Melbourne Background Check Records
Background check records for Melbourne residents are managed through the Brevard County Clerk of Court. Melbourne sits on the Space Coast with a population near 88,000, making it the largest city in Brevard County. The clerk office in Titusville keeps all court records for Melbourne and the rest of Brevard County. Criminal case data, civil filings, and other public records all go through this one office. You can also run a statewide check through FDLE for a more complete look at someone's record in Florida.
Melbourne Quick Facts
Where Melbourne Records Are Filed
Melbourne is part of Brevard County. All court records and criminal case files for Melbourne residents are kept by the Brevard County Clerk of Court. The main clerk office is in Titusville, which is the county seat. There is no separate court system just for Melbourne. If a case was filed in Brevard County, it shows up in the same system no matter which city the person lives in.
Rachel Sadoff serves as the Brevard County Clerk. Her office handles all criminal, civil, traffic, and family court records. For a background check on someone who lives in Melbourne, you start here. The clerk site also has an online search tool where you can look up case records by name or case number for free. Check the full Brevard County background check page for more on what the county offers.
| Clerk Office | Brevard County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Rachel Sadoff |
| Address | 400 S St, 2nd Floor, Titusville, FL 32780 |
| Phone | (321) 637-2017 |
| Website | brevardclerk.us |
Brevard County also has a courthouse branch in Melbourne at the Moore Justice Center, which is closer for local residents. This branch handles court hearings and some clerk services. Call ahead to make sure the service you need is offered at the Melbourne branch before you drive out there.
Melbourne City Government and Records
The City of Melbourne has its own website with city-level information, but criminal records and court case files are not part of city government. Those stay with Brevard County.
Use the city site for code enforcement records, business permits, and other municipal data. For criminal history and court records in Melbourne, the county clerk and FDLE are the right places to look.
How to Run a Melbourne Background Check
There are a few ways to search for background check records on someone in Melbourne. Each source covers a different set of data. Using more than one gives you a fuller picture.
The Brevard County Clerk's website at brevardclerk.us has a free case search. You can look up anyone by name. The system shows criminal cases, civil suits, traffic cases, and family court filings in Brevard County. Each result lists the case type, filing date, charges, and status. This is a fast first step for any Melbourne background check.
For a statewide search, go through FDLE. The CCHInet portal lets you run a name-based criminal history check for $24. Results come by email. This pulls data from all 67 Florida counties, so it catches records from outside Brevard too. If you are not sure where someone lived before Melbourne, this is the better option.
You can also check the MyFloridaCounty portal for official records like liens, judgments, and recorded documents. These add financial context to a background check.
- Brevard clerk online search: free
- FDLE name-based check: $24
- MyFloridaCounty official records: free to search
- Certified copies from clerk: varies
Note: The clerk's case search only covers Brevard County, so use FDLE if you want records from all of Florida.
FDLE Checks for Melbourne Residents
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the statewide criminal history database. It holds records from Melbourne and every other city in the state. FDLE has two check levels. Level 1 is a name-based search for $24. Level 2 uses fingerprints and checks both state and FBI records.
Visit FDLE's criminal history page for the full details on each type. For Level 2 checks, you need to visit a LiveScan location to get fingerprints scanned electronically. There are several LiveScan providers near Melbourne. Find one at the Florida Health Source directory.
FDLE records include arrests, charges, and case outcomes reported by law enforcement and courts across the state. A check through FDLE gives you a broader view than searching the Brevard clerk alone because it pulls in data from agencies outside the county. This matters for anyone who has lived in other parts of Florida before moving to Melbourne.
Public Records Access in Melbourne
Florida has broad public records laws. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes says most government records are open. You do not need to live in Melbourne or give a reason for your request. The clerk has to give you the records unless they fall under a specific exemption.
Sealed and expunged records are off limits. Juvenile cases have restrictions too. Active investigations may be held back for a short time. But outside those narrow cases, everything is open. Court files, arrest reports, and booking records are all public in Melbourne.
Under Chapter 943, FDLE controls how criminal history data is stored and shared across the state. This statute also sets the rules for who can get what level of information from the state database. If you need help with a records request, the Attorney General's Open Government office can assist.
Note: You can request records from any Florida agency, not just the county where you live.
Getting Record Copies in Melbourne
To get copies of court records, contact the Brevard County Clerk at (321) 637-2017. You can visit in person at the Titusville office or check if the Melbourne branch handles copy requests. Bring the person's full name or case number. Plain copies and certified copies have different fees, so ask when you call.
You can also request copies by mail. Write a letter with the person's name, the case type, and the date range you need. Add a check or money order for the fees. Send it to 400 S St, 2nd Floor, Titusville, FL 32780.
For FDLE records, order online through CCHInet. The $24 fee covers a name-based search. Results arrive by email. You can also check your own record through FDLE's personal review option. This lets you see what shows up under your name before anyone else runs a Melbourne background check on you.
Melbourne Legal Resources
Several groups in the Melbourne area can help with records requests or legal questions. Brevard County Legal Aid provides free help to people who qualify based on income. The Brevard County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service if you need an attorney.
The City of Melbourne website at melbourneflorida.org has links to city services and community resources. While the city does not handle criminal records directly, the site can point you toward local support. For state-level help finding a clerk, the Florida Clerks directory lists every county clerk office in the state.
Brevard County Background Check Records
Melbourne is in Brevard County, and all criminal filings and court records go through the Brevard County Clerk of Court. The county handles records for Melbourne and all other communities in the area. For the full county overview with more resources and search options, visit the Brevard County page.
Nearby Cities
These nearby Florida cities also have background check resource pages: