Each permit holder is required to report all fossils found upon the expiration of their permit.

As a permit holder, you are a member of a 3,000+ person team working together to uncover the fossil record of Florida! Please use this form to report finds and add to our database of knowledge in the FLMNH Program of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Please only report vertebrate fossils; no rocks, artifacts, plant, or invertebrate fossils. If you are unsure of what you’ve discovered, please email vertpaleo@floridamuseum.ufl.edu for identification. Shark and ray teeth are not covered by the fossil permit but please feel free to report these finds as well.

Report Fossil Finds

Only report fossils collected on State of Florida lands. Shark teeth and fossils of invertebrate animals and plants do not need to be reported. All other fossils of vertebrate animals must be reported.

List fossils collected by accompanied minors.

If you have finds from multiple locations, it would be helpful to submit a form for each locality.

Legal ownership of fossils is transferred from the State to you if not claimed by the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Check box that applies(Required)

Please include the following for each fossil reported:

  • Approximate date collected
  • Name of Site (River) and County
  • General Location
  • Description of what you found to the best of your ability
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 40 MB, Max. files: 6.
    Date(Required)

    If you do not know your permit number, please email fossilpermits@floridamuseum.ufl.edu to request it.

    Additional images can be emailed to fossilpermits@floridamuseum.ufl.edu.

    Please fill out our application form if you wish to renew your permit for another year.


    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.

    Vertebrate Paleontology Donation