Search Citrus County Background Checks

Citrus County background check records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Inverness and by FDLE at the state level. This county sits along the Nature Coast in central Florida and is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. With a population of roughly 155,000, Citrus County has a busy court system that handles criminal, civil, and family law cases. If you need to search for someone's background in Citrus County, you can start with the clerk's online records portal or go through FDLE for statewide data. Both sources play a role in getting a complete picture of what is on file.

Citrus County Clerk of Court

Traci Perry serves as the Citrus County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 110 N Apopka Ave in Inverness. All court records for Citrus County are filed and stored at this location. You can reach the office by calling (352) 341-6424 for questions about records, fees, or hours. The staff at the Citrus County Clerk office handles everything from case searches to certified copies. Walk-in visits are fine during regular business hours on weekdays.

The Citrus County Clerk website at citrusclerk.org has an online portal for case searches. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The results show case type, status, and key dates. This tool is free to use and open to anyone. It covers criminal cases, civil matters, and traffic violations filed in Citrus County. For full copies of documents, you may need to visit the office in Inverness or submit a written request. The online system gives you a good start, though, and most people find it helpful as a first step in a Citrus County background check.

The Citrus County Clerk website provides access to their online records search and court filing tools.

From this page you can search court cases and check filing status for records in Citrus County.

Note: The Citrus County courthouse in Inverness may have different hours on holidays, so call ahead to confirm.

How to Search Citrus County Background Check Records

You have several ways to search for background check records in Citrus County. The clerk's online case search is the fastest place to start. Go to the Citrus County Clerk website and use the public records tool. Enter a name and the system shows all matching court cases. Results list case numbers, types, dates, and current status. This covers criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases filed in Citrus County. The search is free and open to anyone.

In person, visit 110 N Apopka Ave in Inverness. Bring a valid ID. Ask staff to search by name or case number. They can pull up records on the spot and let you view them. For copies, you pay the standard per-page fee. The MyFloridaCounty portal is also useful. It has official recorded documents for Citrus County, including liens, deeds, and judgments. These are different from court case records but can add to a background check.

For a statewide criminal history check, use FDLE's CCHInet system. Pay $24 and submit a name-based request. Results come back in about 24 hours. This Level 1 check covers all 67 Florida counties. If the person has records in Citrus County or anywhere else in the state, they show up in the results.

Public Records Access in Citrus County

Florida's public records law is one of the broadest in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection. You do not need to be a Citrus County resident. You do not need to give a reason. Just ask for the records. The clerk must let you see or copy them unless a specific law says they are exempt. This makes running a background check in Citrus County straightforward for most types of records.

There are some limits. Sealed and expunged records are off limits. Certain juvenile case files are restricted. Active investigation records may be held back until they close. But the default is open access. If you have trouble getting records from any Citrus County office, the Attorney General's Open Government page can help. It lays out your rights under the Sunshine Law and explains how to challenge a denial.

Citrus County Background Check Fees

The cost of a background check in Citrus County depends on what type you need. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based statewide criminal history check. You pay this online through the FDLE criminal history records page. This fee is the same no matter which county you are in. Level 2 fingerprint-based checks cost more. The amount varies by agency and by the LiveScan vendor you use.

At the Citrus County Clerk of Court, copy fees are set by state law. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. The online case search on the clerk's website is free. If you visit the office in Inverness, bring cash or a check for any copies you need. Certified copies are required for some legal uses, so ask the staff what type you need before you pay.

• FDLE Level 1 check: $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free
• Level 2 fingerprint check: Varies

Note: Copy fees at the Citrus County Clerk are set by Florida statute and may change if the law is updated.

Background Check Types in Citrus County

Florida law creates two main levels of background checks. Both apply in Citrus County. A Level 1 check is name-based and runs through FDLE. It picks up arrest records, charges, and case outcomes from every county in the state. This is the most common type of background check for Citrus County residents and anyone looking up records here. You order it through CCHInet and pay $24. Results are fast.

A Level 2 check is fingerprint-based. It goes through both FDLE and the FBI, which means it pulls national criminal history data. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes defines when a Level 2 check is needed. These checks are for certain positions that involve working with people who are vulnerable. You have to get fingerprinted at an approved LiveScan provider near Citrus County. Results take a few business days because of the FBI component.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program under Chapter 943. This is the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Only approved organizations can use it. It is designed for groups in Citrus County and across Florida that serve children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

Getting Record Copies in Citrus County

To get copies of court records, visit the Citrus County Clerk at 110 N Apopka Ave in Inverness. Ask staff to pull the file by name or case number. They can print copies for you while you wait. For certified copies, the clerk stamps and signs the document. You can also use the Find a Clerk directory to confirm office details before your trip.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the Citrus County Clerk with the person's full name, date of birth if you know it, and the type of record you want. Include a check for the expected fees. The clerk mails the copies back. For FDLE records, submit your request online at CCHInet or mail it to FDLE in Tallahassee. Online is faster. If you want to check your own record, FDLE offers a personal review option so you can see what is in your own file.

Cities in Citrus County

Citrus County includes Inverness, Crystal River, Homosassa, Lecanto, and other smaller communities. All court records for these areas are kept by the Citrus County Clerk of Court in Inverness. No cities in Citrus County have a population over 75,000. Background check records for all residents go through the same clerk office on Apopka Ave.

Nearby Counties

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