Monroe County Background Check

Monroe County background check records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Key West and by FDLE at the state level. The county stretches across the Florida Keys, from Key Largo down to Key West, and covers about 82,000 residents. Court records, criminal filings, and public documents for the whole chain of islands go through one clerk office. Both online tools and in-person visits are options for anyone who needs to search background check data in Monroe County. This page covers the main ways to access those records and what to expect along the way.

Monroe County Clerk of Court

Kevin Madok serves as the Monroe County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 500 Whitehead St in Key West. This is where all court records for the county are kept. You can call (305) 292-3550 for questions about records, hours, or fees. The staff handles criminal cases, civil filings, family law, and traffic cases for the entire Florida Keys region.

The Monroe County Clerk website has an online search portal. You can look up case records by name or case number. The tool is free and shows case types, filing dates, and status updates. For a Monroe County background check, this online search is a solid first step. It pulls from all local court data that the clerk has on file.

Below is the Monroe County Clerk of Court website where you can access their records search portal.

Use this portal to search court cases and view public filings in Monroe County.

Note: Monroe County also has a branch clerk office in Marathon for residents in the Middle Keys area.

Searching Background Check Records in Monroe County

You have two main paths for a background check in Monroe County. The first is the clerk's online case search. Go to monroeclerk.com and use their search tool. Enter the name and see what comes up. It shows criminal cases, civil suits, and traffic matters. This is free. No login needed.

The second path is FDLE. Use CCHInet to run a statewide criminal history check. This costs $24 and covers every county in Florida, not just Monroe. Results come back in about 24 hours by email. If the person has records in Monroe County or in any other part of the state, they show up. This is a Level 1 name-based search.

You can also check the MyFloridaCounty portal for official recorded documents. This covers liens, judgments, and other recorded items in Monroe County. These add context to a background check. Under Florida Chapter 119, all public records in the state are open to anyone. You do not need a reason to ask for them.

Fees for Monroe County Background Checks

Background check fees in Monroe County match what you find across the rest of Florida. FDLE charges $24 for a Level 1 state criminal history check. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history records page. This fee is the same no matter which county you live in.

At the Monroe County Clerk office, plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies run $1.00 per page. Online searching is free. There is no charge to look up case data on the clerk's website. You only pay when you need printed or certified copies of documents from the court file.

• FDLE Level 1 check: $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free
• Level 2 fingerprint check: Varies by vendor

Public Records Access in Monroe County

Florida's public records law is one of the broadest in the country. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes says any person can inspect public records. In Monroe County, this means you can ask the clerk for court files, police reports, and other government documents. You do not need to be a local resident. You do not need to explain why you want the records.

Sealed and expunged records are the exception. Those are not available. Juvenile records also have extra protections. But for most criminal and civil cases in Monroe County, the records are open. If a government office denies your request, the Attorney General's Open Government page can help you understand your rights and resolve disputes.

Note: Requests for records that are exempt under Florida law will be denied regardless of who makes the request.

Types of Background Checks in Monroe County

Level 1 checks are name-based. FDLE runs the person's name through the state criminal history database. It pulls up arrests, charges, and outcomes. You order it at CCHInet for $24. Results usually come back within a day. This is the most common type for people who need a quick background check in Monroe County.

Level 2 checks need fingerprints. They run through both FDLE and the FBI. This type is required under Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes for certain positions of trust. In Monroe County, LiveScan fingerprint sites are available in Key West and Marathon. The LiveScan provider list from FDLE shows all approved locations by zip code.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program under Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes. This gives approved organizations access to criminal history data. It is designed for groups that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Only registered groups can use it.

Getting Record Copies in Monroe County

Walk into the Monroe County Clerk office at 500 Whitehead St in Key West to get copies of court records. Ask for the file by name or case number. Staff will pull the case and print what you need. Pay at the counter. Bring cash or check. You can also use the Find a Clerk directory to confirm office details before your trip.

Written requests work too. Send a letter to the clerk with the person's full name, any case details, and payment for the fees. They will mail the documents back. For FDLE records, order online at CCHInet and pay $24 by credit card. Results arrive by email. This is the easiest path if you cannot visit Monroe County in person.

Personal record review is also an option. If you want to check your own criminal history, FDLE lets you request a review through their site. You can see what is on file and start a correction if something is wrong.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County covers the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West. All court records for these communities go through the Monroe County Clerk of Court in Key West. Background checks that involve court data use the same clerk office no matter which part of the Keys the person lives in.

Communities in Monroe County include Key West, Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada, Big Pine Key, and Tavernier. None of these cities currently have separate pages, but all court records go through the Monroe County clerk in Key West.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County connects to the mainland through Miami-Dade County. If you need to check records in an adjacent area, try one of these counties.