Flagler County Florida background check records include court files, arrest reports, conviction details, and case outcomes from the local Clerk of Court in Bunnell. Anyone can search these records online or in person.
The records show criminal cases, civil filings, family court actions, and probate matters in Flagler County. Statewide checks through FDLE cover all 67 Florida counties, including Flagler. This page explains every way to search Flagler County records, what each search shows, how much each option costs, and what Florida law says about public access to these files.
Flagler County Clerk of Court Records
The Flagler County Clerk of Court keeps every court record filed in the county. Tom W. Bexley serves as the current Clerk of Court and Comptroller. The clerk’s office holds criminal, civil, family law, small claims, and probate files. All these records show up in a background check search for anyone who lived, worked, or had legal matters in Flagler County.
Clerk Office Location and Contact
The main Flagler County Clerk office stands at 1769 E Moody Blvd, Building 1, in Bunnell, Florida 32110. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the clerk by phone at (386) 313-4400. The clerk’s official website at flaglerclerk.com hosts the online case search tool.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Tom W. Bexley |
| Address | 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, Bunnell, FL 32110 |
| Phone Number | (386) 313-4400 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | flaglerclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 7th Judicial Circuit |
What Records the Clerk Holds
The clerk’s office stores criminal case files with charges, court dates, plea deals, verdicts, and sentences. Civil case files include lawsuits, contract disputes, and small claims. Family court records cover divorce, child custody, paternity, and domestic violence orders. Probate files hold wills, estate actions, and guardianships. Each of these record types can appear in a Flagler County background check.
How to Search Flagler County Court Records
You can search Flagler County court records three ways. The online portal works any time of day. The in-person visit gives you certified copies. A mail request works for people who live far from Bunnell. Each option shows different levels of detail and costs different amounts.
Online Case Search at FlaglerClerk.com
The flaglerclerk.com website has a free case search tool. Enter a person’s first and last name into the search box. The system pulls up every matching case in Flagler County. Each result shows the case number, filing date, case type, charges, and current status. Criminal case listings display the charges filed by the State Attorney. Disposition details appear once the case ends. You can filter by case type to narrow results to criminal records only.
In-Person Record Request
Visit the clerk’s office in Bunnell during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Tell the staff the person’s full name and date of birth if you have it. The clerk staff pulls the file from the system or paper archive. You can view the records on a public terminal or request printed copies. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page.
Mail Request for Court Records
Send a written request to the Flagler County Clerk’s office at 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. Include the person’s full name, date of birth, and the type of records you want. Add a check or money order for copy fees. Mail requests take longer than online or in-person searches.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History Check
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the statewide criminal history database. FDLE checks cover arrests and case outcomes from every Florida county, including Flagler. Two main search types exist: Level 1 name-based checks and Level 2 fingerprint checks. Each type serves a different purpose and meets different legal requirements.
Level 1 Name-Based Background Check
A Level 1 check uses a person’s name and date of birth to search the FDLE criminal database. The cost is $24 per search. You submit the request through the CCHInet system at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. Results arrive by email, often within 24 hours. This check covers arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences from every Florida county. The database includes Flagler County records along with records from all 67 counties statewide.
Level 2 Fingerprint Background Check
A Level 2 check uses fingerprints to search both the FDLE database and the FBI national database. Florida law requires Level 2 checks for many jobs working with children, seniors, or vulnerable adults. The cost varies by fingerprint provider. You schedule a visit to a LiveScan location for digital fingerprint capture. Results take a few business days after the fingerprint scan. Florida law requires Level 2 checks for teachers, healthcare workers, child care staff, and similar roles.
IdentoGO Florida Live Scan Locations
IdentoGO runs many LiveScan fingerprint sites across Florida through a partnership with IDEMIA. The FDLE-approved provider directory at flhealthsource.gov lists sites by zip code. Flagler County residents can find nearby LiveScan providers in Bunnell, Palm Coast, or in neighboring Volusia or St. Johns counties. Each site captures fingerprints digitally and sends them to FDLE for processing.
Cost of Flagler County Background Checks
The price of a background check in Flagler County depends on which search you choose. Online court records are free to view. Printed or certified copies add small fees. Statewide checks through FDLE cost $24 for Level 1. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more and depend on the provider.
Fee Breakdown by Search Type
The Flagler County Clerk online case search charges nothing. You can search names and view case information for free. Printed copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page and carry a court seal for legal use. The FDLE Level 1 name check costs $24 per request. Level 2 fingerprint check fees vary by LiveScan provider, often ranging from $40 to $60 total including FBI fees.
- Flagler County Clerk online search: Free
- Plain copy of court record: $0.15 per page
- Certified copy of court record: $1.00 per page
- FDLE Level 1 name-based check: $24.00
- FDLE Level 2 fingerprint check: Varies by provider
Florida Public Records Law and Access Rights
Florida law gives broad public access to government records. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, known as the Florida Public Records Act, sets the rules for record access. Chapter 943 covers criminal history records held by FDLE. These laws apply to all Flagler County records the same way they apply to records in any other Florida county.
Chapter 119 Public Records Act
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives every person the right to request public records from government agencies. You do not need to live in Flagler County. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The agency must provide the records unless a specific law exempts them. Court files, arrest records, and government documents fall under this law. If a records request gets denied, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government office.
Chapter 943 Criminal History Records
Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes governs how FDLE manages criminal history records. The law sets rules for who can access these records, how long they stay in the database, and when records can be sealed or expunged. Flagler County criminal cases feed into this state database under Chapter 943 rules. The FDLE Personal Review option lets you check your own criminal history record at any time.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Florida law allows some criminal records to be sealed or expunged. Sealed records stay in the system but stay hidden from most background checks. Expunged records get destroyed from public access. Court-ordered sealing or expungement removes records from the standard Flagler County background check results. Juvenile records often carry different access rules than adult records.
What Shows Up in a Background Check
A complete background check pulls records from many sources. Each source shows different types of information. The Flagler County Clerk provides local court records. FDLE provides statewide criminal history. Other sources add employment history, credit reports, and sex offender registry data. Knowing what each source covers helps you build a complete picture.
Arrest Records and Dispositions
Arrest records show when a person was taken into custody, the arresting agency, and the charges at arrest. The disposition field shows the final outcome of the case. Outcomes include guilty verdicts, no contest pleas, dismissals, deferred adjudications, and acquittals. FDLE arrest disposition reports combine both pieces for a complete view. Flagler County arrests show in both clerk records and FDLE statewide checks.
Conviction Records
Conviction records show the result of a criminal case after a guilty plea or trial verdict. These records list the conviction date, the crime convicted, and the sentence imposed. Sentences can include jail time, probation, fines, or community service. Misdemeanor and felony convictions both appear in Flagler County background checks unless sealed by court order.
Warrant Records
Active warrants show up in some Florida background searches. Warrants indicate an arrest order issued by a judge. Warrants may show in law enforcement databases but often do not appear in standard clerk court searches. Checking the Flagler County Sheriff’s office provides current warrant status for people in Flagler County.
Sex Offender Registry
Florida maintains a public sex offender registry through FDLE. The registry lists registered offenders by name, address, and offense type. Searches are free on the FDLE website. The registry covers offenders living in all 67 counties, including Flagler County cities like Palm Coast and Bunnell. This data adds to a complete background check for safety purposes.
Background Checks for Specific Purposes
Different situations call for different types of background checks. Employers, landlords, volunteer groups, and licensing agencies each have their own rules. Florida law sets minimum standards for many of these checks. Knowing which check fits your purpose helps avoid delays and legal issues.
Florida Employment Background Check
Florida employers often run background checks before making a hire. The check pulls court records, criminal history, and sometimes credit reports and employment history. Federal FCRA rules apply when employers use third-party screening companies. The FCRA requires written consent before running a background check for employment purposes. Flagler County employers follow the same FCRA rules as employers anywhere else in Florida.
Tenant Background Screening
Landlords in Flagler County screen tenants to reduce risk. A tenant screening pulls credit reports, criminal history, eviction records, and income verification. FCRA rules apply when landlords use third-party screening services. The check must follow consumer reporting laws and give the applicant a chance to dispute any wrong data.
Volunteer Background Check
Florida schools, youth sports leagues, and nonprofit groups run background checks on volunteers. Many use the same Level 2 fingerprint checks required for paid staff. Schools and child care centers must meet the screening standards under Florida Statute Section 435. The cost is often covered by the volunteer organization or charged to the volunteer at a reduced rate.
Healthcare Worker Screening (AHCA)
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) requires background screening for healthcare workers. The screening covers criminal history, abuse registry checks, and fingerprint-based Level 2 checks. Workers at hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and assisted living facilities must pass these checks before working with patients.
School Volunteer and Teacher Checks
The Florida Department of Education requires Level 2 background checks for teachers and school staff. School districts run these checks through FDLE. School volunteers in Flagler County schools face similar screening rules. Parents who volunteer for field trips or classroom events often need to complete this process before participating.
Department of Children and Families Screening
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) runs background checks for child care workers, foster parents, and adoption applicants. The screening uses Level 2 fingerprint checks and abuse history checks. Child care facilities in Flagler County must screen all staff under DCF rules.
Cities and Communities in Flagler County
All cities and towns in Flagler County use the same Bunnell-based Clerk of Court for their court records. Records from each city show up in the Flagler County case search the same way. Palm Coast is the largest city, with other communities spread along the coast and inland.
Palm Coast Background Check
Palm Coast is the largest city in Flagler County, with more than 106,000 residents. Court records for Palm Coast residents and cases are filed at the Flagler County Clerk’s office in Bunnell. The same online search and in-person process applies.
Other Flagler County Communities
Bunnell is the county seat. Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, and Marineland are smaller communities. Each falls under Flagler County jurisdiction. All court records from these communities are searchable through the same Flagler County Clerk tools.
Nearby Counties and the 7th Judicial Circuit
Flagler County is one of four counties in the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The other counties in this circuit are Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia. Each county has its own Clerk of Court. Records from these counties do not show in a Flagler County search but can be found through their own clerk websites.
Putnam County Court Records
Putnam County borders Flagler County to the west. The Putnam County Clerk of Court holds records for cases filed in that county. A separate search through the Putnam clerk’s website is needed for Putnam cases.
St. Johns County Court Records
St. Johns County sits north of Flagler County. The St. Johns County Clerk of Court holds records for that county’s legal cases. St. Johns records are searchable through the St. Johns clerk’s online portal.
Volusia County Court Records
Volusia County sits south of Flagler County. The Volusia County Clerk of Court holds records for cases filed in Volusia. Searches for Volusia cases go through the Volusia clerk’s online case search.
Statewide Florida Criminal Records
Records from outside Flagler County can still matter in a background check. People move between Florida counties, and old arrests or convictions from other counties follow them. Statewide searches through FDLE catch records from every county, including big metro areas like Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, and Duval.
Miami-Dade Criminal Records
Miami-Dade County holds its own criminal records. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court website offers online searches. FDLE statewide checks also cover Miami-Dade arrests and convictions.
Broward County Criminal Records
Broward County records live with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Online searches through the Broward clerk website cover local cases. Statewide FDLE checks add these records to any Florida background search.
Palm Beach County Public Records
Palm Beach County maintains its own clerk records and public records portal. Court cases, official records, and other documents are searchable through the Palm Beach County Clerk’s website.
Hillsborough County Court Records
Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, keeps records with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. Online case searches through the Hillsborough clerk website cover local criminal and civil filings.
Orange County Florida Background Check
Orange County, home to Orlando, hosts a large volume of court records. The Orange County Clerk of Courts website provides online searches for cases filed in Orange County. FDLE statewide checks include Orange County data.
Duval County Jacksonville Background Check
Duval County, home to Jacksonville, keeps court records through the Duval County Clerk of Court. Online searches through the Duval clerk website cover Jacksonville-area cases. Statewide FDLE searches also pull Duval County criminal history.
Flagler County Official Contact Details
Below are the full contact details for Flagler County background check record searches. Use these to reach the right office for any record request or question.
Office: Flagler County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Official Website: https://www.flaglerclerk.com/
Phone: (386) 313-4400
Address: 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, Bunnell, FL 32110
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Flagler County Florida background check records. Each answer covers a specific topic in plain terms. Read through these for quick answers to the most common questions about record access, costs, and search options.
How Long Does a Background Check Take in Flagler County?
A Flagler County Clerk online case search takes only minutes to complete. You enter the name, and the system pulls up results right away. A Level 1 FDLE name-based check typically arrives by email within 24 hours of submission. A Level 2 fingerprint check through LiveScan usually takes a few business days after the fingerprint scan. In-person requests at the clerk’s office can be handled the same day for simple records searches. Mail requests take longer depending on the postal service and how complete the request information is.
Can I Run a Free Background Check in Flagler County?
Yes. The Flagler County Clerk online case search is free to use. You can search as many names as you want at no cost. The FDLE Personal Review service also lets you check your own criminal history for free. Sex offender registry searches through FDLE are free. Third-party websites often charge fees, but official government sources provide free or low-cost searches that cover most needs.
What Is the Difference Between Level 1 and Level 2 Checks?
Level 1 checks use a person’s name and date of birth to search the FDLE database. They cost $24 and run through CCHInet. Level 2 checks use fingerprints to search both the FDLE and FBI databases. Level 2 checks cost more and require a visit to a LiveScan provider. Florida law requires Level 2 checks for many jobs in childcare, healthcare, education, and other roles working with vulnerable people.
Will Expunged Records Show in a Flagler County Background Check?
No. Expunged records are removed from public access under Florida law. Sealed records stay in the system but stay hidden from most background checks. Court-ordered expungement or sealing removes these records from standard clerk searches and FDLE name-based searches. Only specific law enforcement or court orders can open sealed or expunged records.
Can Employers See Flagler County Arrest Records Without Convictions?
Yes. Florida arrest records appear in background checks even without a conviction. The disposition field shows the case outcome. Arrests without convictions still show up because FDLE records include both arrests and dispositions. FCRA rules require employers to follow specific steps before taking adverse action based on arrest records.
How Far Back Do Flagler County Background Checks Go?
Flagler County court records cover the entire history of cases filed in the county. The clerk’s online database shows all available cases. FDLE records cover arrests and outcomes as far back as the database goes, which for many cases covers decades. Time limits on reporting only apply in certain FCRA contexts for employment screening, often capping reports at seven years for non-conviction records.
How Do I Check My Own Background in Flagler County?
You can check your own background three ways. First, search the Flagler County Clerk’s online portal using your own name. Second, run a personal review through the FDLE website at fdle.state.fl.us. Third, request a copy of your full criminal history record through FDLE for a fee. The personal review option is free and shows what an employer might see in a standard background check.