Tampa FL Arrest Records Search | Police & Court 2026

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Tampa, Florida · Police reports, county bookings and criminal court records

Find a Tampa Arrest, Police Report and Court Outcome in the Correct System

A Tampa arrest does not create one complete public record. Tampa Police may maintain the incident and arrest report, the Hillsborough County Sheriff may maintain the jail booking and mugshot, and the Hillsborough County Clerk may maintain the filed criminal case.

This guide brings the important search methods, report fees, verification rules, court-document costs, warrant precautions, correction options and sealing steps into one page. Official portals are reserved for the final live search, submission or certified-document order.

Run the live arrest search Run the live court search Request a Tampa Police report
An arrest is not a conviction. A jail charge or police allegation may later be changed, reduced, declined or dismissed. A person may also be acquitted. Confirm identity with multiple identifiers and review the criminal court disposition before describing the result.
Current booking

Search HCSO Arrest Inquiry.

TPD report line

813-276-3250

TPD name search

Published fee: $3.

Standard TPD report

Published mailed-request fee: $2.

Facts reviewed

July 31, 2026.

Start with the correct office

Four Tampa-area records that users often confuse

1
Jail booking

Shows a person processed into Hillsborough County custody, along with available booking, charge, bond and photograph information.

2
Tampa Police report

Documents the Tampa Police incident, officer response, arrest information and releasable supporting material maintained by TPD.

3
Criminal court case

Shows formal charges, hearings, filings, orders, judgments and dispositions maintained by the Hillsborough County Clerk.

4
Florida history

Provides a broader FDLE name-based Florida criminal-history search when a Tampa or Hillsborough-only search is too narrow.

Best sequence: Find the booking, write down every identifying number, identify the arresting agency, search the Clerk case, and request only the police or certified court document still needed.

Choose the problem you need to solve

The guide is organized around actions rather than a directory of unexplained links.

Booking decoder

What a Tampa-area arrest result tells you

Hillsborough County booking fields and next actions
Field What it usually means What it does not establish Next action
Booking number The identifier assigned to a particular county-jail intake. It does not establish guilt or the final court charge. Use it for jail inquiries and to distinguish separate bookings.
Booking date When the person entered the county booking process. It may differ from the incident, arrest or court-filing date. Compare it with the known timeline.
Arresting or booking agency The agency responsible for the arrest or booking entry. It may not maintain the court file. Request the police report from this agency.
Charge description The alleged offense entered for booking. It may differ from the prosecutor’s formal filing. Find the complaint, information or amended charge in HOVER.
Bond amount The bond entry currently associated with a charge. Payment may not clear another no-bond charge or hold. Confirm every charge and hold before arranging payment.
Case number The identifier used for the related court matter. One booking can involve more than one case. Search each case separately through HOVER.
Custody status The person’s status in the detention system at the time of the update. It can change after bond, court, transfer or release processing. Recheck before traveling or sending money.
Booking photograph A photograph created during custody processing. It is not proof of guilt or conviction. Use it only as one identity clue with stronger identifiers.
Do not treat release as dismissal. A person may leave jail while the criminal case remains active, or may be released because of bond, recognizance, time served, transfer or another court order.
Same-name protection

Verify that the Tampa arrest belongs to the correct person

Full legal first and last name match
Middle name, suffix or known alias is consistent
Date of birth or displayed age is consistent
Arrest date matches the known event
Booking agency matches the location
Booking or case number matches another official source
Use at least two independent identifiers. A name, mugshot or approximate age by itself is not enough for employment, housing, reporting, payment or personal accusations.
Same name, different birth date Treat the records as belonging to different people unless the maintaining agency confirms an error.
Similar photograph, different number Give more weight to the official booking and case identifiers than visual resemblance.
Different middle name Check aliases, compound surnames, former names and the report or court case number.
Unfamiliar address Addresses can become outdated, be entered incorrectly or be legally protected. Do not use an address alone.
Troubleshooting

No Tampa arrest record found? Follow this order

The arrest occurred very recently Identification, medical screening, property inventory and data entry may still be underway.
The name was recorded differently Search the surname alone and test a former surname, alias, suffix, hyphen variation or alternate spelling.
The person was not booked into county jail A citation, notice to appear, juvenile matter, hospitalization or transfer can produce a police or court record without a current county booking.
The person has already been released Search the Clerk’s criminal docket and request the arresting agency’s report instead of relying only on the live jail list.
The arrest happened outside Hillsborough County Search the county where the arrest occurred rather than the person’s Tampa residence.
The person entered state or federal custody Search the Florida Department of Corrections or Federal Bureau of Prisons when the person has been transferred.
No case has been filed yet The State Attorney may still be reviewing the arrest or the electronic case may not yet be publicly visible.
The record is restricted Juvenile, confidential, sealed, expunged, victim-related and other protected records may not be publicly displayed.
Useful custody call script “I am trying to confirm the booking status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have [booking, report or case number]. Can you confirm whether the person is currently held, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?”
Jurisdiction guide

Which agency maintains the Tampa-area record?

Record custodian by event and document type
Situation Likely record holder Record available Common mistake
Tampa Police made the arrest Tampa Police Records Section TPD incident, arrest and releasable supporting records. Requesting the police narrative from the Clerk.
HCSO deputy made the arrest Hillsborough County Sheriff Sheriff incident, arrest and investigative records. Sending the request to Tampa Police because the event occurred near Tampa.
Person was booked into county custody Hillsborough County Sheriff detention system Booking, charges, bond and available photograph. Assuming the booking record contains the final case outcome.
Criminal charges were filed Hillsborough County Clerk Case docket, filings, hearings, orders and disposition. Asking the arresting officer for certified court documents.
Arrest was made in Temple Terrace Temple Terrace Police for the report Municipal police incident and arrest records. Assuming every Hillsborough arrest is a TPD record.
Arrest was made in Plant City Plant City Police for the report Municipal police incident and arrest records. Using the city of Tampa report process.
Need a Florida-wide history FDLE Florida criminal-history information available through the selected FDLE process. Treating a local TPD name search as statewide.
Fast agency test: Look for “arresting agency,” “booking agency” or the agency abbreviation in the jail result. The agency that made the arrest usually maintains the police report.
Tampa Police Records Section

How to request a Tampa Police arrest or incident report

Tampa Police Records Section
411 North Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Records inquiries

813-276-3250

Use this line for questions about reports maintained by Tampa Police.

Records you may need to identify

Incident or general-offense report

The primary report describing the event reported to or investigated by Tampa Police.

Arrest report

The record documenting the arrest and related information maintained by TPD.

Probable-cause material

A report or affidavit describing the asserted grounds for arrest when available and publicly releasable.

Supplemental report

A later report prepared by an officer, detective or other unit after the initial report.

Body-camera video

Identify the exact event, date, location, involved officer or report number. Review and redaction may increase processing time and cost.

911, photos or other media

These may be maintained separately or require additional review, redaction and file delivery arrangements.

Information that helps TPD locate the record

TPD report or event number
Full legal name of the arrested person
Date of birth when known
Exact or approximate incident date
Incident location or nearest intersection
Type of incident or alleged offense
Name of officer or unit when known
Specific documents or media requested
Copy-ready Tampa Police request
Under Florida public-records law, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause document and releasable supplemental reports concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident occurring on or about [date] at [location]. The known TPD report or event number is [number], the Hillsborough booking number is [number], and the court case number is [number]. Please provide an estimate before processing if the cost will exceed $[amount].
Request existing records rather than explanations. A records custodian searches for and provides existing public records. The office is not required to answer legal questions, interpret evidence or create a new summary.
Redactions may apply. Active-investigation information, confidential victim details, juvenile records, medical information, protected addresses, intelligence information and other exempt material may be removed or withheld.
Submit a Tampa Police record request Call TPD Records
Published Tampa Police costs

Tampa Police report and arrest-search fees

Tampa Police Records Section services
Service Published fee What to include Important limit
Standard report by mail $2 Report number or event details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Larger reports can require a separate estimate.
Background, arrest-record or name search $3 Full name, aliases, date of birth and other identifying information. The search concerns records available through Tampa Police, not every Florida agency.
Large or complex report Estimate required A narrow date range, specific report number and requested document types. Fatality crashes, homicide records, extensive media or large files can cost more.
Body-camera or media request Depends on review and production Date, location, report number, officer and exact recording requested. Redaction and extensive-use charges may apply.

Mailed request preparation

Identify the exact service State whether you need a report copy, local arrest or name search, video, photograph or another record.
Include all known identifiers Provide the report number, person’s full name, birth date, date of incident and location.
Prepare the published fee Confirm the current payment method with the Records Section before mailing, particularly for a large or unusual request.
Add a self-addressed stamped envelope Tampa Police instructs mailed requesters to include an envelope for return delivery.
Mail the request to the Records Section Use 411 North Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Ask for an estimate when the request is large Set a written cost limit so the office can contact you before incurring a larger charge.
Local search warning: A Tampa Police name or arrest-record search should not be described as a complete Hillsborough County, Florida or national background check.
Disposition decoder

How to interpret a Tampa criminal court docket

Common Hillsborough criminal case terms
Term Plain-language meaning What to check next
Pending The case has not reached a final disposition. Check the newest docket entry and next hearing.
Information filed The State Attorney filed formal criminal allegations. Read each filed count rather than relying on the jail description.
Amended information The prosecutor changed or replaced the earlier charging document. Compare the original and amended count numbers.
Nolle prosequi The prosecutor announced that a charge would not be pursued at that time. Confirm which counts and defendants the filing covers.
Dismissed The court dismissed the charge or case identified in the order. Check whether all counts were dismissed.
Adjudication withheld The court withheld formal adjudication under the circumstances stated in the case. Do not call it a dismissal; review the plea and sentence.
Adjudicated guilty A judgment of guilt was entered. Review the judgment, sentence and count numbers.
Acquitted or not guilty The defendant was not found guilty of the count resolved by the verdict. Determine whether another count remained.
Closed The system no longer treats the case as active. Find the actual disposition document; “closed” does not explain the result.
Amount due The case summary shows a financial obligation recorded by the Clerk. Confirm the due date and whether another payment or collection condition applies.
Do not summarize a case from the original arrest charge. The final filed charge and disposition can be substantially different from the booking description.
Court document copies

Free viewing, non-certified copies and Hillsborough eCertify fees

Online viewing

Many public indexes, dockets and non-confidential images can be viewed electronically through HOVER.

Non-certified printing

The Clerk states that non-certified court documents available through HOVER can be viewed and printed at no charge.

Certified proof

Use eCertify or request certification when a court, licensing body, employer or other institution requires an official copy.

Hillsborough County eCertify charges

Electronic certified court-document pricing
Charge Published amount How it applies
Vendor fee $6 Charged for each electronically certified document requested.
Certification fee $2 Statutory Clerk certification fee for each document.
Copy fee $1 per page Applied to every page in the selected event document.
Selected pages Not available through eCertify The complete event document must be purchased.

Example totals before any separately disclosed payment charge

1-page document

$6 vendor + $2 certification + $1 page = $9.

5-page document

$6 vendor + $2 certification + $5 pages = $13.

10-page document

$6 vendor + $2 certification + $10 pages = $18.

25-page document

$6 vendor + $2 certification + $25 pages = $33.

Order only the correct event document. Because eCertify purchases every page in the selected document, open the docket description and confirm that the event contains the disposition, judgment or order you actually need.
Order an electronic certified copy
Warrant safety

How to check a possible Tampa or Hillsborough warrant

Check the related criminal court case Search HOVER for warrant-related docket entries, failure-to-appear entries or court orders.
Confirm with the responsible agency A court docket entry may not show whether the warrant was later served, recalled or cancelled.
Match the full identity Use the full name, birth date, case number and warrant number rather than relying on a similar name.
Do not confront the person Provide possible warrant information to law enforcement. Do not visit a home or workplace to make contact.
Resolve your own possible warrant safely Contact a Florida-licensed attorney, the issuing court or the responsible law-enforcement agency for case-specific instructions.
Online information can lag behind court action. A warrant may have been recalled, served or corrected after the displayed entry. Confirmation from the issuing or enforcing agency is essential.
HCSO non-emergency

813-247-8200

Emergency or immediate danger

Call 911 rather than using an online records search.

Record lifecycle

What happens after a Tampa arrest?

Police incident and arrest record Tampa Police or another arresting agency creates its incident, arrest, probable-cause and related records.
County booking The detention system creates the jail-booking record, confirms identity, inventories property and records the charges and holds received.
Medical screening and classification Health, safety, behavior, custody level and operational needs can affect housing and movement.
First appearance and bond review A judge may consider probable cause, counsel, bond, release conditions and scheduling.
State Attorney review The prosecutor may file the booked charge, file a different charge, amend it or decline prosecution.
Clerk court record The Clerk records the filed case, docket events, hearings, motions, orders, pleas and disposition.
Release, detention or transfer The person may be released, remain because of another hold or transfer to another agency.
Possible correction or record relief An error may be challenged through the maintaining agency, while an eligible record may require a separate Florida sealing or expungement process.
Hillsborough detention contacts

Where Tampa arrestees may be booked

Orient Road Jail
1201 Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33619

813-247-8300

HCSO Operations Center
2008 East 8th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605

813-247-8000

Before paying, visiting or sending anything

Confirm the exact legal name
Copy the booking number correctly
Confirm the person remains in HCSO custody
Check every charge and hold
Confirm the current facility or housing location
Use only the provider currently identified by HCSO
Save every payment or reservation receipt
Recheck release or transfer status before traveling
Money scam warning: Do not pay someone through gift cards, cryptocurrency, personal money-transfer accounts or an unsolicited link because they claim it will produce immediate release.
Professional visitation: HCSO publishes qualified in-person professional-visitation availability seven days a week between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Professional visitors must register with a driver’s license and professional identification. Court-appointed professionals may need to fax supporting documentation to the facility.
Broader Florida search

When a Tampa Police or Hillsborough search is not enough

TPD
Tampa Police local search

Useful for records maintained by Tampa Police. It should not be presented as a complete Florida or national check.

FL
FDLE Florida search

Use FDLE when the question concerns a broader Florida criminal-history search rather than one Tampa agency.

ID
Fingerprint-based process

Use the fingerprint process required by the employer, licensing agency, immigration authority or requesting organization.

Choosing the correct search scope
Need Appropriate source Key limitation
One Tampa Police arrest or report TPD Records Section Covers records maintained by Tampa Police.
Current Hillsborough custody HCSO Arrest Inquiry A live booking record is not a complete criminal history.
Filed Hillsborough case Hillsborough Clerk HOVER Court records do not necessarily include the complete police investigation.
Florida name-based history FDLE criminal-history search Name-based searches can produce false positives or miss aliases.
Employment or licensing check Process specified by the requesting organization A self-run public search may not satisfy fingerprint or statutory requirements.
Name-search limitation: Similar names, aliases, incomplete dates of birth and data-entry differences can create inaccurate matches. Fingerprints are more identity-specific when a formal process requires them.
Run the appropriate FDLE search
Record correction

How to correct an inaccurate Tampa arrest record

Start with the agency that created the disputed information
Incorrect field Office to contact Evidence to prepare
Wrong TPD report identity or narrative Tampa Police Records Section or responsible TPD unit Report number, government ID and documents showing the exact error.
Wrong county booking information Hillsborough County Sheriff Booking number, birth information, fingerprints or certified proof as requested.
Wrong court docket or document index Hillsborough County Clerk Case number, filed order and the exact entry at issue.
Wrong Florida criminal history FDLE Criminal History Record Maintenance Fingerprint-supported personal review and certified supporting documents.
Third-party mugshot page Third-party publisher after the official record is verified Corrected source record, certified disposition or sealing/expungement order.
Save the disputed result Record the URL, date, agency, report number, booking number and case number.
Obtain the underlying official document A search-result screen may be incomplete. Obtain the report, disposition or order that establishes the correct information.
Identify the source of the error TPD controls its report, HCSO controls its booking data, the Clerk controls its docket, and FDLE controls the statewide history it maintains.
Submit a narrow correction request Identify the exact field and attach proof rather than requesting that every reference to the arrest be deleted.
Check connected systems afterward Correcting one agency record may not automatically update another agency or a third-party website.
Correction is different from expungement. Correction addresses inaccurate information. Sealing or expungement restricts access to an otherwise accurate record when the person qualifies under Florida law.
Florida record relief

How Tampa arrest-record sealing or expungement works

A dismissal does not automatically erase an arrest. Florida eligibility depends on the charge, disposition, criminal history, prior relief and other statutory requirements.
Collect the case documents Obtain the Tampa Police or arresting-agency report, Hillsborough booking identifiers and certified court disposition before records become restricted.
Review the FDLE eligibility requirements Determine whether the requested relief is sealing, expungement, juvenile diversion expungement or another legally available process.
Prepare the Certificate of Eligibility application Complete the required application, fingerprints, certified dispositions, prosecutor section where required and payment.
Wait for FDLE review FDLE reviews statutory eligibility. Missing signatures, fingerprints, dispositions or required sections can delay or prevent processing.
File in the proper Hillsborough court An FDLE Certificate of Eligibility does not seal or expunge the record by itself. The applicant must file the court petition and supporting documents.
Obtain a judicial order The judge decides whether relief is granted. Statutory eligibility does not guarantee approval.
Confirm agency processing After entry of the order, confirm that the Clerk, arresting agency, HCSO and FDLE have processed the relief required by the order.

Documents commonly needed before applying

Arresting agency and report number
Date of arrest or Notice to Appear
Every charge included in the request
Hillsborough case number
Certified disposition for each applicable charge
Probation or diversion-completion documentation when applicable
Fingerprint card completed by an authorized agency
Required notarized application and affidavit
Keep copies permanently. FDLE recommends retaining the arrest report, certified disposition, Certificate of Eligibility, petition and final sealing or expungement order before access becomes restricted.
Legal-information notice: Certain offenses and prior histories can make an applicant ineligible. A Florida attorney can provide advice about the effect of a plea, withheld adjudication, dismissal or prior record.
Start the FDLE eligibility process
Practical use guide

What to do with the Tampa record you found

1
Family custody question

Confirm the booking number, charges, holds and current facility before paying, visiting or traveling.

2
Police-report need

Request the exact TPD report, affidavit, supplement or media item using the report number and a cost limit.

3
Case-outcome need

Locate the actual dismissal, judgment, verdict, plea or sentencing document rather than relying on the booking charge.

4
Employment screening

Follow applicable screening laws and the employer’s required process. A mugshot or booking does not equal conviction.

5
Publication or news use

Verify identity, update the court status and use allegation language unless a conviction is confirmed.

6
Formal documentation

Order the certified disposition or court document required by the receiving organization instead of using a screenshot.

Contact directory

Tampa arrest, police and court-record contacts

Contact the office that controls the record
Office Contact Use this office for
Tampa Police Records Section 813-276-3250 TPD reports, local arrest or name-search questions and report-request guidance.
Tampa Police Records mailing address 411 N. Franklin St., Tampa, FL 33602 Mailed report and local-search requests.
HCSO main line 813-247-8000 General Sheriff inquiries and agency routing.
HCSO non-emergency 813-247-8200 Non-emergency law-enforcement assistance and warrant confirmation routing.
Orient Road Jail 813-247-8300 Custody, inmate-service and professional-visitation questions.
Hillsborough County Clerk Use HOVER or the appropriate Clerk service channel Criminal court cases, dockets, document images, certified copies and dispositions.
FDLE Seal and Expunge Section 850-410-7870 Certificate of Eligibility and Florida sealing or expungement questions.
Map and directions

Tampa Police Records Section location

Tampa Police Records Section mailed requests use 411 North Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida 33602. Confirm current public-access instructions before visiting because mailing, online and in-person procedures may differ.

Do not travel only because a website shows an address. Call the Records Section first to confirm whether the requested service is completed by mail, online or through an in-person appointment.
Official-source methodology

How this Tampa arrest-record guide was built

The guide combines the City of Tampa Police Records procedures and published fees, Hillsborough County Sheriff Arrest Inquiry and detention contacts, Hillsborough County Clerk HOVER and eCertify instructions, and FDLE criminal-history and record-relief procedures.

Information included here

Search workflow, report-request preparation, local fees, court search methods, document costs, identity checks and correction paths are explained directly in the article.

Actions completed externally

Live booking searches, HOVER searches, report submissions, certified-document purchases and FDLE applications require the responsible official system.

Information that can change

Custody, charges, bond, warrants, court events, office procedures and fees must be confirmed before payment, travel or formal use.

Frequently asked questions

Tampa arrest-record questions answered

How do I search Tampa arrests online?

Use the HCSO Arrest Inquiry for Hillsborough County jail bookings. Search the surname first and verify the date of birth, booking number, arrest date and agency before relying on a result.

Where can I find a Tampa mugshot?

An available booking photograph may appear in the HCSO arrest result. The image documents jail processing and does not prove guilt or conviction.

How do I get a Tampa Police arrest report?

Submit a request through Tampa Police Records or call 813-276-3250. Include the TPD report number, full name, incident date, location and specific record requested.

How much is a Tampa Police report?

Tampa Police currently lists $2 for a standard mailed report request. Large or complex reports may require a separate estimate.

How much is a Tampa Police arrest or name search?

The published fee is $3. This is a Tampa Police local search and should not be treated as a complete statewide or national background check.

Can I print Hillsborough court records for free?

Many non-confidential documents available through HOVER can be viewed and printed as non-certified copies without charge.

How much is a certified Hillsborough court document?

eCertify currently charges a $6 vendor fee, a $2 certification fee and $1 for every page in the complete selected event document.

Why is the jail charge different from the court charge?

The jail records the allegation received during booking. The State Attorney may later file a different charge, amend it, reduce it or decline prosecution.

How do I find whether a Tampa charge was dismissed?

Search HOVER and locate the dismissal order, nolle prosequi or other disposition document. Do not rely only on a “closed” case status.

Can a Tampa arrest record be sealed or expunged?

Some records may qualify under Florida law. The process generally starts with an FDLE Certificate of Eligibility application and then requires a Hillsborough County court petition and signed judicial order.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

County Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Clerk, FDLE, State Attorney or a law firm.

Arrest, booking, bond, warrant and court information can change after release, transfer, prosecutor review, judicial action, correction, sealing or expungement. Confirm the current official record before making an employment, housing, financial, legal, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This article provides procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: July 31, 2026.

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