Seminole County Background Checks

Seminole County background check records are held by the Clerk of Court in Sanford and by FDLE at the state level. With close to 480,000 residents, Seminole County is one of the busier court systems in central Florida. The 18th Judicial Circuit serves this area, and the clerk's office processes a large volume of criminal, civil, and traffic cases each year. You can search local court records online through the clerk's portal, request a statewide criminal history check through FDLE, or visit the courthouse in person. Each method taps into a different set of data, so the right choice depends on what kind of records you need.

Seminole County Clerk of Court

Grant Maloy is the Seminole County Clerk of Court. The main office is at 91 Eslinger Way in Sanford. You can reach the clerk by phone at (407) 665-4330 for questions about records, court services, or copy fees. The Sanford courthouse is the central hub for all court filings in Seminole County. Staff handle criminal cases, civil suits, family law matters, and traffic citations. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours, and the staff are used to helping people find what they need.

The clerk's website at seminoleclerk.org offers an online case search tool. You can look up records by name, case number, or filing date. The search pulls from the local court system and shows case type, status, parties, and key dates. Criminal cases list the charges and current status. Civil cases show the parties and what type of suit was filed. This is one of the more active court systems in the region, so the database is large. Searching is free and open to anyone.

The Seminole County Clerk website provides tools for searching court cases and public records.

Use this portal to look up case data and run a background check search in Seminole County.

How to Run a Background Check in Seminole County

Start at the clerk's online case search on seminoleclerk.org. Type in a first and last name and the system returns all matching court cases in Seminole County. You can filter by case type or date range to narrow things down. This covers local filings only. Cases from other Florida counties will not show up here, but it is the best source for Seminole County court data.

For a broader search, use FDLE. The CCHInet system runs a statewide criminal history check for $24. You submit a name and FDLE searches their database, which pulls arrest and conviction records from all 67 counties. If the person has any criminal history in Seminole County or anywhere else in Florida, it will show up in the results. Most people get results by email within about 24 hours.

Official recorded documents are on MyFloridaCounty. This covers Seminole County liens, judgments, deeds, and other filed documents. These are not the same as court case records but can add useful detail to a background check. You might find an outstanding lien or a recorded judgment tied to the person you are looking into.

In person, go to the courthouse at 91 Eslinger Way. Ask staff to pull records by name. They can search the system and print copies for you.

Note: Seminole County is part of the 18th Circuit along with Brevard County, but each county has its own clerk and filing system.

Seminole County Background Check Fees

FDLE charges $24 for a Level 1 name-based criminal history check. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history page. This is the same rate across Florida. A Level 2 fingerprint check costs more and the total depends on the agency that ordered it.

At the Seminole County Clerk's office, searching online is free. You can look up cases all day without paying a cent. Copies cost money. Plain copies run $0.15 per page and certified copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted in legal proceedings. If you just need the information and not a legal document, plain copies work fine and cost less.

• FDLE state check: $24.00
• Plain copies: $0.15 per page
• Certified copies: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free
• Level 2 fingerprint check: Varies by agency

Public Records Access in Seminole County

Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives anyone the right to view public records. You do not have to live in Seminole County. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk must provide access to records that are not sealed, expunged, or otherwise exempt. Court filings, arrest records, and most documents held by county offices fall under this law.

Sealed and expunged records are not available. Juvenile records face extra restrictions. Active investigation files may also be withheld. But the default in Florida is open access. If you run into a problem trying to get records from a Seminole County office, the Attorney General's Open Government page has information about how to file a complaint or get help.

Note: Public records requests in Seminole County are typically answered within a few business days, though the clerk has no set deadline beyond a "reasonable" time frame.

Background Check Levels in Seminole County

Florida uses two standard background check levels. Level 1 is name-based. FDLE runs the name through its statewide criminal history system. This covers arrests, charges, and case outcomes from all Florida counties. It costs $24 and results typically arrive within one business day. You submit the request at CCHInet. Anyone can order one for Seminole County or any county in the state.

Level 2 requires fingerprints. FDLE checks the state database and the FBI checks the national database. This is the more thorough option. Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes covers how FDLE manages criminal history data, including the rules for both levels. Several LiveScan fingerprinting sites operate in and around Seminole County. Check FDLE's list to find the closest one to your location. Results for Level 2 take a few business days.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program for groups that serve vulnerable people. Only registered organizations can use this. It is not open to the general public in Seminole County or elsewhere.

Getting Copies of Seminole County Records

Walk into the clerk's office at 91 Eslinger Way in Sanford. Give the staff a name or case number and they will pull the file. You can view it at the counter for free. If you need prints, plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. The Find a Clerk directory lists the Seminole County office details, including branch locations if any are available.

You can also mail a written request. Include the full name, date of birth if known, type of record, and payment. The clerk will mail back copies. For FDLE records, submit online at CCHInet and pay $24. Results come by email. If you need to review your own record, FDLE has a personal review option that lets you see what is in the state database under your name.

Cities in Seminole County

Seminole County includes cities like Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, and Winter Springs. All court records for these communities are filed with the Seminole County Clerk of Court. No cities in Seminole County meet the population threshold for a separate page. Background check records for all Seminole County residents go through the clerk's office in Sanford.

Nearby Counties

Seminole County is in central Florida, surrounded by several other counties. If the person you are checking has ties to a neighboring area, you may need to search those clerk offices too.