Union County Background Check

Union County background check records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Lake Butler and by state agencies like FDLE. This is one of the smallest counties in Florida, with about 16,000 residents. Despite its size, Union County has a full court system that handles criminal, civil, and family law cases. The clerk's office keeps all local court data, and FDLE provides statewide criminal history checks. Whether you need to look up a specific case or get a broad criminal history report, these two sources cover what is available for Union County.

Union County Clerk of Court

Kellie Hendricks Rhoades is the Union County Clerk of Court. The office is at 55 W Main St, Room 103, in Lake Butler. This small courthouse handles all court filings for Union County. Criminal cases, civil matters, family law, probate, and traffic citations all come through here. You can call (386) 496-3711 to ask about records, fees, or office hours.

The Union County Clerk website at unionclerk.com has basic information about the office and its services. Online case search options in Union County may be limited given the size of the county. Visiting the courthouse in Lake Butler is often the best approach when you need to pull a specific record. The staff can search the system and print what you need while you wait. A background check in Union County starts at this office for local court data.

Below is a reference image showing Florida's Chapter 435 background screening requirements, which apply to Union County and the rest of the state.

State-level screening standards apply to all Florida counties, including Union County.

Note: Union County's courthouse is small, so plan to visit during regular business hours for the best service.

How to Search Background Check Records in Union County

Go to the clerk's office in Lake Butler to search local court records. Bring a valid ID and the name of the person you want to look up. Staff will search the system and tell you what they find. Criminal, civil, and traffic records are all searchable. In a small county like Union, the process is straightforward and usually fast.

For statewide criminal history data, use FDLE. The CCHInet portal lets you submit a name-based search for $24. Results come back within a business day or so. This covers every county in Florida, not just Union. If the person has records in Duval, Alachua, or any other county, those show up too. It is a Level 1 background check under Florida law and it is the fastest way to check statewide data.

Official recorded documents can be found on the MyFloridaCounty portal. Liens, deeds, and judgments are all there. These add useful information to a background check in Union County. Florida's Chapter 119 public records law means anyone can access these records without giving a reason.

Background Check Fees in Union County

FDLE charges a flat $24 for a Level 1 name-based check. You pay online at the FDLE criminal history records page. The fee is the same in all 67 Florida counties. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and the amount varies by the requesting agency.

At the Union County Clerk's office, copy fees are standard. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies run $1.00 per page. If you visit the courthouse in Lake Butler, bring cash or a check. The online search through the clerk's site, when available, is free to use.

• 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 when available

Public Records Access in Union County

Florida's public records laws apply to Union County just like every other county. Chapter 119 gives everyone the right to see government records. You do not have to live in Union County. You do not have to be a Florida resident. The clerk is required to let you view the records. That is the law.

Some records are off limits. Sealed cases, expunged files, and certain juvenile matters are not available through a public request. Everything else is open. If a Union County office refuses to provide a record you believe should be public, reach out to the Attorney General's Open Government office. They help settle disputes over records access across the state.

Note: Even in a small county like Union, the public records laws are the same as in Miami-Dade or Hillsborough.

Types of Background Checks Available

A Level 1 check is the standard option. It is name-based and runs through FDLE. You get statewide criminal history results that include arrests, charges, and case outcomes. This is what most people use for a Union County background check. Results are fast and the cost is low.

A Level 2 check requires fingerprints. The prints go to FDLE and the FBI for a national search. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes lays out when this type is required. Positions that involve care or trust duties need it. In Union County, the nearest LiveScan fingerprinting site may be in a neighboring county like Alachua or Columbia. Check the FDLE list to find the closest one.

FDLE's VECHS program under Chapter 943 is available for approved organizations. This program allows groups that work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities to run criminal history checks. It is not open to the general public. Only registered groups can request checks through this system in Union County.

Getting Copies of Union County Records

Walk into the Union County Clerk's office at 55 W Main St in Lake Butler. Tell the staff the name or case number you are looking for. They will search the system and print copies. Bring your ID and payment for copy fees. If you need certified copies for court or legal use, the clerk can prepare those at the counter.

You can mail a written request if you cannot visit in person. Include the person's name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you need. Put a check or money order in the envelope for the estimated copy cost. Mail it to the clerk's office in Lake Butler. Use the Find a Clerk page to get the right address. For FDLE records, everything is handled online through CCHInet. You pay with a card and get results by email.

Cities in Union County

Union County is one of the least populated counties in Florida. All court records for towns and communities in the county go through the Union County Clerk of Court in Lake Butler. There are no large cities in Union County with separate pages on this site.

Lake Butler is the county seat and main town. Raiford and Worthington Springs are other small communities. Background check records for the entire county are held at the clerk's office in Lake Butler.

Nearby Counties

Union County is bordered by these counties. Each maintains its own clerk office and court records system, separate from Union County.