Taylor County Florida background check records come from two main places. The Clerk of Court in Perry keeps local court files.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, called FDLE, keeps statewide criminal history. Both sources work together to give a full picture of a person’s record in Taylor County and across Florida. Anyone can ask to see these records because Florida law makes them public.
How Taylor County Records Work
Taylor County sits on the Big Bend coast of Florida. About 22,000 people live there. The county seat is Perry. Records in Taylor County go through the local courthouse or through the state system in Tallahassee. Each system holds different types of files. Knowing which one to use saves time and money.
The Clerk of Court in Perry
The Taylor County Clerk of Court files every case that starts in the county. This includes criminal charges, civil lawsuits, traffic tickets, probate matters, and small claims. The clerk is Gary Knowles, Jr. His office sits at 108 N Jefferson St, Ste 102, in Perry. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Anyone can call the clerk at (850) 838-3506 to ask about a case before visiting in person.
Local cases only show up at the county level. If a person was charged in Taylor County, the case file stays at the Perry courthouse. Files include the arrest report, court minutes, plea deals, and final judgment. These files help employers, landlords, and private citizens check on people who live or work in the area.
FDLE Statewide Database
FDLE runs the Computerized Criminal History system, called CCH. This system stores arrest data, charges, and final outcomes for every county in Florida. FDLE uses this data to answer name-based background check requests through CCHInet. A search at the state level covers all 67 counties, so a Taylor County record will show up even if the person also has cases in other parts of Florida.
FDLE also runs the National Crime Information Center checks through the FBI for Level 2 fingerprint searches. These go deeper than name checks and pull federal data. Most employers who need a deeper review use both the state and federal systems.
Public Records Law in Florida
Florida Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see most government files. This law covers records held by the clerk, FDLE, sheriff, and other agencies. The clerk cannot ask why you want the records. They cannot charge extra fees beyond the copy rate. The law applies to everyone, not just Taylor County residents.
Some records stay closed. Sealed cases, expunged cases, and juvenile files are not open to the public. Police active investigation files may also stay closed. Outside of these limits, most criminal and civil records in Taylor County are open for public review.
Where to Get Records in Taylor County
People get Taylor County records in three ways. They can visit the clerk in person. They can mail a written request. Or they can search online through FDLE or the clerk’s website. Each method works for a different need.
Visiting the Clerk’s Office
Going to the clerk’s office is the most reliable way to get local records. The clerk’s staff can search by name, pull the case file, and print copies on the spot. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the staff the full name of the person and any other details you have, like a date of birth or case number.
The clerk’s address is 108 N Jefferson St, Ste 102, Perry, FL 32347. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. The clerk stamps and signs certified copies to prove they are real. Many employers and courts require certified copies for official use.
Mail and Phone Requests
You can also mail a request to the clerk. Write a letter that includes the full name of the person, the case number if known, and what records you want. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will pull the file and mail back the copies. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits because of postal time and clerk workload.
Phone calls work for simple questions. The clerk’s office number is (850) 838-3506. Staff can tell you if a case exists, the next court date, or the final outcome. They cannot give full copies over the phone. For full copies, you need to visit or mail a request.
Online Search Tools
The FDLE CCHInet portal lets anyone run a statewide name search at fdle.state.fl.us. The cost is $24 per search. Results arrive in about one business day. This tool covers all Florida counties, so it picks up Taylor County records along with anything else in the state.
The Taylor County Clerk website at taylorclerk.com lists basic services and contact details. Online case search tools for small counties can be limited. If the clerk’s site does not show what you need, call the office or visit in person. The MyFloridaCounty portal at myfloridacounty.com has recorded documents like liens, deeds, and judgments. These are not criminal files, but they help build a full record picture.
Types of Background Checks
Florida recognizes two main levels of background checks. Level 1 uses a person’s name. Level 2 uses fingerprints. The type you need depends on the job, the licensing board, or the reason for the check.
Level 1 Name-Based Check
A Level 1 check pulls data from the FDLE CCH database. The search uses a person’s name and date of birth. It returns arrests, charges, and final outcomes from every Florida county. Level 1 checks cost $24 through CCHInet. Results come back in about one business day. Most landlords, volunteer groups, and small businesses use Level 1 checks.
Name checks have limits. They can miss cases where the person used a different name or had a typo in their records. A fingerprint check solves this problem because fingerprints never change. For high-trust roles, a Level 1 check is just the start.
Level 2 Fingerprint Check
A Level 2 check uses fingerprints. The prints go to FDLE and the FBI. The FBI runs a national search. Florida Chapter 435 lists the jobs that require a Level 2 check. These include teachers, child care workers, health care workers, law enforcement officers, and people who work with elderly or disabled adults.
Level 2 checks cost more than Level 1 checks. The price depends on who collects the fingerprints. LiveScan providers charge a fee for the scan. FDLE and the FBI each charge a processing fee. The total price is often between $40 and $100. The nearest LiveScan site to Taylor County may be in a neighboring county because the county is small. FDLE posts a list of LiveScan providers at flhealthsource.gov.
FCRA Compliant Checks for Jobs and Housing
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, called FCRA, sets rules for background checks used by employers and landlords. A regular CCHInet search does not meet FCRA rules. Employers must use a third-party screening company that follows FCRA steps. These steps include getting written consent from the person, giving them a copy of the report, and waiting a set time before acting on the results.
FCRA-compliant companies also pull credit history, driving records, and past addresses. They follow strict rules about how to report old records. Crimes older than seven years usually cannot show up in an FCRA report. This rule protects people with old, minor records from being blocked from jobs or housing.
Cost and Turnaround Time
Background check costs in Taylor County depend on the search type. State checks have flat fees. Local checks charge per page. The time it takes to get results depends on how you submit the request.
Fees for Statewide Checks
The FDLE Level 1 check costs $24. You pay online with a credit card through CCHInet. There is no refund if the search finds nothing. The fee covers the cost of running the name through the state database and printing the results. FDLE sets this fee across the state, so the price is the same in Perry as it is in Miami.
Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more. The LiveScan fee varies by provider. FDLE charges a processing fee. The FBI charges another processing fee for the federal search. Total cost is usually between $40 and $100. Some employers pay this fee for their workers. Others require the worker to pay.
Copy Fees at the Clerk’s Office
The Taylor County Clerk charges for paper copies. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. The clerk can also certify a single document for $1.00, even if the file has many pages. Bring cash or a check because small county offices may not take credit cards.
Calling the clerk before visiting saves time. Staff can tell you what they have on file and how much the copies will cost. They can also tell you the accepted payment methods. This step avoids wasted trips to the Perry courthouse.
How Long Results Take
FDLE name-based checks take about one business day. You submit the request online and get results by email. CCHInet shows the status of your request. If there is a delay, FDLE staff can answer questions by phone.
Fingerprint checks take longer. LiveScan prints go to FDLE first, then to the FBI. FDLE results come back in about three to five business days. FBI results add another three to five business days. Total time for a full Level 2 check is often one to two weeks. Some LiveScan providers offer rush service for an extra fee.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Florida lets people seal or expunge certain criminal records. Once a court seals a record, the file is hidden from public search. Expungement goes further and allows the person to say they were never charged. These rules help people with old, minor cases move on with their lives.
What Gets Sealed in Florida
A court can seal a record after a case ends. The judge looks at the type of charge, the outcome, and the person’s record. Most people who complete a diversion program or have charges dropped can ask for sealing. Once sealed, the clerk removes the file from public search. The file still exists but only certain agencies can see it.
Sealed records do not show up in a CCHInet name search. They do not show up in a clerk’s office public search. Only law enforcement, the courts, and certain licensing boards can see them. If you run a background check and the results say nothing exists, the person may have a sealed file.
How Expungement Works
Expungement is a step past sealing. A person who gets an expungement can legally say the arrest never happened. Florida law limits who can get an expungement. People with serious charges, like sexual offenses or violent felonies, cannot get their records expunged. Each person can usually only get one expungement in a lifetime.
The process starts with a petition to the court. The Taylor County Clerk can help with the right forms. FDLE also has forms and instructions. Once the court grants the petition, FDLE updates the CCH database. The clerk updates the local file. After that, public searches will not show the record.
Special Searches in Taylor County
Some background checks focus on specific record types. Arrest records show what police did. Conviction records show what the court decided. Warrant searches show if a person has open arrest orders. Sex offender searches show people on a public registry. Each search answers a different question.
Arrest and Conviction Records
Arrest records come from the sheriff or local police. In Taylor County, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office handles arrests. The clerk’s office gets the case file after the arrest goes to court. Arrest records show the date, the charge, and the arresting officer. These records stay at the local level unless the case goes to a state agency.
Conviction records come from the court. A conviction means the person pleaded guilty or no contest, or the court found them guilty after a trial. The clerk files the conviction in the court record. FDLE adds the conviction to the state CCH database. A conviction record shows up in both local and statewide searches.
Warrants and Active Cases
The clerk’s office can search for active warrants in Taylor County. A warrant is a court order for arrest. The clerk’s computer system links to the sheriff’s records. Anyone can ask if a person has an open warrant in the county. The clerk can also pull the case file to see the charges.
Active cases show up in the clerk’s docket. The docket lists every case that has not yet had a final judgment. A search by name shows pending charges, court dates, and the judge assigned. Employers and landlords often check for active cases before making a final decision.
Sex Offender Registry
Florida runs a public sex offender registry. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement manages the list. The registry shows people who were convicted of qualifying sex offenses. Each entry includes the person’s photo, address, and the offense. The list is searchable at offender.fdle.state.fl.us.
Taylor County residents on the registry show up in this search. The list updates as people move or finish their sentence. Landlords, employers, and parents check the list to screen tenants, workers, and neighbors. Anyone can search the registry for free.
Contact Details for Taylor County
People who need Taylor County records can reach the clerk’s office by phone, mail, or in person. The office sits at 108 N Jefferson St, Ste 102, Perry, FL 32347. Phone: (850) 838-3506. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk’s website is taylorclerk.com.
For statewide checks, the FDLE criminal history office sits in Tallahassee. Phone: (850) 410-7000. The FDLE CCHInet portal is online at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. The FDLE criminal history records page is at fdle.state.fl.us/criminal-history-records. Florida public records law, Chapter 119, is on the Florida Legislature site at leg.state.fl.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have questions about how background checks work in Taylor County. The questions below cover the most common topics. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and current FDLE rules.
How do I run a free background check in Taylor County?
You can search some Taylor County records for free at the courthouse. The clerk’s public terminals let you search by name. You can see case numbers, charges, and court dates. Copies cost money. For statewide data, FDLE charges $24 for a name search through CCHInet. There is no way to get a full state and federal check for free.
How long does a Taylor County background check take?
A name-based check through FDLE takes about one business day. A fingerprint check through FDLE takes three to five business days. An FBI check adds another three to five business days. Local clerk searches happen right away if you visit in person. Mail requests depend on postal time.
Can I get a Taylor County record sealed or expunged?
Florida law lets some people seal or expunge records. The court decides based on the charge and the outcome. Most people who complete diversion or have charges dropped can apply. Serious crimes, like sexual offenses, cannot be expunged. Each person can only get one expungement in their lifetime. The clerk’s office has the forms to start the process.
Does a Taylor County background check show records from other states?
No. FDLE only covers Florida. To check other states, you need to contact each state’s records office or use an FCRA-compliant screening company. A Level 2 fingerprint check goes to the FBI, which covers federal cases and some interstate data. For most jobs, employers order a multi-state check through a screening vendor.
What shows up on a Florida gun background check?
Gun sales in Florida go through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, called NICS. The FBI runs NICS. The system checks for felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions, active warrants, and involuntary commitments. A Florida gun check does not pull local court files. It pulls from state and federal databases.
Can employers in Taylor County run background checks on job applicants?
Yes. Florida employers can run background checks if they follow FCRA rules. They must get written consent from the applicant. They must give the applicant a copy of the report. They must wait a set time before taking action. Some jobs, like those listed in Chapter 435, also require a Level 2 fingerprint check.
Are juvenile records in Taylor County public?
No. Florida law keeps most juvenile records private. The clerk cannot show juvenile files to the public. Only the courts, law enforcement, and certain agencies can see them. If a juvenile case was sealed or expunged, even fewer people can see the file. Juvenile records stay sealed in most cases.