Starke, Florida Public Records

Law enforcement in 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.

Starke residents are served by the Bradford County Courthouse located at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. The Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $30,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate cases, and juvenile dependency; the main circuit court number is 904-966-6280. The County Court, also located at the Bradford County Courthouse, has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, civil cases up to $30,000, small claims disputes up to $8,000, and evictions; phone: 904-966-6280. The Bradford County Clerk of Court, Holly L. Spivey, manages all court records and can be reached at 904-966-6280 or through the website bradfordclerk.com. Florida offers statewide online access to court records through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and public case search at myflcourtaccess.com, where users can search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The Clerk's Office charges $1.00 per page for copies of court documents, $2.00 per page for certified copies with the clerk's seal, and recording fees of $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page for official documents. Marriage license applications cost $86.00 ($61.00 if couples complete a premarital preparation course). Small claims filing fees range from $55 to $300 depending on the amount in controversy. Traffic citation payments and case information can often be accessed online, though certified dispositions require a formal request through the Clerk's Office.

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 Starke and Bradford County are maintained by the Bradford County Property Appraiser's Office at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite 103, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-966-6159, website: bcpao.us). The Property Appraiser maintains assessment data, ownership information, property characteristics, exemption status, and valuation history for all real estate parcels in the county. The office provides a free online property search tool at bcpao.us where residents can search by owner name, address, parcel ID number, or subdivision to view current assessed values, tax roll data, building details, aerial imagery, and sales history. The Bradford County Clerk of Court serves as the official recorder of deeds and maintains the Official Records division at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-966-6280). This office records and indexes deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plats, military discharges (DD-214s), and other instruments affecting real property. Official records can be searched online through the Clerk's public records search portal at bradfordclerk.com/online-services, where users can search by name, book and page, document type, or date range; viewing documents online is typically free, though certified copies require fees. Recording fees are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. Bradford County also offers a GIS mapping system accessible through the Property Appraiser's website, providing interactive maps with parcel boundaries, ownership data, zoning information, and flood zone designations. Property tax information and payment status can be searched through the Bradford County Tax Collector at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite 101 (phone: 904-966-6161, website: bradfordcountytax.com).

Starke's economy is anchored by state government employment, correctional facilities, and agriculture. The Florida State Prison and Reception and Medical Center, located on State Road 16 east of downtown Starke, collectively employ over 1,500 corrections officers, medical staff, and administrative personnel, making the Florida Department of Corrections the largest employer in Bradford County. Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, the primary training installation for the Florida National Guard located northeast of Starke, provides additional military-related employment and economic activity with over 500 permanent staff and thousands of training soldiers annually. The Bradford County School District employs approximately 600 teachers and staff across multiple schools including Bradford High School and Southside Elementary. Healthcare services are anchored by UF Health Shands Starke, a regional medical center that serves north-central Florida. Retail and service businesses concentrate along U.S. Highway 301, which runs through Starke as a major north-south corridor. Agriculture remains significant, with Bradford County historically known as the "Strawberry Capital" of Florida, though strawberry production has declined from peak levels; timber, cattle, and row crops continue as important agricultural sectors. The median household income in Starke is approximately $35,000, below state and national averages, reflecting the rural character and government employment base. Recent economic development efforts have focused on attracting light manufacturing and distribution facilities leveraging Starke's location between Jacksonville and Gainesville along major transportation corridors including U.S. 301 and State Road 100. The local economy closely mirrors Bradford County overall due to Starke's role as county seat and primary commercial center.

The Starke Police Department, located at 209 North Thompson Street, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-964-5350, website: starkepd.com), serves the incorporated city limits and maintains records of arrests, incident reports, accident reports, and calls for service within Starke city boundaries. Residents can request police reports in person at the department, by mail, or through written request; non-confidential reports are typically available for a nominal copying fee under Florida public records law. The Bradford County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-966-6161, website: bcso.us), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Bradford County and operates the Bradford County Jail. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and warrants information for the broader county jurisdiction. To search for current inmates and recent arrests, the Bradford County Jail maintains an online inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office website at bcso.us, displaying booking photographs, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and projected release dates. Arrest logs and booking reports are typically updated within hours of processing. Florida's public records law, codified primarily in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, requires law enforcement agencies to make non-exempt records available for inspection and copying upon request. Requesters should submit written requests specifying the records sought; agencies may charge for staff time exceeding 15 minutes and copying costs. Certain records, including active criminal intelligence and investigative information, may be temporarily or permanently exempt under Florida Statutes Section 119.071.

Vital records for Starke residents are primarily issued through state and county offices. Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Florida are maintained by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231 (phone: 904-359-6900, website: floridahealth.gov/certificates). Birth certificates cost $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates cost $5.00 each. Eligible applicants (immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with direct and tangible interest) can order certified copies online through VitalChek at floridahealth.gov/certificates with additional service fees, by mail with completed application and proper identification, or in person at county health departments. The Bradford County Health Department at 1801 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-964-7732) can process vital records requests for events in Bradford County, though processing may be faster through the state office. Birth records in Florida are confidential for 100 years; death records are public immediately but certified copies require proof of eligibility. 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 $86.00, reduced to $61.00 if couples complete a premarital preparation course from a registered provider; there is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. Marriage records dating back to the county's establishment in 1858 are maintained by the Clerk's Office, with recent records searchable online through the Clerk's public portal. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of family law case files, searchable through the circuit court case system. Florida law requires valid government-issued photo identification for all vital records requests.

Business licensing in Starke operates at both municipal and county levels. The City of Starke requires local business tax receipts (business licenses) for most business operations within city limits; applications and renewals are handled by Starke City Hall at 209 North Thompson Street, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-964-5027, website: cityofstarke.org). Business tax receipt fees vary based on business type, number of employees, and square footage, with annual renewal required by September 30. The city maintains a business directory, though online license search capabilities are limited. For businesses operating in unincorporated Bradford County, the Bradford County Tax Collector at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite 101, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-966-6161, website: bradfordcountytax.com) issues business tax receipts with fees determined by business classification. Fictitious name registrations (DBAs - "Doing Business As") for Bradford County must be filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, and published in a newspaper of general circulation in Bradford County; the Bradford County Telegraph serves as the official legal newspaper. State-level business entity searches are conducted through the Florida Division of Corporations (sunbiz.org), where users can search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and trademarks free of charge, viewing registered agent information, officers and directors, filing history, and current status. New business entity filings are submitted online through the Sunbiz portal. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches for secured transactions are also available through the Florida Division of Corporations UCC search system. Property tax information for commercial properties can be searched through the Bradford County Property Appraiser at bcpao.us, showing assessed values for land, buildings, and business personal property. Professional and occupational licensing (contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, etc.) is regulated at the state level through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (myfloridalicense.com).

Starke voters are served by the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections, located at 945 North Temple Avenue, Suite 102, Starke, FL 32091 (phone: 904-966-6266, website: bradfordelections.com). This office manages all aspects of voter registration, early voting, Election Day operations, and candidate qualifying for municipal, county, state, and federal elections affecting Bradford County residents. Florida residents can register to vote online through the state registration portal at registertovoteflorida.gov, which requires a Florida driver license or state ID card; registration must be completed at least 29 days before an election. Voters can also register by mail using a paper application or in person at the Supervisor of Elections office, driver license offices, or designated voter registration agencies. Starke conducts municipal elections for the five-member Starke City Commission, including the mayor and four commissioners who serve staggered four-year terms; city elections are nonpartisan and typically held in accordance with Florida municipal election law. The next Starke city elections are scheduled for 2026 for certain commission seats. Bradford County voters also participate in county-wide elections for County Commission (five single-member districts), Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Clerk of Court, and Supervisor of Elections. Starke residents find their assigned polling location by entering their address at the Florida Division of Elections website (dos.myflorida.com/elections) or by contacting the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections; precinct assignments are based on residential address. Early voting is typically offered at the Supervisor of Elections office and potentially additional sites for 8-10 days before each election, including the weekend before Election Day. Florida's public records law makes extensive election data accessible: the voter registration database (with limited personal information redacted for security) is available for purchase; campaign finance reports for local and state candidates are searchable through the Florida Division of Elections; candidate filings and qualifying documents are public; and precinct-level election results are published by the Supervisor of Elections after each election. In the November 2024 general election, Bradford County reported approximately 62% voter turnout among the county's roughly 18,000 registered voters, consistent with historical patterns for presidential elections in this rural north Florida county. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Bradford County and Starke voters will decide several significant races: Florida does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (next Senate race is 2028); the Florida Governor's race will not be on the ballot (next gubernatorial election is 2026 - correction, Governor is elected in presidential years, so next is 2026 actually - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's current term expires in January 2027, so Governor will be on the ballot); all Florida Cabinet positions (Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture) are up for election; Florida House of Representatives District 19 covering Bradford County; various county offices including County Commission seats, constitutional officers depending on term schedules; potential city commission seats for Starke; school board members; and any local referenda or constitutional amendments. Florida allows vote-by-mail (absentee) balloting without requiring an excuse; voters request mail ballots through the Supervisor of Elections office online, by phone, by mail, or in person; requests are valid for two general election cycles and must be renewed. Mail ballot requests for the November 2026 election must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the 10th day before the election (October 24, 2026). Voters can track their mail ballot status through the state's voter information portal.