Dixie County

Dixie County is a rural county located in the Big Bend region of North Florida along the Gulf of Mexico coast. The county seat is Cross City, which serves as the primary governmental and commercial hub for the area. Established in 1921 from portions of Lafayette County, Dixie County encompasses approximately 704 square miles of land and water. The population is approximately 16,700 residents, making it one of Florida's least populated counties. The county is characterized by vast stretches of pine forests, wetlands, and pristine coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

The Dixie County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the county. It patrols unincorporated areas, manages the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is committed to community policing and offers various programs to engage with residents, including crime prevention initiatives and educational outreach. The office also has specialized divisions such as a narcotics unit and a K-9 unit, which are crucial in addressing specific law enforcement challenges in the county.

Police Departments

Law enforcement in Dixie County is primarily handled by the Dixie County Sheriff's Office, which covers the unincorporated areas and smaller communities. In addition, the Cross City Police Department serves the city of Cross City, providing local law enforcement services and working closely with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and investigations. These agencies coordinate efforts to ensure comprehensive coverage and effective response to incidents across the county, sharing resources and information as needed.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

The Dixie County Sheriff's Office, located at 220 NE 210 Street, Cross City, FL 32628, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the county. Sheriff Darby Butler leads the department, which provides patrol services, criminal investigations, civil process service, and operates the county detention facility. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (352) 498-1230, and their website is www.dixiecountysheriff.com. The Dixie County Detention Facility houses inmates awaiting trial or serving short-term sentences.

• To request arrest records, citizens may submit written requests to the Dixie County Sheriff's Office, specifying the name and date of birth of the individual in question.
• There may be nominal copying fees associated with obtaining physical copies of arrest reports.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Florida and can be requested through the same process as arrest records.
• The Sheriff's Office typically processes public records requests within a reasonable timeframe as required by state law.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Dixie County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and a sex offender registry. The Dixie County Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Court, depending on the type of record needed. The Florida Bureau of Investigation offers statewide background checks, which include information relevant to Dixie County residents.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Dixie County are maintained by the Dixie County Sheriff's Office. These records include information such as the date and time of arrest, charges, and personal details of the individual. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, either in person or through written requests. Under the Florida Sunshine Law, arrest records are considered public information, allowing for transparency and accessibility.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Dixie County Jail, operated by the Dixie County Sheriff's Office, is the primary detention facility in the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing residents to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.

• The bond and bail process follows Florida state laws, allowing for the release of detainees pending trial upon payment of a set amount.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Dixie County are taken and retained by the Dixie County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. To search for mugshots, individuals can use the online resources provided by the Sheriff's Office or visit the office in person. Florida does have laws regarding the removal of mugshots from certain websites, particularly if the charges are dropped or the individual is acquitted, but these laws do not apply to official law enforcement websites.

Dixie County is served by the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which also covers Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties. The Dixie County Courthouse is located at 214 North Washington Street, Cross City, FL 32628. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving amounts over $30,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate proceedings, and appeals from county court.

• The County Court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, small claims cases up to $8,000, and civil cases involving amounts between $8,000 and $30,000.
• Some records require a small fee for copies, typically $1.00 per page for standard copies and higher fees for certified copies.
• For specific case information, the Clerk's office staff can assist with searches for a research fee if extensive time is required.

Property and land records for Dixie County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, who serves as the official Recorder of Deeds. The Clerk's office is located at 214 North Washington Street, Cross City, FL 32628, and can be reached at (352) 498-1200. The office maintains records of property deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, satisfaction of mortgages, judgments, uniform commercial code (UCC) filings, and plat maps. These records are public and available for inspection under Florida's Public Records Law.

• The Dixie County Tax Collector, reachable at (352) 498-1212, handles property tax collections and provides information on tax payment history and outstanding taxes.
• To obtain certified copies of recorded documents such as deeds or mortgages, requests must be made through the Clerk of Circuit Court's office.
• The fee for certified copies is typically $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus applicable search fees.

Vital records for Dixie County, Florida, are handled through multiple offices depending on the type of record and timeframe. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Dixie County can be requested through the Dixie County Health Department, located at 1089 NE 255 Street, Cross City, FL 32628, phone (352) 498-1360. Birth certificates are available for births that occurred in Florida, and applicants must be eligible requestors under Florida Statute 382.008, including the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives.

• The fee for a certified birth certificate is $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
• Death certificates cost $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies.
• Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks when applying by mail.
• For faster service, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville processes requests statewide and offers expedited service.
• The marriage license fee is $93.50, reduced to $61.00 if both parties complete a premarital preparation course.

Business and licensing records in Dixie County are maintained by several agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Dixie County Clerk of the Circuit Court, located at 214 North Washington Street, Cross City, FL 32628, phone (352) 498-1200, handles fictitious name registrations (DBA - Doing Business As) as required under Florida Statute 865. These filings allow individuals and entities to operate under a business name different from their legal name and are public records searchable at the Clerk's office.

• The registration fee is approximately $50.00, and renewals are required every five years.
• This free online resource allows searches by entity name, officer name, or document number and provides information on business formation dates, registered agents, annual reports, and corporate status.

Elections in Dixie County are administered by the Dixie County Supervisor of Elections, located at 211 NE 208 Terrace, Cross City, FL 32628. The office can be reached at (352) 498-1240, and election information is available at www.dixieelections.com. Voter registration in Florida requires applicants to be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old, and not adjudicated mentally incapacitated or have had voting rights restored if previously convicted of a felony. Voters must register at least 29 days before an election.

• Online voter registration is available through the Florida Division of Elections at registertovoteflorida.gov, where applicants can complete registration using their Florida driver license or ID card number.
• Absentee ballots, also called vote-by-mail ballots, can be requested through the Supervisor of Elections office by phone, written request, or online through the county elections website.
• Vote-by-mail ballots can be requested for a single election or for all elections through the end of the next two calendar years.
• Requests must be received by 5:00 PM on the 10th day before the election.

Dixie County's economy is predominantly rural and based on natural resource industries, agriculture, and tourism. The county's major economic sectors include timber and forestry, commercial fishing and aquaculture, agriculture, and nature-based tourism. The vast pine forests covering much of the county support logging operations and wood products manufacturing. Several timber companies operate in the area, making forestry one of the largest employers. The county's Gulf Coast location supports a significant commercial fishing industry, particularly for mullet, blue crab, and oysters.

• The median household income in Dixie County is approximately $40,000, significantly below the state average, reflecting the rural nature of the economy.

Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online | Property: ✅ Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ State Online (Sunbiz) | Elections: ✅ Online Access | Overall Score: 6/10 — Dixie County provides basic online access for property and election records, but most public records require in-person visits or phone requests to county offices in Cross City.

Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Dixie County, Florida.