Saint Johns County

Saint Johns County is located in Northeast Florida along the Atlantic Coast, directly south of Duval County and north of Flagler County. Saint Johns County seat is St. Augustine, founded in 1565 and recognized as the nation's oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement. Saint Johns County includes approximately 822 square miles, including both mainland territory and coastal barrier islands. As of recent estimates, the population exceeds 292,466 residents, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida. Saint Johns County is defined by its rich Spanish colonial heritage, pristine beaches including Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine Beach, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Matanzas River. Major landmarks include the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the historic St. Augustine downtown district, Flagler College housed in the former Ponce de León Hotel, Anastasia State Park, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Saint Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, located at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine, Florida 32084, maintains official court records, marriage licenses, and recordings of deeds and official documents. Saint Johns County Property Appraiser's Office at 4030 Lewis Speedway handles property assessments and maintains tax roll information. Saint Johns County Tax Collector, situated at 4030 Lewis Speedway, administers property tax collection, vehicle registration, and driver license services. What makes Saint Johns County unique is its blend of historic preservation with modern economic growth, attracting both tourists and new residents seeking quality of life, highly rated schools, and coastal amenities.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Saint Johns County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Saint Johns County. This office manages Saint Johns County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is dedicated to maintaining public safety and works closely with other local law enforcement agencies to coordinate efforts in crime reduction and public safety.

Police Departments

In addition to Saint Johns County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Saint Johns County. These include the St. Augustine Police Department, which serves the city of St. Augustine, and the St. Augustine Beach Police Department, which is responsible for law enforcement in the coastal community of St. Augustine Beach. Each department has jurisdiction within its respective city limits and works in coordination with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and public safety initiatives.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Saint Johns County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 4015 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including detention operations, court security, and criminal investigations. Saint Johns County Jail and Detention Facility, operated by the Sheriff's Office at 3390 Agricultural Center Drive in St. Augustine, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced misdemeanor offenders.

• Inmates can be located through the online inmate lookup system available on the Sheriff's Office website at www.sjso.org, which provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
• Processing fees may apply for copies of reports and records as permitted under Florida Statutes § 119.07, with specific fee schedules available upon request from the records custodian.

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Saint Johns County, FL are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see St. Johns County Arrest, Court, and Public Records | StateRecords.org.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Saint Johns County, FL are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Saint Johns County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Look up current inmates and booking information at St. Johns County Detention Center, FL: In-Custody Search, Visitation, Contact In.
• Sheriff's Office: Department Directory - St. Johns County.
• The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.

Saint Johns County is served by the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $30,000, family law including divorce and custody, probate, guardianship, and juvenile matters. Saint Johns County Courthouse is located at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

• Saint Johns County Court, also part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes under $30,000, traffic violations, small claims up to $8,000, and county ordinance violations.
• In-person requests can be made at the Clerk's Office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Property and land records for Saint Johns County are maintained by Saint Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Official Records Division, located at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 The Official Records Division records and indexes documents affecting real property including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, assignments, liens (mechanics liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, declarations of condominium, restrictive covenants, plat maps, subdivision plans, and other instruments required by law to be recorded.

• Images of recorded documents from recent decades are available for viewing and printing at no charge; older documents may require in-person research or requests.
• Certified copies of recorded documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus applicable research fees.
• Saint Johns County Tax Collector, located at 4030 Lewis Speedway, phone, website www.sjctax.us, handles property tax payment and provides online access to tax bills, payment history, and delinquent tax information.
• Requests for certified property records should be directed to the appropriate office with valid identification and payment of applicable fees.

Vital records for Saint Johns County, Florida, including birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are handled through multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Saint Johns County are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Saint Johns County, located at 200 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, FL 32084

• Eligible requesters include the registrant (for birth), family members, legal representatives, and individuals with court orders or demonstrable legal interest as required by Florida Statutes § 382.008 and § 382.025.
• Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at Saint Johns County health department may be available same-day or within several business days depending on record availability.
• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com, which charges additional processing and shipping fees.
• Applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification, Social Security numbers, and payment of the $86.00 license fee ($61.00 if couples complete a premarriage preparation course).
• Marriage records and certified copies are also maintained by the Clerk and cost $1.50 per page plus $2.00 for certification.

Business records and licensing in Saint Johns County are managed through several agencies depending on the business type and regulatory requirements. Saint Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) as required under Florida Statutes § 865.09. Individuals or entities conducting business under a name other than their legal name must register with the Clerk's Official Records Division at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 The filing fee is $50.00 and registration is valid for five years.

• The Division's online portal at www.sunbiz.org provides free public access to business entity records including corporate filings, registered agents, officer and director information, annual reports, and status.
• Most businesses operating in unincorporated Saint Johns County must obtain a business tax receipt; fees vary based on business classification and gross receipts.
• Augustine, FL 32084, website www.sjcchamber.com, provides business networking, advocacy, and resources for local businesses.

Explore public records for 6 cities and communities in Saint Johns County, Florida.