Dixie County Background Check Lookup

Dixie County background check records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Cross City and by FDLE at the state level. This is one of the smallest counties in Florida, with a population of roughly 17,000 people. It sits along the Gulf Coast in the Big Bend region and is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Running a background check in Dixie County is straightforward because there is one courthouse and one clerk office. For statewide criminal history, FDLE fills in the gaps. Between the local clerk and the state database, you can get what you need for a Dixie County background check.

Dixie County Clerk of Court

The Dixie County Clerk of Court office is in Cross City. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1206, Cross City, FL 32628. All court records for Dixie County are filed and stored here. You can call (352) 498-1200 for questions about records, fees, or office hours. This is a small office with limited staff, but they handle all court filings in the county. Walk-in visits work for in-person record requests during regular business hours on weekdays.

Dixie County is one of the few Florida counties without a dedicated clerk website. The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers Find a Clerk directory has the basic contact information for the Dixie County Clerk. You can use that page to confirm the address and phone number before visiting or mailing a request. For online case searches in Dixie County, the options are more limited than in larger counties. You may need to call the office or visit in person to search for specific court records related to a background check.

The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers directory lists all 67 county clerks, including the Dixie County office.

Use this directory to find the contact details for the Dixie County Clerk of Court before making your request.

Note: Dixie County has a very small clerk office, so calling ahead is a good idea if you plan to visit for record requests.

How to Search Dixie County Background Check Records

Searching for background check records in Dixie County takes a bit more effort than in larger counties because the online tools are limited. The best way to search local court records is to call the clerk at (352) 498-1200. Give them the name you want to look up and they can search the system. If they find matching cases, they can give you basic info over the phone or pull files for a visit. In-person searches at the Cross City courthouse also work. Bring your ID and ask to see the case files.

The MyFloridaCounty portal covers official recorded documents for Dixie County. This includes liens, deeds, and court judgments. It is a free online search tool. While it does not replace the clerk's case search, it catches some types of records that add to a background check. This is one of the better online options for Dixie County since the clerk does not have a standalone website with a case search.

For statewide criminal history, FDLE is your best tool. Submit a Level 1 name-based request at CCHInet. Pay $24 and get results in about a day. The check covers all 67 Florida counties, including Dixie County. If someone has arrest or conviction records anywhere in the state, the FDLE check shows them. This is especially useful for Dixie County since the local online options are thin.

Public Records Law in Dixie County

Florida's Sunshine Law applies to every county, including Dixie County. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all state, county, and city records are open for public inspection. You do not need to be a Dixie County resident. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The clerk must provide access to any public record you request.

Most court records in Dixie County are fully open for background check purposes. Criminal filings, civil suits, and traffic cases are all part of the public record. Some records are exempt. Sealed and expunged cases are off limits. Certain juvenile records and active investigation files may be restricted too. If you have trouble getting records from the Dixie County Clerk, the Attorney General's Open Government page has info on your rights and options for challenging a denial.

Note: Because Dixie County is small, most record requests can be handled with a phone call to the clerk's office.

Dixie County Background Check Fees

The cost of a background check in Dixie County follows the same structure as every other Florida county. FDLE charges $24 for a Level 1 name-based criminal history check. You pay online through the FDLE criminal history records page. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the amount depends on the agency and the LiveScan vendor fee.

At the Dixie County Clerk of Court, plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. These fees are set by state law. If you visit the office in Cross City, bring cash or a check for any documents you need. There is no separate fee to ask the clerk to search for a case by name. The search itself is part of the public records service.

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

Background Check Types for Dixie County

Two levels of background checks exist under Florida law. Both can be used for Dixie County records. A Level 1 check is name-based and runs through FDLE. It picks up arrest records, charges, and dispositions from all 67 counties in the state. This is the standard background check type. You submit it through CCHInet for $24. Results come back in about a day. This works well for Dixie County because you get statewide data without needing to visit the local clerk.

A Level 2 check uses fingerprints. It goes through both FDLE and the FBI, so it pulls national criminal history. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes defines when a Level 2 check is needed. It covers positions that involve care or trust for vulnerable people. You have to get printed at an approved LiveScan provider. Dixie County residents may need to travel to a nearby area for the closest vendor since the county is rural. Results take a few business days.

The VECHS program is another option run by FDLE under Chapter 943. Only registered organizations that work with children, elderly, or disabled people can use it. This program is available to qualifying groups in Dixie County and across the state.

Getting Record Copies in Dixie County

To get copies of court records from Dixie County, call the clerk at (352) 498-1200 or visit the office in Cross City. Tell the staff what records you need. They can search by name or case number and make copies. For certified copies, the clerk adds a stamp and signature. These are what you need if the records are for court or legal purposes.

Mail requests also work. Send a letter to P.O. Box 1206, Cross City, FL 32628. Include the person's full name, date of birth if you have it, and the record type you want. Add a check for the expected fees. The clerk will process the request and mail the copies. For FDLE criminal history, go through CCHInet online or mail a request to Tallahassee. Online is much faster. The FDLE personal review page lets you check your own background to see what is on file.

Cities in Dixie County

Dixie County is home to Cross City, Old Town, Horseshoe Beach, and Suwannee. All court records for these communities are kept by the Dixie County Clerk of Court in Cross City. No cities in Dixie County have a population over 75,000. Background check records for every resident in the county route through the one clerk office.

Nearby Counties

Dixie County shares borders with several rural north Florida counties. Records for someone who lived in a nearby area may be in one of these counties.