Search the Correct Florida Record System Before Paying or Trusting a Result
Florida does not place current county-jail bookings, statewide criminal histories, warrants, criminal court cases and state-prison records in one identical search system.
This guide explains which database to use, what each result includes, current FDLE fees, how to verify identity, how to request reports, and how to correct, seal or expunge eligible records.
Search the sheriff or county jail where the arrest occurred.
FDLE public name search costs $25 total.
Search FDC by name, alias or DC number.
Search the county clerk’s criminal docket.
State sources checked July 14, 2026.
Choose the Florida system that answers your actual question
Use the sheriff, county corrections department or jail roster in the county where the arrest occurred.
Use FDLE for a paid name-based search of Florida’s computerized criminal-history files.
Use the clerk of court in the county where the criminal case was filed.
Use FDC for offenders sentenced to state prison or state-supervised probation and parole.
How to find someone arrested recently in Florida
Which Florida county should you search?
| Situation | Start with | Why | Next record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest by county sheriff | That county’s sheriff or corrections portal | The county generally controls the booking and local jail data. | County clerk criminal case. |
| Arrest by city police | The county jail serving that city | The police department may create the report while the county handles booking. | City police records unit and county clerk. |
| Florida Highway Patrol arrest | County where the person was taken for booking | FHP may hold the crash or arrest report while the county holds the jail record. | FHP report and county court case. |
| Airport or port arrest | County containing the facility | Airport, port, county, city or federal agencies may share jurisdiction. | Identify the agency shown in booking data. |
| University or school arrest | County jail and campus police | Campus police may create the incident report while county corrections books the person. | County clerk case. |
| Federal arrest | Federal agency or U.S. Marshals information | A federal detainee may not appear in a county or Florida state database. | Federal court and Bureau of Prisons systems. |
| Unknown arrest location | FDLE Florida criminal-history search | A paid statewide history may identify reported Florida arrest events. | Use the agency and county information to locate source records. |
What common Florida jail-search fields mean
| Field | What it identifies | What it does not prove | Best action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking number | A particular county-jail intake. | It is not necessarily the court case number. | Use it for jail calls, mail, deposits and report requests. |
| Inmate ID | The person’s identifier within a local correctional system. | It may differ from an FDLE SID or FDC DC number. | Use the exact identifier required by the county service. |
| Arrest date | The date associated with the law-enforcement arrest. | It may differ from the booking date and filing date. | Use it to distinguish multiple arrest events. |
| Booking date | When the person entered the jail intake process. | It is not necessarily the offense date. | Compare it with the incident timeline. |
| Arresting agency | The agency responsible for the arrest. | The agency may not control the court file. | Request the police report from this agency. |
| Charge description | The alleged offense entered at arrest or booking. | It does not prove guilt and may later be changed. | Compare it with the formal court charge. |
| Bond amount | A bond entry associated with a charge or case. | One payable bond may not clear other holds. | Check every charge, warrant and detainer. |
| No bond | Release may require judicial action or resolution of another matter. | It does not explain the precise legal reason. | Review the court case and contact qualified counsel. |
| Release date | The listed custody episode ended. | Release is not dismissal or acquittal. | Search the court disposition. |
| Mugshot | A photograph associated with booking. | It does not establish guilt or conviction. | Use it only with stronger identity fields. |
Verify the person before relying on any Florida record
No Florida arrest record found? Follow this order
Florida criminal-history search options, fees and limitations
FDLE is Florida’s central repository for state criminal-history information. The public search covers Florida criminal-history files, not other states or a complete federal history.
| FDLE option | Current cost | Delivery | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Search | $25 total per name | Immediate print or email | Fast, non-certified Florida name-based history. |
| Certified Search | $24 per name | Processed by staff and mailed | When a certified Florida result is required. |
| Non-Certified Staff Search | $24 per name | Processed by staff and mailed | Staff-reviewed result without certification. |
| ORI Search | Varies by statute or authorized entity | Sent to the ORI-authorized recipient | Employment, licensing or statutory screening that supplies an ORI. |
| Personal Review | No FDLE fee | Fingerprint-based response to the individual | Reviewing and challenging your own Florida history. |
FDLE Instant Search: what happens after payment
When to order certified or staff-reviewed FDLE results
Use when a receiving authority specifically requires certification, such as certain immigration or international adoption matters.
FDLE staff perform the search and return the result through regular U.S. mail.
Use only when the requesting employer, agency or licensing body supplies its valid ORI number.
| Request | FDLE processing time | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Non-certified staff search | Five business days | Does not include postal delivery. |
| Certified staff search | Six to seven business days | Does not include postal delivery. |
| Expedited mailing | Depends on purchased USPS service | The prepaid label must be sent to FDLE on the same day as the request. |
Information entered in the SHIELD request
ApplicantChecks@fdle.state.fl.us
Monday–Friday
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern
Excluding holidays
When to use the Florida Department of Corrections search
Enter a last name and first name. The search returns names beginning with the letters entered, which helps with uncertain spelling.
Select the alias option to search committed names and recorded aliases rather than only the committed name.
The DC number is the Department of Corrections’ primary identifier and contains six characters.
| Database | What it includes | Update information | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search All | Population, releases, supervision, absconders and escapes. | Uses criteria common to all included databases. | Depends on the resulting record category. |
| Inmate Population | People incarcerated in Florida state prison. | Full refresh weekly; locations and release dates nightly. | 850-488-9859 |
| Inmate Releases | People released or scheduled for release. | Updated nightly. | 850-488-9167 |
| Supervised Population | Offenders under Florida state supervision. | Full refresh weekly; termination and location nightly. | 850-717-3444 |
| Absconder/Fugitive | State-supervised offenders who stopped reporting. | Full refresh weekly; termination and location nightly. | 850-717-3475 |
| Inmate Escape | Listed FDC escapes with an outstanding arrest warrant. | Created at escape and updated with new information or capture. | 850-922-6867 or 866-850-0355 |
central.classification@fdc.myflorida.com
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500
How to search Florida warrants without treating a result as confirmation
The FDLE Public Access System displays warrant information reported by Florida law-enforcement agencies and authorized for public release.
Last name, first name, middle name or initial, exact nickname, race, sex, date of birth or age.
Enter at least the first two characters of the last name or an exact nickname.
Use either date of birth or age—not both—in the same wanted-person search.
Why the result may be misleading
How to read the criminal court record after a Florida arrest
Florida trial-level criminal records are maintained by the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed. A statewide criminal history may summarize dispositions, but the county court file is the better source for the actual docket and filed orders.
| Term | Plain-language meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | The case has not reached a final disposition. | Latest docket entry and next hearing. |
| Information filed | The prosecutor filed formal charges. | The exact counts and later amendments. |
| No information | The prosecutor did not file the expected formal charge in the manner shown. | The filed notice and all related counts. |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor announced that a charge would not be pursued at that time. | Which defendant and counts are covered. |
| Dismissed | The court dismissed a charge or case. | Whether every count was dismissed. |
| Adjudication withheld | The court withheld formal adjudication under the recorded circumstances. | It is not equivalent to dismissal. |
| Adjudicated guilty | A formal judgment of guilt was entered. | Judgment, sentence and individual counts. |
| Closed | The case is no longer shown as active. | Closed does not reveal the outcome by itself. |
Which agency holds the detailed Florida arrest report?
| Document | Likely custodian | Useful identifiers | Common restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incident or offense report | Arresting or investigating law-enforcement agency | Date, location, person and report number | Active-investigation and confidential information may be withheld. |
| Arrest or probable-cause report | Arresting agency and sometimes court file | Arrest number, booking number and case number | Victim, witness or investigative details may be redacted. |
| Jail booking record | County sheriff or corrections department | Booking number and inmate ID | Medical, classification and protected personal data. |
| Body-camera video | Agency that created the recording | Incident date, location, officer and report number | Review, redaction, exemptions and large-file charges. |
| 911 or dispatch audio | County emergency communications or responsible agency | Call time, address and incident number | Protected caller, medical or victim information. |
| Formal criminal disposition | County clerk of court | Court case number and document title | Sealed, expunged or confidential case material. |
Write a Florida public-records request that can be processed efficiently
Information that reduces delay
Why part of the record may be unavailable
Investigative information may be temporarily exempt while a case remains active.
Victim, witness, juvenile, confidential-informant or protected-person information may be removed.
Health information, Social Security numbers and other exempt personal data may be redacted.
Recordings may require staff review, redaction and file-format preparation.
The jail, police department, clerk and FDLE maintain different records.
The agency may be legally prohibited from releasing the requested material.
Use FDLE Personal Review to identify and challenge an error
Florida law allows an individual to request a fingerprint-based copy of their own Florida criminal history to check whether it is accurate and complete.
No charge.
Fingerprint-based.
The person or designated attorney.
May take up to 30 working days.
Employment, licensing, immigration or certification.
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489
Attn: CHRM – Arrest Maintenance
chrm@fdle.state.fl.us
Florida juvenile arrest records are treated differently
Juvenile criminal-history records are generally confidential and exempt from ordinary public release.
FDLE may release certain Florida juvenile information involving felony custody, charges, findings or transfer to adult court.
Juvenile records that have been sealed or expunged are not publicly released.
Forms of juvenile record relief described by FDLE
| Process | General purpose | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic juvenile expungement | Eligible FDLE juvenile records may be expunged by operation of law at the applicable age. | Adult or forcible-felony history can affect eligibility. |
| Early juvenile expungement | Certain people between 18 and 21 may apply before the ordinary automatic date. | Specific offense-free and prosecutor-approval conditions apply. |
| Juvenile diversion expungement | Relief after successful completion of a qualifying diversion program. | Program and offense eligibility requirements apply. |
| Judicial sealing or expungement | Court-ordered relief under the general Florida statutes. | FDLE eligibility and a court order are required. |
Florida sealing and expungement requirements, fees and timeline
Standard Certificate of Eligibility packet
FDLE payment rules
$75, nonrefundable.
Money order, cashier’s check or completed personal check payable to FDLE.
Cash, gift cards or temporary personal checks.
What happens after submission?
Sealed record versus expunged record
The public generally cannot access the record, but qualifying governmental and related entities may retain access under Florida law.
Most entities that could access a sealed record are told that a record was expunged but cannot obtain the record itself without a court order.
SEinfo@fdle.state.fl.us
Include government-issued photo identification when requesting application-status information.
Usually the clerk of court in the county where the arrest occurred and the criminal case was handled.
Use Florida e-Notify for criminal court reminders
Registered users can receive text-message and email reminders.
Search by case number or party details after creating an account.
e-Notify is a courtesy reminder and is not the official court notice or record.
What should you do with the record you found?
Use the county jail or FDC result, save the exact identifier and confirm live status before sending money or traveling.
Request the arresting agency’s incident or arrest report using the report and booking numbers.
Search the county clerk and locate the formal disposition document.
Use FDLE and select instant, certified, non-certified or ORI processing based on the intended use.
Use Personal Review, contact the source agency and attach official proof of the error.
Review FDLE eligibility, obtain certified dispositions and file in the county court after receiving a certificate.
Florida arrest and criminal-record questions answered
Is there one free statewide Florida jail-booking search?
No single Florida portal functions as the live jail roster for all 67 counties. Recent bookings are normally searched through the sheriff or corrections department in the county where the person was booked.
What is the difference between a county booking and an FDLE history?
A county booking shows a local custody event. FDLE searches Florida computerized criminal-history files reported to the state and can include arrest and disposition information.
How much is an FDLE Instant Search?
The current total is $25 per name search: a $24 search charge plus a $1 card-processing fee.
Do I pay when FDLE finds no record?
Yes. The fee applies to each completed name search regardless of the result.
Can FDLE Instant Search provide a certified record?
No. Instant results are not certified. Use the SHIELD certified-search option when certification is required.
Does FDLE cover other states?
The public Florida search covers Florida criminal-history information. It is not a nationwide or federal identity-history search.
Why did FDLE return several possible matches?
The instant search can return up to five possible candidates based on submitted demographics. The requester must compare identifiers and determine whether a candidate matches the subject.
What does the FDC offender search exclude?
It excludes people sentenced only to county jail, county probation or other local supervision. It is intended for state-prison and state-supervision offenders.
How do I search a Florida prison inmate?
Use the FDC offender search by last name, first name, alias or six-character DC number.
Can I arrest someone based on an FDLE warrant result?
No. FDLE states that the public result is not confirmation of an active warrant and must not be used as probable cause. Contact the reporting agency.
How do I find whether a Florida charge was dismissed?
Search the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed and locate the dismissal, nolle prosequi or other final disposition document.
Does release from jail mean the case was dismissed?
No. Release means the custody episode ended. The criminal case may remain pending or may later end through dismissal, plea, trial or another disposition.
How can I review my own Florida history without paying $25?
Use FDLE Personal Review. There is no FDLE fee, but fingerprints taken by an authorized agency are required and that agency may charge a fingerprinting fee.
Can Personal Review be used for a job application?
No. FDLE states that the result cannot be used for employment, licensing, immigration or certification.
How long can Personal Review take?
The application states that FDLE may take up to 30 working days to process and respond.
Why is a dismissed arrest still visible?
Florida adult histories remain public unless sealed or expunged. The history can include an arrest and its later dismissal or other disposition.
How much is the standard FDLE eligibility application?
The nonrefundable processing fee is $75, paid by an accepted check or money order payable to FDLE.
How long does seal or expunge eligibility review take?
FDLE currently states that eligibility processing typically takes about 12 weeks after a complete packet is received.
Does the FDLE certificate remove the record?
No. The certificate permits the person to petition the proper court. Relief requires a signed court order.
Can a private mugshot website remain after expungement?
Possibly. FDLE explains that a court order cannot guarantee removal of every copy collected and published by a privately operated website.