Contact us – Florida Background Check Records starts with the right office for the right record. Florida keeps criminal history, court files, and arrest data across several agencies.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the state criminal history system. County clerks of court hold local case files. The Florida Department of Health holds birth, death, and marriage records. Each office has its own phone line, mailing address, and online portal. Use the sections below to reach the correct Florida office for the record you need.
Reach the Right Florida Records Office
Florida background check records come from three main office types. Sending your request to the wrong office causes delays. State-level checks go through FDLE. Local checks go through a county clerk. Federal or out-of-state checks use the FBI or another state’s bureau. Matching the record type to the office cuts wait times and fees.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
FDLE runs the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This system stores Florida arrests, dispositions, and conviction records. Name-based and fingerprint-based checks both pull from CCH. FDLE also runs the Civil Workflow Processing System (CWPS) for non-criminal civil checks used by licensing agencies and volunteers. FDLE is the central contact for any state-level Florida background screening.
County Clerk of Court Offices
Each of Florida’s 67 counties has a clerk of court. Clerks hold court case files, civil records, criminal case dockets, marriage licenses, and sometimes arrest affidavits. A clerk search shows case numbers, charges, and outcomes from local courts. County checks supplement state checks and reveal records that did not reach the FDLE system.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health issues birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. These vital records are sometimes used in full identity checks. They are not criminal records, but employers and licensing boards often request them as part of a complete background file.
FDLE Contact Details for Criminal History Records
FDLE accepts criminal history requests by mail, online, and through approved vendors. Live support hours run Monday through Friday. Phone lines close on state holidays. Use the contact points below for the most current Florida criminal history information check.
Mailing Address and Physical Location
FDLE Headquarters sits at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Mail to the User Services Bureau goes to the same address. Visitors must show photo ID at the lobby desk. Walk-in record requests are accepted during business hours but mailed and online requests are faster.
Phone Numbers and Hours
FDLE User Services Bureau: (850) 410-8115. This line handles questions on criminal history records, name-based checks, and fingerprint results. Hours run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. The Public Records Unit phone is (850) 410-7680 for public records requests outside the criminal history system. The main FDLE switchboard at (850) 410-7000 routes calls during business hours.
Online Request Portals
The FDLE criminal history search portal lets users run name-based checks 24 hours a day. Results return instantly for most records. Fingerprint-based checks require an appointment with an approved Livescan vendor. Florida volunteer background check requests go through the CWPS portal. Employment checks outside Florida should use the FBI Identity History Summary instead.
Official website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
County Clerk Contact Directory
County clerks control most local public records in Florida. Each clerk keeps its own contact details. The table below lists clerks for the largest Florida counties. Smaller counties follow the same structure and can be reached through the clerk’s official county website.
| County | Clerk Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | Miami-Dade Clerk of Court | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 | (305) 275-1155 |
| Broward | Broward County Clerk of Courts | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 | (954) 831-6565 |
| Hillsborough | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court | 419 Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602 | (813) 276-8100 |
| Orange | Orange County Clerk of Courts | 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 | (407) 836-2000 |
| Palm Beach | Palm Beach County Clerk | 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 355-2996 |
| Duval | Duval County Clerk of Court | 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 | (904) 255-2000 |
| Pinellas | Pinellas County Clerk of Court | 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 | (727) 464-7000 |
| Lee | Lee County Clerk of Court | 2115 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 | (239) 533-5000 |
Miami-Dade County Records
Miami-Dade County criminal records, civil court records, and marriage licenses are held by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court. Online case search is available through the clerk’s portal. In-person searches run during regular court hours. Phone lines open at 8:00 a.m. on business days.
Broward County Records
Broward County criminal records searches pull from the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk’s office provides free online case search with basic docket data. Certified copies require a written request and small fee. The office handles both civil and criminal court files for Broward County.
Hillsborough County Records
Hillsborough County public records include criminal cases, civil suits, and small claims filed in county court. The clerk’s online search portal allows name-based searches of Hillsborough County court records. Tampa-area cases show up in this system along with Plant City and Brandon filings.
Orange County Records
Orange County clerk of court records cover Orlando and Orange County court filings. The clerk’s portal allows users to search criminal, family, and civil case data. Court minutes, dockets, and final judgments are available through the same portal. Phone support handles record request questions.
Other Florida Counties
Florida has 67 counties. Each runs its own clerk system. Users outside the major counties can find their clerk through the official Florida Courts website. Search by county name to locate the correct clerk address, phone, and online search portal.
Types of Florida Background Checks
Florida background checks fall into several categories. Each type pulls data from different sources. Picking the correct type saves time and matches the check to the purpose of the request.
Official vs Unofficial Checks
Official Florida background checks come from FDLE, a county clerk, or the FBI. These reports carry government authority and are accepted by employers, licensing boards, and courts. Unofficial checks come from third-party websites. Unofficial reports may include errors, missing dispositions, and outdated data. Landlords, employers, and licensing agencies almost always require official reports.
Name-Based Background Check
A name-based background check runs the person’s full name and date of birth against FDLE’s Computerized Criminal History system. The search returns Florida arrest records, conviction records, and disposition records. Name-based checks cost less and return results faster than fingerprint checks. They are accepted for most volunteer and general employment roles.
Fingerprint Background Check
A fingerprint-based check uses Livescan fingerprint capture at an approved vendor location. The prints run through FDLE and often through the FBI. Fingerprint checks reduce false matches and catch records filed under different names. Florida teacher background checks, healthcare worker checks, and law enforcement licensing checks require fingerprints.
Volunteer Background Check
Florida volunteer background checks serve schools, nonprofits, and youth organizations. Volunteers working with children must pass a Level 2 fingerprint check. FDLE’s Civil Workflow Processing System handles many volunteer requests. School districts and child care facilities set their own rules on which check level they require.
Employment Background Check
Florida employment background checks combine a state criminal history search with county court searches, federal checks, and sometimes civil court records. Employers follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when using third-party screeners. State law adds rules on arrest record lookback windows and sealed records.
Landlord Background Check
Florida landlord background checks focus on eviction filings, criminal records, and court records. Landlords often use the county clerk’s online portal to pull eviction and small claims data. The FDLE name-based check covers criminal history. Landlords must follow the FCRA if they reject an applicant based on a third-party report.
Florida Background Check Laws
Florida law sets rules on who can request a background check, what records show up, and how records can be used. Following these rules protects the person being checked and the person running the check.
FCRA Compliant Background Check
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to any Florida employer using a third-party screening company. The FCRA requires written consent before pulling a report. It requires an adverse action notice if the report leads to a rejection. It gives the applicant the right to dispute inaccurate data. Florida employers who run their own checks without a third-party screener fall outside the FCRA, but other state laws still apply.
Florida Expungement Records
Expunged Florida records are sealed from public view. The FDLE system removes them from public criminal history searches after a court issues an expungement order. Most employers and landlords cannot see expunged records. Law enforcement agencies, the military, and certain licensing boards can still access them.
Florida Sealed Records
Sealed Florida records stay in the FDLE system but do not appear in public searches. Court records become unavailable to the public. Sealing differs from expungement because sealed records may still surface for specific government purposes. Florida sealing laws changed over time, and older records may have different rules.
Ban-the-Box and Job Applications
Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law, but many cities and counties do. Local rules control when an employer can ask about criminal history on a job application. Employers should check city and county rules in addition to state law before running checks.
Related Florida Public Record Sources
Criminal history is one part of a full background file. Other public record sources complete the picture. Each source listed below is maintained by a separate Florida agency.
Florida Sex Offender Registry
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the public sex offender registry. Users can search by name, address, or ZIP code. The registry lists registered offenders, their address, and their offense level. Landlords, schools, and parents often use this tool before making housing or childcare decisions.
Florida Inmate Search
The Florida Department of Corrections runs an inmate search portal. It shows current inmates, facility location, release date, and offense data. County jail inmates do not appear in this database. Each county sheriff runs its own jail roster search.
Florida Warrant Search
Florida does not run a single statewide warrant search. Warrants are issued by county courts and tracked through county sheriff offices. Users must check the relevant county for active warrants. Some county clerks also publish warrant lists online.
Florida Civil Court Records
Florida civil court records cover lawsuits, small claims, divorce, and other non-criminal filings. These records sit in county clerk systems. Users can search civil case dockets online through the county clerk’s portal. Civil records can affect credit and rental decisions even when no criminal record exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common contact requests received from people searching for Florida background check records. Each answer points to the correct office, fee, and processing time based on current FDLE and Florida court rules. Use these answers to pick the right contact point before sending a request.
Who do I contact for an official Florida background check?
Contact FDLE for a statewide official check. FDLE runs the Computerized Criminal History system and issues official Florida criminal history reports. Mail requests go to 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Phone support is available at (850) 410-8115 during business hours. Online requests go through the FDLE website at www.fdle.state.fl.us. County-level records require a separate request to the relevant county clerk of court.
How long does an FDLE background check take?
Name-based checks return instantly when requested online. Mailed name-based requests take 5 to 10 business days after FDLE receives the form. Fingerprint-based checks take 24 to 72 hours after the Livescan vendor submits the prints. Out-of-state FBI checks take 1 to 2 weeks. Processing times stretch in summer months when vendor volume is high.
Can anyone run a background check in Florida?
Anyone can run a name-based Florida criminal history check on themselves. Florida also allows employers, landlords, and licensing agencies to request checks on applicants with written consent. Unauthorized use of a third-party report violates the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Personal use outside of FCRA rules has limits on how the data can be applied to decisions.
How much does a Florida background check cost?
FDLE charges a small fee per name-based check. Fingerprint-based checks cost more due to Livescan vendor charges. County clerk certified copies have a per-page fee. Third-party Florida background check services charge their own rates, often higher than direct government fees. Direct FDLE and clerk requests cost the least.
What shows up on a Florida background check?
A Florida background check shows arrests, charges, dispositions, convictions, and sentence data held by FDLE. Some sealed and expunged records do not appear. County court searches add case numbers, civil filings, and court minutes. Federal checks add out-of-state and federal offense data. The exact records returned depend on the check type and level requested.
Does Florida follow FCRA rules?
Florida employers using third-party screening companies must follow the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FCRA covers consent, disclosure, and adverse action notices. Florida does not have a state-level equivalent that mirrors FCRA. Local ban-the-box rules add extra layers in cities like Miami and Tampa.
Can sealed or expunged records appear on a Florida check?
Sealed Florida records do not show up in standard public searches. Expunged records are removed from the public FDLE system. Law enforcement agencies, military recruiters, and some licensing boards can still access sealed records for specific purposes. Standard employer and landlord checks will not return these sealed entries.