Orange County Court Records
What Is Orange County Court Records
Orange County court records are official documents created, maintained, and stored by the Orange County Clerk of Courts and the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. These records document legal proceedings that occur within the jurisdiction of Orange County, Florida. Pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 119, commonly known as the "Public Records Law," these documents constitute official government records.
Court records typically include:
- Case filings and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence admitted during proceedings
- Docket entries
- Case dispositions
The Orange County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of these records as mandated by Article V, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution. The Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining the accuracy, accessibility, and preservation of these documents in accordance with Florida law.
Orange County Clerk of Courts 425 N. Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2000 Orange County Clerk of Courts Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Are Court Records Public In Orange County
Court records in Orange County are generally public pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the Florida Constitution (Article I, Section 24), which establish the public's right to access government records. The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, specifically Rule 2.420, governs public access to judicial branch records.
Members of the public may access most court records with the following considerations:
- Records are presumed open unless specifically exempted by statute
- Certain records may be confidential or exempt from public disclosure
- Confidential records include those involving juveniles, adoption proceedings, mental health matters, and certain domestic violence cases
- Records may be sealed by court order when legally justified
The Florida Supreme Court has established that court records should be accessible to ensure transparency in the judicial system while balancing privacy concerns. Individuals seeking access to Orange County court records may visit the Clerk's office in person, utilize online resources, or submit written requests in accordance with established procedures.
Exemptions to public access are specifically enumerated in Florida Statutes § 119.071 and other provisions of Florida law. The determination of whether a record is exempt from disclosure is made by the custodian of records in accordance with applicable statutes and court rules.
How To Find Court Records in Orange County in 2025
Members of the public seeking Orange County court records in 2025 have multiple methods available to access these documents. The Orange County Clerk of Courts has implemented several access points to facilitate public record retrieval:
-
Online Access:
- The myEClerk portal provides 24/7 access to non-confidential court records
- The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court website offers case information and document access
-
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Orange County Courthouse Records Department
- Self-service terminals are available for public use
- Staff assistance is provided for complex searches
-
Written Requests:
- Submit formal records requests via mail or email
- Include case number, party names, and specific documents needed
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing
Orange County Courthouse Records Department 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 310 Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2060 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, requestors must provide sufficient information to identify the desired records. Fees may apply in accordance with Florida Statutes § 28.24, which establishes a fee schedule for copies of public records. As of 2025, standard copy fees are $1.00 per page for certified copies and $0.15 per page for uncertified copies.
How To Look Up Court Records in Orange County Online?
The Orange County Clerk of Courts provides comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms. These systems have been established pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC16-14, which governs standards for electronic access to court records.
To access Orange County court records online, individuals may utilize:
- Orange County Clerk's Electronic Access System - The primary portal for searching case records, viewing documents, and accessing court calendars
- myEClerk Portal - Provides enhanced search capabilities for registered users
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Case Query - Offers case information for matters pending in Orange County courts
When conducting online searches, users may search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Filing date range
- Case type
- Attorney name
The online systems maintain records in accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(d), which establishes standards for electronic records. Users should note that certain confidential or sealed records will not appear in public search results pursuant to applicable exemptions under Florida law.
For optimal search results, users should:
- Enter complete information when known
- Use wildcard searches when exact spelling is uncertain
- Narrow searches by date range when possible
- Utilize advanced search options for complex queries
Can You Search Orange County Court Records for Free?
Orange County provides several no-cost options for accessing court records in accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, while certain services require payment, basic record searches are available without charge.
Free access options include:
- Basic case searches through the Clerk's public access portal
- Limited document viewing through the Ninth Judicial Circuit website
- In-person inspection of non-confidential records at the courthouse
- Public access terminals located at the Orange County Courthouse
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies ($0.15 per page)
- Certified copies ($1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee)
- Records requiring extensive research or redaction
- Specialized searches requiring staff assistance
Orange County Public Records Center 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 180 Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Orange County government has established these policies to balance public access with the operational costs of maintaining court records. Users should note that while commercial vendors may charge for access to court records, these are third-party services not affiliated with the official Orange County court system.
What's Included in a Orange County Court Record?
Orange County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as prescribed by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420. These records serve as the official account of court activities and typically include:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
- Pleadings filed by parties (motions, responses, briefs)
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence admitted during proceedings
- Financial information (filing fees, fines, restitution)
- Case disposition and sentencing information
- Service of process documentation
- Witness and exhibit lists
- Jury selection records (when applicable)
The content of court records varies by case type in accordance with Florida Statutes and court rules. For example:
- Criminal cases include charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing orders
- Civil cases contain complaints, answers, and judgment information
- Family law matters include petitions, parenting plans, and support orders
- Probate cases contain wills, inventories, and distribution plans
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(d)(1)(B), certain information is automatically designated as confidential, including social security numbers, bank account numbers, and information regarding minors. The Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining these records in accordance with established retention schedules.
How Long Does Orange County Keep Court Records?
Orange County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 257.36. These schedules vary based on case type and significance.
Standard retention periods include:
- Felony cases: Permanent retention for capital cases; 10 years after final judgment for other felonies
- Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after final judgment
- Civil cases: 10 years after final judgment
- Domestic relations cases: 10 years after final judgment
- Probate cases: Permanent retention for wills; 10 years for other probate matters
- Juvenile cases: Until the subject reaches age 24 or 10 years after last activity
- Traffic cases: 5 years after final disposition
Records of historical significance may be preserved permanently regardless of standard retention schedules. The Orange County Clerk of Courts implements these retention policies in accordance with General Records Schedule GS11 for Clerk of Courts records and GS12 for court administrative records.
Electronic records are maintained in accordance with the same retention schedules as paper records. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed following procedures outlined in Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-24.003. Individuals seeking older records should contact:
Orange County Clerk of Courts Archives 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 340 Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2060 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Types of Courts In Orange County
Orange County's judicial system operates within Florida's unified court structure as established by Article V of the Florida Constitution. The county hosts several court types, each with distinct jurisdictional authority.
The primary courts in Orange County include:
- Circuit Court - The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court serves as the court of general jurisdiction handling felonies, civil cases exceeding $30,000, family law matters, probate, and juvenile cases
- County Court - Handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, traffic infractions, and small claims
- Appellate jurisdiction - Cases from Orange County are appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal located in Daytona Beach
Specialized divisions within these courts include:
- Domestic Relations Division
- Juvenile Division
- Probate Division
- Criminal Division
- Civil Division
- Business Court
- Drug Court
- Veterans Court
- Mental Health Court
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida 425 N. Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2050 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Orange County Courthouse 425 N. Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
These courts operate under the administrative oversight of the Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit as provided by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.215.
What Types of Cases Do Orange County Courts Hear?
Orange County courts adjudicate a wide spectrum of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional parameters established by Florida Statutes Chapter 26 for Circuit Courts and Chapter 34 for County Courts. The case distribution is as follows:
Circuit Court cases include:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes exceeding $30,000 in damages
- Domestic relations matters (divorce, custody, support)
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings
- Probate, guardianship, and mental health cases
- Appeals from County Court decisions
County Court cases include:
- Misdemeanor criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes up to $30,000
- Small claims (up to $8,000)
- Traffic infractions
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Ordinance violations
The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court processes approximately 100,000 new case filings annually across all divisions. Case assignment follows procedures established in Administrative Order No. 2022-04, which governs case allocation among judges.
Specialized treatment courts in Orange County address specific populations:
- Drug Court provides alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues
- Veterans Court serves eligible military veterans
- Mental Health Court addresses defendants with diagnosed mental health conditions
These courts operate under the authority granted by Florida Statutes § 397.334 and related provisions establishing problem-solving courts.
How To Find a Court Docket In Orange County
Court dockets in Orange County are accessible through multiple channels as provided by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to court records. A court docket serves as the official chronological record of all proceedings in a case.
To access Orange County court dockets, individuals may:
- Search online through the Clerk's electronic portal, which provides real-time docket information
- Utilize the Ninth Judicial Circuit's case query system for upcoming court dates and proceedings
- Visit the Clerk's office in person to review docket information on public access terminals
- Contact the Clerk's office by telephone for basic docket information
When searching for docket information, users should have:
- Case number (preferred method)
- Party names
- Approximate filing date
- Case type
Docket searches reveal:
- Scheduled hearings and trial dates
- Filed documents and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Party and attorney information
- Case status and disposition
Orange County Clerk of Courts - Criminal Division 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 320 Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2066 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Orange County Clerk of Courts - Civil Division 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 310 Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-2060 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2019-07, certain specialized dockets may have restricted access based on case type and confidentiality requirements.
Which Courts in Orange County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Orange County, as throughout Florida's unified court system, all courts are designated as courts of record pursuant to Article V of the Florida Constitution. This designation requires that official records be maintained of all proceedings. However, certain judicial and quasi-judicial bodies operate with different recordkeeping requirements.
Entities that function outside the standard court of record framework include:
- Traffic Hearing Officer Program - While proceedings are documented, these administrative hearings follow simplified recordkeeping procedures as established by Florida Statutes § 318.32
- Code Enforcement Board - Operates under Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, with modified recordkeeping requirements
- Value Adjustment Board - Handles property tax assessment disputes with specialized record procedures
- Local administrative hearings - Various county agencies conduct hearings with varying documentation standards
These entities maintain records according to their governing statutes and administrative rules, though not always with the comprehensive documentation required of traditional courts. Records from these proceedings may be accessed through:
Orange County Code Enforcement Division 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, 1st Floor Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-3111 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Orange County Value Adjustment Board 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, 4th Floor Orlando, FL 32801 407-836-5447 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Individuals seeking records from these proceedings should contact the specific entity directly, as their records may not be maintained by the Clerk of Courts.
Lookup Court Records in Orange County
Search Orange County court records online
Access electronic court records portal
Find case information through the Ninth Circuit
Query specific court cases in Orange County
Access statewide Florida court information
Review Fifth District appellate cases