How to Search Florida Public Records
Florida is one of the strongest states for online public records access. FDLE offers a free statewide criminal search. Each county Clerk handles court and official records; Property Appraisers are separate offices.
- Criminal history: FDLE at fdle.state.fl.us — free statewide criminal search.
- Court cases: Each county Clerk of the Circuit Court. Some counties offer free online search.
- Sex offenders: FDLE sexual offender/predator search — offender.fdle.state.fl.us.
- Business entities: Sunbiz at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz — Division of Corporations.
- Property: County-level Property Appraisers (values) and Clerks (recorded documents).
Florida Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Find the right database below — each covers a different record type.
Criminal & Court Records
Jail & Inmate Records
Sex Offender Registry — FDLE
DOC — Inmate Population Search
Property & Tax Records
Vital Records
Vital Records — Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce
How to Search Florida Criminal Records
Start with FDLE at offender.fdle.state.fl.us for a free statewide criminal name search — this is one of the best free criminal search tools in the country. It shows conviction records statewide. If FDLE returns nothing, the person may have charges without a conviction — go to the county Clerk of Court for full case details including pending cases and dismissals. For current county jail inmates, go directly to the county Sheriff's website (most Florida counties have online inmate lookup). For state prison inmates, use the Florida DOC offender search.
How to Search Florida Court Records
Go to the Clerk of Court in the specific county for all court records — each of Florida's 67 counties runs its Clerk independently. Most large counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough, Duval) have comprehensive online case search. Circuit Court handles felonies, civil over $50,000, family law, and probate. County Court handles misdemeanors, civil under $50,000, small claims under $8,000, and traffic. There is no unified statewide court search — you must go county by county.
How to Search Florida Property Records
Start with the County Property Appraiser's website for ownership, valuations, tax history, and property details — Florida Property Appraisers have some of the best online tools in the country. Then go to the Clerk of Court for recorded documents (deeds, mortgages, liens). For tax bills and payment, check the County Tax Collector. Florida property records are among the most accessible and transparent in the nation.
How to Get Florida Vital Records
For birth and death certificates, order from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, or from the county Health Department where the event occurred. For marriage licenses, go to the Clerk of Court — most Florida counties allow online pre-application. For divorce records, search the Clerk of Court case system in the county where the divorce was granted. Florida has no waiting period for marriage licenses.
Why does my Florida search return no results? ▼
The most common reason is searching the wrong system. Many records are split between state and county offices. Try switching to the correct office for your record type — court records are not stored with property or vital records.
Is there a single database for all Florida records? ▼
No. Each government office in Florida runs its own database independently. You need to search the specific office that handles the record type you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida offer a free statewide criminal search? ▼
Yes. FDLE provides a free criminal history search at fdle.state.fl.us. It covers statewide arrest and conviction records. For more detailed certified results, FDLE charges a fee.
What is the difference between the Clerk and the Property Appraiser? ▼
The Clerk of the Circuit Court records deeds, mortgages, liens, and court cases. The Property Appraiser is a separate elected official who sets market values for tax purposes. Both are county-level offices.
How do I search Florida court records online? ▼
There is no single statewide court search. Each county Clerk maintains their own online portal. The Florida Courts website (flcourts.gov) links to each county. Some clerks charge per-search fees.
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