St Petersburg City Florida background check records cover criminal court files, arrest data, and public filings for people in this Pinellas County city. Most of these records sit at the Pinellas County Clerk of Court in Clearwater, since that office runs the court system for the entire county.
State-level searches run through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) database. Together, these two sources give a full picture of someone’s criminal and civil court history in St Petersburg.
This page covers every official way to pull St Petersburg City Florida background check records. You will see how the clerk system works, what FDLE runs, what local police hold, and how Florida’s public records laws apply. Costs, search steps, contact numbers, and hours appear for each office. The goal is a clear path from question to answer without extra steps.
Pinellas County Clerk Court Records
All St Petersburg court cases get filed at the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. This clerk office holds criminal cases, civil suits, traffic court, small claims, marriage licenses, and recorded documents for the entire county. St Petersburg is the biggest city in the county, but the county seat is Clearwater, so the main office sits there. Anyone searching St Petersburg City Florida background check records pulls data from this same system.
The current clerk is Ken Burke. The main office sits at 315 Court Street, Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756. Phone lines open at (727) 464-3341 during business hours. The office runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors can use public terminals on-site or run their own search from home on the clerk website at mypinellasclerk.gov.
Where St Petersburg Records Are Filed
Pinellas County contains over 20 cities, St Petersburg being the largest. Every case filed in any of those cities lands at the same clerk database. That means one search covers St Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, and every other city in the county. Users do not need separate city systems.
Criminal records list charges, pleas, sentences, dispositions, and motions. Civil records list lawsuits, divorces, small claims, landlord-tenant actions, and injunction filings. Recorded documents cover deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments. All of these sit in one searchable system for any St Petersburg City Florida background check request.
| Record Type | Available Online | Search Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal cases | Yes | Free |
| Civil cases | Yes | Free |
| Traffic cases | Yes | Free |
| Recorded documents | Yes | Free |
| Certified copies | No | $1.00 per page |
| Plain copies | No | $0.15 per page |
How to Search the Clerk Database
The clerk online portal at mypinellasclerk.gov lets anyone search by name, case number, or citation number. Users type the last name first, then narrow by first name and date of birth. Results show case type, filing date, current status, and judge assigned. Closed cases show disposition details, meaning whether the defendant was found guilty, the charges were dropped, or the case ended another way.
For older records, users may need to call the clerk office directly. Some pre-1980 files stay on microfilm and require staff to pull them. Walk-in visitors can use the public terminals at the Clearwater office for free. The office also takes mail requests for certified copies, though a self-addressed stamped envelope and any fees apply.
Costs and Certified Copies
Online searches through mypinellasclerk.gov stay free for everyone. The charge starts when a user wants a certified copy for legal use. A certified copy of any court document runs $1.00 per page. A plain photocopy runs $0.15 per page. There is no fee for viewing records in person at the Clearwater office, though printing on-site carries a small per-page cost.
Payment methods for in-person requests include cash, check, money order, and major credit cards. Mail-in requests work best with a check or money order payable to the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. Users should list the case number, party names, and a return envelope. Turnaround for mailed certified copies takes 3 to 5 business days in most cases.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s criminal history database, known as the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This database pulls arrest data, charge details, and final outcomes from every county in Florida, including Pinellas. A statewide search through FDLE picks up arrests made by St Petersburg Police, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and any other Florida agency that booked a suspect.
FDLE runs two main search types. Level 1 is a name-based search. Level 2 is a fingerprint-based search that also checks FBI records. Both come with different rules, costs, and required uses. Florida law spells out which jobs and licenses need a Level 2 check under Chapter 435 of the Florida Statutes.
Name-Based Search (Level 1)
A Level 1 name-based search costs $24 per request. Users submit through the CCHInet portal at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. The form asks for full name, date of birth, race, and sex. FDLE runs the search against the state database and emails results within 24 hours. No fingerprints are needed for this level.
This search returns Florida arrests, charges, dispositions, and related corrections data. It does not pull records from other states, federal agencies, or sealed cases. Users who need a quick check for employment, tenancy, or personal review use this method. The fee is non-refundable, even when no records come back.
Fingerprint-Based Search (Level 2)
Level 2 checks require a LiveScan fingerprint scan. The scan goes to FDLE and the FBI for a nationwide criminal history check. Florida law requires Level 2 for certain roles, including teachers, healthcare workers, child care staff, law enforcement officers, and many licensed professionals. The exact list sits in Florida Statute 435.04 and related sections.
Level 2 results show Florida records and federal records. They also catch arrests in other states that the FBI database holds. Fees vary by provider. Many LiveScan vendors in the St Petersburg area charge between $50 and $75 total. Results go to the requesting employer or agency, not the person checked, in most cases.
LiveScan Locations Near St Petersburg
LiveScan vendors in and near St Petersburg include private fingerprinting companies, UPS Store locations with LiveScan service, and sheriff’s office stations. The Florida Department of Health keeps a current list at flhealthsource.gov. Users can search by ZIP code to find the closest open vendor.
St Petersburg Police Department does not run LiveScan to the public. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office does not run public fingerprinting either. Private vendors fill this gap. Most vendors need a valid photo ID and the ORI number from the requesting employer. Walk-in service is common, though some locations work by appointment only.
St Petersburg Police and Sheriff Records
Two law enforcement agencies cover St Petersburg. The St Petersburg Police Department handles calls inside city limits. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated parts of the county and runs the county jail. Both agencies send arrest data to FDLE for inclusion in the state database. Searching FDLE pulls records from both agencies at the same time.
For incident reports, traffic crash reports, and arrest records that have not yet made it into the court system, users request records directly from each agency. Each agency has its own records request process under Florida’s public records law.
St Petersburg Police Department
The St Petersburg Police Department sits at 1300 First Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL 33705. The non-emergency line is (727) 893-7780. For a copy of a police report, users fill out a public records request through the city website at stpete.org. Most incident reports and arrest reports become public once the case closes.
The department holds arrest records, incident reports, traffic crash reports, and 911 audio recordings in some cases. Active investigations stay exempt from release under Florida law. Users can request records in person, by mail, or through the city’s online portal. Standard turnaround runs 5 to 10 business days, though requests with large file counts take longer.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and covers unincorporated areas. Their main office sits at 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778. The non-emergency line is (727) 582-6200. Public records requests go through the sheriff’s website or by mail. The office holds arrest records, booking photos, inmate rosters, and call-for-service logs.
Jail records show current inmates, charges, bond amounts, and next court dates. The sheriff’s website publishes a daily inmate roster. Booking photos become public once a suspect is charged. Sealed or expunged cases do not show up in any public search, including the sheriff’s online tools.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has one of the broadest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to see and copy public records held by government agencies. The law applies to state, county, and city offices, including St Petersburg. Users do not need to be a Florida resident, and they do not need to give a reason for the request.
The law does set some limits. Records can be withheld when a state statute makes them exempt. Active criminal investigations fall under a temporary exemption. Sealed and expunged records stay private forever. Juvenile records also stay private in most cases. Users who hit a denial can appeal through the Attorney General’s office.
Chapter 119 Sunshine Law
Chapter 119, known as the Sunshine Law, covers all three branches of Florida government. Court records, arrest records, property records, and government employee records all fall under this law. Each agency must respond to a public records request in a reasonable time. Reasonable is usually measured in days, not weeks.
Agencies can charge only the actual cost of duplication. They cannot add search fees or retrieval fees for ordinary requests. They can charge for staff time when the request takes more than 30 minutes to process. Certified copies carry a higher fee, as noted in the clerk section above.
Exempt and Sealed Records
Some records stay closed by law. Sealed records are removed from public view by a court order. Expunged records are destroyed for most purposes. Both types do not show up in any search, including FDLE, clerk, or police searches. Common reasons for sealing include dismissed charges, completed diversion programs, and certain juvenile cases.
Active investigations also fall outside public view. Police can withhold case details, witness lists, and surveillance footage during an open probe. Once the case closes, most of those records become public. Some sensitive records, such as Social Security numbers, medical data, and home addresses of protected persons, get redacted before release.
Specialized Background Checks
Different jobs and roles need different types of background checks. Florida law spells out the rules for many of these. Some roles need a Level 2 fingerprint check. Others accept a Level 1 name-based check. A few industries run their own screening on top of state and federal searches. Knowing the exact requirement saves time and money.
Common uses cover employment screening, volunteer work, tenant screening, and professional licensing. Each has its own rule set. Costs, turnaround, and approval steps differ across these categories.
Employment Screening
Florida employers use a third-party screening company for pre-employment checks. These companies pull credit reports, driving records, employment history, and criminal records. For criminal checks, most use the same FDLE database that the public can access. Some also pull county-level data from the clerk for a deeper look.
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act controls how employers use these reports. Job applicants must give written consent before a check runs. When an employer rejects an applicant based on the report, they must share a copy and give the applicant a chance to respond. Florida law adds extra rules for arrests that did not lead to conviction.
Volunteer and Child Care Checks
Volunteers who work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities need a Level 2 check under Chapter 435. Schools, daycares, and youth sports leagues all require this level. The check runs through a LiveScan vendor, with results going to the organization or the state agency that runs the program.
Child care workers fall under stricter rules. The Department of Children and Families runs the background screening for licensed child care facilities. The screening covers state and federal criminal history, sex offender registries, and child abuse registries. Approval takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the case load.
Tenant Screening
Florida landlords can run a background check on any rental applicant. They must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. A tenant background check pulls credit history, eviction records, criminal records, and sometimes employment verification. The landlord needs written consent from the applicant before running the check.
Landlords pull criminal data from FDLE, the Pinellas County Clerk, or a third-party screening service. Some landlords skip arrests that did not lead to conviction. Florida law does not ban landlords from considering criminal history, but the federal HUD guidance warns against blanket bans that may violate fair housing rules.
AHCA Healthcare Screening
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) runs background screening for healthcare workers. Nurses, home health aides, nursing assistants, and other direct care workers need clearance through the AHCA system. The screening covers criminal history, abuse registries, and federal exclusion lists.
The screening starts with a Level 2 fingerprint check at an approved LiveScan vendor. Results go to AHCA for review. Clean results get a clearance letter. Hits get a review by an AHCA panel. The full screening takes 2 to 8 weeks. Workers cannot start patient-facing jobs until clearance comes through.
Other Public Records Sources
Court records and FDLE data cover most criminal background checks. A few other public records can round out a check. Official records show liens and judgments. The sex offender registry shows registered offenders. Warrant searches show open arrest warrants. Each source adds a different piece to the full picture.
Florida makes most of these sources free to search online. Some require a small fee for printed copies or certified records.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records
MyFloridaCounty Official Records, at myfloridacounty.com, holds deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and other recorded documents. This system covers all 67 Florida counties, including Pinellas. Users search by name, document type, or recording date. The site shows document images and recorded details.
Judgments and liens do not always show up in a criminal search. A lien can affect credit and property rights. A civil judgment can affect financial standing. Adding these to a background check gives a fuller view of someone’s legal and financial history. The basic search stays free. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a small convenience fee.
Florida Sex Offender Registry
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state sex offender registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. Users search by name, ZIP code, or address. The registry shows registered offenders, their address (when allowed by law), their offense, and their current status.
This registry is a separate system from the criminal history database. Not every sex offender shows up in a standard criminal background check, since registration rules differ from arrest records. Employers, landlords, and neighbors use this registry for extra screening, especially when children live or visit the location.
Warrant Searches
Active arrest warrants do not show up in a standard criminal background check. FDLE and the clerk both show past cases and dispositions. A warrant is an active order that has not yet been served. To check for open warrants, users contact the St Petersburg Police Department or the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office directly.
Some sheriff’s offices publish active warrant lists online. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office runs a public warrant search on their website. Users search by name and date of birth. The site shows open warrants, charge details, and bond amounts. A clean warrant search does not guarantee no warrants exist, since some stay sealed until served.
Official Contact Information
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court handles all St Petersburg court records. The office sits at 315 Court Street, Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756. The phone number is (727) 464-3341. Business hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The website is mypinellasclerk.gov (not clickable). Users can search records online for free through this portal.
For state-level searches, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the CCHInet portal at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. The St Petersburg Police Department sits at 1300 First Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL 33705. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office sits at 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778. The sheriff’s non-emergency line is (727) 582-6200.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about St Petersburg City Florida background check records. Each answer gives clear steps, current fees, and the right office to contact. The questions cover court records, state searches, fingerprint checks, and privacy rules. Users who need a deeper review should contact the Pinellas County Clerk or FDLE directly during business hours.
How Long Does a St Petersburg Background Check Take?
Online clerk searches return results in seconds. FDLE name-based searches take about 24 hours to email back. Fingerprint-based Level 2 checks take 3 to 7 days through a LiveScan vendor. Police report requests take 5 to 10 business days. Some requests run faster, others slower, based on staff load, record type, and whether the case is still active or already closed.
What Shows Up on a Florida Background Check?
A Florida background check shows arrests, charges, dispositions, convictions, and sentences from the FDLE database. It also shows cases filed in any Florida county. Sealed and expunged records do not appear. Out-of-state arrests only show up when a federal agency or FBI database holds them. Civil cases show up in clerk searches, not in standard criminal checks run by employers.
Can I Run a Background Check on Myself in Florida?
Yes. Anyone can request their own Florida criminal history record through FDLE’s CCHInet portal for $24. Users can also search the Pinellas County Clerk database for free using their name and date of birth. Self-checks help people spot errors before a job application or third-party background check. Errors can be fixed through the FDLE record review process, which may take several weeks.
Are St Petersburg Arrest Records Public?
Most arrest records in St Petersburg are public once the case closes. Active investigations stay exempt. Juvenile arrests stay private. Sealed or expunged arrests stay private forever. Booking photos become public once a suspect is formally charged with a crime. Records older than a certain age may need extra steps to access, since some are still on microfilm and require staff retrieval.
What Is the Difference Between Level 1 and Level 2?
Level 1 is a name-based search that pulls Florida criminal history for $24. Level 2 is a fingerprint-based search that pulls state and FBI records for $50 to $75. Florida law requires Level 2 for jobs in childcare, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Employers pick the level based on the role and Florida Statute 435. Both searches return results through email or secure portal.
Can I Remove Old Records From My Florida Background?
Florida permits expungement or sealing of certain records. Eligible cases include dismissed charges, completed diversion programs, and certain first-time offenses. The review goes through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the local state attorney. A judge signs the final order. Once sealed or expunged, the record no longer shows up in public searches, clerk databases, or FDLE name-based checks.