About Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County is located on the west coast of Florida along Tampa Bay, including approximately 1,266 square miles and serving as one of the most populous counties in the state with an estimated population exceeding 1.5 million residents. Hillsborough County Seat is Tampa, which is also the largest city in Hillsborough County and is a major economic and cultural hub for the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Established in 1834 and named after Wills Hill, the Earl of Hillsborough, Hillsborough County has grown from its origins as a frontier settlement into a diverse metropolitan region.
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard provides property assessment services and maintains tax roll records.
Major landmarks include Ybor City, a historic neighborhood known for its cigar industry heritage; the Port of Tampa, one of the busiest ports in the United States; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay; and the University of South Florida. Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court, located at 800 E Twiggs Street in Tampa, maintains official court records, marriage licenses, and recorded documents. Hillsborough County Tax Collector, with its main office at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 100, handles property tax collection and motor vehicle registration.
Hillsborough County's economy is anchored by healthcare, finance, logistics, tourism, and technology sectors, with MacDill Air Force Base providing significant military presence and economic impact. Hillsborough County's diverse population, thriving business environment, and strategic coastal location make it one of Florida's most dynamic and economically important regions.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. It operates Hillsborough County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is known for its community engagement programs and specialized divisions such as the Child Protective Investigations Division. The Sheriff's Office also runs initiatives meant to reducing crime and enhancing public safety throughout Hillsborough County.
Police Departments
Hillsborough County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Tampa Police Department, Plant City Police Department, and Temple Terrace Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective city or area, and they often coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives to ensure full coverage across Hillsborough County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), headquartered at 2008 E 8th Avenue in Tampa, Florida 33605, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County and operates Hillsborough County's detention facilities. The Sheriff's Office can be reached, and its website at www.hcso.tampa.fl.us provides access to inmate search tools, arrest records requests, and community resources.
- Citizens can search for current inmates through the HCSO website's Inmate Information Search feature, which provides booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
- Under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, arrest records and booking reports are generally public information and can be requested from the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office.
The Falkenburg Road Jail, located at 2939 E Falkenburg Road in Tampa, and the Orient Road Jail at 4000 Orient Road serve as Hillsborough County's main detention facilities, housing pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. Municipal police departments operating within Hillsborough County include the Tampa Police Department (serving the city of Tampa), Temple Terrace Police Department, and Plant City Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Mugshots and booking photographs are typically available through the HCSO's online inmate search system or by submitting a public records request to the Records Section for Florida Statute §119.071 provides specific exemptions for certain sensitive information, but most arrest and booking data remain accessible to the public.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a Public Records Request portal on its website for formal document requests, with response times typically ranging from several days to weeks depending on the complexity and volume of records sought.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Hillsborough County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Residents can run a background check through the Florida Bureau of Investigation, which provides full criminal history information. The process is handled by Florida's public records laws, making sure of accessibility to these records for various purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Hillsborough County are maintained by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Residents and attorneys can request these records through the Sheriff's Office, either online or in person. An arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting officer's name. Florida's public records law, known as the Sunshine Law, ensures transparency and access to these records for the public.
Jail & Inmate Records
Hillsborough County Jail, officially known as the Falkenburg Road Jail, is the primary detention facility in Hillsborough County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website, allowing residents to find information about inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and guidelines that must be adhered to. The bond and bail process follows Florida state law, allowing for the release of inmates under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Hillsborough County are taken and retained by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos can be searched through the Sheriff's Office website, providing a convenient way for the public to access them. Florida does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can request the removal of their mugshots from third-party websites under certain conditions.
Courts & Case Records
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court serves Hillsborough County and is headquartered at the Edgecomb Courthouse, located at 800 E Twiggs Street in Tampa, Florida 33602. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $30,000, family law cases including dissolution of marriage and child custody, probate matters, and appeals from county court. Hillsborough County Court, also located at 800 E Twiggs Street, has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes up to $30,000, traffic violations, and small claims matters up to $8,000.
- Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk's office for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $0.15 for each additional page, plus applicable certification fees.
- The Clerk's Records and Recording Division at 800 E Twiggs Street, Room 101, processes document requests in person, by mail, or through the website.
Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court, reachable, maintains all court records for both circuit and county court proceedings. The Clerk's official website at www.hillsclerk.com provides an online Case Search portal where the public can access civil, criminal, family, and probate case information free of charge by searching party names, case numbers, or attorney names. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, govern public access to court records, with most court filings available for inspection and copying unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statutory exemption.
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit also operates specialty courts including Drug Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Mental Health Court, all addresses underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior through therapeutic jurisprudence approaches.
Property & Public Records
Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official Recorder of Deeds and maintains all property related documents at 800 E Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602, with phone contact for The Clerk's Official Records Division records and indexes deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, judgments, easements, declarations of condominium, subdivision plats, and other instruments affecting real property titles in Hillsborough County. The public can search official records online through the Clerk's website at www.hillsclerk.com using the Official Records Search portal, which provides free access to scanned images of recorded documents dating back several decades.
- Recording fees are established by Florida Statute §28.24 and typically range from $10 for the first page plus $8.50 for each additional page for most documents.
- Certified copies can be obtained for $2.00 for the first page and $0.15 for each additional page plus a certification fee.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office, located at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602, phone, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, property characteristics, and valuation data. Their website at www.hcpafl.org offers a free Property Search tool allowing users to search by address, parcel ID, or owner name to access detailed property information including assessed values, exemptions, sales history, aerial photography, and building characteristics. The Property Appraiser also maintains an interactive GIS mapping system providing parcel boundaries, zoning information, and geographic data layers.
Hillsborough County Tax Collector, located at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33602, phone, maintains property tax payment records and delinquent tax information accessible through www.hillstax.org. All property records are public under Florida's Government in the Sunshine laws, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Hillsborough County are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, Bureau of Vital Statistics, located at 1105 E Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602, phone. Birth certificates can be requested by eligible individuals including the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives, with valid government-issued photo identification required.
- Death certificates cost $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy, with similar eligibility restrictions limiting access to family members, legal representatives, or individuals with tangible interest.
- The marriage license fee is $86.00, or $61.00 for couples who complete a premarital preparation course.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $5.50 plus the standard copying fees.
- VitalChek, an authorized third-party service, offers online ordering of birth and death certificates through www.vitalchek.com with additional convenience fees.
The fee for a certified birth certificate is $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, with processing times typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests and same-day service available for walk-in requests during business hours. Florida Statute §382.008 and Chapter 382, Florida Statutes, govern the creation, maintenance, and release of vital records throughout the state. For older records or for expedited service, the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville can be contacted at or through their website at www.floridahealth.gov/certificates.
Marriage licenses are issued by Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 800 E Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602, phone, with both parties required to appear in person with valid identification. Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained as court records by the Clerk's office and can be searched through the civil case search system.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and regulation in Hillsborough County involves multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Hillsborough County Development Services Department, located at 601 E Kennedy Boulevard, 26th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602, phone, issues local business tax receipts (formerly called occupational licenses) required for most business operations within unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. Their website at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/businesstax provides information on requirements, fees, and online application options.
Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains fictitious name registrations (DBA - Doing Business As) at 800 E Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602, with registration fees and renewal requirements governed by Florida Statute §865.09. The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, maintains the statewide Sunbiz database at www.sunbiz.org, which provides free online searches for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in Florida, including registered agent information, filing history, and annual report status. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, real estate agents, healthcare providers, and cosmetologists are issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and can be searched at www.myfloridalicense.com.
Sales tax permits and reemployment tax accounts are administered by the Florida Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning approvals, and construction-related permits for unincorporated Hillsborough County are processed through the Development Services Department's Building and Zoning divisions, with permit searches available online. The cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace maintain separate business licensing and permitting systems for activities within their jurisdictions.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, headquartered at 201 N Franklin Street, Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33602, phone, website www.tampachamber.com, is the primary business advocacy organization promoting economic development and business networking throughout Hillsborough County.
Elections & Voter Records
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, located at 2514 N Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619, phone, website www.votehillsborough.gov, administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections within Hillsborough County. Voter registration in Hillsborough County can be completed online through the Florida Division of Elections at registertovoteflorida.gov, in person at the Supervisor of Elections office, at any Florida driver license office, or by mail using a Florida Voter Registration Application.
- Florida law requires voters to register at least 29 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election, as established by Florida Statute §97.055.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling location, and view sample ballots through the Supervisor of Elections website using the My Voter Status tool.
Hillsborough County operates approximately 250 polling places on Election Day, with specific locations determined by precinct assignments based on residential addresses. Early voting is offered at multiple locations throughout Hillsborough County for approximately two weeks before each election, with extended hours including evenings and weekends. Vote-by-mail ballots (absentee ballots) can be requested online through the Supervisor's website, by phone, in writing, or in person, with requests valid through the end of the calendar year for primary and general elections in that year.
In the November 2024 general election, Hillsborough County recorded approximately 67% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement in this competitive swing county within the crucial swing state of Florida. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include U.S. House of Representatives races, one U.S.
Senate seat, Florida Governor and Cabinet positions, state legislative seats, and various county and municipal offices. Election results are publicly available on the Supervisor's website, with detailed precinct-level results, early voting statistics, and vote-by-mail data published after certification. Campaign finance reports for county-level candidates are filed with the Supervisor of Elections and are available for public inspection, while state-level candidate finance reports are maintained by the Florida Division of Elections.
Voter registration lists are public records under Florida Statute §97.0585, with certain personal information redacted for voters who qualify for confidential status such as law enforcement officers and victims of domestic violence. The Supervisor of Elections maintains candidate qualifying information, referendum language and results, and historical election data accessible to the public under Florida's full public records laws.
Economy & Demographics
Major economic sectors include healthcare and life sciences, financial services, logistics and distribution, tourism and hospitality, technology and innovation, and defense. Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, and the University of South Florida are among the largest employers in the healthcare sector. The Port of Tampa is the largest port in Florida by tonnage and is a critical gateway for international trade, petroleum products, and cruise operations, supporting thousands of logistics and transportation jobs.
- Central Command and U.S.The median household income in Hillsborough County is approximately $63,000, with significant variation across different areas of Hillsborough County.
Major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Raymond James Financial maintain significant operations in Hillsborough County. MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. The unemployment rate has historically tracked close to or slightly below the state average, with recent rates in the 3-4% range reflecting strong labor market conditions.
Major employers include Publix Super Markets, Verizon, Amazon, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Tech Data (now TD SYNNEX), and Hillsborough County Public Schools system, which employs over 20,000 people. The University of South Florida, with its main campus in Tampa, contributes significantly to research, innovation, and workforce development, with particular strengths in health sciences, engineering, and marine sciences. Tourism remains vital to the economy, with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and numerous sporting events including Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lightning, and Rays games attracting millions of visitors annually.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online Free Search | Property: Yes: Free Online Access | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Search | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: Online Database | Elections: Yes: Full Online Access | Overall Score: 9/10, Hillsborough County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals for courts, property, arrests, and elections.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Hillsborough County
Explore public records for 21 cities and communities in Hillsborough County, Florida.