An Orange County criminal history shows arrest records, court cases, and final outcomes for people in Orlando and across Central Florida. The Orange County Clerk of Court keeps these files as part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Statewide records sit with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This page covers every way to search, request, certify, seal, or expunge a Florida criminal record using the right official source in 2026.
What Orange County Criminal History Records Include
A criminal history record is a written history of contact with law enforcement. Orange County files cover felony cases, misdemeanor cases, arrests, and court outcomes. Each entry lists the charge, the court that handled the case, the plea, and the final judgment.
Core Data Fields Found in Each Record
Every entry in a Florida criminal history contains the same core fields. These fields let employers, landlords, and licensing boards verify the facts. The fields are set by Florida law and do not change between counties.
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and race
- Social Security number (when collected by the booking agency)
- Fingerprint classification number from the original arrest
- Arresting agency and case number
- Charge description and Florida Statute number
- Court of record, plea entered, and final disposition
- Sentence, probation terms, and release date
Source Agencies Feeding Records Into the System
Records get created at three points. Local police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office create the arrest report. The State Attorney’s Office files the charges. The Clerk of Court stores the final court paperwork. FDLE then collects the final outcome into the state database for statewide search.
What Stays Public and What Gets Sealed
Most adult criminal records stay public under Florida law. Juvenile records, sealed records, and expunged records do not show up in any search. Records tied to a mistake by the booking agency also get flagged. Sealed records still exist in the system but cannot be released without a court order.
The Orange County Clerk of Court Records System
The Orange County Clerk of Court runs the official court file system for Orange and Osceola counties. This office is the legal record keeper for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Anyone can request records from this office as long as the record is not sealed or expunged.
Role of the Clerk Under Florida Statute 943.053
Florida Statute 943.053 controls how criminal history information gets shared. The Clerk follows this law for every release. The statute says the Clerk can give records to the public, to employers, and to government agencies. It also lists exactly what facts can be released and what facts must stay hidden.
Coverage of the Ninth Judicial Circuit
The Ninth Judicial Circuit includes Orange and Osceola counties. Orange County covers Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, and Maitland. Osceola covers Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and surrounding areas. A search through the Orange County Clerk can pull case files from either county since both use the same online system.
Length of Time Records Stay on File
Court records stay in the Clerk’s system forever. They do not get deleted after a set number of years. Older paper files from before 1990 sit in physical storage. Records from 1990 forward sit in the digital court system and can be pulled by name or case number within seconds.
How to Search Orange County Criminal History Online
The fastest way to look up a record is the Orange County Clerk website. The site runs 24 hours a day. Anyone with a name and date of birth can start a search. The system shows case numbers, hearing dates, and final judgments.
Step-by-Step Search on the Clerk Website
Open the Clerk’s public records page and pick the right search type. Case number searches give the cleanest results. Name searches work well when the spelling is exact. Date of birth filters help when two people share the same name. Results show the case number, the charge, and the current status.
- Go to myorangeclerk.com and click Public Records.
- Pick Criminal Case Search from the menu.
- Enter the full name, date of birth, or case number.
- Select the date range to narrow the results.
- Open the case file to view charges and dispositions.
- Print or save the page as a basic record copy.
What a Name Search Will and Will Not Show
A name search only pulls Orange County and Osceola County cases. It does not pull cases from Miami, Tampa, or any other Florida county. It also does not show sealed cases, expunged cases, or federal charges. For full statewide coverage, the FDLE search is the correct tool.
Limits of the Public Search Tool
The public site shows the case header and the docket. It does not show full arrest affidavits, full sentencing documents, or sealed juvenile files. For those records, you need to visit the Clerk in person or submit a written request by mail with the proper fee.
FDLE Statewide Criminal History Searches
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state criminal history database. This database covers all 67 Florida counties. It is the only system that gives a full statewide report for a Florida resident.
What FDLE Covers Across All 67 Counties
FDLE collects final dispositions from every Clerk of Court in Florida. The database goes back to the 1970s for most people. A Florida-only search will show felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, and any pending charges where the court has filed paperwork. It will not show arrests that never led to charges.
Using the CCHInet Portal for Certified Results
CCHInet is FDLE’s Computerized Criminal History online network. Log into the portal, enter the subject’s full name, date of birth, and race, then pay the fee. The portal runs a search and produces a PDF report. The report can be ordered as a certified or non-certified copy.
FDLE Fees, Processing Times, and Report Types
FDLE offers three report options. Each option has a different fee and a different processing window. The table below shows current 2026 pricing from the FDLE public fee schedule.
| Report Type | Fee | Processing Time | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Florida Check (non-certified) | $24 plus vendor fee | Same day | Personal review or tenant screening |
| Certified Florida Criminal History | $24 | 5 to 7 business days | Court use, immigration, name change |
| Non-Certified Florida Criminal History | $24 | 5 to 7 business days | Personal record review |
LiveScan Fingerprint Background Checks in Orange County
LiveScan is the digital fingerprint system used across Florida. It sends prints to FDLE and the FBI in minutes. Many employers and licensing boards now require a LiveScan check instead of a name-based search.
How LiveScan Works
A trained technician rolls the applicant’s fingers across a glass plate. The scanner reads the prints and sends them through a secure line to FDLE. FDLE checks the prints against the state database and forwards them to the FBI. The final report returns by email or mail within 24 to 72 hours.
Approved LiveScan Vendors in the Orlando Area
Orange County has many FDLE-approved LiveScan vendors. Most operate by appointment. Common vendors include UPS Stores, private fingerprinting companies, and sheriff’s office locations. Each vendor sets its own service fee on top of the FDLE processing fee.
When Fingerprinting Is Required
Florida law requires a LiveScan check for teachers, healthcare workers, childcare workers, security guards, and many licensed professionals. Some volunteer positions also need a volunteer criminal history check. Private employers can require LiveScan for any position at their own cost.
Certified vs Non-Certified Criminal History Copies
The words certified and non-certified carry legal weight. A certified copy has a raised seal or a digital stamp and can be used in court. A non-certified copy is for personal review only and cannot be filed as legal proof.
What Makes a Copy Certified
A certified copy bears the official seal of the issuing agency and a signature from a records officer. FDLE uses a digital certification block. The Clerk of Court uses a raised or stamped seal. The certification proves the copy is a true copy of the original record on file.
Situations That Require a Certified Copy
Court filings, immigration petitions, professional license applications, and name change petitions all require a certified copy. Landlords and most employers only need a non-certified copy. Background check companies working for regulated industries often need the certified version.
How to Request a Certified Copy by Mail
Mail a written request to FDLE or to the Orange County Clerk. Include the subject’s full name, date of birth, race, and sex. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the fee. Mail-in certified requests take 5 to 10 business days to process.
Florida Criminal Record Fees and Payment Methods
Every record request has a fee. Fee amounts differ by record type. The table below lists current 2026 fee data for the most common Florida criminal record requests.
Fee Schedule for Common Requests
The fees below come directly from FDLE and the Orange County Clerk fee schedule. They apply to all Florida residents and requesters. The fees can change each year on July 1 with the start of the state fiscal year.
| Service | Fee | Where to Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk online case search | Free for case headers | Online portal |
| Clerk certified copy (per page) | $1 per page, $2 minimum | Cashier window or mail |
| FDLE instant check | $24 plus vendor fee | Vendor website |
| FDLE certified state record | $24 | Mail check to FDLE |
| FDLE FBI LiveScan | $42.50 state, $14.75 FBI | Vendor at appointment |
Accepted Payment Methods
Online requests through FDLE and the Clerk accept credit and debit cards. Mail-in requests require a check, money order, or cashier’s check. In-person requests at the Clerk’s office accept cash, card, check, and money order. Cash is only accepted at the cashier window during business hours.
Fee Waivers for Eligible Requesters
Florida law allows fee waivers for sealed record expungement petitions and for indigent requesters. A court order must be attached to the waiver request. Homeless veterans, victims of identity theft, and certain government agencies also qualify for partial or full waivers.
Sealing and Expunging Orange County Criminal Records
Sealing a record hides it from public view. Expungement physically destroys the public record. Both processes require a Florida Certificate of Eligibility before a court can act.
Florida Eligibility Requirements
You qualify for a seal or expungement if your case was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you completed a diversion program. You also qualify if your case was a first-time misdemeanor and you have no other convictions. You cannot seal a record if you were convicted of certain serious crimes listed in Florida Statute 943.04.
How to Get a Certificate of Eligibility
Apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. Submit fingerprints, a full application, and the application fee. FDLE checks the state database and issues a certificate if you meet the legal standards. The certificate is good for one year from the date of issue.
Filing the Petition in Orange County Court
Take the Certificate of Eligibility to the Orange County Clerk of Court. File a Petition to Seal or Expunge along with the proposed court order. A judge reviews the petition and signs the order. The Clerk then sends the order to FDLE, which updates the state database.
Florida Public Records Law and Privacy Rules
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes says most government records, including criminal history, are open to the public. The law also lists specific exceptions for personal data and sealed records.
What Florida Law Makes Public
Adult arrest records, adult convictions, court docket entries, sentencing orders, and probation status reports are public. Booking photos taken at the time of arrest are also public. Public records requests do not need a reason and cannot be denied based on who is asking.
What Information Gets Redacted
Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and medical records get redacted from public files. The Clerk redacts this data before release. Personal phone numbers and home addresses of victims, witnesses, and minors are also redacted under Florida law.
Federal Restrictions and FCRA Compliance
The Fair Credit Reporting Act controls how background check companies use Florida criminal records. A report older than seven years cannot be used for most employment decisions under the FCRA. Some states have different cutoff rules. The federal rule applies to most employers nationwide.
Orange County Clerk of Court Contact Details
Use the contact details below to reach the Orange County Clerk of Court. The main courthouse sits in downtown Orlando. Walk-in service is available during normal business hours. Mail-in requests are accepted at the same address.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Orange County Clerk of Court (Ninth Judicial Circuit) |
| Address | 425 N Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Phone | (407) 836-2000 |
| Website | myorangeclerk.com |
| FDLE Criminal History Office | fdle.state.fl.us/criminal-history-records |
| FDLE Mailing Address | PO Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302 |
| Business Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| CCHInet Portal | cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us |
Common Questions About Orange County Criminal History
Below are answers to the most common questions about Orange County criminal history records, the FDLE search process, and the sealing or expungement process. Each answer covers the current 2026 law and process used by the Orange County Clerk and FDLE.
How long does an Orange County criminal case stay on a public record?
An adult criminal case stays on the public record forever in Florida unless it is sealed or expunged. The Clerk of Court does not delete old cases. Even decades-old cases from the 1980s and earlier are still searchable by name on the Clerk’s website. The only way to remove a case from public view is through a formal seal or expungement order signed by a judge. Juvenile records, however, are not public and are handled through a separate process under Florida law.
Can someone run a Florida criminal history check on themselves?
Yes. Any person can run a Florida criminal history check on their own name. FDLE allows personal record review through the CCHInet portal. The Orange County Clerk also lets you pull your own case file at no charge. Running a self-check is a smart step before applying for a job, license, or immigration benefit. It also helps you find errors that need to be corrected before an employer sees the report.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal conviction record?
An arrest record shows that law enforcement took a person into custody on a charge. A criminal conviction record shows the court outcome of that charge, such as a guilty plea, a not guilty verdict, or a dismissal. FDLE only shows final court outcomes in the state database. The Orange County Clerk site shows both arrests and dispositions. Many arrests never lead to convictions and should not be treated as proof of guilt.
How much does it cost to seal or expunge a Florida criminal record?
The total cost ranges from $175 to $400 or more. FDLE charges $75 for the Certificate of Eligibility application. The Orange County Clerk charges a $42 filing fee for the petition. Court costs and attorney fees add to the total. A private attorney typically charges $1,000 to $2,500 for the full process. Filing fees can be waived for indigent applicants through a court motion.
Will a sealed Florida record show up on a background check?
No. Once a court order seals a Florida record, it cannot be released to the public. Background check companies get data from the state database, and sealed records are marked as non-disclosable. The record still exists in the system but stays hidden from employers, landlords, and the general public. Some government agencies, such as law enforcement and licensing boards, can still see sealed records for certain official purposes.
Can an out-of-state employer request an Orange County criminal history?
Yes. An out-of-state employer can request an Orange County criminal history through FDLE or by mail to the Clerk. Many background check companies handle this request on behalf of employers. The request must include the subject’s name, date of birth, race, and signed consent. The result can be mailed as a certified or non-certified copy. Federal agencies require the FBI LiveScan version instead.
How do I fix an error on my Florida criminal history record?
Submit a challenge in writing to the agency that reported the error. For Orange County court records, contact the Clerk of Court with proof of the correct information. For FDLE records, file a Record Review Request through the FDLE website with supporting documents. FDLE has 30 days to correct or explain the entry. You can also ask a judge to order a correction if the agency refuses to act on the request.