Access DeSoto County Background Checks

DeSoto County background check records are available through the Clerk of Court in Arcadia and through FDLE at the state level. This small inland county is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit in south central Florida. With a population of about 38,000, DeSoto County has a compact court system that handles criminal, civil, and family law cases at one courthouse. If you need to search background check records in DeSoto County, the clerk's office is your main local source. FDLE adds statewide data. Together these two sources cover most of what you need.

DeSoto County Clerk of Court

The DeSoto County Clerk of Court office is at 115 East Oak Street, Room 101, in Arcadia. This is the only clerk office in the county. All court records for DeSoto County are filed and stored at this location. You can reach the office at (863) 993-4876. Staff handle case lookups, document copies, and questions about court filings. Walk-in visits are welcome on weekdays during business hours.

The DeSoto County Clerk website at desotoclerk.com has some online tools for case searches. You can look up records by name or case number. The site shows case type, filing date, and current status. This is free and open to anyone. For a DeSoto County background check, the online search is a good starting point. It covers criminal, civil, and traffic cases. If you need full document copies, you can visit the Arcadia office or submit a written request by mail.

The DeSoto County Clerk website provides access to case search tools and court filing information.

From this page you can search for court cases and check the status of filings in DeSoto County.

Note: DeSoto County is a small office with limited staff, so call ahead to check wait times on busy days.

How to Search DeSoto County Background Check Records

Searching for background check records in DeSoto County can be done online or at the courthouse. The clerk's online case search is the easiest way to start. Go to the DeSoto County Clerk website and enter a name. The system returns matching court cases with case numbers, types, dates, and status. This is free and covers criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases filed in DeSoto County.

For an in-person search, visit 115 East Oak Street in Arcadia. Bring a valid ID. Tell the staff who you want to look up and they can search the system. You can view files at the counter. If you need copies, ask and pay the per-page fee. The MyFloridaCounty portal is another helpful tool. It has official recorded documents for DeSoto County like liens, deeds, and judgments. These add to what you find in a case search.

FDLE handles the statewide criminal history check. Use CCHInet to submit a Level 1 name-based request. Pay $24. Results come back in about 24 hours and cover all 67 Florida counties. If someone has records in DeSoto County or anywhere else in the state, the FDLE check catches them. This is a good option for anyone who wants more than just local court data.

Public Records Access in DeSoto County

Florida's public records law gives everyone the right to see government records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes applies to DeSoto County the same as it does to all other counties. You do not need to live here. You do not need to state a reason. Any person can ask to see or copy public records held by the DeSoto County Clerk or other county offices.

Most court records are fully open. Criminal cases, civil filings, and traffic violations are available for background check purposes. Some records have exemptions. Sealed and expunged cases cannot be viewed. Certain juvenile records and active investigations may also be restricted. But the default under Florida law is open access. If you have trouble getting records from any DeSoto County office, the Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights and how to challenge a denial.

DeSoto County Background Check Fees

A statewide criminal history check through FDLE costs $24. You pay online. This fee is the same no matter which county you are in. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the amount varies by agency and LiveScan vendor. The base FDLE portion is set by state law, but the vendor may charge extra for the printing itself.

At the DeSoto County Clerk of Court, plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. The online case search is free. If you visit the Arcadia office, bring cash or a check for any copies you want. Certified copies carry the clerk's stamp and signature. These are what you need for court or legal use. Regular copies work for personal research.

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

Note: DeSoto County Clerk fees are set by Florida law and are the same as other counties.

Background Check Types for DeSoto County

Florida has two main levels of background checks. Both apply in DeSoto County. A Level 1 check is name-based. FDLE searches the statewide criminal history database for arrest records, charges, and case outcomes. This is the standard type of background check. You order it through CCHInet for $24. Results usually come back within a day. It covers data from all 67 counties.

A Level 2 check goes further. It uses fingerprints. The prints run through FDLE for state records and the FBI for national data. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes defines when a Level 2 check is required. It applies to positions that involve trust or care for vulnerable people. You have to visit an approved LiveScan provider to get printed. DeSoto County residents may need to travel to a nearby area for the closest vendor. Results take a few business days.

FDLE also operates VECHS under Chapter 943. This stands for Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Only approved organizations that serve children, the elderly, or disabled people can use it in DeSoto County.

Getting Record Copies in DeSoto County

Visit the DeSoto County Clerk at 115 East Oak Street in Arcadia to get copies of court records. Staff can search by name or case number and print pages for you. For certified copies, the clerk adds a stamp and signature. The Find a Clerk directory lists all Florida clerk offices if you need to confirm DeSoto County details before you go.

Mail requests are accepted. Send a letter to the DeSoto County Clerk with the person's name, date of birth if you have it, and the record type you need. Include payment for the copy fees. The clerk mails copies back. For FDLE criminal history records, submit your request online at CCHInet or by mail to FDLE in Tallahassee. Online is faster. You can also use FDLE's personal review page if you want to check your own criminal history record.

Cities in DeSoto County

DeSoto County includes Arcadia and a few smaller unincorporated communities. All court records for the county are kept by the DeSoto County Clerk of Court in Arcadia. No cities in DeSoto County have a population over 75,000. Background check records for all residents go through the single clerk office on East Oak Street.

Nearby Counties

DeSoto County borders several other south central Florida counties. If the person you are checking lived nearby, their records may be filed in one of these counties instead.