St. Lucie County Background Check

St. Lucie County background check records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Fort Pierce and by state agencies such as FDLE. The county sits on the Treasure Coast and has about 350,000 people, making the clerk's office one of the busier ones along the central east coast. Local court data, criminal filings, and public documents can be searched in person at the courthouse or through the clerk's web portal. Most people who need a background check in St. Lucie County start with the clerk's office for local data and then use FDLE for a statewide look at criminal history records.

St. Lucie County Clerk of Court

Michelle R. Miller is the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court. Her office is at 201 S Indian River Dr in Fort Pierce. This is the main hub for local court records, civil filings, and criminal case data in St. Lucie County. You can call (772) 462-6900 to ask about hours, fees, or how to pull a file. Walk-in visits work fine on weekdays. The 19th Judicial Circuit serves St. Lucie County, and the clerk's office manages a large caseload given the county's population.

The St. Lucie County Clerk runs an online case search through the website at stlucieclerk.com. You can look up cases by name, case number, or date range. The tool shows case type, status, and key dates. It does not always show the full text of each filing, but it gives you a solid start on any background check in St. Lucie County. If you need more detail, go to the courthouse and ask for the full file. Staff can print what you need for a small copy fee.

The St. Lucie County Clerk of Court portal gives direct access to case search tools and court filing data.

From this page you can look up court records and check case status for any filing in St. Lucie County.

Note: The clerk's office may close for state holidays, so call ahead if you plan to visit in person.

How to Search St. Lucie County Background Check Records

You have a few ways to run a background check in St. Lucie County. The first is the clerk's online case search. Go to the website, type in the name, and see what comes up. This pulls from local court records only. It shows cases filed in St. Lucie County courts. Criminal, civil, traffic, and family cases all show up here. The search is free and open to anyone.

The second way is through FDLE. A statewide criminal history check through CCHInet costs $24. You submit a name and get results back within about a day. This covers all counties in Florida, not just St. Lucie. If the person has records in any part of the state, FDLE will have them. This is a Level 1 check under Florida law. For a more thorough background check on someone in St. Lucie County, using both the local clerk search and the FDLE check gives you the most data.

You can also visit the MyFloridaCounty portal. It covers official records like liens, deeds, and judgments from across the state. These are not criminal records, but they add context to a background check. You might find a judgment or a lien tied to the person. The tool is free to search. Under Florida Chapter 119, these are public records and anyone can ask to see them.

Background Check Fees in St. Lucie County

Costs for a background check in St. Lucie County depend on the type. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based statewide check. You pay this online at the FDLE criminal history records site. This is the same fee in every Florida county. A Level 2 fingerprint check costs more and the price varies by the requesting agency.

At the St. Lucie County Clerk office, you can search case records online for free. When you need printed copies, fees apply. Plain copies run $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. If you need a certified court document from St. Lucie County for legal use, the clerk's office in Fort Pierce can make one for you while you wait.

• FDLE state check (Level 1): $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Note: Fees can change, so check with the clerk or FDLE before you submit a request.

Public Records Access in St. Lucie County

Florida's public records laws are broad. Under Chapter 119, anyone can ask to see government records. You do not need to live in St. Lucie County. You do not need to say why you want them. The clerk must give you access unless the record is sealed or exempt. Most court records, arrest logs, and filing data in St. Lucie County are open to the public.

The Attorney General's Open Government page lays out your rights. If a St. Lucie County office turns down your request, the AG can help. They step in when agencies deny access to records that should be public. This is a good resource if you hit a wall while trying to get background check data from a local office.

Types of Background Checks Available

Two main types of background checks are used in St. Lucie County. A Level 1 check is name-based. It goes through FDLE and pulls statewide criminal history data. This covers arrests, charges, and case outcomes from every county. Results come back fast. Most people get them within 24 hours.

A Level 2 check needs fingerprints. The data runs through FDLE and the FBI, so it covers national records too. Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes covers how FDLE manages criminal history information and the rules for both check levels. People who work with children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities may need a Level 2 check. Fingerprinting can be done at approved LiveScan sites near Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. Processing takes a few days.

FDLE also runs the VECHS program. This lets approved groups in St. Lucie County check criminal history for people who volunteer or work in sensitive roles. It is not open to the public. Only registered organizations can use it.

Note: LiveScan sites may require an appointment, so call ahead before going to one in St. Lucie County.

Getting Copies of St. Lucie County Records

You can get copies of court records from the St. Lucie County Clerk's office in Fort Pierce. Go to 201 S Indian River Dr and ask the staff for the file you need. They will pull the case and print copies for you. Bring a valid ID and cash or check for the copy fee. You can also use the Find a Clerk directory to confirm the office address and phone number before you go.

If you cannot visit in person, you can send a written request. Include the person's full name, date of birth if you have it, and what kind of record you need. Mail it to the clerk's office with payment for the expected copy fees. They will send the documents back by mail. For FDLE records, go online to CCHInet and submit your name-based request with a credit card. Results come by email, usually within one business day. FDLE also has a personal review option for anyone who wants to check their own record.

Cities in St. Lucie County

St. Lucie County has several cities and communities. All court records for these areas are handled by the St. Lucie County Clerk of Court in Fort Pierce. Background checks that rely on court data go through the same clerk office no matter which city the person lives in.

Other communities in St. Lucie County include Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village. Court records for all of these go through the St. Lucie County clerk in Fort Pierce.

Nearby Counties

These counties sit next to St. Lucie County. If you need records from a neighboring area, each county has its own clerk office and court system.