About Florida Public Records

About Florida public records

The state of Florida and its 67 counties individually maintain and issue public records, certificates, licenses and information for verification purposes. Public entities which provide many of the requested records are clerks and online resources from individual departments operating separately. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement electronic system a self-service application returns found criminal records instantly based on basic information such as the name and date of birth. Other departments under local departments such as court clerks, deed recorders and more maintain publicly accessible sites to their data. Florida Courts service online requests for state, county, all 20 circuit courts, and smaller case files giving access to divorce filings, judgments, liens, litigant name search and more. The state of Florida has made great improvements to electronic record access assisting individual departments to serve the public efficiently.

State background and court information

The Florida legislature passed the  first laws in 1909 regarding public record laws. Freedom of information laws  grants residents, students, researchers, concerned citizens and journalists the  right to obtain records from their government. Certain laws are particular to  specific agencies as there are limits and protections which apply. The open  government sunset review act of 1995 allows for periodic review and repeal of  the exemptions. The purpose was to give the government transparency and to  provide its citizens access to open agency records. However, the law is not  limited to records for sole purpose of scrutiny. Residents also benefit from  the FOIA when trying to locate lost or misplaced records such and vital records  and certificates, crime reports, recorded land and real estate deeds,  certifications, permits and other information held by state, local and county  departments.

Florida, also known as the sunshine  state, became a U.S. territory in 1921 but entered the union in 1845. The state  of Florida has 19 million residents in its 67 counties. The first two counties  ever formed were St. Johns and Escambia. In 1925, the last county formed was  Gilchrist.  The purpose of counties being formed was for the state to  provide services to local areas. The state also has 411 cities, towns and  villages with the state capital being Tallahassee. Largest cities presently  include Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa. The idea of forming cities originated in  Europe, specifically Spain and England. Cities were formed by the legislature  to allow for local power as its citizens were requesting. This gives local  decisions to citizens governing themselves, such as taxes, local law  enforcement, public utilities, administration, planning and development. The  state government is run by the governor. The governor's cabinet consists of the  state's attorney general, commissioner of agriculture and chief financial  officer. The state's legislature is broken down into 23 congressional  districts, 120 house districts and 40 senate districts.

The state economy profits from a  large variety of industries. Other than producing approximately 75 percent of  the U.S. orange production, including growth in the electronic, financial  sectors, tourism, space industry and agriculture make other large part of the  economy. Due to Florida having a steady influx of first time residents,  construction is generally one of its important industries. Almost half of  exports to South America are through Florida's ports.

Background of criminal histories can be obtained from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services online for requests by the general public as well as specific employee screening purposes. Local police stations provide separate reports of incidents, arrests and persons in custody. The Miami division of the FBI conducts federal Identity History Summary searches for limited purposes. Instant searches are offered for inmates in custody of the state correctional facilities, wanted offenders and people finders.

Individuals and companies in Florida request records for various personal and business purposes. Residents of Florida request records such as birth certificates to establish identity when applying for a passport. Divorce certificates and decrees are recorded and copies are provided by the clerk's office and the Florida department of health.

Official certificates are available from the Bureau of Vital Statistics Records Section, see the eligibility guidelines and the various methods for ordering. Newspaper searches public local obituaries, current events of incidents and area listings. There are fourteen different databases listed for the state of Florida to help locate individuals using people finders in public directories found in both government agencies and private entities.

The Florida county courts have jurisdiction to hear cases involving torts, contracts, real property rights ($5,001/$15,000), other miscellaneous civil matters, exclusive jurisdiction to hear small claims matters involving an amount in controversy of $0-$5,000), exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving misdemeanors, DWI or DUI, and other miscellaneous criminal matters. Its exclusive jurisdiction further extends to traffic or other violations, except parking violations (which are handled administratively). County level courts hold venue to preliminary hearings.

Florida circuit courts hear tort matters, contract matters, real property rights matters ($15,001/no maximum), and other miscellaneous civil matters, have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving mental health, estate, and civil appeals matters, exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations matters, felony matters, and criminal appeals matters, will also hear juvenile matters, and hold venue to preliminary hearings.

Florida district courts of appeal hear (have "mandatory jurisdiction") over cases involving certain civil matters, noncapital criminal matters, administrative agency matters, juvenile matters, original proceeding matters, and interlocutory decision matters. District courts have discretion to hear (have "discretionary jurisdiction") cases involving various other civil matters, noncapital criminal matters, juvenile matters, original proceedings, and interlocutory decision cases. Supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction to hear cases involving certain civil matters, capital criminal matters, criminal matters, administrative agency matters, juvenile matters, disciplinary matters, and advisory opinion matters. Its discretionary jurisdiction extends to other various civil matters, noncapital criminal matters, administrative agency matters, juvenile matters, advisory opinions, original proceedings, and interlocutory decision matters.

Court records and filings

Florida court records are maintained by county Clerks of Court and the Florida Supreme Court. Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction handling felony criminal cases, civil cases over $50,000, family law, and juvenile matters.

Court records are searchable through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and individual county clerk websites.

Criminal records and background checks

Florida criminal records background searches conducted by local and statewide agencies. See how to obtain a criminal history search from the state of Florida departments. Look up criminal court cases filed with current information of trials on calendar. Public access to records maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Identification.

Vital records

Statewide Florida vital records. Search births, marriage records and death certificates. Divorces filed with courts. State vital records offices. Link to the agencies in Florida and order vital records. Many records are public information available to the public from private and government entities. You can use information to verify your records. Look up vital statistics and free vital searches in Florida to conduct research online. Florida State Office of Vital Statistics. How to order a Florida birth or death certificate. Information about the record being requested

Government records and agencies

Access Florida government agencies and obtain information on executive branches, legislative branches and jucidial branches within state jurisdiction. Link below to the state government agencies as well as state government information and services. Other state government resources such as codified state law, voters registration and other state government departments

Driving and vehicle records

Free and easy to use direct official Florida government links to driver license and registration sources. Register your vehicle, get your tags, obtain the history of a vehicle. Online forms and processing from your computer anywhere. You can also see the status of your applications at anytime online without having to call the clerk. Locations, hours and office information are also available online.

Expungements and record clearing

Expunge your criminal past of felonies, misdemeanors, D.U.I convictions and more in the state of Florida. Get information regarding expungements and begin to erase your previous Florida criminal records statewide as well as nationwide. Some records can contain inaccurate or erroneous information that can be amended. Both juvenile and adult cases that can be corrected and begin your search for employment without a tainted past showing.

Genealogy and historical research

Florida genealogy related links and topics. Individual state search of your ancestors, start a family tree, browse census records and more online. Resources and data from the State Archives Online Catalog, State Library and Archives Genealogy Collections and Databases, Memory Collection World War I Service Cards, Confederate Pension Application Files, Publication of Archival Library and Museum Materials, State University Libraries, State Library, USGenWeb Project and National Archives Southeast Region.

Missing children resources

Many Florida state and law enforcement agencies offer support and services in the search and recovery effort when a child is reported missing. The Florida Center for Missing and Exploited children provides photos and details online of children reported missing in Florida. Florida's Amber Alert System offers immediate, up to date information to aid in a child's safe recovery and makes available current alerts online. The Florida Missing Children's Clearinghouse acts as liaison among citizens, private organizations and law enforcement officials regarding missing endangered persons information. A child identification program consisting of children's blood samples give parents or guardians the option of having their child's blood sample available in an emergency. The Florida Department of Education leads a program which instructs school districts to compare student databases for matches against a list of missing children from law enforcement. The Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation holds an annual Missing Children's Day in an effort to raise awareness of Florida's currently missing children and to educate the public on child safety and abduction prevention. Multiple internet sites provide safety tips, resources, and information children should know to help keep them safe. Floridians should know that the criminal activity of child abduction is treated with utmost seriousness by Florida law enforcement and state agencies.