What objects are covered by the permit?
- It is Florida’s public policy to protect and preserve vertebrate fossils, including bones, teeth, natural casts, molds, impressions, and other remains of prehistoric vertebrate animals.
- Fossil shark and ray teeth are specifically excluded from these regulations, as are the fossils of plants, invertebrate animals (e.g., mollusks, sea urchins, crabs, etc.), and other organisms, so no permit is required to collect such specimens.
- A permit is required to collect fossils of all other kinds of vertebrates, namely fish (except shark and ray teeth), amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals (non-human).
- Collecting archaeological objects, including human remains and human-modified objects (e.g., arrowheads, pottery, modified vertebrate fossils, etc.), is illegal on State land in Florida.
What areas are covered by the permit?

- No collecting of any type is allowed inside the boundaries of state parks, national wildlife refuges, national parks, or national forests.
- In general, collecting is allowed in the beds of navigable rivers, unless special exemption has been made for environmental reasons (e.g., the Myakka River). Some sections of riverbeds may be under the jurisdiction of one of the state water management districts, in which case fossil collecting is not allowed. It is always safest to check with the local branch of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission before collecting in a river for the first time.
- The sea floor from the shoreline to three nautical miles offshore is the property of the state (out to nine nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico), and a fossil permit is required to collect vertebrate fossils in this region.
- Fossil collecting on private land does not require a permit (but you will need the permission of the landowner or manager to enter, collect on, and retain fossils from private property). Having a permit does not give you the right to collect fossils on private property without the permission of the landowner.
Who needs to get a permit?
- Any adult engaged in the collection of vertebrate fossils found on state-owned or leased land.
Who does not need to get a permit?
- Individuals who collect fossils on private land or land belonging to a county or municipality (check local laws or regulations regarding collecting fossils).
- Individuals collecting the fossils of invertebrate animals (such as clams, snails, sea urchins, etc.), plants, and shark or ray teeth do not need a permit to collect these items on state land.
Are children required to have a fossil permit?
- Minors (those under the age of 18) cannot hold their own permits. They may collect fossils with an adult who has a valid Florida Fossil Permit. In such cases, the adult is responsible and must report the findings of the minor along with their own findings to FLMNH Program of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Can other adults join me on my permit to hunt for fossils?
- No. Each adult individual who intends to collect vertebrate fossils legally in Florida will need to hold their own permit.
- There are some exceptions with multi-use permits allowed for educational and outreach purposes.
What tools can/can’t I use to collect fossils?
- It depends on where you are collecting fossils. Surface collecting and hand fanning are allowed. Do not dig holes and never dig into banks. You should not be able to tell that an area has been disturbed after collecting fossils.
- The following are not allowed without the permission of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection: any device powered by a motor, mechanical excavating equipment, or dredging equipment.
Can I collect sediment from a Florida river bed?
- You can collect up to a gallon of sediment per day to screenwash and pick through for yourself.
- If you find an area with lots of small bone fragments, the chances are good for the preservation of microvertebrate fossils. Small vertebrate fossils are rare finds and can often inform more about the paleoenvironment than those of the larger animals.
When do the fossils become my property?
- After you report your fossils to the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, if the state does not claim the fossils, then they legally become your property.
How often does the state claim fossils found under the permit system?
- Very rarely. We are only interested in retaining rare and scientifically valuable fossils for all citizens to have access to.
How can I report a fossil if I cannot identify it?
- Specimens that are complete enough to be identified but which are not one of the common types of fossils recovered in Florida’s rivers are potentially important discoveries.
- The Florida Museum of Natural History has a free fossil identification service. Email clear images with something for scale to vertpaleo@floridamuseum.ufl.edu.
Is it legal to buy fossils from Florida rivers?
- The Florida Museum does not condone the sale of fossils.
- You can find fossils for sale that are purported to be from Florida rivers at many places, including websites, at flea markets, and at fossil fairs. If the fossils were collected by someone with a valid fossil permit, were reported to the state’s Program of Vertebrate Paleontology, and not claimed by the Program, then they are the property of the dealer/owner.
- If the dealer or owner cannot produce a valid permit or if they will not certify that the specimens were collected legally, then the chances are good that the fossils have been obtained illegally. Purchasing such items is the same as knowingly buying stolen property.
How long does it take to process a permit application or renewal?
- Up to three weeks, depending on the time of year and available funding for staff hours.
- If there are any issues with your application or renewal, it may take longer to receive your permit.
What are common mistakes people make when applying for a permit?
- Forgetting to send a photocopy of an ID for new applicants.
- Applying for a new permit instead of renewing an old one.
How does the state spend the $5 fee?
- The $5 permit fee is written into a 40-year-old Florida Statute and no longer covers the program’s operational costs, so we now depend on support from our community. To remain affordable, permits will continue to cost $5 per year, but should be around $20 based on inflation. If you’re interested in and able to contribute beyond the $5 fee, we would greatly benefit from monetary donations to help with salary for the permit processor and supplies for processing and housing donated fossils.
- The funds mostly go towards salaries for employees who process the applications and renewals. It also covers supply costs, including printing, stamps, and materials for housing donated fossils.
- If there are any remaining funds, we use them to help support vertebrate paleontology digs in Florida and to share fossils with Florida citizens through outreach events or digitization.
Questions about Florida Fossil Permit Program of Vertebrate Paleontology may be directed to:
Phone: (352) 273-1821
E-mail: fossilpermits@floridamuseum.ufl.edu
Mailing Address:
Program of Vertebrate Paleontology
1659 Museum Road
Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA