Search Hillsborough County Background Check

Hillsborough County background check records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Tampa and by state agencies including FDLE. With a population of about 1.5 million, Hillsborough County is one of the largest counties in Florida and processes a high volume of court filings each year. Running a background check here involves working with the local clerk's office or using statewide databases managed by FDLE. The clerk holds local court records, criminal case data, and civil filings, while FDLE tracks criminal history across all 67 Florida counties. Using both sources gives you the most complete view of Hillsborough County records.

Hillsborough County Clerk of Court

Victor D. Crist serves as the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. The main office sits at the County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd, 13th Floor in Tampa. You can reach the office at (813) 276-8100. Staff handle a wide range of record requests and court filings. Because Hillsborough County is so large, the volume of cases is high. The clerk manages criminal, civil, family, and probate court records. All of these can come into play when you run a background check in Hillsborough County.

The clerk website at hillsclerk.com has an online case search tool. You can search by name, case number, or party. The site shows case type, filing date, charges, and current status. Not every document is available online in full text, but the index tells you what is on file. For complete copies you may need to visit the Tampa office or send a written request. The online search is free to use. That makes it a solid starting point for Hillsborough County background checks.

Here is a look at the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court website and case search tools.

From this portal you can search court case data and check the status of filings in Hillsborough County.

Note: The Hillsborough County clerk office in Tampa can get busy, so plan extra time if you are visiting in person.

How to Run a Hillsborough County Background Check

Two main paths exist for a background check in Hillsborough County. The local clerk's case search covers court filings within the county. FDLE covers statewide criminal history. The clerk has records of criminal charges, civil suits, traffic cases, and family court filings. FDLE has arrest and conviction data from all Florida counties. Using both gives you the best picture.

To search in person, go to the County Center at 601 E Kennedy Blvd in Tampa. Bring valid photo ID. Ask staff to look up the name you need. They will search the system and can print copies. You can also use the MyFloridaCounty portal to search official records from Hillsborough County online. This free tool covers recorded documents such as liens, deeds, and judgments. Under Florida Chapter 119, these records are open to anyone. You do not need to live in Hillsborough County or give a reason for the search.

For a statewide criminal check, use CCHInet to submit a name-based search through FDLE. The cost is $24. Results come back within about a day. This Level 1 check covers all criminal history in FDLE's database. If the person has records in Hillsborough County or any other county in Florida, they will appear.

Note: FDLE name-based checks only show records linked to a name and date of birth, so common names may return results that need to be verified.

Fees for Hillsborough County Background Checks

FDLE charges $24 for a name-based state criminal history check. This fee applies statewide. You pay online through the FDLE criminal history records page. A Level 2 fingerprint check costs more and the price depends on the agency making the request. Fingerprinting itself may have a separate vendor fee.

At the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court, document copy fees apply. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. If you need certified copies for legal proceedings, the clerk can prepare those. Searching case records online through the Hillsborough County clerk website is free. No charge at all.

• FDLE state check (Level 1): $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy from clerk: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free
• Fingerprint vendor fee: Varies by location

Public Records in Hillsborough County

Florida's public records laws rank among the most open in the nation. Under Chapter 119, any person can request to see public records. This includes court files, arrest reports, and most government documents in Hillsborough County. You don't need to be a resident. You don't need to state why you want the records. The clerk is required to provide access.

Some records are exempt from public disclosure. Sealed and expunged criminal records are not available. Juvenile records are restricted under most circumstances. But the default rule in Florida is open access. If a Hillsborough County office denies your request, the Attorney General's Open Government page can point you in the right direction. The AG's office helps resolve disputes about records access across all Florida counties.

Background Check Levels in Hillsborough County

Florida recognizes two main levels of background checks. Both are commonly used in Hillsborough County given its size. A Level 1 check is name-based. It searches FDLE's statewide criminal history database. It covers arrests, charges, and outcomes. Results come back quickly. This is the standard check most people start with.

A Level 2 check requires fingerprints. The search runs through both FDLE and the FBI. This pulls national criminal records, not just Florida data. Level 2 checks are mandated under Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes for certain roles involving trust or care. You need to visit an approved LiveScan site to get printed. Tampa and the surrounding Hillsborough County area have multiple vendors. Check the LiveScan providers page to find one close to you. Results take a few days.

The VECHS program is another option. Run by FDLE under Chapter 943, it allows approved organizations to check criminal history. It is designed for groups that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Several Hillsborough County organizations use this program.

Getting Copies of Hillsborough County Records

For copies of court records, visit the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court at 601 E Kennedy Blvd in Tampa. Ask staff for the file you need. They will search the system and print copies. Bring a form of payment for the copy fee. You can also use the Find a Clerk directory to confirm details before your visit.

Mail requests work too. Send a letter to the clerk with the person's full name, date of birth if known, and the record type you need. Include payment for copies. The clerk will mail back what they find. This takes a bit longer but is useful if you cannot get to Tampa. For FDLE records, use CCHInet online and pay $24 by credit card. Results come to your email.

Note: Hillsborough County processes a large volume of requests, so allow extra time for mail-based records to arrive.

Cities in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County includes Tampa and several other cities. All court records for these areas are held by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court in Tampa. Background checks that involve local court data go through the same clerk office regardless of where the person lives in the county.

Other communities in Hillsborough County include Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, and Riverview. Court records for all of these go through the Hillsborough County clerk in Tampa.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hillsborough County. If you need to check records in a neighboring area, each has its own clerk office and court system.