Putnam County Background Check Search

Putnam County background check records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Palatka and by FDLE at the state level. This northeast Florida county is smaller than many of its neighbors, but it keeps the same types of court records and follows the same state laws for public access. Criminal filings, civil cases, and other court documents are stored at the Putnam County courthouse. You can search these files in person during business hours or use online tools to look up case data from home.

Putnam County Clerk of Court

Matt Reynolds serves as the Putnam County Clerk of Court. The office is at 410 St. Johns Ave in Palatka. You can reach them by phone at (386) 326-7600. Walk-in visits are welcome on weekdays. The staff can help you find court records, pull case files, and get copies of documents you need for a background check.

The Putnam County Clerk has a website at putnamclerk.com with information about services and an online case search. You can look up cases by name or case number. The results show basic case data like type, filing date, and status. This covers criminal, civil, and family law cases filed in Putnam County. Searching online is free. If you want full document copies, you may need to visit the office or send a written request.

Here is the Putnam County Clerk of Court website showing the search tools and office information.

The Putnam County clerk portal lets you search case records and check filing details online.

Note: Call ahead to the Putnam County clerk if you need a specific record pulled, as some older files may take extra time to locate.

How to Search for Records in Putnam County

A background check in Putnam County can go through a few channels. The clerk's case search works for local court records. FDLE covers statewide criminal data. And the courthouse in Palatka has files you can view in person. Each option serves a different purpose, so it helps to know which one fits your situation.

The clerk's online search is the fastest for Putnam County court records. Enter a name and browse the results. For a wider search that includes other counties, try the MyFloridaCounty portal. It covers official recorded documents like liens, mortgages, and court judgments across all Florida counties. This tool is free and works from any computer.

FDLE's CCHInet system runs statewide criminal history checks. Pay $24 online and submit a name. FDLE searches their database, which has arrest and conviction data from every county. Results come back within about 24 hours. This is a Level 1 background check. It pulls from the same records system used by law enforcement across Florida, including data from Putnam County.

Under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, public records are open to everyone. You do not need to be a Putnam County resident. No reason is required for your search.

Background Check Fees in Putnam County

FDLE charges $24 for a name-based criminal history check. This is a flat state fee. Pay it on the FDLE criminal history records page when you submit your request. The fee does not change based on which county you are in.

At the Putnam County clerk office, the online case search is free. Copy fees apply when you need printed documents. Plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. If you need a certified document for legal use, ask the clerk for that version. It comes with the official seal and stamp.

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

Note: Fingerprint-based Level 2 checks have additional fees that vary depending on the provider and the requesting agency.

Types of Background Checks in Putnam County

Level 1 checks are name-based. You give FDLE a name and they search the statewide criminal database. Fast results. Covers arrests, charges, and case outcomes from across the state. This is the most common type of check used by people in Putnam County who need a quick answer.

Level 2 checks are more involved. They need fingerprints. The data runs through FDLE and the FBI for a national search. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes defines when a Level 2 check is needed. You go to a LiveScan provider to get printed. The closest approved sites to Putnam County may be in the Palatka or St. Augustine area. Check the FDLE provider list to find your nearest option. Results take a few business days.

FDLE also has the VECHS program. Under Chapter 943, approved organizations can use VECHS to screen people who work with children, the elderly, or those with disabilities. Not open to the general public. Only registered groups in Putnam County and the rest of the state can use it.

Public Records in Putnam County

Florida's public records law gives you broad access. The Sunshine Law is one of the most open in the country. Most court records in Putnam County are available to anyone who asks. The Attorney General's Open Government page explains how the law works and what to do if a request is denied.

Sealed records are the exception. Juvenile cases are not public. Records that have been expunged are removed from public databases. Some domestic violence records have extra protections. But for most background check purposes, the records you need from Putnam County are open. If an agency denies your request, the AG's office can step in to help resolve the matter.

Getting Copies of Putnam County Court Records

Walk into the Putnam County Clerk office at 410 St. Johns Ave in Palatka. Show your ID and tell the staff which records you need. They pull the file and make copies. You pay at the counter. It is a simple process. The Find a Clerk page can confirm the address and hours before you make the trip.

Mail requests work as well. Write a letter with the person's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you want. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. The Putnam County clerk processes the request and mails back your copies. Allow a week or more for processing and delivery. For FDLE checks, everything is online at CCHInet. Pay by credit card, and results come to your email.

Cities in Putnam County

Putnam County has several communities, all served by the same clerk office in Palatka. Court records for every city and town in the county go through the Putnam County Clerk of Court.

Communities in Putnam County include Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, Welaka, and Pomona Park. Background checks involving local court data for any of these areas go through the Putnam County clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Putnam County. Each has its own clerk and court records system. If you are not sure which county handles a particular record, check the address first.