and civil disputes involving more than $15,000. The County Court is the lower court in the county, and it is also located in the same building as the Circuit Court. The County Court handles misdemeanors and civil disputes involving $15,000 or less. Court records in St. Johns County consist of documents like affidavits, party pleadings, motions, and appeals filed. St. Johns County courts’ locations and contact details are listed below:
Location of Courts in St. Johns County
St. Johns County Circuit Courts
St. Johns County Circuit Court
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
4010 Lewis Speedway
St Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
St. Johns County Court
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
St. Johns County Courthouse
4010 Lewis Speedway
St Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
Are St. Johns County Court Records Public?
Per state law, St. John Court records are accessible to the public members through various mediums and agencies. However, confidential court records, such as juvenile court records and child adoption court cases, are not public records.
At the county level, the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller generates and maintains all criminal and civil case records for the courts in the county. Before submitting a request for case documents, search for court records online by visiting the Case Search app hosted on the Clerk's website. The Clerk also provides public terminals at the Judicial Center for viewing public records. To make a request, print and complete the Request for Records Research form.
The Clerk’s office charges $1 per page for copies of court records. Furthermore, the Clerk’s Office charges an additional $2 per document for certified copies and $7 for each exemplified copy requested. A request may attract an additional charge of $2 research fee when no case number is provided. Any request requiring more than 15 minutes to process will be charged at $5 for every additional quarter research hour spent on the order. Send a request by mail, email, phone, or fax to:
St. Johns County Clerk of Court
Attn: Research
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Email: cocresearch@sjccoc.us
Phone: (904) 819-3600 ext.4353
Fax: (904) 819-3692
Can You Look Up a St. Johns County Court Record Online?
Interested public members can look up St. Johns County court records online via the County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller’s online platform. Choose to search for court records as a public or registered user. To search for court records as a registered user, requesters may create an account or log in to an existing account. On the other hand, search as a public user by inputting the following search criteria: name, case number, case type, citation number, the timeframe of the court case.
How to Obtain St. Johns County Civil Court Case Records
The St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains records of all civil court cases generated by the Circuit Court. Civil court case records are accessible to county residents and non-residents via an online searchable platform and in-person requests. Get copies of St. Johns County civil court case records by visiting the County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller at:
St. Johns County Circuit Court
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
4010 Lewis Speedway
St Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
Civil court records cost $1 per copy at the Clerk’s office. In addition to this, additional copies are $2 per document, while exemplified copies cost $7. A request may attract an additional charge of $2 research fee when no case number is provided. Any claim requiring more than 15 minutes to process will be charged at $5 for every additional quarter research hour spent on the order.
In contrast, the County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller, via an online platform, provides access to St. John County civil court records. Choose to search for court records as a public or registered user. To search for court records as a registered user, requesters may create an account or log in to an existing account. On the other hand, search as a public user by inputting the following search criteria: name, case number, case type, citation number, the timeframe of the court case.
How to Obtain St. Johns County Criminal Court Case Records
Interested persons can obtain St. Johns County criminal court case records from the County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller. St. Johns County criminal court case records are obtainable online or through an in-person visit. Obtain online copies of St. Johns County criminal court case records by using the online searchable platform.
To search for court records as a registered user, create an account or log in to an existing account. On the other hand, search as a public user by inputting the following search criteria: name, case number, case type, citation number, the timeframe of the court case. Get copies of St. Johns County criminal court case records by visiting the County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller at:
St. Johns County Circuit Court
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
4010 Lewis Speedway
St Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
Civil court records cost $1 per copy at the Clerk’s office. In addition to this, additional copies are $2 per document, while exemplified copies cost $7.
What are St. Johns County Vital Records?
St. Johns County’s vital records are government-verified files that contain information on all life events within the city. These vital records include - but not limited to - birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. Local and state agencies, which act as custodian agencies, maintain and grant access to vital records. Hence, interested persons may inspect and obtain copies of St. Johns’s vital records by requesting from these custodian agencies. The St. Johns County Clerk of Courts is the custodian of all divorce and marriage records within the county. At the same time, the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County handles the documentation of all birth and death records at the county level.
Where and How to Obtain St. Johns County Divorce Records
Interested persons can obtain St. Johns County divorce records from the County Clerk of Courts. Obtain divorce records from the County Clerk of Courts through mail or in-person requests.
Visit or send a mail to the St. Johns County Clerk of Court at:
For in-person visits;
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tel: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
For mail requests;
Clerk of Court & Comptroller
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
The mail request should detail the record bearers’ names, case numbers, and date and place of the divorce.
Similarly, the FDLE maintains all divorce records in the state counties. Get divorce records from the FDLE via its online platform, mail, or in-person requests. To use the FDLE online platform as a requester, select St. Johns County and choose the “search button. Complete the divorce verification request form to obtain divorce records in-person or through the mail. Visit or send a mail to the FDLE at the address below.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042.
Phone: (904) 359-6900, ext. 9000
Where and How to Get Public St. Johns County Marriage Records
The St. Johns County Clerk of Courts handles all records of marriage events in the county. Interested persons can obtain copies of marriage records through the County Clerk of Courts’ online platform. St. Johns County marriage records are accessible through in-person requests. Get marriage records by visiting the County Clerk of Courts at:
Richard O. Watson Judicial Center
4010 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Tel: (904) 819-3600
Fax: (904) 819-3661
St. Johns County marriage certificates are also obtainable through the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Florida Department of Health. Requesters can only obtain St. Johns’s marriage records from June 6, 1927, to the present. A marriage record at the Bureau of Vital Statistics costs $5. To make an order, download and complete the Application for Marriage Certificate form to the address below.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Phone: (904) 359-6900, ext. 9000
Where and How to Get Confidential St. Johns County Marriage Records
St. Johns County marriage records are public records.
Where and How to Find St. Johns County Birth Records
Members of the public can find and get St. Johns County birth records from the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County. The Bureau provides copies of birth certificates in St. Johns County through local offices. Birth certificates from 1917 to the present are available at these locations. Since birth certificates are confidential, only the following requesters are eligible to request birth records:
- The record bearer, above the legal age
- Guardians with proof of legal custody
- Parents listed on the record.
- The record bearer’s legal representatives
Certified copies of birth certificates are issued at $15 each. To obtain birth records as a requester, complete the application form. Submit the form in person or send it as a mail request to any of the listed addresses below.
Main Office - Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County
200 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 209-3250
Environmental Public Health
200 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 209-3250
Where and How to Get St. Johns County Death Records
The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County maintains records of all death events in the county. Death certificates from 2009 to the present are provided there. Eligible persons can obtain death certificates before 2009 from the state office of the Bureau in Jacksonville. To access death records before 2009, requesters must complete and mail the Application for Death Record form (also provided in Spanish) to the state office at:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics,
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
To obtain records of St. Johns County death events after 2009, complete the application form. Submit the form in person or send it as a mail request to any of the listed addresses below.
Main Office - Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County
200 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 209-3250
Environmental Public Health
200 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Phone: (904) 209-3250
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
