Charlotte County Background Check

Charlotte County background check records are held at the Clerk of Court in Punta Gorda and by state agencies in Tallahassee. This Gulf Coast county is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit and has a population of about 195,000. If you need to search criminal history or court case data in Charlotte County, you have both online and in-person options. The Clerk of Court keeps all local court filings on record. FDLE runs the statewide criminal history database. Both are key sources for a Charlotte County background check, and most people use one or both to get the full picture of what records exist.

Charlotte County Clerk of Court

Roger D. Eaton serves as the Charlotte County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 350 E Marion Ave in Punta Gorda. This is where all court records for Charlotte County are filed and stored. You can call the office at (941) 637-2329 to ask about records, hours, or how to make a request. The staff handles case searches, copies, and filing questions during regular business hours on weekdays. Walk-in visits work well for people who want to search Charlotte County background check records in person.

The Charlotte County Clerk website at charlotteclerk.com has an online case search portal. You can look up court records by name, case number, or date. The site shows case type, filing date, and current status for criminal, civil, and traffic matters. This is a free tool and a good first step for any Charlotte County background check. If you need full copies of court documents, you may have to visit the office or submit a written request. Not all filings show full text online, but the search gives you enough to see what is on file.

The Charlotte County Clerk of Court website shows their records search tools and case filing system.

Use this portal to find court case records and start a background check search in Charlotte County.

Note: Call the Charlotte County Clerk before your visit to check for any changes to office hours or closures.

How to Search Charlotte County Background Check Records

There are a few ways to run a background check in Charlotte County. The most common is to use the clerk's online case search. Go to the Charlotte County Clerk website and use the public records tool. Type in a name and the system returns matching court cases. Results show case type, filing date, and status. This works for criminal cases, civil suits, family law, and traffic matters filed in Charlotte County. There is no fee to search online.

For in-person searches, go to 350 E Marion Ave in Punta Gorda. Bring a valid ID. Tell the staff the name you want to look up. They can search the system and pull files for you to view. If you want copies, ask and pay the per-page fee. The MyFloridaCounty portal is another useful tool. It covers official recorded documents for Charlotte County, including liens, deeds, and judgments. This database is separate from the case search but adds to your results.

FDLE runs the statewide criminal history check. Use CCHInet to submit a Level 1 name-based request. This covers all 67 Florida counties, not just Charlotte County. The fee is $24 and results come back within about a day. If you need national records, a Level 2 fingerprint check is the way to go. That runs through both FDLE and the FBI.

Charlotte County Background Check Fees

The cost of a background check in Charlotte County depends on the type of search. FDLE charges $24 for a statewide name-based criminal history check through FDLE criminal history records. You pay online with a credit card. This is the same fee across all Florida counties. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the price varies based on the requesting agency and the LiveScan vendor.

At the Charlotte County Clerk of Court, copy fees apply. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. There is no fee to search the online case lookup system. If you need certified copies for legal use, bring cash or a check to the clerk's office in Punta Gorda. The staff can stamp and sign the documents for you while you wait.

• FDLE Level 1 check: $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Public Records Law in Charlotte County

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most government records open to the public. This applies to Charlotte County the same as it does everywhere else in the state. You do not need to be a Charlotte County resident to ask for records. You do not need to give a reason. The law is broad and covers court records, arrest data, and official documents held by any county office.

Some records are exempt from public access. Sealed cases and expunged records cannot be viewed through a standard request. Certain juvenile records and active investigation files may also be restricted. But the default in Florida is open access. If a Charlotte County office denies your request, the Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights and how to file a complaint. This is a good resource for anyone having trouble getting background check records.

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

Background Check Types for Charlotte County

Florida law sets up two main levels of background checks. Both apply in Charlotte County. A Level 1 check is name-based. FDLE runs the name through the statewide criminal history database. It pulls arrests, charges, and case outcomes from every county. This is the most common type for people who need a quick Charlotte County background check. You submit the request through CCHInet and pay $24. Results come back fast.

Level 2 goes deeper. It requires fingerprints. The prints run through FDLE for state records and the FBI for national data. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes spells out which roles require a Level 2 check. These are positions that involve trust or care for vulnerable people. You have to go to an approved LiveScan provider to get printed. There are sites in the Charlotte County area. Results take a few business days because of the FBI portion.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program under Chapter 943. This stands for Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Only approved groups can use it. It is set up for organizations that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities in Charlotte County and across the state.

Getting Record Copies in Charlotte County

To get copies of court records, go to the Charlotte County Clerk at 350 E Marion Ave in Punta Gorda. Staff can look up files by name or case number. You pay per page for copies. For certified copies, the clerk stamps and signs the document. Certified copies are what you need if the records are for court or another legal use. The Find a Clerk directory has the full list of all Florida clerk offices, including Charlotte County.

You can also mail a request. Send a letter to the clerk with the full name of the person, any case details you have, and a check for the expected fees. The clerk will process the request and send copies back by mail. For FDLE records, submit online through CCHInet or mail a request to FDLE in Tallahassee. Online is faster. You can also check your own record through FDLE's personal review option if you want to see what is in your own file.

Cities in Charlotte County

Charlotte County includes Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, and several smaller communities. All court records for these areas are kept by the Charlotte County Clerk of Court in Punta Gorda. No cities in Charlotte County have a population over 75,000, so all background check records route through the single clerk office on Marion Ave.

Nearby Counties

Charlotte County borders several other southwest Florida counties. If the person you are checking lived in a nearby area, their records may be filed in one of these counties instead.