Search Orange County Court Records

Orange County court records are managed by the Clerk of Courts in Orlando. With close to 1.4 million residents, this is one of the most active courts in the state. The 9th Judicial Circuit handles all case types filed in Orange County. The clerk runs My E Clerk, an online search tool that lets you look up court records from home using different search methods. Registered users get more access, but guests can still find basic case data. You can also pay fines and traffic tickets through the clerk's site in Orange County.

Orange County Clerk of Courts

The Orange County Clerk of Courts keeps all court records for the 9th Judicial Circuit. The office is in Orlando and handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. You can file new cases, pay fees, and get copies of court records here. The clerk also stores official records like deeds and liens, though court case files are the main focus for most searches in Orange County.

Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court records in Orange County are public unless a judge has sealed them or the law makes them confidential. The clerk must let anyone inspect and copy public records. Social security numbers, bank account info, and certain personal data are removed from public view under Florida Statute 119.0714. The clerk does this on their own for all court records in Orange County. You do not have to ask for it.

The Orange County Clerk's homepage gives quick access to online services, court records, and contact information.

The clerk's online services page lists all the tools you can use from home. Pay a traffic ticket, search court records, or file a case. The site also has FAQs and a glossary of terms to help you understand what you find in Orange County court records.

Search Court Records with My E Clerk

My E Clerk is the main search tool for Orange County court records. It lets you look up cases using different search fields. The Florida Supreme Court, through Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, authorized the Orange County Clerk to offer electronic access to court records through this system. Guest users can search basic case info at no cost. You do not need to create an account to run a simple search. Just go to the My E Clerk portal and type in a name or case number.

Registered users get more features. Once you sign up, you can access a broader set of court records in Orange County. The My Cases feature lets attorneys track their active cases in one place. Agencies, law enforcement, the State Attorney, and attorneys of record can log in for access to confidential case data that the public cannot see. The registration process follows the Florida Supreme Court Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records and the Access Security Matrix.

The My E Clerk search portal for Orange County court records is shown below.

Attorneys can also search court records in Orange County without logging in. Anonymous searches show the same basic data that guests can see. But logging in gives you access to documents, images, and case details that are not visible to the general public. The system follows Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 on what stays open and what gets restricted in Orange County court records.

Note: Some court records in Orange County may not appear in My E Clerk if they have been sealed by court order or made confidential by statute.

Orange County Court Records by Case Type

The 9th Judicial Circuit handles many case types in Orange County. Circuit civil cases cover disputes over $30,000, mortgage foreclosures, and injunctions. County civil deals with smaller claims. Family cases include divorce, child custody, support, paternity, and name changes. Probate cases cover estates, wills, and guardianship. All of these create court records that you can search through My E Clerk in Orange County.

Criminal court records in Orange County are split between circuit and county levels. Circuit criminal handles felonies and grand jury matters. County criminal covers misdemeanors. Traffic cases have their own division. Getting a traffic ticket is never fun, but the clerk makes it easy to pay online. You can look up your citation, see the fine, and pay from home without going to the courthouse in Orange County. The online services page walks you through each step.

Juvenile cases are handled separately and most of those court records in Orange County are confidential under Florida law. Mental health cases also have limited access. The clerk follows state rules on what the public can and cannot see for each case type.

Orange County Clerk Contact Info

The Orange County Clerk contact page has phone numbers, addresses, and directions to each office location. The main courthouse is in downtown Orlando. If you need to visit in person to get copies of court records or file a new case, check the hours before you go. The contact page for Orange County court records is shown here.

You can also reach the clerk by phone or mail. For general questions about court records in Orange County, the main office line is the best starting point. Staff can tell you which division handles your case type and where to go. If you need to file by mail, send your documents to the clerk at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando. Include payment for any filing fees. The clerk accepts checks and money orders for most court fees in Orange County.

Note: The clerk's office cannot give legal advice or help you fill out forms for court cases in Orange County.

Court Records Access and Fees in Orange County

Basic searches of Orange County court records through My E Clerk are free. You can see case numbers, party names, filing dates, and case status without paying anything. Copies of documents may cost extra. Certified copies carry a fee that the clerk sets based on state law. If you need a document with the clerk's seal for use in another court or agency, that is a certified copy. Plain copies cost less but do not carry official weight in Orange County.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal handles all electronic filings for Orange County. Attorneys must e-file. Self-represented parties can too. Filing fees depend on the case type. The MyFloridaCounty.com portal lets you make online payments for court fees. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site links all 67 county clerks and has tools for paying fines, checking jury duty, and searching records across the state, including Orange County.

For free legal forms, the Florida Courts Help center has everything approved by the Florida Supreme Court. These forms work in Orange County and every other county in the state. Self-help guides walk you through common case types step by step.

Sealed and Confidential Records in Orange County

Some court records in Orange County are not open to the public. Florida law protects certain types of cases and certain types of information. Juvenile records are almost always confidential. Mental health proceedings have tight restrictions. Domestic violence injunctions may have parts sealed to protect the people involved. The clerk follows state law and court rules to decide what can be shown in public searches of Orange County court records.

If you want a criminal record sealed or expunged in Orange County, the process starts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. You apply for a certificate of eligibility, then file a petition with the court. The clerk processes the petition and, if the judge grants it, the record comes out of public view. Sealed records can still be seen by certain agencies. Expunged records are destroyed or sent to FDLE. Under Florida Statute 119.0714, even records that are public must have sensitive personal data removed before anyone can view them in Orange County.

Cities in Orange County

All cities in Orange County file court cases at the county clerk's office in Orlando. Select a city below to find out more about court records access in that area. Smaller cities like Winter Park and Apopka also go through the same clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Orange County. Check which county handles your case before you file. Filing in the wrong county can delay your case or get it dismissed.