Search Jackson County Background Checks

Background check records in Jackson County are held at the Clerk of Court in Marianna and by FDLE at the state level. Jackson County is in the Florida Panhandle with a population of about 48,000 residents. The county is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Court records from criminal cases, civil suits, family law matters, and traffic filings are all on file at the clerk's office on Lafayette Street. If you need a background check in Jackson County, you have both local and state-level options for searching records. The clerk handles local data while FDLE runs the statewide criminal history database for all 67 Florida counties.

Jackson County Clerk of Court

Clayton O. Rooks III serves as the Jackson County Clerk of Court. The office is at 4445 Lafayette St in Marianna. This is the central point for all court records in Jackson County. Call (850) 482-9552 to ask about records, hours, or how to submit a request. The staff handles case searches, copies, and filing questions during regular business hours on weekdays. If you want to do a background check in Jackson County at the local level, this is the office to contact or visit.

The Jackson County Clerk website at jacksonclerk.com has online tools for searching court records. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. The site shows case type, status, and key dates for criminal, civil, and traffic matters. The online search is free and gives you a good start on any Jackson County background check. If you need full copies of court documents, you may need to visit the office in Marianna or send a written request. Not all details show online, but you can see what is on file.

The Jackson County Clerk of Court website provides access to case records and court filing information.

You can use this portal to search for court cases and public filings in Jackson County.

Note: The Jackson County courthouse in Marianna may close on state holidays. Call ahead to check before you visit.

How to Search Jackson County Background Check Records

There are several ways to run a background check in Jackson County. The clerk's online case search is the fastest for local records. Go to the Jackson County Clerk website and use the public records tool. Type in a name and the system returns matching cases. Results show case numbers, types, filing dates, and status. This covers criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases filed in Jackson County. There is no charge to search online.

For in-person searches, go to 4445 Lafayette St in Marianna. Bring your ID. Tell the staff the name you want to look up. They can pull court files and let you view them at the counter. If you want copies, ask and pay the per-page fee. The MyFloridaCounty portal adds another layer. It covers official recorded documents for Jackson County, like liens, deeds, and judgments. This is a separate system from the clerk's case search but can help round out your background check.

FDLE handles the state-level criminal history check. Use CCHInet to submit a Level 1 name-based request. This covers all Florida counties, not just Jackson County. The fee is $24 and results come back in about a day. For national records, you need a Level 2 fingerprint check that goes through both FDLE and the FBI.

Jackson County Background Check Fees

The cost of a background check in Jackson County depends on the type of search you need. FDLE charges $24 for a statewide name-based criminal history check. This is the same fee in every Florida county. You pay online when you submit the request through CCHInet. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the fee varies based on the requesting agency and the LiveScan vendor you use.

At the Jackson County Clerk office in Marianna, copy fees follow state standards. Plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry the clerk's stamp and signature. These are what you need for court or legal use. If you just want to view a file, the clerk can let you look at it during business hours at no charge. The online case search on the clerk's website is also free to use.

• FDLE state criminal check: $24.00
• Plain copies from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Public Records Rights in Jackson County

Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes makes almost all government records open to the public. This law applies in Jackson County just like it does in every other county. Anyone can request records from the clerk, the sheriff, or any other Jackson County government office. You do not need to be a Jackson County resident. You do not have to state your reason. The law is clear that these records must be available for inspection.

There are some exceptions. Sealed cases and expunged records cannot be viewed through a standard request in Jackson County. Certain juvenile files are restricted. Active criminal investigations may be shielded until they close. But the vast majority of court records, arrest records, and official documents in Jackson County are open to anyone. If an office turns down your request, the Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights and how to file a complaint.

Note: Public records requests in Jackson County must be handled within a reasonable time under Florida law.

Background Check Types for Jackson County

Florida law sets up two main levels of background checks. Both apply in Jackson County. A Level 1 check is name-based. FDLE runs the person's name through the statewide criminal history database. It pulls arrests, charges, and case outcomes from every county. This is the most common type for a quick Jackson County background check. Order it through CCHInet for $24. Results come by email in about 24 hours.

Level 2 goes deeper. It requires fingerprints. The prints run through both FDLE for state records and the FBI for national data. Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes covers how FDLE handles criminal history data for both levels. For Level 2, you go to an approved LiveScan provider. Jackson County has LiveScan sites in the Marianna area. Results take a few business days because the FBI portion adds processing time. This check covers national records and gives a more complete picture than a Level 1 search.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program. It stands for Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Only registered groups can use it. This is for organizations that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities in Jackson County and across the state.

Getting Record Copies in Jackson County

To get copies of court records, visit the Jackson County Clerk at 4445 Lafayette St in Marianna. Tell the staff what you need. They can look up cases by name or case number and print copies. Pay at the counter. For certified copies, the clerk stamps and signs the document. Certified records are needed for court or legal use. The Find a Clerk directory has the full contact info for the Jackson County Clerk and all other Florida clerk offices.

You can also mail a request. Send a letter to the Jackson County Clerk with the full name of the person, any case details you know, and a check for the expected fees. The clerk will process the request and send copies back by mail. For FDLE records, submit online through CCHInet and pay $24. Results come by email. You can also check your own record through the FDLE personal review page if you want to see what is in your own file.

Cities in Jackson County

Jackson County includes Marianna, Graceville, Cottondale, Grand Ridge, Greenwood, Jacob City, Malone, and Sneads. All court records for these communities are handled by the Jackson County Clerk of Court in Marianna. No cities in Jackson County have a population over 100,000. Background check searches for anyone in Jackson County go through the same clerk office on Lafayette Street.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County shares borders with several other Panhandle counties. If you need to check records for someone who lived in a nearby area, search those counties as well.