Orlando City Florida background check records include criminal court files, arrest logs, conviction data, and statewide history pulled from Florida’s central criminal database. Orange County handles all local court records, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) holds statewide arrest and disposition data.
Anyone can request these records, whether they live in Orlando or not, under Florida’s open records laws. This page explains how to access each record type, what fees apply, and which laws control who can see what.
Who Manages Orlando Criminal Records
Orlando sits inside Orange County, Florida. No separate city court handles criminal cases for Orlando. All criminal, civil, family, and traffic court records pass through the Orange County Clerk of Court. Statewide records run through FDLE. Both systems work together so a complete check pulls data from each source.
Orange County Clerk of Court Role
The Orange County Clerk of Court keeps every case filed in Orange County since the court system moved to electronic records. Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell runs the office at 425 N Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Her office files charges, dockets hearings, and stores final judgments for criminal cases handled at the Orange County Courthouse. The clerk does not run arrests or police reports. Those come from law enforcement agencies.
FDLE Statewide System Coverage
FDLE operates the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. Every Florida arrest that gets reported to FDLE lands in this system. A statewide search through FDLE pulls Orlando arrests plus records from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Duval, and all other Florida counties. FDLE only includes data sent by reporting agencies. Some older cases or federal charges may not show up.
Free Search Methods in Orlando
Several free search methods cover Orlando. The Orange County Clerk’s online portal is the main free option. MyFloridaCounty adds recorded documents like liens and judgments. These free sources give partial results, but they leave out fingerprint data and sealed cases.
Free Orange County Clerk Search
The clerk’s online search at myorangeclerk.com lets you pull case files by name. Type a name into the search bar, pick criminal or civil, and the system returns matching cases. Each result shows the case number, filing date, charge type, and current status. Closed cases display the final disposition, meaning whether the person was convicted, acquitted, or the case dropped. This search is free for basic lookups. It pulls only Orange County cases, not statewide data.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records
MyFloridaCounty.com holds official recorded documents from Orange County and every other Florida county. Search by name to find liens, civil judgments, mortgages, and marriage records. Background checks benefit from this tool because civil judgments can reveal fraud, unpaid debts, or other financial red flags that a criminal search misses. Basic searches run free. Official certified copies cost extra and require payment through the portal.
Court Records on Orange County Site
The Orange County Court Records search at myorangeclerk.com covers all court divisions. Criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic cases all appear in the same system. You can narrow your search by case type, date range, or party name. Free search results show the case header and docket. Full case files, including motions and exhibits, require paid copies from the clerk.
FDLE Statewide Criminal Search
FDLE runs the most complete statewide criminal search for Florida. Two options exist: a name-based search (Level 1) and a fingerprint-based search (Level 2). Both cover the same CCH database. The difference is accuracy and FBI cross-checking.
FDLE Name-Based Check Process
Submit a name-based check through CCHInet at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. Fill in the subject’s full name, date of birth, and sex. Pay the $24 fee by credit card or electronic check. Results arrive by email, often within a few hours but sometimes up to 24 hours. The result lists every arrest reported to FDLE for that person, along with the final disposition reported by the court. The search covers Florida only and does not include federal arrests handled in U.S. District Court.
Fingerprint Level 2 Screening
Level 2 checks require a live scan fingerprint. Visit a LiveScan provider in Orlando, get your prints scanned electronically, and the prints go to FDLE and the FBI. Results check both the Florida CCH system and the national FBI database. Employers, licensing agencies, and volunteer organizations that work with children or vulnerable adults usually require Level 2 checks under Florida Statutes Chapter 435. Fees vary by provider and often include a separate LiveScan fee on top of the FDLE processing fee.
Where to Get Fingerprinted in Orlando
Orlando has many LiveScan fingerprint locations. The Florida Health Source website lists approved providers. Common providers include UPS Stores, private fingerprinting companies, and sheriff’s office locations. Bring a photo ID and any required forms from your employer or licensing agency. The provider sends prints to FDLE and the FBI electronically, cutting wait times compared to ink card submissions.
Fees, Copies, and Timelines
Fees depend on which system you use and whether you need certified copies. Timelines range from instant online results to several business days for mailed requests. Knowing the cost structure ahead of time prevents overpaying or missing important deadlines.
Clerk Copy Costs
Plain copies from the Orange County Clerk cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. The clerk adds a $2.00 certification fee per document for certified copies used in court or legal filings. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope plus exact payment. Online credit card payments add a processing fee.
FDLE Pricing Structure
FDLE charges $24 for a name-based criminal history search. This fee covers the search and a single result document. A separate $24 applies for each additional search on a different person. Fingerprint-based Level 2 checks cost more because they include FBI fees. Total cost for a Level 2 check typically runs between $40 and $75 depending on the LiveScan provider.
Processing Times
Online CCHInet name searches finish in 1 to 24 hours. Fingerprint Level 2 checks take 3 to 5 business days for FDLE results, with FBI results adding another 1 to 3 business days. Mail requests to the Orange County Clerk take 5 to 10 business days. Walk-in requests at the clerk’s office usually get same-day service for standard copies.
Legal Rights and Record Restrictions
Florida law opens most government records to the public, but several categories stay restricted. Sealed records, expunged records, juvenile cases, and active investigation files fall outside public view. Employers must also follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when using background checks for hiring decisions.
Florida Public Records Act
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes makes government records open to anyone. You do not need to live in Orlando. You do not need to give a reason for the request. Agencies must provide copies at the cost of duplication only. The Orange County Clerk, FDLE, and Orlando Police Department all fall under this law. If an agency denies a request, the Attorney General’s Open Government office can review the denial.
Sealed and Expunged Files
Sealed records stay hidden from public view by court order. Expunged records get physically destroyed or restricted so even the person named in the record cannot see them. Both types of records drop out of public searches. Law enforcement and certain licensing agencies may still access them under specific Florida statutes. Florida law limits who qualifies for sealing or expungement, and only certain case types qualify.
FCRA Compliance Rules
Employers using background checks for hiring, promotion, or termination decisions must comply with the FCRA. The FCRA requires written consent from the person being checked. If an employer rejects someone based on a background check, they must send a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report and give the applicant time to dispute errors. Background check companies must follow FCRA accuracy rules when reporting criminal records.
Common Use Cases for Orlando Checks
Orlando background checks serve several purposes. Employers screen applicants. Landlords screen tenants. Volunteer organizations screen people working with children. Individuals check their own records to dispute errors or prepare for expungement petitions.
Employment Screening
Florida employers running background checks must follow both state law and FCRA. Most employers use a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to pull statewide criminal records, county court records, and sometimes federal records. Some industries require Level 2 fingerprint checks under Chapter 435. Healthcare workers, childcare workers, teachers, and law enforcement applicants all face mandatory fingerprint screening.
Tenant Background Checks
Landlords in Orlando commonly screen tenants using credit reports, criminal history, and eviction records. The criminal history portion runs through FDLE or a private screening company. Florida law does not require landlords to run background checks, but most do to reduce liability. Landlords must still comply with the Fair Housing Act and cannot discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability.
Personal Record Review
Anyone can request a personal review of their own criminal history through FDLE. This helps people check for errors before job applications, apartment rentals, or professional license renewals. FDLE provides a free personal review once per year upon request. Disputed records can be corrected through FDLE’s challenge process. Corrections often require court documents or law enforcement records showing the correct information.
Orlando Police and Sheriff Data
Law enforcement agencies hold arrest reports and incident reports separate from court records. The Orlando Police Department covers the city limits. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated Orange County areas. Both agencies send arrest data to FDLE.
Local Arrest Reports
The Orlando Police Department maintains an arrest blotter with recent arrest information. Some of this data appears on the OPD website or through public records requests. Arrest records show the charges, booking date, and arresting officer. Court outcomes do not appear in police arrest records. Court outcomes come from the Orange County Clerk’s office or FDLE.
Incident Reports Access
Incident reports document police responses to calls. These reports cover criminal and non-criminal events. Public access to incident reports varies. Active investigation files stay restricted. Closed case files become public once the investigation closes. Submit a public records request to the Orlando Police Department or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for incident reports.
Warrant Searches
Orange County warrant searches run through the sheriff’s office website or by contacting the sheriff directly. Active warrants appear in the public warrant list. Cleared warrants drop off the list. Warrant searches do not show up in a standard FDLE criminal history search. Run a separate warrant search through the Orange County Sheriff’s Office or the Orlando Police Department.
Sex Offender Registry in Florida
FDLE maintains Florida’s Sex Offender and Predator Registry. The registry lists registered sex offenders by name, address, and ZIP code. Registered offenders must report their address, employment, and vehicle data to FDLE. The public registry stays searchable online.
How to Search the Registry
Visit the FDLE sex offender registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. Search by name, address, city, county, or ZIP code. The Orlando search returns all registered offenders living within Orlando city limits. The registry includes photos, offense details, and current address. Registered offenders who fail to update their information face felony charges under Florida law.
Registry Restrictions
The registry only includes people required to register. Not every person convicted of a sex offense must register. Juvenile sex offenders, federal sex offenders, and people with certain case dispositions may not appear in the Florida registry. Use the registry as one tool among many, not a complete sex offender check.
Expungement and Record Clearing
Florida law allows some criminal records to be sealed or expunged. Sealing hides the record from public view. Expungement destroys the record so most government agencies cannot see it. Only specific case types qualify.
Who Qualifies for Expungement
Florida Statutes Section 943.0585 lists expungement eligibility. People who received a withhold of adjudication for certain misdemeanors or felonies, people whose cases were dismissed, people acquitted at trial, and people who completed a pretrial intervention program may qualify. People convicted of serious offenses like murder, sexual assault, or child abuse cannot expunge their records.
How to File for Expungement
File a Certificate of Eligibility application with FDLE first. FDLE reviews the application and issues a certificate if the applicant qualifies. Take the certificate to the Orange County Clerk of Court and file a petition for expungement or sealing. A judge reviews the petition and grants or denies it. The process typically takes 6 to 12 months from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common issues people face when running Orlando background checks. Each answer pulls from Florida law, FDLE procedures, and Orange County Clerk rules current as of September 2026. If your situation involves federal charges, sealed records, or out-of-state arrests, additional steps apply.
How long does an FDLE check take?
A name-based FDLE criminal history check through CCHInet typically completes within 1 to 24 hours after payment clears. Most requests finish the same business day. Delays happen when the system encounters name matches that require manual review. Fingerprint Level 2 checks take 3 to 5 business days for Florida results plus 1 to 3 business days for FBI results.
Can I check my own criminal record?
Yes. FDLE offers a free personal review once per year. Submit the request through CCHInet or by mail. You can also run a paid name-based search anytime for $24. Reviewing your own record helps spot errors before job applications or expungement petitions. You can challenge incorrect entries through FDLE’s record correction process.
What shows up on a Level 2 check?
A Level 2 fingerprint check pulls from both the Florida CCH database and the FBI national database. The report shows every arrest reported to FDLE, every disposition reported by Florida courts, and matching FBI records. Level 2 checks catch out-of-state arrests that show up in the FBI database. Some federal arrests handled in U.S. District Court may still not appear depending on FBI reporting rules.
Are expunged records visible on background checks?
No. Expunged records are removed from public criminal history databases. Private background check companies cannot legally report expunged records. Law enforcement agencies and certain licensing agencies may still access expunged records under specific circumstances. Florida law treats unauthorized disclosure of expunged records as a misdemeanor.
Do employers need written consent?
Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires written consent before an employer runs a background check through a consumer reporting agency. The consent must be a separate document, not buried in an employment application. Employers must also follow adverse action procedures if they reject an applicant based on background check results.
Where do I get Orange County court records?
Search the Orange County Clerk of Court website at myorangeclerk.com for online access. Visit the courthouse at 425 N Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 for in-person records. Phone requests are limited. Mail requests work for non-urgent record pulls. Public terminal access is free at the courthouse.
Is a name-based check as accurate as fingerprints?
No. Name-based checks depend on exact name and date of birth matches. Common names produce false matches. Fingerprint checks use biometric data and produce more accurate results. For high-stakes decisions like professional licensing, Level 2 fingerprint checks are required. For general screening, a name-based check provides solid baseline data.
Orange County Clerk Contact Information
The Orange County Clerk of Court handles all Orlando court records. Use this contact information for in-person visits, phone questions, or mail requests. The clerk’s office processes public records requests during normal business hours.
Orange County Clerk of Court
425 N Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 836-2000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Website: https://www.myorangeclerk.com/
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
CCHInet Online Portal: https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/
Sex Offender Registry: https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/
Headquarters: 233 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Orlando Police Department
1250 W South Street
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone: (407) 246-2470
Public Records: https://www.orlando.gov/
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
2500 W Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: (407) 254-7000
Website: https://www.ocso.com/