Orange County court records are the official case files kept by the Orange County Clerk of Courts in Orlando, Florida. The clerk’s office runs the 9th Judicial Circuit and stores records for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases.
Anyone can search Orange County court records from home using the free My E Clerk tool at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. The search shows case numbers, party names, hearing dates, charges, and the final outcome of each case.
This page shows you how to search Orange County court records, what each case type contains, and the rules for sealed or restricted files. You will learn how the public records law works in Florida, what the clerk redacts, and how to get a certified copy. You will also see the courthouse address, phone number, and hours before the FAQ section at the bottom.
What Are Orange County Court Records
Orange County court records are the written account of every legal case filed inside the county. Each record shows the case number, the people or businesses involved, the type of case, the court division, the hearings, the motions, the judgments, and the final outcome. The clerk of court stores these files in a public system.
Most court records in Orange County are open to the public. Florida law says anyone has the right to see and copy them. The clerk’s office must let you look at the records and make copies. Some records are sealed by a judge or kept private by state law. Those files do not show up in a normal search.
Court records are not the same as police reports. Police reports are made by law enforcement before a charge is filed. Court records start when someone files a case in court. Police reports come from the police department, not the clerk’s office.
Who Keeps Orange County Court Records
The Orange County Clerk of Courts keeps every court record for the 9th Judicial Circuit. The office sits in downtown Orlando at 425 North Orange Avenue. The clerk also keeps official records like deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. The main website is myorangeclerk.com.
The 9th Judicial Circuit covers Orange and Osceola counties. The circuit court hears major civil cases, felonies, family cases, probate matters, and appeals from county court. The county court hears misdemeanors, small claims, traffic cases, and civil cases under $30,000.
How Florida Public Records Law Works
Florida Statute Chapter 119 says most government records are public. The Orange County Clerk must let anyone inspect and copy court records. The clerk cannot charge more than the cost of the copy. The clerk must respond to a public records request in a reasonable time.
Florida Statute 119.0714 tells the clerk to remove sensitive personal data before showing the record to the public. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the personal data of crime victims. The clerk does this on their own for every record. You do not need to ask.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 also controls access to court records. The rule lists which records are open, which records are sealed, and which records are confidential. The clerk follows this rule for every Orange County court record.
How to Search Orange County Court Records Online
The fastest way to search Orange County court records is the My E Clerk portal at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. The tool is free for basic searches. You do not need to register. Type in a name, a case number, or a date range. The system shows matching cases with the basic facts.
Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 lets the Orange County Clerk offer electronic access to court records. The clerk follows the Florida Supreme Court Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records and the Access Security Matrix. These rules decide who can see what kind of record.
My E Clerk gives you three main search options. You can search by name, by case number, or by citation number. The name search works best when you know the full legal name of a party. The case number search works best when you already have the case number from another source. The citation search works for traffic tickets and code violations.
Guest users can see the case number, party names, filing date, case type, and case status. Guest users cannot see sealed documents, full case images, or confidential party data. Guest users can run as many searches as they want at no cost.
My E Clerk Account Levels
Registered users get more access to Orange County court records. You can sign up at the My E Clerk portal. The clerk checks your identity before opening the account. Once you log in, you can see case images, full docket entries, and confidential data you cannot see as a guest.
Lawyers, law enforcement officers, the State Attorney, and government agencies must register. They get the highest level of access under the Access Security Matrix. Self-represented parties can also register. Their access level is higher than a guest but lower than a lawyer of record.
The My Cases feature lets lawyers track every active case in one place. You can set alerts, pull up documents, and check the next hearing date. You can also print case data for a client file. This saves time for law firms that handle many cases in Orange County.
Anonymous searches show the same data guests can see. Logging in as a registered user does not change the public status of a sealed record. A sealed record stays sealed no matter who logs in. Only a court order can unseal a file.
Orange County Civil Case Records
Orange County civil case records cover disputes between people or businesses. The 9th Judicial Circuit splits civil cases into two levels. Circuit civil handles disputes over $30,000, mortgage foreclosures, and injunctions. County civil handles disputes up to $30,000, small claims, and landlord-tenant cases.
A civil case record shows the plaintiff’s name, the defendant’s name, the amount in dispute, the cause of action, the motions filed, the hearing dates, and the final judgment. The record also shows the lawyer for each side. You can see if the case ended in a settlement, a judgment, or a dismissal.
You can search civil records the same way you search any other case in My E Clerk. Type in a name or case number. The system shows the case type, the division, the judge assigned, and the next event. You can also look up older closed cases to see the final outcome.
Some civil records are sealed. Divorce records with minor children may have parts sealed to protect the kids. Trade secret cases are sealed to protect the business. Personal injury cases are usually public, but medical records inside the file may be redacted.
Orange County Criminal Court Records
Orange County criminal court records cover felony and misdemeanor cases. Circuit criminal handles felonies. County criminal handles misdemeanors. Each case gets a separate case number and goes to a separate division.
A criminal case record shows the defendant’s name, the charges, the arresting agency, the booking date, the arraignment date, the plea, the trial date, and the sentence. The record also shows the State Attorney who handled the case and the defense lawyer or public defender.
You can search criminal records in My E Clerk by name or case number. The system shows the charge level, the statute violated, and the case status. The status tells you if the case is open, closed, on appeal, or post-conviction.
Some criminal records are sealed or expunged. Florida law lets certain people ask a judge to seal a criminal record. The clerk removes the record from public view once the judge signs the order. Expunged records are destroyed or sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Orange County Family Court Records
Orange County family court records cover divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and name changes. The family division sits inside the 9th Judicial Circuit. The clerk keeps the records the same way it keeps other case files.
A family case record shows the parties’ names, the marriage date (for divorce), the children involved, the custody arrangement, the support amount, and the final order. The record also shows the mediator, the guardian ad litem, and any social workers assigned to the case.
Adoption records are sealed by Florida law. The clerk will not show adoption files in a public search. You need a court order to see an adoption file. Name change records for adults are public. Name change records for minors may be sealed to protect the child.
You can search family records in My E Clerk. Type in a name or case number. The system shows the case type, the division, the judge, and the next hearing. The clerk also keeps a separate docket for family cases that need a quick look.
Orange County Probate Court Records
Orange County probate court records cover wills, estates, guardianship, and trusts. The probate division sits inside the 9th Judicial Circuit. The clerk keeps the records for the life of the estate and for ten years after it closes.
A probate case record shows the decedent’s name, the personal representative, the heirs, the will or trust, the asset list, the debts, and the final distribution. The record also shows the lawyer handling the estate and the judge who oversaw the case.
You can search probate records in My E Clerk. Type in a name or case number. The system shows the case type, the filing date, the personal representative, and the case status. Mental health records inside probate files are sealed to protect the patient.
Guardianship records show the ward’s name, the guardian’s name, the assets, the care plan, and the annual reports. Some guardianship files are public. Others are sealed if the ward is a minor or if the court orders it for safety reasons.
Orange County Traffic Court Records
Orange County traffic court records cover traffic citations, code violations, and criminal traffic offenses. The traffic division sits inside the county court. The clerk keeps the records the same way it keeps other county-level cases.
A traffic case record shows the citation number, the driver’s name, the violation, the fine amount, the court date, and the final outcome. The record also shows the officer who issued the citation and the plea entered by the driver.
You can pay a traffic ticket online through the myorangeclerk.com online services page. Type in your citation number. The system shows the fine amount and the deadline. You can pay with a credit card, a debit card, or an electronic check.
You can also search traffic records in My E Clerk. Type in a name or citation number. The system shows the case type, the violation date, the plea, and the outcome. Traffic school completions show up in the record after you finish the course.
Orange County Small Claims Court Records
Orange County small claims court records cover civil disputes up to $8,000. The small claims division sits inside the county court. The clerk keeps the records the same way it keeps other county-level civil cases.
A small claims case record shows the plaintiff’s name, the defendant’s name, the amount in dispute, the cause of action, the hearing date, and the judgment. The record also shows if the case was decided by a judge or settled out of court.
You can search small claims records in My E Clerk. Type in a name or case number. The system shows the case type, the division, the judge, and the case status. Small claims cases move faster than regular civil cases. The trial usually happens within 60 to 90 days.
Eviction records show up in small claims under the landlord-tenant division. The record shows the landlord, the tenant, the property address, the rent owed, and the eviction order. Some eviction files are sealed if the court orders it.
Orange County Appellate Court Records
Orange County appellate court records cover cases appealed from the circuit and county courts. Appeals from the 9th Judicial Circuit go to Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach. The Orange County Clerk prepares the record on appeal and sends it to the appellate court.
An appellate record shows the lower court case number, the notice of appeal, the briefs filed by each side, the oral argument transcript, and the appellate court’s written opinion. The record also shows if the appellate court affirmed, reversed, or remanded the case back to the lower court.
You can search the original circuit court case in My E Clerk to see if an appeal was filed. The case status will show “On Appeal.” The appellate court’s opinion is available on the Fifth District Court of Appeal website. The Orange County Clerk can also give you a copy of the record on appeal for a fee.
Sealed and Confidential Records in Orange County
Some Orange County court records are not open to the public. Florida law protects certain types of cases and certain types of information. The clerk follows state law and court rules to decide what stays open and what gets restricted.
Juvenile records are almost always confidential. Mental health proceedings have tight access rules. Domestic violence injunctions may have parts sealed to protect the people named in the order. The clerk removes Social Security numbers, bank account data, and certain personal data from every public record.
To seal a criminal record in Orange County, you start with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. You apply for a certificate of eligibility. Then you file a petition with the court. The clerk processes the petition. If the judge grants it, the record comes out of public view. Sealed records can still be seen by certain agencies. Expunged records are destroyed or sent to FDLE.
Florida Statute 119.0714 lists the personal data the clerk must remove. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the personal data of crime victims. The clerk does this for every public record. You do not have to ask for it.
Fees and Certified Copies of Orange County Court Records
Basic searches of Orange County court records through My E Clerk are free. You can see case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status without paying anything. You can run as many searches as you want at no cost.
Certified copies cost money. A certified copy has the clerk’s seal. You can use it in another court or government agency. The fee for a certified copy is set by Florida law. Plain copies cost less but do not carry official weight.
You can order copies online through the myorangeclerk.com online services page. You can also order by mail. Send a written request with the case number, your name, your address, and a check or money order for the fee. The clerk mails the copies to you.
You can also get copies in person at the Orange County Courthouse. Go to the clerk’s office on the first floor. Tell the clerk the case number. Pay the fee. The clerk prints the copies right there. You can ask for a certified copy in person.
E-Filing in Orange County
Lawyers must e-file every new case and every new document in Orange County. Self-represented parties can e-file or file on paper. The e-filing portal is the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal works for every Florida county.
Filing fees depend on the case type. Civil cases have a filing fee set by Florida law. Family cases have their own fee schedule. Criminal cases do not have a filing fee for the defendant. Probate cases have a fee based on the size of the estate.
You can pay filing fees online through the MyFloridaCounty.com portal. The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. You can also pay in person at the clerk’s office with cash, check, or money order.
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site at flclerks.com links every county clerk in the state. You can pay fines, check jury duty, and search records across Florida from one place. The site also has forms, legal resources, and a list of all 67 clerks.
Free Legal Forms and Self-Help Resources
The Florida Courts Help center at help.flcourts.gov has free court forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court. The forms work in Orange County and every other county in the state. Self-help guides walk you through common case types step by step.
You can download family law forms, small claims forms, civil forms, and probate forms. The forms are in PDF format. You can fill them out on your computer or print them and fill them out by hand. The clerk’s office will not help you fill out the forms.
The clerk’s office has a self-help center in the courthouse. You can ask staff general questions about the process. The staff cannot give legal advice. They cannot help you fill out forms. They can tell you which form to use and where to file it.
Orange County Courthouse Location and Contact
The Orange County Courthouse sits at 425 North Orange Avenue in Orlando, Florida 32801. The building is in downtown Orlando near the Orange County Government Center. The clerk’s office is on the first floor. Public parking is available in the courthouse garage across the street.
You can reach the clerk by phone at 407-836-2000. The main line is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes on weekends and on federal holidays. You can also reach the clerk by mail at 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801.
Official website: myorangeclerk.com
Search portal: myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com
E-Filing portal: myflcourtaccess.com
Phone: 407-836-2000
Address: 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
For a traffic ticket or fine, use the online services page at myorangeclerk.com/online-services. For a jury duty question, use the jury portal on the same site. For a public records request that is not a court case, contact the Orange County Public Records office at a separate number.
Cities in Orange County
All cities in Orange County file cases at the county clerk’s office in Orlando. The clerk handles cases for every city and unincorporated area in the county. Smaller cities like Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, and Maitland all go through the same clerk.
You can search court records for any city the same way. Type in a name or case number in My E Clerk. The system shows the city of residence for each party. The case is filed in Orange County no matter which city the party lives in.
- Orlando
- Winter Park
- Apopka
- Ocoee
- Maitland
- Winter Garden
- Alafaya
- Pine Hills
- Doctor Phillips
- Lake Buena Vista
Nearby Counties and Circuit Boundaries
Orange County shares a border with five other Florida counties. Make sure you file your case in the right county. Filing in the wrong county can delay your case or get it dismissed. The clerk’s office cannot transfer a case to another county for you.
| County | County Seat | Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Seminole County | Sanford | 18th Judicial Circuit |
| Osceola County | Kissimmee | 9th Judicial Circuit |
| Lake County | Tavares | 5th Judicial Circuit |
| Volusia County | DeLand | 7th Judicial Circuit |
| Brevard County | Titusville | 18th Judicial Circuit |
Osceola County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. Osceola court records use the same rules and the same search system. You can search Osceola records through the Osceola Clerk of Courts website. The other nearby counties use different circuits and different search systems.
Common Search Tips for Orange County Court Records
Use the full legal name of the person or business. Nicknames and initials do not always work. Florida court records use the legal name on the case filing. If you do not know the full name, try variations. You can also search by the case number if you have it.
Use the date range filter. The My E Clerk search has a date range box. Set the start date and end date to narrow the search. This helps you find the right case when the person has a common name. The clerk keeps records going back to the 1970s in the digital system. Older paper records sit in the courthouse archive.
Check the case status. The status tells you if the case is open, closed, on appeal, or post-conviction. An open case has a future hearing date. A closed case has a final judgment. The status updates automatically every night.
Look for related cases. The same person may have cases in civil, criminal, family, and traffic court. Search the same name in each case type. The clerk keeps separate records for each division. You may need to run four searches to see every case for one person.
How Long Does the Clerk Keep Court Records
The clerk keeps digital court records forever. The 9th Judicial Circuit moved to a digital system in the early 2000s. Cases filed after the move are in the digital system. Cases filed before the move were scanned into the system. Paper records from before the scan sit in the courthouse archive.
You can ask the clerk to pull a paper record from the archive. The clerk charges a fee for archive pulls. The fee covers the staff time and the copying cost. You can also hire a record retrieval service to pull the file for you.
Criminal records that are sealed or expunged are removed from the public system. The clerk keeps a private record of the sealing order. Only a court order can unseal the file. The private record shows the case number and the date of the order. It does not show the case data.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange County Court Records
These are the most common questions people ask about Orange County court records. The answers come from Florida law, the Orange County Clerk’s published policies, and the 9th Judicial Circuit’s local rules. Check the official websites for the latest updates.
How do I find out if someone has a case in Orange County?
Go to the My E Clerk portal at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. Type in the person’s full legal name. Set the date range to cover the years you want to check. The system shows every case with that name. The result includes the case number, the case type, the filing date, and the current status. You do not need to register or pay to run the search. Guest users can see all matching cases in the public index. If the case is sealed, it will not show up in the search. You will need a court order or a letter from the clerk to confirm a sealed case exists. The clerk’s office can verify the existence of a sealed case for a fee, but cannot share the case details without a court order.
Are Orange County court records free to search?
Yes. Basic searches in My E Clerk are free for every user. You can see case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status without paying anything. You can run as many searches as you want at no cost. Registered users pay a small fee to see full case images and confidential data. The fee covers the cost of the secure system. Certified copies of court records cost money under Florida law. The clerk sets the fee based on the type of record and the number of pages. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. The fee for a plain copy is lower than a certified copy.
Can I see sealed records in Orange County?
No. Sealed records are not open to the public. The clerk removes them from the My E Clerk search results. Only the people named in the case, their lawyers, and certain government agencies can see a sealed record. You need a court order to unseal a file. The judge decides who can see the record and what they can copy. Some sealed records are open to law enforcement, the State Attorney, the public defender, and the Department of Corrections. Adopted children can request their own birth records through the court when they turn 18. The clerk can confirm a sealed case exists for a fee but cannot share the case details.
How do I get a certified copy of an Orange County court record?
You can order a certified copy online at myorangeclerk.com, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. For online orders, you need the case number and a credit card. For mail orders, send a written request with the case number, your name, your address, and a check or money order. For in-person orders, go to the clerk’s office on the first floor of the courthouse. The fee for a certified copy is set by Florida law. The clerk prints the copy with the official seal. The seal proves the copy is real. You can use a certified copy in another court or government agency. The clerk also offers an expedited service for faster processing.
Can I remove my criminal record from public view in Orange County?
Yes, under Florida law. You start by applying to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a certificate of eligibility. FDLE checks your record and decides if you qualify. If you qualify, FDLE sends you the certificate. You then file a petition with the Orange County Clerk. The clerk sends the petition to a judge. The judge reviews the petition and the certificate. If the judge grants the petition, the clerk seals or expunges the record. Sealed records come out of public view. Expunged records are destroyed or sent to FDLE. The whole process takes about 6 to 12 months. Not every criminal record qualifies for sealing or expungement.
What is the difference between the 9th Judicial Circuit and Orange County court?
The 9th Judicial Circuit is the court system for Orange and Osceola counties. The circuit handles major civil cases, felonies, family cases, probate matters, and appeals from county court. The Orange County court is the county-level court for Orange County only. It handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic cases, and civil cases under $30,000. The Orange County Clerk of Courts keeps the records for both levels. The clerk’s office sits in Orlando. The 9th Judicial Circuit covers two counties, but Orange County is the larger of the two by population. The Osceola Clerk keeps records for cases filed in Osceola County.
Can I attend a hearing in Orange County court?
Yes. Most court hearings in Orange County are open to the public. You can sit in the gallery and watch the case. Some hearings are closed to the public. Juvenile hearings, mental health hearings, and some family hearings are closed by law. The judge can also close a hearing for safety or privacy reasons. The courthouse is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You need to go through a metal detector at the entrance. You cannot bring weapons, food, drinks, or recording devices into the courtroom. Phones must be turned off. The My E Clerk portal updates every night with the next hearing date and courtroom number.