Dade City, Florida Public Records

The County Court, also located at the Dade City courthouse complex, handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, civil disputes under $30,000, small claims up to $8,000, and eviction proceedings. Pasco County also operates courthouses in New Port Richey (West Pasco Judicial Center, 7530 Little Road) for additional case hearings. All court records for cases filed in Pasco County can be searched online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and the Pasco County Clerk's online records search at https://ccmspa.pascoclerk.com. The statewide system provides access to case dockets, filed documents, judgments, and disposition information. Court records are generally public unless sealed by court order or involving confidential matters such as juvenile cases or certain family law issues. Certified copies of court documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus a $2.00 certification fee. Regular copies are 15 cents per page for single-sided and 20 cents for double-sided. Civil filing fees vary: Circuit Court civil filings are $409 for cases over $30,000, County Court civil filings are $300 for cases from $8,001-$30,000, and small claims filings range from $55-$275 depending on claim amount. Traffic and criminal case records can be accessed free of charge online, though official certified copies require payment of the standard fees.

The Florida Bureau of Investigation also plays a role in maintaining comprehensive criminal records accessible to law enforcement agencies and the public, ensuring transparency and accountability within the justice system.

Search results display current assessed value, taxable value, exemptions (such as homestead), property characteristics (square footage, year built, number of bedrooms/bathrooms), sales history, and aerial photographs. The Property Appraiser also maintains a GIS mapping system at https://www.pascopa.com/mapping that allows users to view parcel boundaries, zoning information, flood zones, and surrounding properties. All assessment data is available free of charge online. For recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats, the Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Official Records office. The Dade City location at 38053 Live Oak Avenue (phone: 352-521-4516) handles in-person document recording, while the main recording office is at 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey. The Clerk's Official Records division maintains documents dating back to the county's founding, with most records from 1990 forward digitized and available online at https://ccmspa.pascoclerk.com/PublicAccess. Users can search by name (grantor/grantee), document type, date range, or book and page number. Viewing digitized documents online is free; printing or obtaining certified copies costs $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee if needed. Recording fees for new documents are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. The online system includes deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens (including mechanics liens and judgment liens), UCC filings, military discharges (DD-214s), and subdivision plats.

The city's historic downtown on Meridian Avenue supports dozens of antique stores, restaurants, and specialty shops that draw visitors from the Tampa Bay area. Agriculture remains economically important, with citrus groves, cattle ranches, and plant nurseries operating in and around Dade City. The annual Kumquat Festival, held each January, attracts thousands of visitors and generates substantial revenue for local businesses. Saint Leo University, located just south of Dade City in Saint Leo, employs faculty and staff and brings students to the area. Dade City's median household income is approximately $38,000-$42,000, lower than the Pasco County median of around $58,000, reflecting the city's smaller size and more rural character compared to the county's western coastal areas. Recent economic development includes expansion of retail along US Highway 301 and State Road 52, improved broadband infrastructure, and preservation-based tourism centered on the historic downtown district. Dade City benefits from proximity to Interstate 75 (about 7 miles west) and Tampa International Airport (about 45 miles southwest), though it maintains a distinct identity separate from Tampa's suburban sprawl. The city is positioning itself as a heritage tourism destination while supporting agricultural industries that have been central to the local economy for over a century.

The Dade City Police Department, located at 38030 Meridian Avenue, Dade City, FL 33523 (phone: 352-567-6721, website: https://www.dadecityfl.com), serves the incorporated city limits and maintains police reports, incident records, traffic crash reports, and offense reports. Citizens can request copies of police reports in person at the department or by submitting a written public records request citing Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Reports are typically available within 5-7 business days, and fees apply for copies. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 8700 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654 (phone: 727-847-8102, website: https://www.pascosheriff.com), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Pasco County and supplements city police when needed. The Sheriff's Office handles major investigations, operates the county detention facilities, and maintains comprehensive arrest records for all of Pasco County. To search for arrests and jail bookings, residents can access the Pasco County Sheriff's Office online inmate search at https://www.pascosheriff.com/arrest-inquiry, which displays current inmates at the Land O' Lakes Detention Center (20101 Central Boulevard, Land O' Lakes) and the New Port Richey facility. The inmate roster shows booking photos (mugshots), full name, booking date, charges filed, bond amount, and housing location. Records are updated in real-time as inmates are booked or released. Florida's public records law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes (commonly called the Sunshine Law), guarantees public access to most law enforcement records unless specifically exempted for active investigations or confidential informants. Requests must be made in writing, and agencies must respond within a reasonable time frame, typically charging 15 cents per page for copies plus any special labor costs for extensive searches.

Certified copies can be ordered online through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com (with service fees added), by mail with a completed application form and valid photo ID copy, or in person at any county health department. The Pasco County Health Department has an office at 38033 Daughtery Road, Dade City, FL 33525 (phone: 352-521-1450), which can process vital records requests, though processing still occurs through the state office in Jacksonville. Birth records in Florida are confidential for 100 years from the date of birth and can only be obtained by the registrant (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or authorized representatives with proper documentation. Death certificates are public records immediately upon filing. Processing time for online orders is typically 5-7 business days plus shipping; mail requests take 3-4 weeks. Marriage licenses are issued by the Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Dade City courthouse, 38053 Live Oak Avenue (phone: 352-521-4516). Florida requires a $93.50 fee for marriage licenses, reduced to $61.00 if couples complete a premarital preparation course. There is no waiting period if both parties are Florida residents; a 3-day waiting period applies for out-of-state residents. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained as court records by the Pasco County Clerk and can be searched through the online court records system. Divorce decrees and related family court records may have confidential portions sealed by court order.

The Pasco County Tax Collector, with an office at 14236 6th Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (phone: 352-521-4338, website: https://www.pascotaxes.com), administers the county business tax receipt program. County fees range from approximately $50 to several hundred dollars depending on classification. The Tax Collector's website offers a business tax receipt lookup tool. Fictitious name registrations (doing business as/DBA) in Florida are filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, and cost $50.00 for registration. DBAs must be published in a local newspaper (such as the Dade City News or Pasco News) once before registration is complete. Florida's Sunbiz system at https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz provides free online searching of all registered business entities including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and fictitious names. Users can search by entity name, officer name, or registered agent, and results display entity status (active, inactive, dissolved), registration date, principal address, registered agent information, and annual report filing status. The Division of Corporations is located at 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are filed with the Florida Department of State UCC division and searchable at https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/ucc-search. Business owners can research commercial property assessments through the Pasco County Property Appraiser's website at https://www.pascopa.com using the property address or parcel number. Commercial properties are assessed annually, and values are used to calculate property taxes due to the county, city, school district, and special taxing districts.

Dade City voters are served by the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, with the main office located at 41020 Deer Run Road, Dade City, FL 33525 (phone: 352-521-4302, website: https://www.pascovotes.gov). This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Pasco County residents, including voter registration, early voting, election day polling places, absentee ballots, and candidate filings. Florida residents can register to vote online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov, which requires a Florida driver license or ID card. Voter registration deadlines are 29 days before any election. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, and at least 18 years old by election day. Dade City, as an incorporated municipality, holds city elections for mayor and city council on a staggered schedule. The City of Dade City elects a mayor and five city commissioners, with municipal elections typically held in March of odd-numbered years. The next Dade City municipal elections are scheduled for March 2025 for certain council seats. Information about municipal candidates and local ballot measures can be found at https://www.dadecityfl.com or through the Supervisor of Elections. Dade City residents vote in Pasco County precincts; voters can find their assigned polling location by entering their address at https://www.pascovotes.gov/Voters/Polling-Place-Lookup. Early voting is offered at multiple locations across Pasco County, typically for 10-14 days before each election, including a location in Dade City. In the November 2024 presidential election, Pasco County reported approximately 67% voter turnout with about 275,000 ballots cast out of roughly 410,000 registered voters; the county leaned Republican with strong support for Donald Trump and GOP candidates. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Dade City and Pasco County voters will decide several significant races. Florida does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next Senate race is 2028), but voters will elect a Governor (Ron DeSantis is term-limited, so 2026 will feature an open race), all Florida Cabinet positions (Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Agriculture Commissioner), all seats in the Florida House of Representatives, and half of the Florida Senate. Locally, voters will elect Pasco County Commission seats, the Pasco County Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of Circuit Court, as these constitutional offices are on the ballot in gubernatorial election years. Florida School Board races for Pasco County School Board districts may also appear on the ballot. Voters can request vote-by-mail ballots (absentee ballots) through the Supervisor of Elections website, by phone, by mail, or in person; Florida law allows any registered voter to vote by mail without providing a reason. Requests must be made by 5:00 PM on the 10th day before the election. Completed ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on election day to be counted. Florida public records law makes extensive election information available to the public: voter registration lists can be purchased from the Supervisor of Elections (individual voter registration information is public except for Social Security numbers and signatures); campaign finance reports are filed with and searchable through the Florida Division of Elections at https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/candidates-committees/campaign-finance; candidate qualifying information and ballot language are public; and precinct-level election results are posted on the Supervisor of Elections website after each election and maintained as permanent public records.