Taylor County Background Check Search

Taylor County background check records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Perry and by FDLE at the state level. With about 22,000 people, Taylor County is one of the smaller counties on the Big Bend coast of Florida. The clerk's office stores all local court records, from criminal filings to civil cases and traffic citations. FDLE handles statewide criminal history data that covers Taylor County along with the rest of the state. If you need to check someone's record in this county, both of these sources play a role in getting complete results.

Taylor County Clerk of Court Office

Gary Knowles, Jr. serves as the Taylor County Clerk of Court. The office is at 108 N Jefferson St, Ste 102, in Perry. This is where all court records for Taylor County are filed and stored. Criminal cases, civil suits, probate matters, and traffic filings all go through here. Call (850) 838-3506 if you have questions about records or need to check the clerk's hours before you visit.

The Taylor County Clerk website at taylorclerk.com has basic information about court services. In small counties like Taylor, online case search tools can be limited. You may need to call or visit in person to get the records you want. The staff at the Perry courthouse can look up cases in their system and print what you need. For a background check in Taylor County, an in-person visit is often the most reliable way to get local court data.

The Taylor County Clerk of Court website gives an overview of services and contact details for the office in Perry.

This site has links to court services and record information for Taylor County.

Note: Taylor County is a small office, so staffing can be thin during lunch hours or near closing time.

Searching Background Check Records in Taylor County

The clerk's office in Perry is your main stop for local records. Walk in with a valid ID and ask to search for a person by name. Staff can look up criminal cases, civil filings, and other court records in the Taylor County system. This is the simplest way to get local data for a background check.

For statewide coverage, FDLE is the way to go. Submit a name-based check through CCHInet for $24. The system pulls from the state criminal history database and covers all 67 counties, including Taylor. Results come back in about a day. If the person has records anywhere in Florida, they will show up.

The MyFloridaCounty portal is worth checking too. It has recorded documents like liens, deeds, and judgments. These are not criminal records, but they fill out the picture. A lien or a judgment tied to someone's name can be an important part of a Taylor County background check. All of these records are public under Florida Chapter 119. Anyone can ask to see them. No reason needed.

Taylor County Background Check Costs

The FDLE Level 1 check is $24. This is a flat rate across the state. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history records page with a credit card. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the price varies depending on the agency involved.

Copy fees at the Taylor County Clerk's office follow the standard schedule. Plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. Bring cash or a check when you visit the courthouse in Perry. Some small counties only accept certain forms of payment, so calling ahead is a good idea.

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

Note: Ask the Taylor County clerk about accepted payment methods before your visit since not all small offices take cards.

Public Records in Taylor County

Florida law makes most government records open to the public. Under Chapter 119, you can ask to see records from any government office in Taylor County. The clerk cannot ask why you want them. They cannot require you to be a Taylor County resident. The law is clear. Public records are open to everyone.

Exceptions exist for sealed records, expunged cases, and certain juvenile files. Outside of those, the vast majority of court records in Taylor County can be viewed by anyone. If you run into a problem, the Attorney General's Open Government office is the place to go for help. They handle disputes about public records access statewide.

Types of Background Checks in Taylor County

Level 1 checks cover statewide criminal history. They are name-based and run through FDLE. You get results from all counties. Arrests, charges, and dispositions are included. Most people who need a background check in Taylor County start here because it is fast and affordable.

Level 2 checks go deeper. Fingerprints are submitted to both FDLE and the FBI. This pulls national data, not just Florida. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes lists the situations where a Level 2 check is mandatory. Roles that involve trust or care duties fall under this rule. For fingerprinting near Perry, check the LiveScan provider list from FDLE. The nearest site may be in a neighboring county since Taylor County is small.

The VECHS system under Chapter 943 is another option for approved groups. It is not open to the general public. Only organizations that are registered with FDLE can access it. In Taylor County, groups that serve children or vulnerable adults may use this system.

Getting Copies of Taylor County Records

Visit the Taylor County Clerk at 108 N Jefferson St in Perry. Bring ID and tell the staff which file you need. They can pull the case, search by name or case number, and print copies. Pay the per-page fee at the counter. If you need a certified copy of a court record, the clerk will stamp and sign it for you.

Mail requests work too. Write a letter with the person's full name, case number if you have one, and the record type you need. Include a check or money order for the expected copy fee. Send it to the clerk's office in Perry. You can verify the mailing address through the Find a Clerk directory. For statewide FDLE results, go to CCHInet and submit your request online.

Cities in Taylor County

Taylor County is small and mostly rural. All court records for cities and towns in the county are held by the Taylor County Clerk of Court in Perry. There are no large cities with separate pages on this site.

Perry is the county seat and the largest community. Other areas include Steinhatchee and Salem. Background check records for every part of Taylor County go through the clerk's office in Perry.

Nearby Counties

Taylor County shares borders with several other counties. Each has its own courthouse and clerk office with separate records.