Orange County Court Records
What Is Orange County Court Records
Orange County court records are official documents created and maintained by the Orange County court system in Florida. These records document various legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violations. They serve as the official account of court activities and decisions, providing transparency in the judicial process.
Are Court Records Public In Orange County
Yes, most court records in Orange County are public under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the state constitution. This means that citizens have the right to access and review these documents. However, certain records may be confidential or sealed by court order, including those involving juveniles, adoption proceedings, certain family matters, and cases where public disclosure could cause harm.
How To Find Court Records in Orange County in 2025
To find court records in Orange County in 2025, you have several options:
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Visit the Orange County Clerk of Courts office in person 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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Use the online records search portal provided by the Clerk's office
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Submit a public records request to the appropriate court division
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Contact the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court for cases under their jurisdiction Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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For specialized courts, contact their specific administrative offices
How To Look Up Court Records in Orange County Online?
Looking up court records online in Orange County is straightforward:
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Visit the Orange County Clerk of Courts website and access their records search portal
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Use the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court's online case query system
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For criminal cases, the Orange County Corrections Department provides inmate and case information 3723 Vision Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32839
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The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal may provide access to certain documents The Florida Courts E-Filing Authority, P.O. Box 180519, Tallahassee, FL 32318
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Third-party services may aggregate court records, though they may charge fees and not be as current as official sources
Can You Search Orange County Court Records for Free?
Yes, you can search Orange County court records for free through several methods:
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The Orange County Clerk of Courts offers free basic case searches online
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In-person searches at the Clerk's office are available at no cost 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court provides free online case queries
However, while searching is free, there may be fees for:
- Obtaining copies of documents (typically $1 per page)
- Certified copies (additional certification fee)
- Extensive research assistance from court staff
What's Included in a Orange County Court Record?
An Orange County court record typically includes:
- Case information (case number, filing date, parties involved)
- Docket entries listing all actions taken in the case
- Filed pleadings and motions
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence admitted during proceedings (in some cases)
- Financial information (fees paid, restitution ordered)
- Party information (names, sometimes contact details)
- Attorney information
- Case disposition and outcome
How Long Does Orange County Keep Court Records?
Orange County retains court records according to Florida's records retention schedules:
- Felony cases: Permanently for serious offenses; 10 years or more for others
- Misdemeanor cases: Generally 5-10 years after case closure
- Civil cases: Typically 10 years after final judgment
- Probate cases: Generally 10 years after closing
- Family law cases: Varies by type, but many are permanent
- Traffic cases: Usually 5-7 years
The Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services establishes these retention schedules R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
Types of Courts In Orange County
Orange County has several types of courts:
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Circuit Court (Ninth Judicial Circuit) Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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County Court Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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Domestic Relations/Family Court Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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Probate Court Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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Juvenile Court Juvenile Justice Center, 2000 East Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806
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Drug Court and other specialty courts Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
What Types of Cases Do Orange County Courts Hear?
Orange County courts hear a wide variety of cases:
Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases with claims over $30,000
- Family law matters (divorce, custody)
- Probate and guardianship
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency
County Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil cases with claims up to $30,000
- Small claims (up to $8,000)
- Traffic violations
- Landlord/tenant disputes
Specialty Courts:
- Drug Court
- Veterans Court
- Mental Health Court
- Teen Court
How To Find a Court Docket In Orange County
To find a court docket in Orange County:
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Online: Use the Orange County Clerk of Courts website's case search function
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In person: Visit the Clerk's office and request docket information 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
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By phone: Contact the specific division handling the case
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For Ninth Judicial Circuit cases: Use their online case query system
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For scheduled hearings: Check the court calendar on the Ninth Judicial Circuit website
Which Courts in Orange County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Orange County, all courts are technically courts of record, meaning they maintain official records of proceedings. However, some proceedings have different record-keeping requirements:
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Small Claims Court (part of County Court): While records are kept, proceedings are less formal
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Traffic Court (for non-criminal violations): Maintains records but with simplified procedures
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Certain administrative hearings: May have different record-keeping standards
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Mediation and arbitration proceedings: Often have limited record requirements unless formalized in court
Lookup Court Records in Orange County
Orange County Clerk of Courts Records Search - This link provides access to the Orange County Clerk of Courts' online system for searching court records, allowing users to find case information and documents.
Public Records - Orange County Florida - This page offers information on how to request public records in Orange County, including various types of documents and the process for obtaining them.
Case Query | Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida - This resource provides access to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court's case query system, which allows public searches of case information in Orange County.