For those in Florida, criminal records can be an important tool for verification of a person's past. The state does have a computerized criminal history system. This system makes it easy for individuals and businesses to pull up reports including information regarding felony convictions, misdemeanor charges and for other crimes. Not all criminal records in the state are accessible. In some cases, it is required that individuals requesting these documents provide a reason for doing so and that must be based on a need. However, it is possible to gather most information online when it is available.
 

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers some information for those who need this information. It is a division of the Criminal Justice Information Service. The FDLE works as a repository for all information on criminal activity occurring throughout the state, including crime statistics, sexual oriented offenders and fingerprint related data. This agency does not accept individual calls requesting background checks or criminal record access for just any need.
 

The best access for any non-active case (open case records are not available for searching) is through the Office of Public Information. Individuals can contact this agency at 850 410-7001. This information may require verification of a need. Individuals who wish to gather this type of criminal record for active cases will need to get approval from the Governor’s office to do so unless they are the individual in question.
 

How can criminal records in Florida be obtained? In some situations, it is possible to apply for the records to be released. To do this, contact the local Florida Department of Law Enforcement agency to request them in person. It is also possible to obtain this information through the FDLE at 850 410-8109. The following address will accept formally written requests for this information. You must download the appropriate file and send it, along with information related to the person (name, address, date of birth and Social Security number.)

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
 

User Services Bureau

Criminal History Services

PO Box 1489

Tallahassee, Florida 32302
 

The fee for obtaining this information is $42 currently, though this can change. In addition to this information, realize that it is possible to be denied access to such records. The most common reason for a denial is that the individual's record is sealed. This means that a judge ordered the file restricted from access to the public. It may be due to a juvenile record or due to factors related to the sensitive nature of the crimes.
 

Florida criminal records can contain a wealth of information. In some instances, there is no record. The records are only created when an individual violates the law or is suspected to have done so. When this occurs, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement opens a record on the individual. That record will contain as much information as possible about the individual, the incidents he or she is involved in and other data. The goal is to provide this information in a complete form.

 

• Florida Crime Reports & Statistics

• Florida Sex Offender Registry Search