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Public Records in Florida

Florida public records are governed by the Florida Sunshine Law, which gives residents and the public the right to access government documents and records. From property ownership and court records to business filings and vital statistics, Florida maintains extensive public databases across its 67 counties. Florida has some of the most permissive public-records laws in the country — court dockets, property records, and even email correspondence are typically available online without a formal request. Whether you're conducting a background check, researching property history, or verifying business information, the resources below provide direct access to official Florida public records.

What you can find
  • Property and real estate records
  • Court records (civil, criminal, and probate)
  • Business filings and corporate registrations
  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)
  • UCC liens and secured filings
  • Professional licenses and notary commissions
How to access Florida public records

Most Florida public records can be accessed online through state agency portals like the Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services and the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, or through individual county clerk websites. For records not published online, agencies accept written requests under the Florida Sunshine Law — usually by mail or email — and must respond within the statutory deadline. Certified copies of vital records and court documents typically require a small fee and proof of identity.

FL

Florida

Business Entity Lookup
Florida Sunbiz Entity Search

Search Florida corporations, LLCs, and partnerships via the Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Returns registered agent, officer list, annual report history, and filing documents.

Portal links are verified regularly but government websites change without notice. If this link appears broken, use the button below to visit the state's main website, then navigate to their business search tool. Found a broken link? Suggest a correction →
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Using the Florida business entity portal

Florida's Sunbiz portal is one of the most transparent in the country, returning registered agent, full officer and director lists with addresses, annual report history, and downloadable filing images. There's no charge to view documents. A quirk: Florida lists every officer's address publicly, so it's an unusually rich source for connecting related entities.

Pro tip
Use the 'Search by Officer/Registered Agent Name' option to map every Florida entity tied to a person — it's one of the best free tools for uncovering related companies.
Common use cases

Verifying a vendor before signing a contract · Confirming good standing before funding a deal · Checking the registered agent before serving legal notice

What you can find
  • Registered agent name and address
  • Officer and director list
  • Annual report filing history
  • Principal place of business
  • Filing documents and amendments
Pro tip
Search by exact legal name first. If nothing returns, try a partial name or the registered agent — many portals normalize punctuation differently than what's filed.
Searchadex links directly to the official Florida Secretary of State portal. We never store, resell, or charge for this information.

Florida Business Entity Search via Sunbiz — A Professional's Guide

Florida's Division of Corporations operates Sunbiz.org, one of the most user-friendly Secretary of State portals in the country. Florida registers corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other entity types, and the Sunbiz database is updated in real time as filings are processed. Florida entities must file an Annual Report between January 1 and May 1 each year to maintain active status — failure to file results in administrative dissolution. The Sunbiz portal is particularly valuable for due diligence because it provides comprehensive officer and director information, registered agent details, and historical annual reports going back several years. For title companies and lenders, Florida entity status is critical for real estate closings — a dissolved entity cannot convey title or execute loan documents. The portal also allows searches by registered agent name, which is useful for identifying all entities associated with a specific registered agent — a common technique for identifying related shell companies or complex ownership structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a Florida entity misses its Annual Report?
Florida entities that fail to file their Annual Report by May 1 are administratively dissolved after a grace period. A dissolved entity cannot legally conduct business, enter contracts, or convey property.
How do I search by registered agent in Florida?
Sunbiz allows searches by registered agent name. This is useful for identifying all entities tied to a specific registered agent — helpful for mapping ownership structures and identifying related entities during due diligence.
What is the difference between 'active' and 'inactive' in Florida?
An active Florida entity is in good standing and legally authorized to conduct business. Inactive status typically indicates the entity has been administratively dissolved or has voluntarily withdrawn.
Can foreign entities register in Florida?
Yes — out-of-state entities doing business in Florida must register as a foreign entity with the Division of Corporations. Foreign entities appear in Sunbiz alongside domestic Florida entities.

Also useful for Florida

Registered Agent & Compliance

Need a registered agent in Florida?

If the entity you found needs a registered agent, annual report filing, or compliance support, Harbor Compliance handles all 50 states.

Get a free compliance quote

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Need more than a government portal?

For compiled background reports that go beyond the official record — combining people search, contact data, and multi-source history — these professional tools can help. They are paid services, not government sources.

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