Orange County Warrant Search
What Is a Search Warrant In Orange County?
A search warrant in Orange County is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement officers to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 933.02, search warrants may be issued when property constitutes evidence relevant to proving that a felony has been committed, when property is stolen or embezzled, when property is being used to commit a crime, or when property is in the possession of a person who intends to use it to commit a crime.
Search warrants in Orange County must meet the following criteria:
- Be based on probable cause as determined by a judge
- Specifically describe the place to be searched
- Detail the persons or property to be seized
- Be executed within 10 days of issuance
- Be served during daytime hours unless specifically authorized for nighttime execution
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for executing search warrants within unincorporated areas of the county.
Orange County Sheriff's Office 2500 West Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32804 (407) 836-4357 Orange County Sheriff's Office
Are Warrants Public Records In Orange County?
Warrants in Orange County are generally considered public records under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law provides that most government records, including court records, are available for public inspection. However, certain exceptions apply to warrant information:
- Active warrants may be temporarily exempt from disclosure if release would impede an ongoing investigation
- Warrants related to juvenile offenders may have restricted access
- Warrants involving certain sensitive crimes (e.g., sexual offenses) may have redacted information
Members of the public seeking warrant information may access these records through the Orange County Clerk of Courts or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Wanted Persons database.
Orange County Clerk of Courts 425 North Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 836-2000 Orange County Clerk of Courts
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
How Do I Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Orange County?
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Orange County have several official methods available. The Orange County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Persons may:
- Visit the Clerk's office in person with valid identification
- Contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division at (407) 254-7000
- Search the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Wanted Persons database
- Contact a private attorney who can access court records
For those concerned about potential arrest upon inquiry, legal counsel is advised before making direct contact with law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.131, individuals with active warrants may arrange for surrender through an attorney or bail bondsman to minimize detention time.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division 2500 West Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32804 (407) 254-7000 Orange County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
How To Check for Warrants in Orange County for Free in 2025
Orange County residents and interested parties may access warrant information at no cost through several government resources. The following methods are available for free warrant checks in 2025:
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Wanted Persons Search provides statewide warrant information
- The Orange County Clerk of Courts public access terminal located at 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
- The Orange County Corrections Department inmate search can identify persons recently arrested on warrants
- Public access computers at Orange County libraries offer free internet access to search public databases
When conducting a warrant search, individuals should have the following information available:
- Full legal name (including possible aliases)
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (for in-person searches only)
- Case number (if known)
What Types of Warrants In Orange County
Orange County's judicial system issues several categories of warrants, each serving a specific legal purpose. The primary types include:
- Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime
- Bench Warrants: Ordered by a judge when someone fails to appear for a scheduled court date
- Capias Warrants: Similar to bench warrants, issued for failure to comply with court orders
- Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specific locations for evidence
- Civil Warrants: Issued in non-criminal matters such as child support enforcement
- Fugitive Warrants: Issued when a person is wanted in another jurisdiction
Florida Statutes § 901.02 governs the issuance of arrest warrants, requiring that they be based on sworn affidavits establishing probable cause. Bench warrants are authorized under Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.131 when defendants fail to appear as directed by the court. Missing a court date may result in a warrant for arrest as noted in the Pretrial Diversion Frequently Asked Questions document.
What Warrants in Orange County Contain
Warrants issued in Orange County contain specific information as required by Florida Statutes § 901.02 and § 933.05. A legally valid warrant must include:
- The name of the person to be arrested or location to be searched
- A description of the alleged offense (for arrest warrants)
- The date of issuance
- The signature of the issuing judge
- The court where the warrant was issued
- A case number for reference
- For search warrants: specific description of items to be seized
- For arrest warrants: bail amount, if applicable
All warrants must be supported by an affidavit establishing probable cause, which becomes part of the official record. The Orange County Clerk of Courts maintains these records in accordance with Florida's public records laws.
Who Issues Warrants In Orange County
In Orange County, warrants are issued exclusively by judicial officers with proper jurisdiction. The authority to issue warrants is vested in:
- Circuit Court Judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit
- County Court Judges of Orange County
- Magistrates specifically authorized to issue certain types of warrants
The issuance process requires law enforcement or prosecutors to present sworn affidavits establishing probable cause that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime exists at a specific location. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 901.02, the judge must determine that the affidavit meets the legal threshold before signing the warrant.
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida 425 North Orange Avenue Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 836-2050 Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Orange County
Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Orange County may utilize several official channels. The most comprehensive method is to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division directly. Additional resources include:
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Wanted Persons database, which contains warrant information reported by law enforcement agencies throughout Florida
- The Orange County Clerk of Courts public access system
- The Orange County Corrections Department inmate search for recently executed warrants
For third-party inquiries, requestors should note that while warrant information is generally public record, certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.071.
Orange County Corrections Department 3723 Vision Boulevard Orlando, FL 32839 (407) 836-3400 Orange County Corrections
How To Check Federal Warrants In Orange County
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants and are not accessible through Orange County government resources. To check for federal warrants, individuals must contact federal agencies directly. The process includes:
- Contacting the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Consulting with the U.S. Marshals Service Orlando Office
- Requesting information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Tampa Field Office, which covers Orange County
Federal warrant information is more restricted than state-level data and may require formal requests through specific channels.
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida 401 West Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 835-4200 U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. Marshals Service - Orlando Office 401 West Central Boulevard, Suite 1200 Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 648-6608 U.S. Marshals Service
How Long Do Warrants Last In Orange County?
Warrants issued in Orange County remain active until they are executed, recalled by the court, or the subject of the warrant is deceased. Unlike some jurisdictions, Florida does not have a statute of limitations on the execution of warrants. Key points regarding warrant duration include:
- Arrest warrants remain in effect indefinitely until served or recalled
- Search warrants must be executed within 10 days of issuance per Florida Statutes § 933.05
- Bench warrants remain active until the person appears before the court
- Warrants may be updated in the system with new information but remain valid
The perpetual nature of warrants means that unresolved legal matters can affect individuals years or even decades after issuance. This underscores the importance of addressing known warrants promptly through proper legal channels.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Orange County?
The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Orange County varies based on circumstances and urgency. Under standard procedures:
- Regular warrant applications typically require 1-3 business days for processing
- Emergency warrants may be obtained within hours when circumstances justify immediate action
- Electronic warrants can expedite the process, sometimes reducing wait times to under 24 hours
Florida Statutes § 933.07 permits judges to issue warrants electronically, which has significantly reduced processing times. In exigent circumstances, law enforcement may conduct searches without warrants, subject to subsequent judicial review.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office coordinates with the State Attorney's Office and judicial officers to process warrant applications according to established protocols that balance investigative needs with constitutional protections.
Search Warrant Records in Orange County
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Wanted Persons database
Orange County inmate information system