A recent court case, docket, or judgment
County Clerk of Court where the case was filed
County clerks maintain case dockets, filings, and certified copies for their courts.
Where To Start In Florida
Pick the office that usually holds the record you need, then search by case number, name, address, or document details.
Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, or plats
County Clerk of Court & Comptroller (Official Records)
Florida clerks serve as the county recorder for land records and indexing.
Birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates
Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics or the local county office
Vital records are issued by DOH; some copies may also be available from the county clerk.
Statewide criminal history search
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE provides statewide criminal history checks that complement county court searches.
Owner, address, or parcel value information
County Property Appraiser
Appraisers maintain parcel maps, ownership, and assessed value data for tax purposes.
Florida Official Sources Map
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Clerk of Court | Case dockets, filings, judgments, traffic/civil/criminal case lookups | Party name, case number/UCN, citation number, filing date range | Online search, in person, mail | Each county posts its own docket access; certified copies available from the clerk that holds the case file. |
| Clerk & Comptroller – Official Records | Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, notices, plats, powers of attorney | Grantor/grantee name, document/instrument number, book/page, recording date range, property address | Online index, in person, mail | Official records are recorded at the county level; request certified copies from the recording office. |
| County Property Appraiser | Parcel ownership, situs address, assessed value, legal descriptions | Owner name, parcel/folio ID, address, subdivision | Online property search, in person | Assessment data is not proof of title; match parcels to recorded deeds for ownership history. |
| Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics | Birth and death certificates statewide; marriage/divorce certificates or summaries | Full name, date of event, place of event, parents’ or spouse’s names | Online request portal (where available), mail, in person at state or county offices | Eligibility and ID may be required for certified copies; some records may have access limits. |
| Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) | Statewide criminal history checks | Full legal name, DOB, optional fingerprints for higher match certainty | Online request, mail, in person (varies) | A statewide check does not replace a county case file; use county clerks for docket details and certified court copies. |
| Florida Secretary of State – Division of Corporations | Business registrations, fictitious names, corporate filings | Entity name, document number, registered agent | Online search, mail | Useful for verifying business status before searching related court or lien filings. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name, plus common nicknames or prior names
- Date of birth or approximate age range
- Case number or Uniform Case Number (UCN) if known
- County selection based on where the event or property is located
- Street address or city for property and official records
- Parcel/Folio ID from the Property Appraiser
- Document/Instrument number or Book/Page for recorded documents
- Filing or recording date range to narrow results
- Business or corporate entity name and registered agent
Record Type Routing
Court Records
Civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims case dockets and filings
- Where To Start
- County Clerk of Court where the case was filed
- Best Search Input
- Party name, case number/UCN, citation number, filing date range
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies and exemplified judgments must be ordered from the clerk that maintains the case file.
Property & Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, and plats recorded in county official records
- Where To Start
- County Clerk & Comptroller (Official Records) and the County Property Appraiser
- Best Search Input
- Grantor/grantee name, document/instrument number, book/page, parcel ID, address
- Official Copy Note
- Order certified copies of recorded documents from the county recording office for legal use.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates; marriage and divorce certificates or summaries
- Where To Start
- Florida Department of Health – Bureau of Vital Statistics or the relevant county office
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date and place of event, parents’ or spouse’s names
- Official Copy Note
- Certified vital records may require ID and eligibility; only certified copies are acceptable for most official purposes.
Criminal History
Florida statewide criminal history checks and arrest information availability
- Where To Start
- FDLE for statewide checks; county Clerk of Court for case details
- Best Search Input
- Full name, DOB; fingerprinting improves match certainty when available
- Official Copy Note
- For certified court outcomes, request certified case documents from the county clerk that holds the record.
Business Records
Corporate filings, fictitious names, annual reports, and related documents
- Where To Start
- Florida Secretary of State – Division of Corporations
- Best Search Input
- Entity name, document number, registered agent name
- Official Copy Note
- For liens or judgments against a business, check county official records and court dockets for certified copies.
Official Records vs Background Services
Official Florida sources are best for court files, certified copies, deeds, vital records, and agency-held documents tied to a specific county or state office. Background check services can help with broad, name-based searching across many data points, but they may be incomplete and cannot replace the Clerk of Court, Recorder, Property Appraiser, FDLE, or Department of Health for authoritative or certified records.
How To Request Copies
- Identify the correct Florida office (county clerk, recorder, property appraiser, FDLE, or DOH) that holds the record.
- Confirm whether you need an informational or a certified copy and check any eligibility or ID requirements.
- Gather details: full names, dates, case number/UCN, document number, parcel ID, or address.
- Choose an access method: online request (if offered), mail, or in-person at the holding office.
- Submit the request with complete information to avoid rejections; specify certified or exemplified copies if required.
- Track the request and delivery method; review the copy upon receipt to ensure it matches what you requested.
Limits And Accuracy Notes
- Florida records are decentralized; many searches must be done at the county level where the event occurred.
- Recent filings and recordings may take time to appear online; check back or contact the office directly.
- Name-only searches can return multiple matches; use DOB, case number, or address to narrow.
- Sealed, expunged, or restricted records will not be released through public searches.
- Assessor/appraiser data is not proof of ownership; verify with recorded deeds and liens.
- Older records may be archived or microfilmed and require in-person or mail requests.
Florida Public Records FAQ
Are Florida public records available statewide or by county?
Many records are held by county offices, such as court dockets and recorded documents. Some statewide functions exist, like FDLE criminal history checks and Department of Health vital records.
Where do I get a certified marriage or divorce record?
Start with the Florida Department of Health for certificates or summaries. For marriage licenses and divorce case files, contact the county Clerk of Court that issued the license or handled the case.
How do I look up a Florida criminal case?
Search the Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed using party name or case number. Use FDLE for a statewide criminal history check to complement county searches.
Do I need a case number to search court records?
A case number or UCN helps, but most county clerk portals allow party-name searches. Adding a filing date range improves results.
Can I use a background check report as proof in court?
Background check reports are not substitutes for certified records. Courts generally require certified copies from the official holding office.
Who records deeds and liens in Florida?
Deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded with the county Clerk & Comptroller in the county where the property is located.