Hampton, Florida Public Records

Law enforcement in Hampton, Bradford County is primarily managed by the Bradford County Sheriff's Office, which covers the unincorporated areas. Additionally, the Starke Police Department serves the city of Starke, while the Lawtey Police Department and Brooker Police Department serve their respective municipalities. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure comprehensive coverage and public safety across the county.

The Bradford County Jail, located in Starke, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves photographing, fingerprinting, and documenting personal information of the arrestees. Inmates can be searched through the county's online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific, requiring appointments and adherence to a schedule. The bond process follows Florida's legal guidelines, allowing for cash bonds or bail bonds through licensed agents. Recently arrested individuals can be located via the Sheriff's Office website or by contacting the jail directly.

Hampton residents are served by the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Bradford County, with the Bradford County Courthouse located at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6280. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $30,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate cases, and appeals from county court. The County Court, also located at the Bradford County Courthouse, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil cases under $30,000, small claims disputes up to $8,000, and eviction proceedings. Hampton does not operate a separate municipal court; all violations of town ordinances are prosecuted through the county court system. Court records for both criminal and civil cases can be searched online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com, which provides access to case dockets, filings, judgments, and court calendars for Bradford County. The Clerk of Court maintains official court records and can be contacted at (904) 966-6280 for copies and certifications. Certified copies of court documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus any applicable search fees. Non-certified copies are typically 15 cents per page. Online access through the portal allows free searching but may require payment for official copies. Passport services are also available through the Clerk's office. All court proceedings and records are governed by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration and public access rules, with certain records sealed or redacted to protect sensitive information such as juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, and specific victim information.

The criminal records ecosystem in Bradford County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Bradford County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Florida Bureau of Investigation also offers resources for more detailed investigations and background checks.

Arrest records in Bradford County are maintained by the Bradford County Sheriff's Office. Residents and legal representatives can request these records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, adhering to the guidelines set by the Florida Sunshine Law. A typical arrest record in Bradford County includes the individual's personal information, charges, arresting officer's details, and the circumstances of the arrest.

Property and land records for Hampton and Bradford County are managed by two primary offices. The Bradford County Property Appraiser, located at 945 North Temple Avenue, Room 303, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6164, website www.bcpao.us, maintains assessment records, property tax information, ownership data, and parcel maps. The Property Appraiser's website offers a free online search tool allowing residents to search by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number to view current assessed values, exemptions, ownership history, property characteristics, aerial imagery, and tax information. The searchable database includes all properties in Hampton and throughout Bradford County. For recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other official records, the Bradford County Clerk of Court serves as the Official Records custodian at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6280, website www.bradfordcountyclerk.com. The Clerk's Official Records Division maintains an online searchable database at https://officialrecords.bradfordcountyclerk.com where users can search and view recorded documents dating back several decades. Most searches and document images are available free of charge online. Certified copies of recorded documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Recording fees for new documents are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. Bradford County also provides a GIS mapping system accessible through the Property Appraiser's website, allowing users to view interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood zones, and property boundaries. All property records are public under Florida Statutes Chapter 119 unless specifically exempted for security purposes.

Hampton's economy is characterized by its small-scale rural character and position along U.S. Highway 301, a major north-south corridor in North Florida. With a population under 500, Hampton does not host large corporate employers but relies on agriculture, small retail businesses serving highway travelers, and service industries. Many Hampton residents commute to nearby Starke, the Bradford County seat located about 12 miles southwest, where major employers include the North Florida Regional Medical Center, Bradford County government offices, Bradford County School District, and the Florida State Prison system. The agricultural sector remains important to Hampton's economic identity, with farming operations in surrounding areas focusing on timber, cattle, hay, and row crops typical of North Florida. Small businesses in Hampton include convenience stores, gas stations, and local services. According to U.S. Census data, Bradford County's median household income was approximately $41,000 as of recent estimates, with Hampton's figures generally comparable or slightly lower given its rural character. The town's economy is closely tied to the broader Bradford County economic base, which includes correctional facilities as a significant employer (New River Correctional Institution and several other state prisons operate in the county). Hampton has seen minimal commercial growth in recent decades, maintaining its character as a quiet residential and agricultural community. The proximity to Interstate 10 (approximately 20 miles north) and the ongoing traffic along US 301 provide some commercial opportunity, though development pressure remains modest. Economic development efforts focus on maintaining quality of life and essential services rather than aggressive growth.

Law enforcement services for Hampton, Florida are provided by the Bradford County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6161, website www.bcso.us. The Sheriff's Office has countywide jurisdiction including the Town of Hampton and handles all patrol, criminal investigations, arrests, and incident response for the area. Hampton does not operate its own municipal police department. To request police reports or incident records, residents must submit a public records request to the Bradford County Sheriff's Office either in person at the Starke headquarters, by mail, or through the department's public records request process, citing Florida Statutes Chapter 119. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests, traffic crashes, calls for service, and offense reports. Arrest and jail booking information for Bradford County, including Hampton residents, can be searched through the Bradford County Detention Facility inmate roster at www.bcso.us/inmate-search, which displays current inmates' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots. Historical arrest records and incident reports require a formal public records request. Under Florida Statutes Section 119.011 and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, all government records are presumed public unless specifically exempted by law. Requesters should provide specific details about the incident date, names, and case numbers when available. The Sheriff's Office may charge for research time and copies per Florida Statutes Section 119.07, typically 15 cents per page for standard copies and actual costs for electronic records. Response time varies but agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and fulfill them within a reasonable timeframe under Florida law.

Vital records for Hampton residents are managed at both the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Health in Bradford County, located at 1801 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 964-7732. However, certified copies of Florida birth and death certificates are primarily obtained through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231, phone 1-877-888-7595, website www.floridahealth.gov/certificates. Birth certificates cost $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $5.00 each. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees. Applicants must provide valid identification and proof of eligibility, as Florida restricts access to immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a tangible interest. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail, faster for online orders with expedited shipping. Marriage licenses are issued by the Bradford County Clerk of Court at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6280. The marriage license fee is $93.50, reduced to $30.00 if both parties complete a premarriage preparation course approved by Florida law. There is no waiting period if the course is completed; otherwise, a 3-day waiting period applies (waived for Florida residents). Marriage records dating back to the county's establishment are maintained by the Clerk's office. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Bradford County Clerk of Court as part of family law case files; certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Florida vital records are confidential with restricted access for 100 years for birth records and 50 years for death records, after which they become public genealogical records.

Business licensing and registration in Hampton involves multiple governmental levels. The Town of Hampton requires businesses operating within town limits to obtain a local business tax receipt (occupational license) from Hampton Town Hall, 8845 Main Street, Hampton, FL 32044, phone (904) 468-3392. License fees vary based on business type and classification; renewals are required annually by September 30. Businesses should contact Town Hall directly to determine specific requirements and fees. Bradford County also requires county business tax receipts for businesses in unincorporated areas and may apply to certain Hampton businesses; contact the Bradford County Tax Collector at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6280 for county licensing. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA) are filed with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations and must be published in a Bradford County newspaper of general circulation such as the Bradford County Telegraph. The registration can be completed online at dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz with a $50 filing fee. Florida business entity searches for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other registered entities are conducted through the Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz database at dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search, which provides free online access to entity status, registered agent information, filing history, officer and director names, and annual report compliance. This searchable database covers all Florida business entities including those based in Hampton. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches are also maintained by the Florida Department of State UCC Division and searchable online. For commercial property tax information in Hampton, owners can search the Bradford County Property Appraiser's online database at www.bcpao.us by entering the business property address or parcel number to view assessed values, exemptions, and tax amounts. Certain professional and occupational licenses require state-level registration through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at www.myfloridalicense.com.

Hampton, Florida voters are served by the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections, located at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite 100, Starke, FL 32091, phone (904) 966-6266, website www.bradfordelections.com. This office manages all aspects of voter registration, elections administration, early voting, and absentee ballots for Hampton residents. Florida residents can register to vote online through the state's voter registration portal at registertovoteflorida.gov, which requires a Florida driver license or ID card. The voter registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Hampton residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, legal residents of Florida and Bradford County, and not adjudicated mentally incapacitated or convicted of a felony without rights restored. The Town of Hampton holds municipal elections for mayor and town council seats; these elections typically occur in conjunction with county or state general election cycles or on specifically designated municipal election dates. Residents should contact Hampton Town Hall at (904) 468-3392 or the Supervisor of Elections for the exact schedule of upcoming municipal races. Hampton voters can find their assigned polling location by visiting the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections website and using the precinct/polling place lookup tool, or by checking their voter information card mailed before each election. Early voting is typically offered at the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections office in Starke for 10-14 days before each election, including weekends.

Florida election records that are public include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted for security), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate qualifying documents, and precinct-level election results, all accessible through the Supervisor of Elections office or at www.bradfordelections.com. In the November 2024 presidential election, Bradford County reported approximately 64% voter turnout among registered voters, with detailed precinct results available on the Supervisor's website. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Hampton and Bradford County voters will decide several important races. Florida does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 (Senator Rick Scott's seat is up in 2028 and Senator Marco Rubio's in 2028 as well), but voters will elect a Governor (Ron DeSantis is term-limited), all five Florida Cabinet positions (Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and two others), Florida House of Representatives District 10 (covering Bradford County), and potentially state Senate seats depending on district rotation. County-level races in 2026 will include Bradford County Commission seats, School Board members, and possibly the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of Court depending on term schedules. Hampton may also have mayoral and town council races on the ballot. Florida voters can request vote-by-mail ballots (absentee ballots) by submitting a request to the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections online, by phone, by mail, or in person; requests are valid through the end of the calendar year in which two general elections have occurred. Vote-by-mail ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election, and returned ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.