Boca Raton Background Check Lookup
Background check records for Boca Raton are handled by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach and FDLE at the state level. Boca Raton sits at the southern end of Palm Beach County with more than 102,000 residents. It borders Broward County to the south. The city has its own police department, but court records all go through the Palm Beach County system. This page covers how to search for background check records tied to Boca Raton, what tools are available, and what it costs.
Boca Raton Quick Facts
Palm Beach County Records for Boca Raton
Boca Raton is in Palm Beach County. Mike Caruso serves as the Clerk of Court. The main clerk's office is in West Palm Beach, about 45 miles north of Boca Raton. All criminal, civil, family, and traffic court records for Boca Raton go through this office. Palm Beach County also has a south county courthouse in Delray Beach that is closer to Boca Raton for some services.
| Clerk | Mike Caruso |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N Olive Ave, 9th Fl, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
The Palm Beach County Clerk website has an online case search. You can look up cases by name, case number, or party. This covers all court types in the county. Criminal cases show charges and outcomes. Civil cases list the parties and filing type. It is free to search online. Copies of documents cost extra.
Note: Boca Raton residents can also use the south county courthouse in Delray Beach for some clerk services.
Boca Raton City Services
The City of Boca Raton runs its own police department, which handles law enforcement within city limits.
Arrests by the Boca Raton Police Services Department go into the Palm Beach County court system and the FDLE statewide database. The Boca Raton city website has contact info for the police department and other local services. When you run a background check on someone in Boca Raton, arrests from the city police show up in both county and state searches.
How to Search Boca Raton Background Check Records
Start with the FDLE state check. Visit CCHInet and submit a Level 1 name-based search for $24. This pulls all arrest and conviction records from across Florida. If someone in Boca Raton has a criminal record anywhere in the state, the FDLE check will show it. Results come by email, usually within a day.
Next, use the Palm Beach County Clerk's online search tool. It is free and open to the public. Enter a name to see all court cases in the county. This gives you local detail on cases filed in Palm Beach County that tie to Boca Raton. You get case status, filing dates, charges, and hearing schedules.
Check MyFloridaCounty for official recorded documents in Palm Beach County. Search for liens, judgments, deed records, and other filed items. These records add a financial dimension to a background check that court cases alone may not cover. A lien or judgment filed against someone in Boca Raton appears in this system.
You can go to the clerk's office in person too. The main office is at 301 N Olive Ave in West Palm Beach. Bring ID and the name or case number you want to search. Staff will pull the file and make copies.
Background Check Options in Boca Raton
Level 1 is the standard name-based check. It costs $24. You order it through CCHInet. FDLE searches its database and sends results by email. This is the most common type of background check for people in Boca Raton who need a quick answer.
Level 2 uses fingerprints. It searches both the FDLE state database and the FBI national records. Chapter 435 of the Florida Statutes requires Level 2 checks for certain roles and situations. You visit an approved LiveScan site to get fingerprinted. The FDLE criminal history records page lists vendors by zip code. Boca Raton and the surrounding area have several approved sites. Results from Level 2 checks take a few business days.
The VECHS program under Chapter 943 lets registered groups access criminal history data on an ongoing basis. Organizations in Boca Raton that serve vulnerable populations can sign up through FDLE at (850) 410-8324.
Note: Level 2 fingerprint results go directly to the requesting agency, not to the person being checked.
Public Records Rights in Boca Raton
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all government records are open for public inspection. This applies to court files, arrest records, and most other government documents in Palm Beach County and Boca Raton.
You do not need to be a Boca Raton resident to request records. You do not need to give a reason. The exceptions are sealed records, expunged files, and juvenile cases. Nearly everything else is available. The Attorney General's Open Government page is the go-to resource if you have questions about record access or if a government office turns down a request.
Boca Raton Background Check Fees
The main costs for a background check in Boca Raton are straightforward. FDLE charges $24 for the Level 1 state check. The Palm Beach County Clerk charges for copies of documents.
- FDLE Level 1 check: $24.00
- Plain copy: $0.15 per page
- Certified copy: $1.00 per page
- Online case search: Free
Pay FDLE fees at CCHInet with a credit card. Clerk fees are paid at the counter in West Palm Beach or by mail. The Florida Clerks site has full contact info for the Palm Beach County office.
Palm Beach County Background Check Records
Boca Raton is in Palm Beach County. All court records and criminal filings for the city go through the county clerk. For a complete guide to the county system, search tools, and fees, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Boca Raton is near the Palm Beach and Broward County border. These nearby cities may have relevant records for a background check.