Alachua County Background Checks

Background check records in Alachua County are held by the Clerk of Court in Gainesville and by state agencies like FDLE. The county sits in north central Florida and has a mix of court records, criminal filings, and public documents that can be searched in person or online. Getting a background check in Alachua County starts with knowing which office holds the records you need. The Clerk of Court handles local court case data, while FDLE runs statewide criminal history checks. Both sources give different results, and most people use a mix of the two.

Alachua County Clerk of Court

The Alachua County Clerk of Court is the main source for local court records and public filings. J.K. "Jess" Irby, Esq. serves as the clerk. The office sits at 201 E University Ave in Gainesville. You can call them at (352) 374-3636 to ask about records or check hours. Walk-in visits are welcome on weekdays. Staff can help you search for criminal cases, civil filings, and other court records that are part of an Alachua County background check.

The Alachua County Clerk website at alachuacounty.us has an online portal for case searches. You can look up cases by name or case number from home. The site shows case type, filing date, and status. It does not show the full document text for all filings, but it gives you a good start. For full copies of court documents in Alachua County, you may need to visit in person or submit a written request. The online system is free to search, which makes it a solid first step for any background check in Alachua County.

The Alachua County Clerk of Court website provides a look at their records portal and filing tools.

From this portal you can search for court case records and check the status of filings in Alachua County.

Note: Call the clerk before you visit to make sure the office is open on the day you plan to go.

Searching Alachua County Background Check Records

There are two main ways to run a background check in Alachua County. The first is through the county clerk's online case search. The second is through FDLE, which runs the state criminal history database. Each gives you a different set of data. The clerk has local court case records like criminal filings, civil suits, and traffic cases. FDLE has statewide arrest and conviction data. For a more complete Alachua County background check, you may want to use both sources.

To search at the Alachua County courthouse, go to the clerk's office at 201 E University Ave. Bring a valid ID. Tell the staff the name of the person you want to look up. They can search the system and print results for you. You can also use the MyFloridaCounty portal to search official records from any Florida county, including Alachua. This is a free search tool that covers recorded documents like liens, deeds, and judgments. Under Florida Chapter 119, all public records in the state are open for any person to view. You do not need to give a reason for your search.

For a statewide check, go to CCHInet to submit a name-based request through FDLE. This costs $24 per search. Results come back in about 24 hours. It covers all criminal history records FDLE has on file for that person across the state. If the person has records in Alachua County or any other county, those show up in the results.

FDLE Criminal History Checks

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles statewide criminal history searches. This is separate from what the Alachua County clerk keeps on file. FDLE records include arrest data from every county in Florida. A check through FDLE costs $24 and can be done online through the CCHInet system. The FDLE Criminal History Records page has all the details on how to request a check.

You can request your own criminal history through FDLE Personal Review if you want to see what shows up on your record. Alachua County residents can get fingerprinted at any approved Livescan location. The Florida Health Source website has a list of Livescan providers near Gainesville and other parts of Alachua County. Fingerprint-based checks are more accurate than name-based ones because they match prints directly, which avoids problems with common names or name changes.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program for certain types of checks that are required by law. These checks use fingerprints and search both state and FBI databases for Alachua County residents and anyone else in Florida. The program is set up under Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes for groups that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

Alachua County Background Check Fees

Fees for background checks in Alachua County depend on which type you need and where you get it. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based state criminal history check. This is the same fee no matter which county you live in. You pay online through the FDLE criminal history records page. A fingerprint-based check costs more and varies based on the agency that requests it.

At the Alachua County Clerk of Court, copy fees apply when you pull documents from court files. Plain copies cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies are $1 per page. If you need a certified copy of a court record for legal use, the Alachua County clerk can provide that during office hours. There is no fee to search case records online through the clerk's website. That part is free for anyone.

• FDLE state check: $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy from clerk: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Public Records Access in Alachua County

Florida has some of the strongest public records laws in the country. Under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, any person can ask to see public records. You do not need to live in Alachua County. You do not need to explain why you want them. The clerk must provide access. This applies to court records, police reports, and most government files held in Alachua County. Some records are sealed or exempt by law, but the default is open access.

The Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights under the Sunshine Law. If you hit a wall trying to get records in Alachua County, you can contact the AG's office for guidance. They help resolve disputes when agencies deny access to public records.

Note: Sealed and expunged records are not available through a public records request in Alachua County.

Getting Copies of Alachua County Records

You can get copies of court records from the Alachua County Clerk. Walk into the office at 201 E University Ave in Gainesville and ask for the file you need. Staff will pull the case and print copies. Bring cash or a check for the copy fee. You can also search the Find a Clerk directory to confirm office details before your trip.

For written requests, send a letter to the clerk with the full name of the person, date of birth if known, and the type of record you want. Include payment for the expected copy fees. The clerk will mail back the documents. This method takes longer but works if you cannot visit Alachua County in person. For FDLE records, submit your request online at CCHInet and pay the $24 fee with a credit card. Results come by email.

Cities in Alachua County

Alachua County has several cities and towns. All court records for these areas are kept by the Alachua County Clerk of Court in Gainesville. Background checks that involve court data go through the same clerk office no matter which city the person lives in.

Other communities in Alachua County include Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, High Springs, Micanopy, Newberry, and Waldo. Court records for all of these go through the Alachua County clerk in Gainesville.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alachua County. If you are not sure where to search, check the person's address. Each county has its own clerk office and court records system.