Union County Phone Directory
Union County is one of the smallest counties in Florida, with about 16,000 residents and its county seat in Lake Butler. The government is compact and most offices sit in or near the courthouse. Despite its small size, Union County operates the same public records framework as every other county in Florida. This page covers the phone contacts and records resources you need when reaching Union County offices. All government numbers are public records under Florida law, and the county must share them with you if you ask.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Government Offices
Union County runs its government from Lake Butler. The Board of County Commissioners oversees county operations. Most offices are grouped near the courthouse, which makes it easy to visit more than one department in a single trip. For a county this size, the staff is small and most people at the front desk can point you to the right person quickly.
The county website lists departments and phone numbers. If the website does not have what you need, calling the main county office is your best bet. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all government phone numbers and staff names in Union County are public records. You do not need to explain why you want a number. The county has to give it to you.
Florida runs a state phone directory at 411.myflorida.gov that covers state agencies serving the Union County area. The Florida State Information Center at 1-866-693-6748 or (850) 488-1234 can also route your call to the right state department. These are useful when your question involves a state agency rather than a county office.
Union County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court manages court records, official records, and public records requests for Union County. The office is in the Union County Courthouse in Lake Butler. This is the first place to call for most records questions in the county.
Public records requests can be made by phone, email, mail, or in person. You do not have to give your name. Just describe the record you need. The Clerk handles requests as they come in. In a small county like Union, turnaround times can be fast for simple requests because the volume is low. More involved requests may take longer if they need research.
The Clerk also handles court records for civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. Official records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents filed with the county. Some of these may be searchable online, though smaller counties sometimes have less robust digital systems than larger ones. If the online tools do not show what you need, call the Clerk. Staff can check the physical files at the courthouse.
Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certified copies run $2.00 extra per document. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free under Florida law. If a request takes more time, the office will tell you the cost before doing the work.
8th Judicial Circuit Information
Union County is part of Florida's 8th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, and Levy counties. The circuit court handles felony cases, family law, civil matters, and appeals from county court. Each county has its own Clerk, but judges rotate across the circuit.
If you have a court case in Union County, it gets heard at the courthouse in Lake Butler. The Clerk's office can tell you which judge is assigned and when the next hearing is. The State Attorney for the 8th Circuit handles criminal prosecutions. The Public Defender serves people who cannot afford a lawyer. Both offices have phone numbers in the county directory.
Alachua County, home to Gainesville, is also in the 8th Circuit. That is the largest county in the circuit by far. Union County is the smallest. Despite the size difference, the same laws and procedures apply to both. Court records in Union County follow the same rules for public access as they do anywhere else in the circuit.
Accessing Public Records in Union County
Florida's open records law covers all government records in Union County. Chapter 119 says records are open for inspection unless a specific exemption applies. This includes phone directories, staff names, emails, meeting minutes, contracts, and budgets. A few things are exempt, such as active criminal investigation files, some personal info for law enforcement, and sealed court records. But most records are open.
Looking at a record is free. Copies cost money, set by state law. The county cannot make up its own fees for copies. If the request takes heavy staff time, the office may charge for labor past the first 30 minutes. They have to tell you the cost before they start the work.
For records beyond the county level, try the state public records check at stateofflorida.com/public-records-check. That tool searches state databases. Professional licensing records are at dos.fl.gov. Both are free to search and cover records not held by the Union County Clerk.
Union County Property and Tax Contacts
The Property Appraiser keeps records on every parcel in Union County. The office handles property values, ownership data, and homestead exemptions. Property data is public. You can search it online or call the office for help. Results show assessed values, ownership history, and exemption details.
The Tax Collector handles tax payments, vehicle tags, and some driver license services. The office is in Lake Butler. Hours may vary in a county this size, so call ahead before visiting. Some services might only be available on certain days.
Remember that the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector are separate offices. The appraiser sets property values. The collector takes payments. Call the right one depending on what you need. If you are not sure, the main county office can tell you which department handles your question.
How to Find Union County Phone Numbers
There are several ways to get phone numbers for Union County offices:
- Check the county website for department listings
- Call the main county office in Lake Butler
- Visit the courthouse in person
- Use the state directory at 411.myflorida.gov
- Call the Florida State Info Center at 1-866-693-6748
In a county this small, showing up in person is often the fastest way to get what you need. The courthouse is compact, and the staff can walk you to the right office in a few minutes. Phone calls work well too. Hold times tend to be short because the volume is low.
Chapter 119 applies the same way in Union County as in any other Florida county. No forms to fill out. No waiting period for a phone number lookup. You ask, they tell you. That is the law.
Key Union County Directory Listings
| County Seat | Lake Butler, FL |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 8th Circuit (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Union) |
| Area Code | 386 |
| State Info Center | 1-866-693-6748 / (850) 488-1234 |
| State Directory | 411.myflorida.gov |
| Public Records Check | stateofflorida.com/public-records-check |
Start with the county offices in Lake Butler for local questions. For state-level contacts, use the 411 directory or call the State Info Center. Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is nearby in Alachua County if you need access to a larger court system or legal resources within the 8th Circuit.
Cities in Union County
Union County's main city is Lake Butler, which serves as the county seat. Worthington Springs and Raiford are also in the county. None of these have dedicated pages on this site. All city and county phone numbers are public under Florida law. You can find them through the Union County website or by calling the offices in Lake Butler directly. Gainesville in neighboring Alachua County is the closest major city to Union County.
Nearby County Phone Directories
Union County borders Bradford, Alachua, Columbia, and Baker counties in North Central Florida. None of these neighboring counties currently have dedicated phone directory pages on this site. For broader searches across Florida, visit the main counties page.