Calhoun County Background Check Lookup

Calhoun County background check records are available through the Clerk of Court in Blountstown and through FDLE's statewide criminal history system. This small Panhandle county has a population of about 14,000 and one courthouse that handles all local filings. If you need to search for criminal records, court cases, or public documents in Calhoun County, the process is simple. The clerk stores all local court data, and FDLE covers the state criminal history. Both can be reached online or in person, though this county has more limited online tools than larger areas of Florida.

Calhoun County Clerk of Court

Robin "Cissy" Barfield serves as the Calhoun County Clerk of Court. The office is at 20859 Central Ave E, Room 130, in Blountstown. Call (850) 674-4545 to reach the clerk. This is a small office with a small staff, but they handle all court records for the county. Criminal filings, civil cases, probate matters, and traffic offenses are all kept here.

Calhoun County does not have its own dedicated clerk website like some of the bigger counties. You can find basic information through the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory. This page lists the address, phone number, and any available links for the Calhoun County Clerk. For detailed case searches, you may need to call or visit the office in Blountstown. The staff can pull records and help you find what you need for a background check in Calhoun County.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory provides contact details for the Calhoun County Clerk.

This listing is a good starting point for reaching the Calhoun County Clerk's office.

How to Search Calhoun County Records

Searching background check records in Calhoun County takes a bit more effort than in a large county. The online tools are limited. There is no dedicated court case search portal on a county website. Your best online option is the MyFloridaCounty portal, which covers official recorded documents for all 67 Florida counties. This lets you search for liens, judgments, and deeds recorded in Calhoun County. It does not cover court case filings like criminal charges or civil suits.

For court case data, call the Calhoun County Clerk at (850) 674-4545. Ask them to search by name or case number. They can give you basic info over the phone and make copies if you need them. You can also visit the courthouse in Blountstown during business hours. Staff will search the system for you and let you look at files. Bring your ID.

FDLE is the other route. Submit a name-based Level 1 check through CCHInet for $24. This covers statewide criminal history. If the person has records anywhere in Florida, including Calhoun County, those show up. Results come by email in about a day.

Note: Small counties like Calhoun may have older records that are not in the digital system yet.

Calhoun County Public Records Rights

Florida's public records law under Chapter 119 covers Calhoun County just like every other county in the state. All government records are open to the public unless a law says otherwise. You can ask the clerk for any court file. You can request copies of police reports. You do not need to be a Calhoun County resident. You do not need to explain your reason.

The only records you cannot see are sealed cases, expunged files, and items that fall under a specific statutory exemption. Active criminal investigation files may also be held back until the case closes. But the default is open access. The Attorney General's Open Government office is a resource if any Calhoun County office gives you trouble getting records. They enforce the Sunshine Law statewide.

Background Check Costs for Calhoun County

Fees for a background check in Calhoun County match what you see across Florida. The FDLE charges $24 for a statewide name-based criminal history check. This is a Level 1 check. You pay online. Level 2 fingerprint-based checks cost more and the price varies based on the agency. Most run between $50 and $100 total when you add in the vendor fee for the fingerprinting.

At the Calhoun County Clerk, you pay for copies. Plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. There is no fee to look at a file in person. If you ask the clerk to pull a case and you just read it at the counter, that is free. You only pay when you want something printed.

• FDLE Level 1 check: $24.00
• Plain copies: $0.15 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page
• Viewing records in person: Free

Calhoun County Background Check Options

Level 1 background checks are name-based. FDLE runs the search and it covers the whole state. You get arrest data, charge info, and case outcomes. Submit through CCHInet. Pay $24. This is the fastest and cheapest option for a background check that covers Calhoun County and all of Florida.

Level 2 checks use fingerprints and go through FDLE and the FBI. They pull national records, not just Florida. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes lists the positions that need this level. It is for roles that involve trust or care for vulnerable people. Fingerprinting has to be done at an approved LiveScan site. Calhoun County is rural, so the closest vendor may be in a neighboring county like Bay or Jackson. Check FDLE's site for locations by zip code.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program under Chapter 943. This serves approved groups that work with kids, the elderly, or disabled persons. Only registered organizations can access it. If your group in Calhoun County needs this, contact FDLE at (850) 410-8324 to get started.

Getting Court Record Copies in Calhoun County

To get copies of records, go to the Calhoun County Clerk at 20859 Central Ave E in Blountstown. Room 130 is where you check in. Tell the staff what you need and they will pull the file. You pay for copies at the counter. Cash and checks are usually accepted. For mail requests, write to the clerk with the person's name, case details, and payment for the copy fees.

For FDLE criminal history records, use the online system at CCHInet. Pay $24 by credit card. Results arrive by email. The Find a Clerk directory is helpful if you need contact info for the Calhoun County Clerk or any of the surrounding county offices. You can also request a personal review of your own criminal history through FDLE's website if you want to see what is on file for you.

Note: Mail requests to small county clerks like Calhoun may take a few extra days to process compared to larger offices.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County includes Blountstown and Altha. Blountstown is the county seat and the only incorporated city. All court records for Calhoun County are held at the single clerk office. No cities in Calhoun County meet the 75,000 population mark. Background check searches for any resident go through the clerk in Blountstown or through FDLE at the state level.

Nearby Counties

Calhoun County is in the Florida Panhandle and borders several other rural counties. If the person you are looking up lived near the county line, their records may be in one of these.