A Florida criminal records search should begin with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or FDLE (http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/). There are links on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website for:
The FDLE offers a number of programs to facilitate the criminal history background check for law offenders. On their website, you can find the link to Criminal History Information (https://www2.fdle.state.fl.us/cchinet/), which is the computerized repository of criminal records in Florida that is accessible to the general public. As of July 2008, the Criminal History Information search can be accessed for a fee of $24.00 per record. Meanwhile, there is no charge to run a search on sex offenders or those individuals who are wanted by law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, fingerprint submission is not needed in these programs.
Free records of compromised identities can also be accessed in the quality control section. Fingerprint submission is required on the Compromised Identity Review Form. On the other hand, the e- Government Criminal History Services can be accessed by persons and agencies with statutory authority. A fingerprint submission, which can be done through live scan services, is required. The fees charged for these services can be found in the fact sheet of the statutes.
Florida's database concerning abuse and neglect is not available to the general public, but there is a special background check on this site for checking on those who want to volunteer or work with children, the elderly, or the disabled. Your fingerprints will be required for some documentation.
One disclaimer that should be emphasized is that the results in the online search are not classified as certified documents. If you need them certified, download and complete the request form found at https://www2.fdle.state.fl.us/cchinet/_docs/CrimHistInfoRequest.pdf, indicate that the document you're requesting needs to be certified, and send it to FDLE. The department will mail the certified documents to your mailing address. Another important thing to note is that there is no 100% assurance that the person identified in the criminal history record check is in fact the person in question, unless there is a match in the fingerprint comparison.
At the Florida Crime Information Center you can gain internet access to documents that are deemed necessary for helping in the recovery of stolen property. Here you will have access to lists of:
You cannot, however, report stolen or missing property on this site. To do this, you must still contact your local law enforcement agency.
On the Florida Department of Corrections website you can search for an offender, the facility they are being held in, and how to see them. You can also see convicts that have broken out of jail and are in hiding, information on probation officers, sex offenders, and supervised offenders.
To receive copies of Florida background checks and criminal records, use the instructions described below:
Step 1.
Download the request form Florida Background Check Request Form or go online to The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal History Information Search.
Step 2.
Fill out the request form as completely as possible, or enter the identifying information you have online through the search engine. If you are searching for the records online, you will be required to pay $24 via credit card first.
Step 3.
If conducting a paper search, mail the completed form with a $24 check or money order to FDLE.
For additional information, contact the FDLE department, who can assist you via the following contact details:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
User Services Bureau, Criminal History Services
PO Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8109
The Florida Department of Corrections provides information to people who need Florida arrest records. The online Inmate Population Search makes it easier for site visitors to look for the information they need.
To find Florida arrest records using the Inmate Population Search, follow these simple steps:
Step 1.
Go online to the Florida Department of Corrections website to access the Florida Inmate Population Information Search.
Step 2.
Fill out the information with which you want to define your Florida arrest records. For fewer results, input more detailed information, and for more results, input less information.
Step 3.
Click on the Submit Request button. Results are displayed 20 to a page in alphabetical order. Find the Florida arrest record that you would like to review and select it.
If you are having trouble finding the Florida arrest record that you need or have any questions, then you can contact the Department of Corrections:
Florida Department of Corrections
Central Office
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500
(850) 488-5021
Locating Florida Criminal Records Online
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), in partnership with the Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), acts as the state's central database for criminal records and background checks. FDLE enables individuals to use the internet to securely search criminal records by paying $24 via credit card per criminal history record.
Requesting Florida Criminal Records By Mail
If individuals wish to mail in a request for a Florida background check, fill out a request form and include as many identifiers as possible for the person whose criminal record is desired. Remit a money order or cashier check for $24 per request.
Who Has Access to Florida Background Checks?
Florida is considered an open records state, and anyone can access basic Florida criminal records and background checks. While confidential or sealed information will not be released to the general public, any major arrests or convictions will be listed.
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