Florida Criminal Records, County Jail Bookings and Court Case Lookup
Use this guide to find a recent Florida arrest, identify the correct county jail, check state-prison custody, order an FDLE criminal-history search and follow the case through the county clerk. It also explains bond, legal help, visitation, inmate support, victim alerts and record sealing.
Start With the Record That Answers Your Question
Search the arresting county sheriff or corrections department first.
Use FDLE for a paid statewide name-based record check.
Use Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search.
Use the Clerk of Court in the county handling the case.
Use Florida VINE online or call 1-877-846-3435.
Florida Bar referrals: 800-342-8011 during published weekday hours.
850-410-8161, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern.
Call 911 for immediate danger, not a record-search question.
Someone Was Arrested Today: What to Do First
- Confirm the arresting agency and county. The city name alone may not identify the correct jail.
- Allow time for booking, fingerprinting and the online inmate entry to be created.
- Search the official county jail portal with the last name first and fewer filters.
- Write down the jail number, booking number, charges, bond fields and facility location.
- Call the detention center when the arrest is recent or the portal shows no result.
- Use the county clerk to track the criminal case and first court events.
Payment warning: Never send bond money because of an unsolicited call or message. Confirm the inmate, bond status, accepted payment method and payee directly with the jail or clerk.
Florida Arrest Record Task Finder
Select the problem you need to solve. This tool runs only in your browser and does not ask for a name, birth date or case number.
Florida Arrest Records Are Split Across Different Systems
Question | Correct source | Information to prepare | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
Was the person recently booked? | County sheriff or corrections portal | Name, county, approximate booking date | Jail number, booking date, charges, bond and facility |
Do I need a statewide Florida criminal-history response? | Accurate identifying details and payment method | Whether instant, certified or non-certified results fit the purpose | |
Is the person in Florida state prison? | DC number or full name | Institution, status, sentence and release information shown | |
What happened in court? | County, legal name, case number or filing period | Charges filed, docket, hearings, disposition and sentence | |
Is the person in federal prison? | Name or federal register number | Federal institution and release data | |
Do I want custody notifications? | Name or offender identifier | Custody location, status and notification options |
How to Find a Florida County Jail Booking
Verified Florida county search examples
Official portal | How to search | What the result can show | Useful fallback |
|---|---|---|---|
Enter at least three characters of the last name; add first name to narrow. | Custody location, charges, bond, jail number, booking details and photo. | Call Corrections general inquiries at 786-263-7000. | |
Use last name first, then first name if required. | Arrest and inmate detail with charges, bond and custody information. | Open the official booking blotter for recent processing activity. | |
Last name is required; first name is optional. | Current jail status, booking photo, charges and bond amount. | Call Inmate Records Management at 407-836-3400. | |
Open “Who’s in Jail” from the sheriff’s arrest-record page. | Current arrest and inmate information. | Call HCSO at 813-247-8000. | |
Use the JSO search for current or historical inmate information. | Booking, release, mugshot and charge details where available. | Use JSO corrections facility information and public-record routes. |
How to Order a Florida Criminal History Record Check
FDLE provides statewide Florida criminal-history searches. A county booking search is usually better for immediate custody, while FDLE is the correct route when you need a broader Florida criminal-history response.
Online results are available immediately for printing or email, but the result is not certified.
Use the certified/non-certified route when the receiving organization requires a specific format.
FDLE lists $24 per search plus a $1 credit-card processing fee for its public online search.
How to Find the Florida Criminal Court Case and Disposition
Term | What it generally indicates | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
Pending | The case has not reached a final recorded outcome. | Next hearing, filed charges and active orders. |
Dismissed | A charge or case was dismissed, but the arrest history may still exist. | Certified disposition and seal/expunge eligibility. |
Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor recorded a decision not to proceed with a charge at that time. | Final docket and eligibility guidance. |
Adjudication withheld | The court withheld a formal adjudication of guilt in that matter. | Sentence terms and legal effect for the specific purpose. |
Disposed | The case reached a recorded procedural outcome. | The actual disposition, plea, sentence or dismissal entry. |
Bond, Release, Public Defender and Florida Lawyer Help
Use the county inmate record and clerk docket to identify the amount, bond type, court and any holds. A displayed bond does not guarantee immediate release.
Release can remain pending because of another charge, warrant, hold, paperwork, payment confirmation, transportation or facility processing.
Florida has a Public Defender office in each judicial circuit. Court appointment depends on the case and financial eligibility.
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service accepts calls at 800-342-8011, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; online requests are available 24/7.
Before paying a bond
Finding legal help
Florida Jail Visitation, Calls, Mail and Inmate Money
Confirm approval, scheduling, photo ID, age rules, dress code, arrival time and whether the visit is in person or video.
Inmates normally initiate calls. Use only the phone provider linked by the facility and check blocked-number support.
Use the exact inmate name, identifier and mailing address. Follow rules for photos, cards, books and return addresses.
Confirm whether the deposit is for commissary, phone or another account. Use only the provider shown by the facility.
State-prison visitation route
Florida Custody Notifications and Victim Services
Search Florida VINE for participating custody and case information and available alerts.
Call 1-877-846-3435 for automated inmate location and tentative release information, available 24 hours a day.
Call 1-877-884-2846, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern, for Florida Department of Corrections victim-services assistance.
Florida Seal and Expunge Process: Where to Start
Adult Florida criminal-history information is generally public unless it is sealed or expunged under applicable law. Dismissal alone does not automatically remove every arrest record or private copy.
Why a Florida Arrest or Inmate Search Shows No Result
Find the arresting agency, identify its county, then use the county sheriff or corrections search.
Check release data, historical bookings, FDC Offender Search, VINE and nearby counties.
Use the county clerk docket. Booking language can differ from charges later filed by the prosecutor.
Confirm payment, all charges, outside holds and release processing directly with the facility.
Request a certified disposition from the Clerk of Court handling the case, not from a mugshot website.
Review FDLE eligibility first, complete any court process, then request private-site updates with official proof.
Florida Arrest Record Offices, Numbers and Visit Guidance
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Record-check support: 850-410-8161
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern
Use for: Florida criminal-history request support.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Main: 850-410-7000
Use for: FDLE agency routing, not county jail release information.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500
Main: 850-488-5021
Use for: State-prison and supervision routing, not recent county booking questions.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1925
Office of State Courts Administrator: 850-922-5081
Use for: State court-system information. Contact the county clerk for a specific criminal case.
Verified Florida Arrest and Criminal Record Resources
Choose instant, certified or non-certified criminal-history search options.
Search current Florida state-prison and offender information.
Open the official county clerk website for trial-court records.
Search Florida Supreme Court and District Court of Appeal dockets.
Find the Public Defender office for the circuit handling the case.
Florida Arrest Records Search FAQs
How do I search for a recent arrest in Florida?
Identify the arresting county and use that county sheriff or corrections department’s official inmate search. Start with the last name, compare the booking date and identifying details, and call the facility when the arrest is too recent to appear online.
Is there one statewide Florida jail inmate search?
No. Florida county jails are operated locally, so recent bookings are normally searched through the appropriate county sheriff or corrections portal. Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search is for state-prison and related offender records, not every county detainee.
How much does an FDLE Florida criminal-history search cost?
FDLE currently lists a $24 fee for each public online criminal-history search plus a $1 credit-card processing fee. The search charge applies regardless of whether the system returns a matching Florida record.
Does an FDLE criminal-history search show current jail custody?
It is not the best source for immediate county custody. Use the official county inmate search for a recent booking and FDC Offender Search when the person may be in Florida state prison.
Where do I find the outcome of a Florida criminal case?
Use the Clerk of Court in the county handling the case. Search by case number or legal name, then review the docket, filed charges, hearings and disposition. Request a certified disposition from the clerk when official proof is required.
Why does a Florida inmate record show bond but no release?
A bond amount does not guarantee immediate release. Another charge, warrant, hold, incomplete payment, court condition or facility processing may delay release. Confirm every charge and hold directly with the jail or clerk.
How do I find a Public Defender in Florida?
Find the judicial circuit for the county where the case is pending, then use the Florida Public Defender office directory. Ask the clerk or Public Defender office about court appointment, financial eligibility and the required application process.
How do I arrange a Florida inmate visit?
First confirm whether the person is in a county jail or an FDC state prison. Read that facility’s current visitor approval, scheduling, identification, dress-code and age rules. Do not travel until approval and the visiting schedule are confirmed.
Can I receive Florida inmate release notifications?
Florida VINE provides participating custody information and notification registration. You can use VINELink online or call 1-877-846-3435. FDC Victim Services also provides assistance for qualifying state-prison notifications.
Does a dismissed Florida charge disappear from public records automatically?
No. A dismissal does not automatically erase the arrest history or every online copy. Review FDLE seal-and-expunge eligibility, obtain the final court disposition, complete any required court process and then request private-site updates with redacted official documentation.
Official-resource review completed July 31, 2026
This independent guide is not a consumer reporting agency and is not affiliated with Florida government. Official links, published fees, phone numbers and hours can change. Confirm time-sensitive custody, bond, visitation, court and record information directly with the responsible agency.
Responsible-use notice: An arrest is not a conviction. Do not use arrest information to harass anyone or to make employment, housing, credit, insurance or other decisions that require a legally compliant consumer report.