Florida Fossil Permit

Florida Fossil Permit

Florida Statute §1004.57 sets forth the State of Florida’s declared intent to protect and preserve vertebrate fossils and vertebrate paleontology sites. All vertebrate fossils found on lands owned or leased by the state belong to the state with title to the fossils vested in the Florida Museum of Natural History for the purposes of administration. Field collection of vertebrate fossils may be conducted under the authority of a permit issued by the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology in accordance with FS §1004.575 and the University of Florida RULE 6C1-7.541 F.A.C. The purpose of the fossil collecting permit is not only to manage this non-renewable part of Florida’s heritage, but to help paleontologists learn more about the range and distribution of the state’s fossil animals.

Permits may be obtained from the Program of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. For more information on the permit program and links to the permit application, please use the link below to visit the Florida Fossil Permit section of the museum’s website: