Jefferson County Background Checks

Background check records in Jefferson County are held by the Clerk of Court in Monticello and by FDLE at the state level. Jefferson County is a small, rural county in the Big Bend region of north Florida, east of Tallahassee. The clerk's office on Courthouse Circle handles all local court filings. Criminal history from across the state comes from FDLE. If you need to search for background check records tied to someone in Jefferson County, these two offices are where you start.

Jefferson County Clerk of Court

Cecil "Trey" Hightower serves as the Jefferson County Clerk of Court. The office is at 1 Courthouse Cir in Monticello. This is the only clerk location in Jefferson County. All court filings, case records, and public documents go through this office. You can call (850) 342-0218 ext. 223 to ask about records, hours, or how to request copies. Staff can help you look up cases by name or number.

The Jefferson County Clerk can be found through the Florida Clerks directory. The clerk's office handles criminal cases, civil suits, traffic filings, and family court records. For a background check in Jefferson County, visiting the clerk's office in Monticello is one of the most direct ways to get local court records. The online search through MyFloridaCounty also lets you look up official records for Jefferson County from home.

The Jefferson County Clerk website provides info on court services and records access.

From the clerk's site you can find details on how to request court records and access public filings in Jefferson County.

Note: Call the clerk before you visit to confirm hours and make sure the office is open.

Searching Jefferson County Background Check Records

There are two main ways to run a background check in Jefferson County. The first is through the clerk's office, which has local court records. The second is through FDLE, which has statewide criminal history data. The clerk keeps records of criminal cases, civil matters, and traffic filings that went through Jefferson County courts. FDLE has arrest and conviction data from all 67 Florida counties.

To search in person, visit the courthouse at 1 Courthouse Cir in Monticello. Bring a valid ID. Staff at the counter can search by name and print results. You can also search from home using the MyFloridaCounty portal. This free tool covers official records like liens, judgments, and deeds from any Florida county including Jefferson.

Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all public records are open to anyone. You do not need to live in Jefferson County. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The law covers court files and most other government documents.

FDLE Criminal History Checks

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles statewide criminal history checks. Their database includes arrest data from every law enforcement agency in the state, including the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. A check through FDLE covers all of Florida, not just Jefferson County.

Go to the FDLE Criminal History Records page to start a request. Name-based checks cost $24. Submit your request online through CCHInet and results come back within about 24 hours. For a more detailed check, you can get a fingerprint-based search at a LiveScan provider. Jefferson County does not have many providers, so you may need to go to Tallahassee or another nearby city for fingerprinting.

Jefferson County residents can check their own record through the FDLE Personal Review option. This lets you see what appears on your own criminal history. The VECHS program handles checks required under Chapter 943 for roles involving children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.

Jefferson County Background Check Fees

Costs depend on the type of check. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based state criminal history search. That fee is the same no matter which county you are in. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history records page. Fingerprint checks cost more and vary by provider.

At the Jefferson County Clerk office, copy fees apply when you pull documents. Plain copies are 15 cents per page. Certified copies run $1 per page. The online search through MyFloridaCounty has no fee. You can search all you want without paying.

• FDLE state check: $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online records search: Free

Public Records in Jefferson County

Florida law under Chapter 119 makes government records open to the public. Anyone can request records from the Jefferson County Clerk, the sheriff, or other government offices. You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to state your reason. The law requires that public records be made available.

Sealed and expunged records are not available through a regular search. Some juvenile files and active investigations are also exempt. But the vast majority of court records and government documents in Jefferson County are open. The Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights and how to appeal if an office denies a records request.

Getting Copies of Jefferson County Records

Visit the clerk at 1 Courthouse Cir in Monticello to get copies of court documents. Staff will look up the file and print what you need. Bring cash or a check for the copy fee. For certified copies, ask the clerk to stamp and sign them.

Mail requests also work. Send a letter to the clerk with the full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you want. Include payment for the expected fees. The clerk will mail back the copies. For FDLE records, submit online at CCHInet and pay with a card. Online requests are the fastest option.

Background Screening Levels

Chapter 435 of the Florida Statutes defines two levels of background screening. Level 1 is name-based and searches state records through FDLE. Level 2 uses fingerprints and includes FBI records. The level you need depends on the purpose of the check. Most basic record searches use Level 1. Level 2 is required by state law for certain positions and roles.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County includes Monticello and a few smaller communities. All court records for these areas are kept by the Jefferson County Clerk of Court in Monticello. No city in Jefferson County has a population over 75,000. Background check searches for anyone in these areas go through the single clerk office.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County borders several other north Florida counties. Records for someone who has lived nearby may be in one of these counties.