Orange County Court Records Search
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Orange County occupies the heart of central Florida and anchors the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which also encompasses Osceola County. All court records produced by the Circuit Court and County Court operating within the county are maintained by the Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. The Clerk’s office processes filings, collects fees, issues certified copies, and manages public access for millions of case records covering criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family law matters, probate estates, traffic infractions, and juvenile proceedings.
Florida residents and members of the public can locate court records through official Clerk resources, including online portals, in-person courthouse visits, and written requests. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court website offers additional information about court divisions, judges, and programs. Individuals who are unsure which Florida county holds a particular record may also consult the state courts directory at FloridaStateCourts.us to identify the correct jurisdiction and connect with publicly available case data.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Orange County?
There are three ways to access court case information in Orange County: searching online through the Clerk’s electronic portal, visiting a Clerk office in person, or submitting a records request by mail or through the Clerk’s online form.
Searching Online Through MyeClerk
The MyeClerk Records Inquiry system is the Clerk’s primary public-facing case search tool. It is available at no charge and allows users to look up cases by:
- Party name (first, last, or middle)
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date range
Search results can display case headers (case type, filing date, location, judge, and status), party details, charge information in criminal cases, docket entries, scheduled hearings, financial summaries, bond data, and warrant information. Document images are available online from approximately 2009 to the present for most case types.
The system follows the Florida Supreme Court’s Access Security Matrix, which establishes 14 tiers of access. General public users can view basic case data and non-confidential documents. Attorneys in good standing with the Florida Bar can register for an account to obtain expanded access. Parties to family law or mental health cases must complete a notarized affidavit and return it to the Clerk before gaining elevated access to their specific case.
In-Person Visits
Court records can be reviewed on public access terminals in Room 150 (temporarily relocated to Room 210 during renovations) of the Orange County Courthouse. Some records not available through MyeClerk may be viewable on these in-house terminals. The Clerk operates four locations:
Orange County Courthouse
425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 836-2000
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Apopka Branch
1111 N. Rock Springs Rd., Apopka, FL 32712
Phone: (407) 836-2007
Ocoee Branch
475 Story Rd., Ocoee, FL 34761
Phone: (407) 836-2007
Winter Park Branch
450 N. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792
Phone: (407) 836-2007
The Winter Park and Ocoee branches are also open on select Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The call center operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at (407) 836-2000.
Requesting Copies by Mail or Online Form
Records that are not available through MyeClerk can be requested online, by mail, or in person. Requesters should provide the case number, party name and date of birth, the specific document requested, and the years to search. Processing may take up to 10 business days due to request volume.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Court record copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.00 per document |
| E-Certification (court document) | $2.00 statutory + $6.00 vendor fee |
| Exemplified certificate | $7.00 (plus $1.00/page and $2.00 certification) |
| Research fee | $2.00 (if applicable) |
| Certified marriage license copy | $3.00 each |
| Purge letter | $7.00 |
| Diligent search letter | $7.00 |
| USB flash drive with records | $7.00 |
| Notary (court documents) | $3.50 per signature |
Payment is accepted by cash (in person only), personal check, money order, or cashier’s check (by mail), and Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. A $3.50 surcharge applies to in-person credit/debit transactions; a $1.50 processing fee applies to online card payments.
Are Court Records Public in Orange County?
Under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), records generated or maintained by any public agency are presumed open for inspection and copying. Court records specifically fall under Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, which establishes that judicial branch records are publicly accessible unless an exemption applies.
Rule 2.420(d)(1) designates the following categories as confidential:
- Arrest and search warrants (until executed or determined unexecutable)
- Adoption records
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Grand jury records
- Clinical and drug court reports
- Gestational surrogacy records
- HIV test results and the identity of the person tested
- Sexually transmissible disease records
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit/debit card numbers
- Birth records and portions of death records held by the court
- Estate inventories and accountings filed with the court
- Investigation reports and guardianship examination reports
- Pregnancy termination records involving a minor
- Judicial memoranda, notes, drafts, and court conference records
- Complaints against judges until probable cause is established
Florida Rule 2.425 further requires that parties filing court documents minimize confidential data by using only the year of birth, the last four digits of financial account numbers, and initials for minor children.
The Clerk’s office uses a Viewable on Request (VOR) designation for documents that may contain sensitive information. When a filing is flagged VOR, a formal submission and verification of identity are required before the document is released. Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to Florida Statutes §§ 943.0585 and 943.059 are removed entirely from public view.
Orange County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Orange County are divided between two levels of court. The Circuit Court Criminal Division handles all felony prosecutions and appeals from the County Court. The County Court adjudicates misdemeanors, criminal traffic violations, and municipal ordinance cases.
How to Search Criminal Case Records
The MyeClerk portal allows free public searches of criminal cases. Users can select criminal case types—Criminal Felony (CF), Criminal Traffic (CT), Misdemeanor (MM), or Criminal BC cases—from the case type menu before running a name or case number search. Results include charges, plea entries, dispositions, sentencing details, docket events, and hearing schedules.
For records not available online (particularly cases opened before 2009), requests can be submitted through the Clerk’s online records request form or in person at the courthouse. Mail requests should be directed to:
Orange County Clerk of Courts – Criminal Division
P.O. Box 4994
Orlando, FL 32802
Phone: (407) 836-2000
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office maintains incident reports, arrest reports, and crash reports. Requests can be submitted through the Sheriff’s Public Records Request Portal or in person at:
Orange County Sheriff’s Office – Records/Identification Section
P.O. Box 1440
Orlando, FL 32802-1440
Phone: (407) 254-7280
Fee: $5.00 per report
Mail payments must be made by money order or cashier’s check. The Sheriff also operates an Arrest Search page on its website, and the Orange County Corrections Department publishes a Current Inmate Database that is searchable by name.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) conducts statewide criminal history searches. An instant name-based check through FDLE’s online system costs $25.00 (including a $1.00 credit card processing fee). Certified and non-certified background checks are available through the FDLE background check portal for $24.00. Local agencies such as the Orlando Police Department also provide background checks at their own fee schedules ($10.00 for OPD).
Orange County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Orange County is split between two courts based on the amount in controversy. County Civil Court handles disputes up to $50,000, including small claims (up to $8,000), tenant evictions, and landlord-tenant actions. The Circuit Civil Court has jurisdiction over disputes exceeding $50,000, mortgage foreclosures, and complex litigation matters.
The Clerk’s Civil Division is located in Suite 350 of the Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801, and can be reached at (407) 836-2000. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
County Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims (under $100) | $55.00 |
| Small claims ($100–$500) | $80.00 |
| Small claims ($500.01–$2,500) | $175.00 |
| Small claims ($2,500.01–$8,000) | $300.00 |
| Civil claims ($8,000.01–$15,000) | $300.00 |
| Civil claims ($15,000.01–$50,000) | $400.00 |
| Tenant eviction (County) | $185.00 |
| Garnishment (F.S. 77.28) | $85.00 |
| Summons issuance (each) | $10.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim (over $2,500) | $295.00 |
Circuit Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil claims ($50,000.01+) | $400.00 |
| Mortgage foreclosure ($50,000–$250,000) | $905.00 |
| Mortgage foreclosure (over $250,000) | $1,905.00 |
| Tenant eviction (Circuit) | $400.00 |
| Counterclaim/cross-claim (over $50,000) | $395.00 |
| Malpractice 90-day extension | $42.00 |
| Court-ordered mediation (per person/session) | $60.00 |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 |
Attorneys are required to file electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Self-represented litigants may e-file but are not required to do so.
Civil case records can be searched for free through MyeClerk. Official records related to civil matters—such as liens, judgments, and lis pendens—are available through the Orange County Comptroller’s Official Record Search portal, which covers documents dating back to the earliest recorded instruments in the county.
Orange County Family Court Records
The Circuit Court’s Family Division handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, name changes, and injunctions for protection against domestic violence. Family Court Services is located in Room 340 of the Orange County Courthouse, where staff can review pleadings and provide notary services (before 3:30 p.m.).
Access Restrictions
Most family law case records are classified as confidential under Florida law. The general public cannot view family, juvenile, or mental health case documents through MyeClerk. Access is limited to case parties, their attorneys, authorized agencies, and judicial officers. Parties who need online access must register for a MyeClerk account, complete a notarized affidavit verifying their relationship to the case, and return it to the Clerk’s office.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage (includes recording fee) | $408.00 |
| Paternity, custody, visitation, and support | $300.00 |
| Adoption / termination of parental rights | $400.00 |
| Custody by extended family | $400.00 |
| Name change | $412.50 |
| Counterpetition (same case type) | $295.00 |
| Counterpetition (name change, adoption, TPR) | $395.00 |
| Modification of final judgment (reopen) | $50.00 |
| Injunctions for protection (domestic violence) | No charge |
| Summons on new/existing cases | $10.00 |
Forms and filing instruction packets may be purchased in Rooms 320 or 340 of the courthouse or online from the Clerk’s website. Individual forms are available through Florida Courts. The Clerk’s Self Help Center offers low-cost attorney consultations, form completion assistance, and notary services for self-represented litigants.
Marriage Licenses and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Orange County Clerk’s office. The standard fee is $86.00 for Florida residents (with a three-day waiting period) or $61.00 if both parties complete a four-hour premarital preparation course (which also waives the waiting period). Non-Florida residents pay $86.00 with no waiting period. Additional certified copies cost $3.00 each, and a Clerk-performed ceremony costs $30.00. A decorative marriage license is available for $10.00.
Certified copies of marriage licenses issued in Orange County can be purchased from the Clerk. Licenses filed before March 1, 1998, and after June 30, 2017, are held by the Clerk’s Records Division. Licenses filed between March 1, 1998, and June 30, 2017, must be obtained from the Orange County Comptroller’s Office.
Dissolution of marriage certificates for Florida divorces occurring after June 6, 1927, can be obtained from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics using the DH-260 application form. The Bureau charges $5.00 for the search and first copy, $4.00 for additional copies, and $10.00 for same-day service.
Birth and Death Certificates
While not court records, birth and death certificates are frequently needed in conjunction with family and probate proceedings. The Orange County Health Department Vital Statistics office issues certified copies:
- Birth certificates: $15.00 per certified copy, $8.00 for each additional copy (Florida births from 1930 to present)
- Death certificates: $10.00 per certified copy, $5.00 for each additional copy (Florida deaths from 2009 to present; earlier records available from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics)
The local office is located at 807 West Church Street, Building 2, Orlando, FL 32805, Phone: (407) 858-1460 Orders may also be placed online or by phone through VitalChek at (800) 669-8312. Birth records become public after 125 years, and death records containing cause-of-death information are confidential for 50 years.
Orange County Probate Court Records
The Circuit Court’s Probate Division oversees the administration of decedent estates, guardianship matters, Baker Act proceedings, Marchman Act cases, and competency determinations. The Clerk’s Probate, Guardianship, and Mental Health section is located on the 2nd Floor of the Justice Center at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801, and can be reached at (407) 836-2000, option 5. The mailing address for filings is P.O. Box 4994, Orlando, FL 32802.
Types of Probate Proceedings
Orange County handles three primary forms of estate administration under Florida law:
- Formal Administration — Required when the estate has substantial assets and a personal representative must be appointed. Must be filed by an attorney licensed in Florida, unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary.
- Summary Administration — Available when the total estate value does not exceed $75,000 or the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
- Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration — A simplified procedure under Florida Statute § 732.402 for minimal estates consisting primarily of exempt personal property, commonly called a “small estate”.
Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| General probate opening (safe deposit box petition, death certificate amendment) | $231.00 |
| Admission of foreign will or transcript | $231.00 |
| Disposition without administration | $231.00 |
| Petition to determine incapacity | $231.00 |
| Guardianship of person only | $235.00 |
| Veterans Administration guardianship | $235.00 |
| Summary administration (estate ≤ $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration (estate > $1,000) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration / guardianship of property / trust | $400.00 |
| Counterpetition | $395.00 |
| Caveat or notice of trust | $41.00 |
| Will safekeeping receipt | $6.00 |
| Bond approval | $8.50 |
| Reopen case | $50.00 |
Guardianship Audit Fees
| Asset Level | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inventory (assets over $25,000) | $85.00 |
| Annual accounting — assets ≤ $25,000 | $20.00 |
| Annual accounting — $25,000.01–$100,000 | $85.00 |
| Annual accounting — $100,000.01–$500,000 | $170.00 |
| Annual accounting — assets over $500,000 | $250.00 |
Filing Methods and Records Access
Probate documents can be submitted in person at the courthouse, by mail, or electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Original wills cannot be e-filed and must be delivered in person or by mail. Under Florida Statute § 732.901, the custodian of a will must deposit the original with the Clerk within 10 days of learning that the testator has died; there is no filing charge, though a $6.00 fee applies if an official receipt is requested.
Probate case records can be searched through MyeClerk by selecting the appropriate probate or guardianship case type. Registered users with verified access can download document images and order e-certified copies directly through the portal. Estate inventories and accountings filed with the court are confidential under Rule 2.420 and are not available to the general public through the online system. For records predating the online system or for exemplified copies, submit a request through the Clerk’s Records Request page.