Temple Terrace Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Temple Terrace, Florida government websites.

About Temple Terrace

Temple Terrace is a small incorporated city in Hillsborough County, Florida, located approximately seven miles northeast of downtown Tampa along the Hillsborough River. Founded in 1925 as a planned golf course community during the Florida land boom, Temple Terrace has a population of approximately 26,000 residents and is known for its tree-lined streets, historic Mediterranean Revival architecture, and the presence of the University of South Florida's main campus nearby.
The city encompasses roughly 7 square miles and features notable landmarks including the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club (one of Florida's oldest semi-private golf courses), Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on its western border, and a historic downtown district with buildings dating to the 1920s. Major employers in the area include the University of South Florida, Busch Gardens, and AdventHealth hospital system, while the city maintains a residential character with a strong sense of historic preservation. Public records for Temple Terrace residents are maintained by a combination of city, county, and state agencies depending on the record type. The Temple Terrace City Hall at 11250 North 56th Street handles city-specific records including municipal code violations, building permits, city council meeting minutes, and local business licenses. The Temple Terrace Police Department maintains law enforcement records for incidents within city limits. However, most vital records, court documents, property deeds, and marriage licenses are managed by Hillsborough County agencies located in downtown Tampa. Florida's comprehensive public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) ensures broad access to government documents, with most agencies required to respond to requests promptly. Many Hillsborough County records are available through online portals, including property records, court filings, and arrest logs, while vital records require requests through the Florida Department of Health or Hillsborough County offices.

Police Department & Arrest Records

Hillsborough County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the 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 comprehensive coverage across the county.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Hillsborough County Jail, officially known as the Falkenburg Road Jail, is the primary detention facility in the 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.

Court Records

Temple Terrace residents are served by the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in and for Hillsborough County, which handles all felony criminal cases, civil cases over $30,000, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate, guardianship, and juvenile dependency. The main courthouse is located at the Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (phone: 813-272-6100). County Court, also part of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes up to $30,000, evictions, and small claims cases (disputes under $8,000).
County Court facilities are located at the same Edgecomb Courthouse address. Temple Terrace does not operate its own municipal court; minor city code violations and traffic citations are typically handled through Hillsborough County Court. The Florida court system provides online access to court records through the Clerk of the Circuit Court's website at https://www.hillsclerk.com, where users can search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases by party name, case number, or attorney. The Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (Cindy Stuart, Clerk) maintains all court records and provides certified copies for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $0.15 for each additional page per Florida Statute 28.24. Exemplified copies (with extra certification for out-of-state use) cost an additional $2.00. Online access to case dockets and documents is free for viewing, though printing or downloading certain documents may require a fee. The courthouse also handles traffic citations, with online payment available for eligible violations.

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 the 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 comprehensive criminal history information. The process is facilitated by Florida's public records laws, ensuring accessibility to these records for various purposes.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Hillsborough County are maintained by the 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.

Public Records Access

Property and land records for Temple Terrace are maintained by Hillsborough County agencies. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's Office, located at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602 (phone: 813-272-6100, website: www.hcpafl.org), maintains property assessment data including parcel identification numbers, owner names, mailing addresses, assessed values, exemptions (homestead, senior, veteran, etc.), property characteristics, and sales history.
The office provides a comprehensive online Property Search tool at https://www.hcpafl.org/Property-Search, allowing searches by property address, owner name, parcel ID, or subdivision. All assessment data is available free online, including interactive GIS mapping showing property boundaries, zoning, and tax districts. For recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats, the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Recorder of Deeds. Their Records and Recording Division is located at 419 North Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (phone: 813-276-8100, extension 4). Official records dating back to the 1800s can be searched online free of charge through the Official Records Search at https://www.hillsclerk.com/public-records/official-records. Users can search by document type, recording date, book and page number, or party name (grantor/grantee). Viewing documents online is free; certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.15 per additional page. Recording fees for new documents vary by type but typically start at $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. The county also offers a GIS parcel viewer integrated with the Property Appraiser's system showing aerial imagery, flood zones, and land use designations for all Temple Terrace properties.

Economy & Demographics

Temple Terrace maintains a primarily residential economy with a strong connection to the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area. While the city itself is largely residential, major employment centers nearby include the University of South Florida (USF) main campus, located immediately adjacent to Temple Terrace's southern border, which employs over 14,000 faculty and staff and brings significant economic activity to the area through student spending and research partnerships.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, located partially within and adjacent to Temple Terrace city limits, employs thousands in hospitality and entertainment. The AdventHealth (formerly Florida Hospital) medical system operates facilities serving the northeast Hillsborough area. Other significant employers accessible to Temple Terrace residents include Moffitt Cancer Center, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and the numerous corporate offices and technology companies in the Tampa Bay region. The estimated median household income in Temple Terrace is approximately $62,000, slightly above the Hillsborough County median. The city has seen moderate residential growth with new single-family developments and townhome communities, while maintaining its historic character through preservation ordinances in the original 1920s neighborhoods. The dominant industries for Temple Terrace residents include education, healthcare, professional services, hospitality and tourism, and retail. The city benefits economically from its proximity to Tampa's downtown business district, Tampa International Airport, and the Interstate 275 corridor. Temple Terrace has focused on revitalizing its small downtown area (56th Street corridor) with mixed-use development projects aimed at creating walkable retail and dining destinations. The city's tree canopy and golf course heritage make it attractive to families and retirees seeking a suburban environment with urban access.

Law Enforcement & Arrest Records

The Temple Terrace Police Department, located at 11250 North 56th Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617 (phone: 813-989-7110, website: www.templeterrace.com/police), serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the city's incorporated limits. Citizens can request police reports, incident reports, and crash reports by visiting the police department in person or submitting written requests under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). Report copies typically cost $0.15 per page for standard documents, with some reports subject to redaction for active investigations or protected information. The department provides non-emergency services and maintains records of all calls for service, arrests, and investigations within Temple Terrace city limits. For areas outside the city or for county-level law enforcement matters, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), headquartered at 2008 East 8th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 (phone: 813-247-8200, website: www.hcso.tampa.fl.us), provides services and maintains arrest records for unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. To search for recent arrests and jail bookings, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office operates a free online Inmate Information Search at https://core.hcso.tampa.fl.us/inmatesearch, which displays current inmates at the Falkenburg Road Jail and Orient Road Jail facilities. The inmate roster includes booking photos (mugshots), charges, bond amounts, booking dates, projected release dates, and inmate identification numbers. Florida Statutes Chapter 119 grants public access to arrest records, booking logs, and incident reports, with certain exemptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and information that could jeopardize witness safety. Requesters should provide specific details such as case numbers, dates, or names to expedite records retrieval.

Vital Records

Birth and death certificates for Temple Terrace residents are issued by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, not by local agencies. The state office is located at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 (phone: 904-359-6900, website: www.floridahealth.gov/certificates). Birth certificates cost $9 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously; death certificates cost $5 for the first copy and $4 for each additional.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com for an additional processing fee, with expedited shipping options. Standard mail processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Only eligible persons can request vital records: the registrant (if 18+), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, spouses, adult children, or legal representatives with proper documentation. Two forms of identification are required. Florida birth records are available from April 1865 forward, and death records from August 1877 forward, though Hillsborough County death records exist from 1899. Marriage licenses are issued by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector (not the Clerk as in some states) at multiple locations including 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, 15th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602 (phone: 813-635-5200, website: www.hillstax.org). Marriage license fees are $86, reduced to $61 if both parties complete a premarital preparation course. There is no waiting period or blood test required. Marriage license records are public and can be searched through the Tax Collector's office. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602, searchable online through the court records database at https://www.hillsclerk.com. Divorce decrees and dissolution records are public unless sealed by court order.

Business & Licensing Records

The City of Temple Terrace requires local business tax receipts (business licenses) for most businesses operating within city limits. Applications and renewals are processed through Temple Terrace City Hall, Economic Development Department, 11250 North 56th Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617 (phone: 813-506-6473). Business tax receipt fees vary based on business classification and size, typically ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars annually. Renewals are due September 30 each year.
The city does not provide an online searchable database of local business licenses, but information can be requested through the Economic Development office. For fictitious name registration (DBA - "Doing Business As"), businesses must file with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. Florida does not require county-level DBA filing as some states do. All business entity formation and registration, including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and fictitious names, is handled at the state level through the Florida Division of Corporations, website: https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz. The Sunbiz search portal allows free searching of all Florida business entities, including corporate status (active/inactive), registered agent name and address, officers and directors, filing history, and annual report compliance. There is no fee to search; filing fees for new LLCs are $125 and corporations $70, with annual report fees of $138.75 for LLCs and $150 for corporations. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are also filed with the Florida Department of State and searchable through Sunbiz at https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search. For commercial property tax information and assessed values, business owners should consult the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's website at www.hcpafl.org, which provides detailed information on commercial parcels including square footage, assessed value, and tax history. The Hillsborough County Tax Collector (www.hillstax.org) handles property tax payments and delinquency information.

Elections & Voter Records

Temple Terrace voters are served by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, located at 2514 North Falkenburg Road, Tampa, FL 33619 (phone: 813-744-5900, website: www.votehillsborough.gov). This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Temple Terrace residents. Florida residents can register to vote online at https://registertovoice.gov.state.fl.us, by mail, or in person at the Supervisor of Elections office, driver license offices, or designated agencies. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Valid Florida driver license or ID card number is required for online registration; those without can register by mail with the last four digits of a Social Security number. Temple Terrace, as an incorporated city, holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council. The city has a council-manager form of government with four council members and a mayor elected citywide. Municipal elections are held in March of odd-numbered years, with the next election scheduled for March 2025. Candidate qualifying and local ballot measures are posted on both the city website (www.templeterrace.com) and the county elections website. Temple Terrace residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Precinct Finder tool at https://www.votehillsborough.gov/Voters/Precinct-Finder or by calling the Supervisor of Elections office. Under Florida law, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase (though individual voter history is somewhat restricted), campaign finance reports are fully public and searchable through the Florida Division of Elections website and local Supervisor of Elections for local races, candidate filings and qualifications are public, and precinct-level election results are published online after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Hillsborough County reported approximately 64% voter turnout with over 650,000 ballots cast from approximately 1,020,000 registered voters, reflecting high engagement in this swing county within the swing state of Florida. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County voters will decide several significant races: Florida's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Marco Rubio is not up in 2026 (next in 2028), but Rick Scott's seat is up in 2024, not 2026. The 2026 ballot will include Governor of Florida and Cabinet positions (all four-year terms elected in presidential years, so Governor Ron DeSantis term-limited seat will be on the 2026 ballot), all Florida House of Representatives seats (two-year terms), Florida Senate seats for even-numbered districts (four-year staggered terms), Hillsborough County Commission seats, Hillsborough County School Board, Sheriff (if the election cycle aligns), Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Clerk of Court, and Supervisor of Elections, as well as judicial retention votes for circuit and county judges. Temple Terrace city elections for Mayor and Council occur in odd years, so no municipal races appear on the November 2026 ballot. Florida offers Vote-by-Mail (absentee) ballots to any registered voter without requiring an excuse; requests can be submitted online through the Supervisor of Elections website, by phone, mail, or in person, and are valid for two general election cycles. Voters can track their mail ballot status online, and mail ballots must be received (not just postmarked) by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: ✅ Free Online Statewide Portal | Property: ✅ Free Online Assessor+Recorder | Arrest Logs: ✅ Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: ✅ Online Ordering | Business: ✅ Free State Database | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall: 9.2/10 — Hillsborough County and Florida provide exceptional public records access with comprehensive online portals for court records, property searches, inmate rosters, business filings, and election information, though vital records require state-level requests with fees and Temple Terrace city-specific business licenses lack online search capability

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the process for someone who is arrested in Temple Terrace, Hillsborough County, Florida to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Temple Terrace, Florida, you will be transported to the County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the County Court. Under Florida law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/ where you can look up current detainees.
The school district for Temple Terrace, Hillsborough County, Florida is Hillsborough County Public Schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, the district's overall grade for the 2019-2020 school year was a B. The district's graduation rate was 81.2%, and the district's average SAT score was 1020.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the crime rate in Temple Terrace, Hillsborough County, Florida is lower than the national average. In 2019, the total number of reported crimes in Temple Terrace was 1,845, which is a rate of 2,845 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the national average of 3,965 per 100,000 people.
The Temple Terrace Public Library in County, Florida provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Florida government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, F.S.), which governs access to government documents in Florida. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Temple Terrace Florida Archives and Genealogy at https://dos.myflorida.com/library-archives/genealogy/. Contact the Temple Terrace Public Library reference desk at (813) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
The Temple Terrace, Hillsborough County, Florida Library is located at 202 Bullard Pkwy, Temple Terrace, FL 33617.
Fingerprinting services for Temple Terrace, Florida residents are provided at the Temple Terrace Police Department, which serves County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Temple Terrace Police Department at (813) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records.
To obtain vital records from Temple Terrace, Hillsborough County, Florida, you must contact the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.

The records available from the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. To obtain any of these records, you must provide the full name of the person listed on the record, the date of the event, and the address of the event. You may also need to provide additional information, such as the names of the parents or the name of the spouse.
Police reports from Temple Terrace, Florida can be obtained from the Temple Terrace Police Department, located in County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, F.S.), most police reports are public records in Florida, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the Temple Terrace Police Department Records Division at (813) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records.
A background check in Temple Terrace, County, Florida typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Florida. Criminal background checks are processed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Florida residents. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) provides official criminal history checks at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records. Under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, F.S.), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.