Common Questions About Orange County Court Records
How do I search Orange County court records online?
Use the clerk's my eClerk records search at myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com. You can search by case type, first and last name, business name, case number, citation number, or date range. Name searches need both first and last name. Anonymous users clear a CAPTCHA before each search. For the full walkthrough, see Orange County court records.
What years of records are available online?
Online docket information is available for most cases filed from about 1990 to the present. Documents are available from 2009 to the present for most case types, subject to confidentiality rules. Older paper records may need a clerk request or a courthouse visit. See court dockets for how docket data is organized.
Why did my search return too many results?
The clerk caps each search at the first 500 results. If a search is too broad, refine it with a full first and last name, a case number, a citation number, or a complete date range. A date search needs both a start and end date. A case number is the fastest way to find one matter.
Why did my mental-health case search return nothing?
The clerk blocks mental-health case searches for the general public. The one exception is a Risk Protection Order, which a registered user can see after it is served. A blank result is not proof that no case exists, since spelling, date range, and confidentiality rules all affect what shows.
How do I find an inmate in the Orange County jail?
Use the current inmate database at netapps.ocfl.net/BestJail. Last name is required and first name is optional. The roster updates every 30 minutes and lists only people in custody right now. For the full profile fields and facility details, see Orange County inmate records.
What happens when an inmate is released?
A released person drops off the current jail roster right away. To confirm a release, call Orange County Corrections, set a VINE alert, or check state and federal systems if the person may have transferred. The released inmates page covers VINE, the state corrections locator, and the federal locator.
Does the jail roster prove someone is guilty?
No. The corrections page states that being listed does not indicate guilt. The roster lists people in custody with charges, bond, and a booking photo. A charge is an accusation, and the outcome is decided in court. For the court result, follow the case on the clerk's docket through criminal records.
How do I search for an Orange County warrant?
There is no single public list of every open warrant. Check the Sheriff's warrant page, the clerk's court case search, and the jail roster together. A capias or fugitive-warrant case can show in the docket if filed. The warrant records page explains each source and how to resolve a warrant.
Where do I search for divorce records?
Divorce cases are family court records. Search the clerk's my eClerk system using family case records or the Dissolution of Marriage case type. A name search needs both first and last name. Some documents are redacted or confidential under family-law rules. See marriage and divorce records for details.
Where do I apply for a marriage license?
Apply through the Orange County Clerk's online marriage application. Confirm the current fee, any appointment rule, the waiting period, and the ID requirements on the official clerk page. Florida generally does not require a blood test, and a premarital course can lower the license fee. The marriage and divorce records page has the steps.
Where do I search probate records?
Probate records search through my eClerk. Choose Probate Case Records, or pick a case type such as Formal Administration, Summary Administration, Guardianship, or Wills For Safekeeping. Probate is a division of the Circuit Court in Florida. See Orange County probate records for the case types and search steps.
Are juvenile records public?
Generally no. Florida law restricts juvenile justice records, and access is limited to authorized parties, agencies, attorneys, and court orders. The clerk's system may list juvenile categories, but the public cannot open the cases. Adoption and dependency records are also confidential. See public records for the access framework.
How do I seal or expunge a Florida criminal record?
Review the Florida sealing and expunction statutes. Many petitions start with a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, then a petition in the original court with an affidavit and a proposed order. The State Attorney may object. The criminal records page covers sealing versus expunction in more detail.
What court handles felony cases?
Felony cases are Circuit Court matters in Florida. In my eClerk they usually appear under Criminal Felony, unless sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted. Misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims go to the County Court instead. See the Circuit Court and County Court pages for the split.
How do I pay or check a traffic ticket?
Search the citation in my eClerk, then use the clerk's traffic and criminal payment page to pay online. Paying may count as an election that affects the driving record, so confirm driver-school eligibility first if you want to avoid points. The traffic court records page covers the citation search and options.
Where do I find federal cases from Orange County?
Federal cases are not in the clerk's my eClerk system. Orange County is in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Use PACER, the Middle District site, or its electronic filing system, and the Bankruptcy Court for bankruptcy matters. The court records page notes the difference between state and federal records.
How do I file a public records request?
Identify the office that holds the record, describe what you want, and submit by mail, email, or in person. You do not have to give a reason. Court files follow court-record rules, while county and city records follow the state public records law. See public records for the steps and exemptions.
Can I get a certified copy from the clerk?
Yes. Find the case number, request the specific document, and pay the certification fee. A certified copy carries the clerk's seal and is required for many legal steps. A plain copy is fine for personal use. The Clerk of Court page covers the request process and the office contact.
Can I use my phone inside the courthouse?
Do not assume recording is allowed. Phones are often present, but photographing, recording, or livestreaming a court proceeding can be barred by court rule or a judge's order. Plan for courthouse-style security at entry, and check the judge's hearing notice for the room and any remote-appearance instructions.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see Clerk of Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records-by-topic, browse court records, criminal records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate.