Florida Statewide Criminal Records

Why do this search?

This service has the advantage of reflecting arrests (and some dispositional information) that have occurred anywhere in Florida. However, relying completely on a statewide search can have drawbacks because important information can be missed.

Arrests made by state, county and municipal agencies in all of Florida’s 67 counties can be reflected in statewide arrest records. The key words are "can be." While the coverage and convenience offered by what appears to be a single, all-encompassing search might seem advantageous; there is one major disadvantage. Many arrests, mostly misdemeanors, will never be found in a statewide search. Worse, even some felonies can be missed.

Here’s why: Before information can be disseminated at the state level, the offense has to be reported by the arresting agency. If for any reason this does not occur, the arrest will not be on record. Please be advised that Florida Statewide Criminal Records are not always current. There have been times when this database has been months behind in having data entered. This can mean that an arrest that occurred within recent weeks or months might not appear in the system. Additionally, although coverage encompasses all 67 counties, arrests by federal agencies are not on record in the state system. Therefore, because statewide arrest records are not necessarily current or complete, any thorough criminal record search should include checks of county and federal arrest records.

Note: This service does not include actual file records but points to where records may be located. Also please be advised that dispositional information is not always available in sources we access but will be available at the appropriate courthouse or government repository.

Due to limitations imposed in Section 605 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act criminal information predating seven (7) years cannot be reported unless a conviction resulted.

Important: Most criminal record checks are performed by accessing computer databases. While databases offer the advantage of speed and low cost, they are by no means totally complete or accurate. Some state criminal repositories depend on city or county jurisdictions to report information. Nevertheless, there have been instances where records on file in local jurisdictions cannot be found when state records are checked because they were not reported upward from the local level to the state system.

In some cases states limit the information they provide. Some only offer information on pending (open) cases and some place limited time restrictions on the information they will disseminate. Some databases require that the input criteria (name, date of birth and social security number) exactly match the information on record. With some, if a middle initial or name suffix (Jr., Sr., II, etc.) is not provided the return will reflect a “no hit” even though a record exists because there was no exact match.

The fact is no database criminal or otherwise is 100% accurate or up to date. The best way to get the most current, complete and accurate information is to have someone do an in-person records search. It takes longer and it’s more costly, but it is hands down the best way to be sure you are getting the best results.

For more information on the use of arrest and conviction records see the EEOC policy guidance document. Click here to load the document