St Lucie County Florida background check records give you a clear look at court cases, arrests, and criminal history for anyone who lives or lived in this county. The Treasure Coast county has a population of about 350,000 people.
Court records in St Lucie County go back many years and stay open to the public under Florida law. You can get these records through the Clerk of Court in Fort Pierce, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, or county agencies. This page explains how each system works, what you can find, how much it costs, and what rules you need to follow.
St Lucie County Clerk of Court
The St Lucie County Clerk of Court keeps all local court records. This office sits in Fort Pierce, the county seat. Anyone can ask the clerk for a copy of court filings, case status, and final judgments. The clerk also runs the county’s official records system. This covers deeds, liens, and marriage licenses.
Clerk Office Location and Hours
The main office sits at 201 South Indian River Drive in Fort Pierce, Florida 34950. The clerk, Michelle R. Miller, oversees daily operations. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on state holidays. You can call the clerk at (772) 462-6900 for case questions or copy fees.
Online Court Records Search
The clerk runs a free online portal at stlucieclerk.com. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows criminal cases, civil cases, traffic cases, and family court cases. Each result shows the case type, the parties involved, the judge, and key hearing dates. You can print summaries at home. Full court documents need a copy fee.
Records Cover Letter Services
The clerk offers records cover letter services for certified copies. You bring your ID, pay the fee, and staff prints the certified document. Many legal filings, immigration cases, and job applications need certified copies. The clerk’s office handles these requests the same day in most cases.
FDLE Florida Background Check System
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s main criminal history database. FDLE keeps arrest records, charges, and court outcomes for every Florida county. A Florida state background check through FDLE covers St Lucie County and all 66 other counties. Most employers and landlords accept an FDLE report.
FDLE CCHInet Name-Based Search
The FDLE Computerized Criminal History network, called CCHInet, lets you run a name-based search online. You visit cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us, create an account, and submit the subject’s full name. FDLE charges $24 for each search. Results come back by email within one business day in most cases. The report shows arrests, charges, and final dispositions from every Florida county.
Level 1 vs Level 2 Background Checks
Florida law separates background checks into two levels. A Level 1 check uses a name search through FDLE only. A Level 2 check uses fingerprints and runs through both FDLE and the FBI. Level 2 checks cost more and take longer. Jobs working with children, the elderly, or disabled people often require a Level 2 check under Florida Statute 435.
LiveScan Fingerprint Locations Near Fort Pierce
LiveScan fingerprint sites take digital prints for Level 2 checks. Several approved sites operate near St Lucie County. You can find the full list at the FDLE website or through the Florida Department of Health. Most sites charge between $40 and $60 for fingerprinting. You need to bring a valid photo ID and your employer or agency’s request form. Processing times run 3 to 5 business days after the FBI clears the photo at the LiveScan site.
Costs and Payment Methods
Background check costs vary based on the type of search you need. Local clerk searches cost less than statewide checks. Fingerprint-based checks cost the most.
Clerk Copy and Certification Fees
The St Lucie County Clerk charges $0.15 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit card at the office. Online case searches through the clerk’s portal stay free to the public. You only pay when you want printed or certified copies.
FDLE Fee Schedule
FDLE charges $24 for a name-based statewide check. The fee is the same in every Florida county. You pay by credit card during the online request. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more. The FBI adds a separate fee for the national portion of the search. Check with your employer or agency for the total cost.
| Service | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| FDLE Name-Based Check (Level 1) | $24.00 | 1 business day |
| St Lucie Clerk Case Search | Free | Instant online |
| Clerk Plain Copy | $0.15 per page | Same day |
| Clerk Certified Copy | $1.00 per page | Same day |
| LiveScan Fingerprinting | $40–$60 | 3–5 business days |
Florida Public Records Laws and St Lucie County
Florida has some of the broadest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives any person the right to see government records. You do not need to be a citizen. You do not need to live in Florida. You do not need to give a reason. The law covers St Lucie County court records, arrest logs, and sheriff’s office records.
What Records Stay Open
Court filings, criminal case dockets, traffic citations, and civil judgments all stay open under Chapter 119. Marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and probate filings stay open too. The clerk’s office must give access unless a court sealed the record or a statute exempts it. Sealed records need a court order to open.
Exempt and Sealed Records
Some records stay closed by law. Expunged criminal records vanish from public view. Sealed records hide the court file but keep a record with FDLE. Juvenile records stay sealed in most cases. Active criminal intelligence records stay exempt. If you ask for a sealed record, the clerk will deny your request. You can file a motion with the court to open a sealed file if you have legal grounds.
Requesting Records by Mail
You can mail a records request to the St Lucie County Clerk’s office. Include the subject’s full name, date of birth, and the type of record you need. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will mail the documents back to you. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. FDLE also accepts mailed requests for criminal history checks.
Local Background Check Sources in St Lucie County
Several local agencies hold records that do not appear in the statewide FDLE database. The sheriff’s office keeps arrest records and active callsign warrants. The county jail holds inmate rosters. City police departments in Fort Pierce and Port St Lucie keep their own police reports.
St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Records
The sheriff’s office runs the county jail and handles patrol. You can call the sheriff’s office at (772) 462-7300 to ask about recent arrests. The sheriff also runs an online inmate search. The search shows people currently in the St Lucie County jail. Past arrest records need a public records request. The sheriff’s office responds to written requests under Chapter 119.
Fort Pierce Police Department Records
The Fort Pierce Police Department keeps police reports for incidents in the city limits. You can request a copy of a police report by visiting the department or mailing a request. Reports cost a small fee per page. Crash reports from Fort Pierce also come from the police department. Reports from Port St Lucie Police Department follow the same process.
Port St Lucie Police Records
Port St Lucie has its own police department. The city sits inside St Lucie County but runs a separate agency. You can request police reports through the Port St Lucie Police Department website or by visiting their headquarters. Reports cost about $0.15 per page. Accident reports from Port St Lucie roads come from this department.
Florida Arrest Records and Warrant Searches
Arrest records show when police took someone into custody. Warrant searches show if a court issued an active warrant for a person’s arrest. Both records stay open to the public under Florida law.
Active Warrants in St Lucie County
The St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office keeps a list of active warrants. You can call the sheriff’s warrants division or check their website. Warrants show the person’s name, the charge, and the bond amount. Most warrants stay active until the sheriff arrests the person or a court cancels them. Outstanding warrants can lead to arrest at any police stop.
How to Check Warrants Online
Florida does not run a single statewide warrant search. Each county keeps its own list. For St Lucie County, you must check with the local sheriff. Other Florida counties have their own warrant databases. You can check neighboring counties like Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee through their sheriff websites.
Recent Arrest Logs
The sheriff’s office publishes recent arrest logs. These logs show who got arrested in the past day or week. They also show the charges and the booking time. The logs update each day. You can find them on the sheriff’s website or by calling the records division. Local newspapers also publish daily arrest reports.
Sex Offender Registry Search in Florida
Florida keeps a public sex offender registry. The FDLE runs the registry under Florida Statute 943.0435. Registered sex offenders must list their home address. The registry shows photos, current addresses, and the original offense.
FDLE Sex Offender Search
You can search the Florida sex offender registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. Search by name, address, or ZIP code. The search covers all 67 Florida counties. Results show the offender’s photo, current status, and registered address. The site also shows predators and absconders who failed to register.
St Lucie County Offender Maps
The FDLE registry includes a map view. You can search by ZIP code to see offenders in 34950, 34952, 34953, 34983, 34984, 34986, and 34987. The map shows home addresses within a set radius. Many cities also publish maps for parents and schools.
Court Records Search by Case Type
St Lucie County court records split into criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic cases. Each case type lives in its own section of the clerk’s database.
Criminal Case Records
Criminal cases include felonies, misdemeanors, and violations of county ordinances. You can search criminal cases through the clerk’s online portal by defendant name. Each case shows charges, court dates, plea, and sentence. Disposition records show the final outcome. Florida disposition records stay on file with FDLE after the court closes the case.
Civil Case Records
Civil cases cover disputes between people, businesses, or government agencies. They include small claims, contract disputes, and personal injury cases. Civil case records stay open to the public. You can search civil cases by plaintiff or defendant name. Most civil case files are open unless a court sealed them.
Traffic and Infraction Records
Traffic cases include speeding tickets, DUI charges, and moving violations. The clerk’s portal lets you search traffic cases by name or citation number. Traffic infractions under Florida Statute 318 often need a fine payment rather than a court appearance. Serious traffic crimes go to criminal court.
Family Court Records
Family court handles divorce, child custody, adoption, and paternity cases. Some family court records stay sealed to hide sensitive details about minors. Most divorce decrees stay open, but financial documents may be sealed. Adoption records stay sealed by law.
FCRA-Compliant Background Checks for Employment
Employers who run background checks must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FCRA sets rules for how background screening companies report criminal history to employers. Florida employers must also follow state laws under Florida Statute 435.
What Employers Must Disclose
FCRA-compliant background checks must give the applicant a copy of the report before the employer rejects them. The employer must give the candidate a pre-adverse action notice. After a set time, the employer must give an adverse action notice if they reject the applicant. The candidate has the right to dispute errors in the report.
Third-Party Background Check Companies
Many Florida employers use third-party background check services. These companies pull records from FDLE, court clerks, and other sources. Common providers include Sterling, HireRight, Checkr, and Accurate Background. Each provider follows FCRA rules. They also follow Florida’s Ban the Box law, which limits when employers can ask about criminal history.
Florida Ban the Box Rules
Florida’s Ban the Box law applies to public employers. State agencies and many county offices cannot ask about criminal history on the first job application. They can only ask after the first interview or when the applicant makes it to a final list. Private employers in Florida follow different rules.
Expungement and Sealed Records in Florida
Florida allows certain criminal records to be sealed or expunged. Sealed records hide the court file from the public but keep a copy with FDLE. Expunged records get destroyed by the court and removed from FDLE.
Eligibility for Expungement
You can apply to expunge a record if you were arrested but never charged, or if the case ended in a withhold of adjudication. You can also expunge certain misdemeanor charges after completing a diversion program. You cannot expunge serious felonies or sexual offenses. Florida allows one expungement in a lifetime.
How to File for Expungement
You file a petition for expungement with the clerk of court in the county where the arrest happened. For St Lucie County, you file at the Fort Pierce courthouse. You must get a certificate of eligibility from FDLE first. The petition goes to a judge who decides whether to grant the request. Most expungement petitions take 6 to 12 months to process.
Effect of Expungement on Background Checks
After expungement, the record should not show up on a standard background check. FDLE removes the record from the public database. Private background check companies that follow FCRA rules must remove the record. Some private databases may still have old data, but you can dispute errors through the FCRA process.
Self-Background Check in St Lucie County
You can run a background check on yourself. Many people check their own records before applying for jobs, housing, or professional licenses. A self-check helps you find errors before an employer sees them.
How to Request Your Own Criminal Record
FDLE offers a personal review program. You can request your own criminal history record at fdle.state.fl.us/criminal-history-records/personal-review. You submit fingerprints and pay a small fee. FDLE sends you a copy of your record. You can dispute errors through the agency’s review process.
Reviewing Your Court File
You can visit the St Lucie County Clerk’s office and ask to see your court file. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will pull the file for you. You can review the documents for free. If you find errors, you can file a motion with the court to correct the record. Many errors involve outdated dispositions or wrong personal details.
Florida Background Check Laws and Compliance
Florida has specific laws that control how background checks work. The main law is Florida Statute 435 for employee screening. Chapter 119 covers public access. Chapter 943 covers criminal history records.
Employee Screening Under Florida Statute 435
Florida Statute 435 sets screening standards for people who work with children, the elderly, and disabled people. These employees need a Level 2 fingerprint check. The screening looks at arrests, convictions, and pending charges. Certain felony convictions disqualify people from these positions.
Volunteer Screening and the VECHS Program
FDLE runs the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History Screening program, called VECHS. This program lets approved organizations run background checks on volunteers and employees. Schools, youth groups, and nonprofits can register for VECHS. The cost runs about $15 to $25 per search depending on the organization type.
Criminal Database Use and Privacy
Florida law limits who can access criminal database records. FCRA-compliant screening companies can pull records for employment. Landlords can run background checks on tenants. You cannot run a background check to stalk someone or harass them. Misuse of criminal records can lead to civil penalties.
Official Contacts for St Lucie County Background Check
Below are the main contact points for running background checks in St Lucie County, Florida. Each agency handles a different part of the records process.
Clerk of Court Contact Details
St Lucie County Clerk of Court, 201 South Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. Phone: (772) 462-6900. Website: stlucieclerk.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk handles court records, official records, certified copies, and public records requests for the county.
FDLE Contact Details
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Phone: (850) 410-7641. Website: fdle.state.fl.us. FDLE handles statewide criminal history checks, sex offender registry searches, and VECHS screenings. The CCHInet portal at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us accepts online name-based check requests 24 hours a day.
Sheriff’s Office Contact Details
St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, 4700 West Midway Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981. Phone: (772) 462-7300. Website: stluciesheriff.org. The sheriff handles arrest records, inmate searches, active warrants, and police reports for areas outside city limits. Fort Pierce Police Department and Port St Lucie Police Department handle their own city records.
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section covers the most common questions about St Lucie County Florida background check records. Each answer gives you clear facts about how the system works, what you can request, and what the law allows. Use these answers to plan your records search before you submit a request.
How Long Does a Florida Background Check Take?
A name-based Florida background check through FDLE takes about one business day after you submit your request online. Results come by email. Fingerprint-based Level 2 checks take 3 to 5 business days after the LiveScan site processes your prints. Local clerk searches through the online portal happen instantly when you type in a name. Mail requests to the clerk take 5 to 10 business days depending on the office workload.
Are Florida Arrest Records Public?
Yes, Florida arrest records stay public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can ask the sheriff or local police department for arrest records. You can also check recent arrest logs on the sheriff’s website. Some arrest records get sealed or expunged by court order. Juvenile arrests stay sealed in almost all cases. Expunged records disappear from the public database.
Can I Run a Background Check on Myself in Florida?
Yes, you can run a self-background check in Florida. FDLE offers a personal review program that lets you request your own criminal history. You submit fingerprints and pay a fee. FDLE mails you a copy of your record. You can also visit the St Lucie County Clerk’s office and ask to see your own court file. Self-checks help you find errors before employers see them.
What Is the Difference Between Level 1 and Level 2 Checks?
Level 1 background checks use a name search through FDLE only. They cover Florida criminal records. Level 2 checks use fingerprints and run through FDLE and the FBI. Level 2 checks cover national records and take longer. Florida law requires Level 2 checks for jobs in schools, daycares, nursing homes, and similar positions. Most other jobs only need Level 1 checks.
How Much Does a Background Check Cost in St Lucie County?
FDLE name-based checks cost $24 each. St Lucie County Clerk case searches cost nothing when done online. Printed copies from the clerk cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. LiveScan fingerprinting for Level 2 checks costs $40 to $60 per person. Third-party screening companies charge employers between $25 and $100 per check depending on the package.
Can Expunged Records Show Up on Background Checks?
Expunged records should not show up on FCRA-compliant background checks. The court destroys the file, and FDLE removes the record from the public database. Some private databases may still hold old data before the expungement. You can dispute errors through the FCRA process. Most screening companies update their files within 30 days of an expungement order.
Is a Florida Background Check Valid in Other States?
A Florida background check only covers Florida records. Most employers need a national check for jobs in other states. The FBI runs a national database through fingerprint-based checks. Some states have their own criminal history databases. For jobs in Florida, an FDLE check covers all Florida counties. For jobs in other states, employers often run an FBI check or check the other state’s database.