Find Collier County Background Checks

Collier County background check records are held by the Clerk of Courts in Naples and by FDLE at the state level. This large south Florida county is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit and has a population of about 395,000. The court system here handles a high volume of criminal, civil, and family law cases. If you want to run a background check in Collier County, the clerk's office is your main local source for court records. FDLE provides the statewide criminal history data. Between the two, you can build a solid picture of someone's record in Collier County and across Florida.

Collier County Clerk of Courts

Crystal K. Kinzel serves as the Collier County Clerk of Courts. The main office is at 3315 Tamiami Trail E, Suite 102, in Naples. This is the central hub for all court records in Collier County. You can reach the office at (239) 252-2646 for questions about records, copy fees, or hours. Staff handle case searches, document requests, and general questions about the court filing system. The Collier County clerk's office is one of the busier ones in southwest Florida due to the county's large population.

The Collier County Clerk website at collierclerk.com offers online tools for case searches. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The system covers criminal cases, civil filings, family law, probate, and traffic violations in Collier County. Results show the case type, filing date, parties, and status. This is free to use and open to anyone. For full document copies, you may need to visit the office or submit a request. The online search gives you a clear view of what cases exist before you spend time or money getting copies.

The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers directory shows the Collier County Clerk among all 67 county clerk offices.

You can use this directory to find contact info and website links for the Collier County Clerk of Courts.

Note: The Collier County Clerk has branch offices, so call ahead to confirm which location handles the records you need.

How to Search Collier County Background Check Records

There are several ways to search for background check records in Collier County. The clerk's online case search is the quickest. Go to the Collier County Clerk website and use the records lookup. Enter a name and the system returns all matching court cases. You get case numbers, types, dates, and status. This covers criminal, civil, family, and traffic filings. No fee to search. It is open to anyone with an internet connection.

In person, go to 3315 Tamiami Trail E in Naples. Bring a valid ID. Staff can run a name search and pull up records on the spot. If you want copies, pay the per-page fee. The MyFloridaCounty portal adds another layer. It covers official recorded documents for Collier County, like liens, deeds, and judgments. These are not the same as case search results but can add useful data to a background check.

FDLE handles statewide criminal history checks. Use CCHInet to submit a Level 1 name-based request for $24. This pulls arrest and conviction data from all Florida counties. Results come back within a day. For anyone who needs more than just Collier County data, this is the right tool. It is fast and covers the whole state.

Collier County Background Check Fees

The cost of a background check in Collier County varies by search type. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based statewide criminal history check. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history records page. This fee is the same in every Florida county. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more. The exact amount depends on the requesting agency and the LiveScan vendor fee.

Copy fees at the Collier County Clerk office are set by state law. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. The online case search is free. If you visit the Naples office, bring cash, check, or money order for copies. Certified documents are what you need for court or official use. Ask the staff which type fits your situation 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

Public Records Access in Collier County

Florida's public records law is written in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It gives everyone the right to inspect and copy public records. This applies to Collier County the same as it does everywhere else in the state. You do not have to be a Collier County resident. You do not need to explain your reasons. The law is clear. Any person can ask for records, and the office holding them must provide access.

Court records, arrest data, and official documents held by Collier County offices are all fair game for a background check. The only exceptions are records that fall under a specific statutory exemption. Sealed cases, expunged records, and some juvenile files are not available through a public request. If a Collier County office denies your request, you can reach out to the Attorney General's Open Government office. They help resolve disputes when people are denied access to records they should be able to see.

Note: Public records requests in Collier County must be answered within a reasonable time frame under state law.

Background Check Types for Collier County

Florida has two main levels of background checks. Both are used in Collier County regularly. A Level 1 check is name-based. FDLE runs the name against the statewide criminal history database. It pulls up arrests, charges, and case dispositions from all 67 counties. This is a quick check. You submit it through CCHInet for $24 and get results within about a day. Most people who need a standard Collier County background check start here.

Level 2 is more in-depth. It requires a full set of fingerprints. The prints go through FDLE for Florida records and the FBI for national data. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes defines who needs this type of check. It is for positions of trust or responsibility involving vulnerable people. You get fingerprinted at an approved LiveScan provider. Collier County has several of these. Results take a few business days because of the FBI component.

FDLE also operates the VECHS program. This runs under Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes. It is the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Only registered groups that serve children, elderly, or disabled people can access it. If an organization in Collier County qualifies, they can run checks through this system.

Getting Record Copies in Collier County

To get copies of court records, visit the Collier County Clerk at 3315 Tamiami Trail E in Naples. Staff can search by name or case number and print documents for you. Pay per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more but come with the clerk's stamp and signature. The Find a Clerk directory lists all Florida clerk offices, including Collier County.

Written requests work as well. Send a letter to the clerk with the person's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you need. Include a check or money order for the fees. The clerk mails copies back to you. For FDLE records, use the online portal at CCHInet or mail your request to FDLE in Tallahassee. Online is the fastest method. To check your own record, FDLE has a personal review option that lets Collier County residents see what is in their own criminal history file.

Cities in Collier County

Collier County includes Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Everglades City, and several unincorporated areas. All court records for these communities are held by the Collier County Clerk of Courts in Naples. No cities in Collier County have a population over 75,000, so background check court records for all residents go through the same clerk office on Tamiami Trail.

Nearby Counties

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