Search Orange County Background Checks
Orange County background check records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Orlando and by FDLE at the state level. With about 1.45 million residents, Orange County is one of the largest in Florida. The court system here handles a massive number of criminal, civil, and family cases each year. The clerk's office in downtown Orlando has a well-built online search system that lets you look up case records from home. For statewide criminal history, FDLE is the go-to source. This page breaks down how to access background check records in Orange County and what each source provides.
Orange County Quick Facts
Orange County Clerk of Court
Tiffany Moore Russell serves as the Orange County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 425 N Orange Ave in Orlando. It is a large operation. The Orange County clerk handles criminal cases, civil suits, family law, probate, traffic, and more. You can call (407) 836-2000 with questions about records, fees, or hours.
The clerk's website at myorangeclerk.com has one of the better online case search systems in the state. You can search by name, case number, or party. Results are detailed. Criminal cases show charges, arrest dates, and dispositions. Civil cases list the parties and filing type. The tool is free. Anyone can use it. This is the fastest way to start an Orange County background check.
The Orange County Clerk of Court website provides access to their online records search system.
From this portal you can search court case records, check filing status, and pull up public data for Orange County.
| Clerk | Tiffany Moore Russell |
|---|---|
| Address | 425 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Phone | (407) 836-2000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | myorangeclerk.com |
Note: The Orange County courthouse complex in Orlando has multiple divisions spread across several buildings.
How to Search Orange County Background Check Records
Start at the clerk's site. Go to myorangeclerk.com and use their case search. Type in a name. The system pulls up all matching cases in Orange County. Criminal cases, civil suits, family matters, traffic violations. It is all there. Free to use. No login required. This is the quickest path to local court data for an Orange County background check.
For statewide coverage, go to FDLE. Use CCHInet to run a Level 1 name-based search. It costs $24. The search covers every county in Florida. If the person has arrest or conviction records in Orange County or any other county, those show up. Results come back in about 24 hours by email. This is the standard way to get a statewide criminal history check.
The MyFloridaCounty portal covers official recorded documents for Orange County. Liens, judgments, deeds, and other recorded items. These add depth to a background check. Under Florida Chapter 119, all of these records are open to the public. You do not need a reason to search them.
Background Check Fees for Orange County
FDLE charges $24 for a Level 1 state criminal history check. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history records page. This fee does not change from county to county. The Orange County Clerk charges for document copies but searching online is free.
Plain copies from the clerk cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. If you just want to look at case records on the website, there is no fee at all. Level 2 fingerprint checks have higher costs that vary by vendor. Orange County has many approved LiveScan sites in Orlando and the surrounding area.
- 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
Public Records Law in Orange County
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes makes government records public. This is one of the broadest open records laws in the country. In Orange County, you can ask the clerk for court records, police reports, and other government files without giving a reason. You do not need to live here. Anyone can request access.
Most background check records in Orange County are public. Criminal cases, civil suits, traffic records, and official documents are open. Sealed and expunged records are not available. Juvenile cases have extra protections under the law. For everything else, the default is access. The Attorney General's Open Government page can help if you run into a dispute over records access in Orange County.
Note: High-profile cases in Orange County may attract media attention, but the records remain subject to the same access rules as any other case.
Background Check Types in Orange County
Level 1 is name-based. FDLE runs the search. It pulls arrests, charges, and outcomes from the statewide database. You order it through CCHInet for $24. Results come back fast. This is the most popular option for people who need a quick Orange County background check.
Level 2 uses fingerprints. Both FDLE and the FBI run the data. This gives national results. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes requires Level 2 checks for certain positions of trust. Orange County has dozens of approved LiveScan vendors throughout the Orlando metro area. The LiveScan provider list from FDLE shows all approved locations by zip code. You can find sites in Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, and other Orange County cities.
FDLE also operates the VECHS program under Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes. This allows approved organizations to run criminal history checks on volunteers and staff. It is limited to groups that work with vulnerable populations. Only registered groups can participate. Contact FDLE directly if your organization in Orange County wants to use VECHS.
Getting Record Copies from Orange County
Go to the Orange County Clerk at 425 N Orange Ave in Orlando to get copies of court records. Bring a valid ID. Give staff the name or case number. They search and print copies for you. Pay at the counter. The Find a Clerk page has up-to-date contact info for the Orange County clerk office and any branch locations.
Written requests by mail are accepted. Include the person's full name, any case details you have, and a check for the fees. The clerk mails the copies back. For FDLE records, order at CCHInet and pay $24 with a credit card. Results come by email. This is the most convenient option for people who cannot travel to Orange County in person.
Personal record review is also available. FDLE lets you check your own criminal history through their website. If you find errors, you can start a correction process.
Cities in Orange County
Orange County is home to Orlando and several surrounding cities. All court records for these areas go through the Orange County Clerk of Court in Orlando. Background checks that pull from court data use the same clerk office no matter which city the person lives in.
Other communities in Orange County include Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, and Maitland. Court records for all of these go through the Orange County clerk in Orlando.
Nearby Counties
Orange County sits in central Florida and borders several other counties. If the person you are checking had ties to a nearby area, records may be held by one of these counties instead.