Access Free Alachua County Public Records: Check Your Record

Free Alachua County Public Records Search
Access Alachua County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

Search free Alachua County public records today; these records are often made available online through various official agencies, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Florida’s State Public Records Laws.

The tough part is knowing which agencies are holding the type of information the searchers need, be it for background check reports, criminal and arrest history, warrants, prisoner information, probation status, marital records (marriage and divorce), vital records (birth and death), court documents, or property deeds. Knowing how to use these records ethically and responsibly is an important factor that everyone must learn.

This article outlines everything you need to know to make the search seamless and efficient.

How To Perform a Free Arrest Record & Inmate Search in Alachua County

Alachua County, following the Florida Sunshine Law Chapter 119: Public Records, provides various kinds of records and services available for public viewing.1 These records allow you to find someone’s mugshot, along with the inmate records and arrest information.

At a county level, the custodian of inmate records is the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, specifically the Department of Jail, accredited by the Florida Department of Corrections, where incarcerated individuals are held.

Another way to look up arrest records is through the police department, which may have information on an arrestee at the city or town level.

Find Arrestees Booked in the Alachua County Jail

To find an arrestee in Alachua County, the county’s Department of Jail offers an Inmate Search Tool that allows the public to check if the person is currently in the Alachua County Jail.2

The information needed to perform a search are as follow:

  • First & Last Name; or
  • Booking Number
A screenshot of an inmate lookup from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office page showing the required fields to search, such as last name, first name, and booking number.
Source: Alachua County Sheriff’s Office3

Searchers are allowed to submit an incomplete entry; an option to view all inmates is also available for those who just want to browse jail records.

The search results will provide the inmate information such as:

  • Full Name
  • Booking Date
  • Race
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Pod
A screenshot of the search results from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup, showing list of inmates with their full name, book date, race, sex and age.
Source: Alachua County Sheriff’s Office4

The Sheriff’s Office Records Bureau maintains the public records in Alachua County, Florida. The bureau is also responsible for providing services to the public such as local arrest history checks. Through this service, citizens can also access Alachua County arrest records.

There are several ways to make a request, this information can be accessed by phone, email, or via their online form.

To request records online through the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office website, searchers must provide the following information:

  • Full Name & Phone Number (optional unless required by law for the release of the record)
  • Email
  • Description of Records Requested

Alternatively, records can also be acquired by visiting the office in-person at:

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Records Customer Service Window
2621 SE Hawthorne Rd.
Gainesville, Florida 32641

Phone: 352.491.4449
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 5489
Gainesville, FL 32627

Phone: 352.367.4000

Local arrest history checks for victims or their custodial family members are free, while other requesters are charged based on processing time, page count, and postage costs.

The fee is payable to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office in the form of cash, credit card, money order, or business check before the record is given.

Look Up Police Records & Find Recent Bookings Through Police Departments in Alachua County Florida

Gainesville is the largest city in the county and likely the best resource for finding recent Alachua County bookings.

To begin, interested individuals can visit the Gainesville Police Department website.5 They offer several online resources to obtain information about arrests or incidents from a specific set of dates.

Police records and recent bookings can be accessed by utilizing the Event Search Tool provided by the City Police Department. To start the search, select a box to check depending on the type of search you want, either “Arrests” or “Incidents”. However, you can check both.

Enter either of the following:

  • Case Number
  • Date of Occurrence or Date Reported
  • Either the Last, First or Middle Name of the Person Involved
  • Where the Event Occurred (street number, street name, city, and/or search range)
A screenshot of the event search page from the Gainesville Police Department website, showing the available options to search for records, such as case number, date, name, and location where the event occurred.
Source: Gainesville Police Department6

The result will show a list of records matching the search criteria. For each record, you will see details such as the case number, date and time of the event, names of individuals involved, and a brief description of the incident or arrest.

The Gainesville Police Department website also offers additional resources and contact information for further inquiries or assistance. Their contact information can be found below.

Some of the larger cities also operate their own law enforcement agencies, which can be contacted to check for recent arrests or request for Alachua County public records. Link to the agency’s most relevant page is provided in the table below:

Police Department Address Contact Information
Alachua Police Department 15000 NW 142 Terrace
Alachua, FL 32615
386.462.1396
High Springs Police Department 23720 NW 187th Avenue
High Springs, FL 32643
386.454.1415
Gainesville Police Department 545 NW 8th Ave

Gainesville, FL 32601

352.393.7500

However, some cities and towns do not operate their own Police Department; the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services for the following cities and towns:

  • Newberry City
  • Archer City
  • Waldo City
  • Town of Micanopy
  • Hawthorne
  • Archer
  • Waldo

For inquiries and additional concern, consider reaching out to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at 352.367.4000.

How To Check Criminal Cases in Alachua County FL

There are various forms of Alachua County criminal records, from initial charges to probation status and warrants to comprehensive background checks. These records can help you learn more about an individual’s past or current legal situation.

In Alachua County, there are multiple agencies that maintain these records. These include law enforcement, courts, and the Department of Corrections.

Whether you want to verify or look at someone’s criminal history or simply satisfy personal curiosity, understanding how to access these records is valuable.

Below is the step-by-step process for viewing criminal records which can help you in your Alachua County case search.

Uncover Alachua County Criminal Records via the Clerk of Court

Alachua County public records include criminal cases such as misdemeanor and felony filings. These case records can be accessed through the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

The Clerk offers an online resource that makes access to Alachua County court records available to the public. Searchers can utilize the Court Records Search Tool for free to look up someone’s criminal records.

There are various criteria when searching these records, these include name, case number, citation number, court date range or case type. To search by name, searchers must provide the person’s first and last name.

A screenshot of the case search page from the Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court Website, showing the available options to search for records, including subject's name, company name, MNI no. and case number.
Source: Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court7

The system also accommodates searches for different case types, such as family cases (DR), probate cases (CP), mental health cases (MH), and small claims (CC).

Once you get the search results, you may navigate to the ‘Charges’ tab. Under that tab, you will be able to view the charge description.

A screenshot of the search results from the Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court's case search, showing an individual record.
Source: Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court8

Some information may be restricted due to privacy laws and Florida Supreme Court Administrative Orders.

For cases involving expungement or sealing of records, the clerk’s office provides separate forms and instructions on their website, including expungement/sealing petitions and affidavits, as well as FDLE expunge process information.9

Additionally, note that there are limitations on the online system. Criminal case records are available online from December 2005 onwards, while civil and traffic cases start from September 2001.

For records prior to 1990 – or if the record you are looking for is not found online or if you want to make a request for records that is under the custody of Alachua County Clerk of Court – you can send your request through email, call, or visit the clerk’s office in-person at:

Alachua County Clerk of Court
Public Records Custodian
201 E University Ave
Gainesville FL 32601

Phone: 352.264.6906
Email: [email protected]

Additionally, you can also send a Public Records Request online.

View Prior Charges & Criminal Convictions Through Various Channels

Searching for prior charges and criminal convictions in Alachua County, Florida can be done through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, sheriff’s office or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Searching records at the Alachua Clerk of the Circuit Court can be made online.10 The Clerk offers Case Records Search Tool allowing the public to search criminal, civil and traffic cases by name, case number or citation number.

While some records are available online, others might require an in-person visit to the office to obtain the record you need.

Here are their address and contact information:

Alachua County Clerk of Court
Public Records Custodian
201 E University Ave
Gainesville FL 32601

Phone: 352.264.6906
Email: [email protected]

Alternatively, the clerk also offers a Public Records Request Portal, making archives or prior court records accessible without the need of an in-person visit.

A screenshot of the record request page offered by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, displays instructions to submit, check or search for archives.
Source: Alachua County Board of County Commissioners11

Another option is through the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the office made several types of records such as recent arrests, inmate information, including charges, available online.

Searchers can utilize the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Lookup to view prior or current inmate’s criminal records. You can also consider reaching out to the sheriff’s office directly at:

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
2621 SE Hawthorne Rd.
Gainesville, Florida 32641

Phone: 352.367.4000

For a statewide criminal records search, you can access the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)’s Public Records Search. After creating an account or logging in as a guest, enter the subject’s information, including name, date of birth, race, and sex. Results for a name-base search are instant. However, the search may require a fee.

There are other resources that you may also consider when searching for Alachua County criminal records, and these will be explained in the preceding sections.

How To Look Up Alachua County Florida Warrants

Arrest Capias (warrants) in Alachua County are issued when defendants fail to pick up their criminal summons.

Warrant information can be obtained from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office does not offer an online search tool to access warrant details, thus, the most reliable way is to contact the Warrants Bureau directly at:12

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Warrants Bureau
2621 SE Hawthorne Rd.
Gainesville, Florida 326

Phone: 352.367.4138

Generally, warrants are issued by the court, so that information about Alachua County warrants can also be accessed from the court that issued it.

The Alachua County Clerk of the Court’s Records Search Tool can be used to find this information.

If you believe you have an active warrant or legal arrest order, you can turn yourself in at the Alachua County Department of Jail.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Jail Department
3333 NW 39th Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32609

Phone: 352.491.4444

The office is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

If you have any questions or concerns about anyone wanted locally, you can review the Alachua County warrant lookup tutorial, contact the Warrants Bureau, check the Clerk of Courts’ records, or seek legal advice.

How To Run an Alachua County Probation Record Search

In Alachua County, probation is sentenced by the County Court Judges for misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses which has a maximum sentence of 1 year. Probation conditions include monthly reporting, treatment participation, employment, community service, fines, and more.

Alachua County probation information can be acquired primarily through the County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Records Search Tool. This tool can look up cases involving probation.

Not all records can be obtained online, thus, you can contact the Alachua County Clerk of Court Court directly at

Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court
249 SE 1st Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601 

Phone: 352.374.3636
Fax: 352.338.3201

Furthermore, records can also be accessed from the Gainesville Circuit Office. This circuit oversees probation services for Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. As of January 5, 2024, there were 2,922 offenders under supervision in this circuit.

Visit the office in-person at:

Gainesville Circuit Office – Alachua County
US Hwy 441 Suite 300
Alachua, FL 32615

Probation records can also be obtained via the Florida Department of Corrections’ Supervised Population Information Search. This statewide lookup tool is searchable by name or DC number.13

A screenshot shows the FDLE Corrections Offender Network's Supervised Population Information List, detailing the names, DC numbers, race, sex, scheduled termination dates, current locations, and birth dates of various offenders.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)14

Results show a list of individuals currently under supervised release.

How To Obtain an Alachua County Background Check Report

Performing a background check can be valuable for both personal and professional purposes.

Background checks can help verify your criminal records history or anyone you know. Employers perform a background screening before hiring anyone or accepting someone to work in their company, for a safer work environment.

There are two categories of background check: personal and professional.

Personal Background Check: This can be performed by anyone for any reason by searching through county or state public records or third party providers without their consent or a stated reason, however it is important to note that this must not be used to harass, stalk or any illegal purposes.

Professional Background Check: This is commonly used for employment, insurance, licensing, housing application and firearm purchases. When conducting a background check for employment purposes, make sure you comply with all relevant state and federal laws regarding background checks and employment screening.

When conducting a background check for professional purposes, it is important to comply with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines.

In connection with these legal constraints, if you believe that you have been discriminated against based on background check, you can file a charge with the EEOC. You can also visit the EEOC – Alachua County Branch in person at:

Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office
12 SE 1st Street, 1st Floor
Gainesville, FL 32601

Phone: 352.374.5275
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm

If in some instance that background check is performed without your consent, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

When performing a background check in Alachua County, Florida, you have two main options, first is through the local enforcement agencies, this include the sheriff’s office and police departments and second, is via the state agency – Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Local criminal history checks or background checks can be requested through the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Records Bureau for $6.00 and fingerprinting for $10. These checks are able to show the Alachua county arrest records.15

Another way to obtain background check reports is through the Gainesville Police Department. This can be done by telephone, online or in-person.

To order by telephone, you may call 352.393.7565. To order online, you may check and fill out the Background Check Request Form.

To order in person, you may visit:

Gainesville Police Department
413 NW 8th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601

If you need a statewide background check, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offers this service. There’s typically a fee for this service, and you’ll need to provide specific information about the person you’re checking.

Note: Some records may not be available to the general public due to privacy laws. 

If you’re unsure about the legality of your background check practices, consider consulting with a legal professional.

How To Review Florida Criminal Records Through State & Federal Resources

To look up criminal records throughout all of Florida, you can go through the primary public records custodians – the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

The FDLE offers several options when requesting criminal records. Through the FDLE’s Instant Search, you can perform a criminal history record check which costs $24 per search, with an additional $1 credit card fee.16 This instant search feature will give immediate results that can be emailed or printed, but these records, however, are not certified.

A screenshot shows the FDLE Criminal History Services webpage, detailing the overview of the FDLE's Criminal History Search, with a "Public Search" button and noting the site allows self-service searches of Florida criminal history records.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)16

Background check searches that can be done through the FDLE:

  • Personal Review Checks
  • Instant Searches
  • Certified or Non-Certified Searches
  • Originating Agency Identification (ORI) Searches

Alternatively, records can also be accessed by visiting the department in person at:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Attention: Criminal History Record Maintenance Section
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489

Below is list of agencies that you can also explore when searching for criminal records across the State of Florida:

  • Florida Department of Corrections (DOC): Florida DOC’s Offender Network Tool allows searchers to find information on inmates that are currently incarcerated in state prisons including released individuals and are currently under the watch of DOC.17
  • Florida Sex Offender Registry: Sexual Offenders and Predators Search can be utilized to look up registered sex offenders across the state of Florida, for free.18
  • Federal Bureau of Prisons: BOP’s Find an Inmate Tool can give searchers an access to federal criminal records and can help locate information on inmates with no fees.19
  • National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW): Allows searchers to locate and find information on federal sex offenders through the registry, either by name or address and a set radius.20

How To Access Alachua County Florida Public Court Cases & Documents

Whether you are a resident, a legal professional or simply curious about the local justice system, understanding how to search Alachua County judicial records and documents is essential.

To see public court records and case information, the Alachua County Clerk of Court offers an Online Court Records Search Tool, with several options to search, including by name, case number, or citation number.21 Select which option you preferred and enter the relevant information needed to proceed. The search result will return a list of matching cases.

Click on the specific court record to view more information, such as the case summary, party information, scheduled events, and docket entries.

Note: While many court records are public, some documents may be restricted due to privacy laws or court orders.

For cases that aren’t available online or if you need certified copies, you can visit the Alachua County Clerk of Court’s office in person at:

Alachua County Clerk of Court
Public Records Custodian
201 E University Ave
Gainesville FL 32601

Phone: 352.264.6906
Email: [email protected]

How To Retrieve Alachua County Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death)

Alachua County public records, including vital records, can be accessed through several official resources. Depending on the type of certificate needed, this can be obtained either by mail, in-person, or via online third-party services.

By Mail or In-person Order:

Via Online Third-Party Services:

Certificates are available and can be obtained online through VitalChek. This is the only third-party vendor recommended by the Florida Department of Health, however, it is not in any way affiliated with the agency as such, fees may differ.

Review Marital Information & Obtain Certificates in Alachua County FL

Alachua County marriage records that have been issued from June 6, 1927 up to the present can be obtained through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.22

To make your transaction more efficient, it is recommended that you download and completely fill out the Application for Marriage Certificate Form beforehand.

To find out if someone is married in Alachua County, requests can be made online, by mail or in-person request. Address and contact information can be found below:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

To obtain a copy of divorce records in Alachua County, submit the completed Application for Certified Copy of Divorce Records Form at the above address.

A screenshot shows the Florida Department of Health's application form for a Dissolution of Marriage Certificate, including fields for applicant information, contact details.
Source: Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics23

Requests for Alachua County divorce records can also be made in written format but ensure to include the following:

Persons named on the certificate’s information:

  • Both Spouses’ Full Name (as shown on record)
  • Dissolution Date
  • County Where Dissolution Was Granted

Requestors information:

  • Full Name
  • Mailing Address
  • Phone Number
  • Applicant’s Signature
  • Relationship to the Person on Dissolution of Marriage Record

Another way to view marriage information in Alachua county is through the County Clerk of the Court’s Ancient Records Search. Ancient records search contains data on marriage licenses from 1837 to May 1973.24

The only information you need to check if someone is married through this resource are the bride and/or groom’s surname and given names. Once you submit your query, results will be generated containing the searched person’s information along with a link to an image of their marriage license.

Searchers are allowed to not fill in all the fields and may submit a query, even with just a single letter, however it may produce a larger and more general result.

A screenshot displays the search results from the Alachua County Clerk of the Court marriage license search, showing the couple's marital record.
Source: Alachua County Clerk of the Court25

Licenses obtained from the Alachua County Clerk of the Court Archives are available for printing. The printable document link can be found at the bottom of the page.

Request Birth & Death Records in Alachua County

Alachua County birth documents and death records are not available to the public. Access to these records is only given to individuals (18 years or older), family members and legal guardians (with court documents showing custody).

Records dated back from 1977 are available online through the Alachua County Department of Health.26 For birth records dating back to April 1865 and death records dating back to August 1877 are, however, limited.

Acquire Birth Records in Alachua County: When obtaining birth records, it is important to note that this is not free, certificate has an associated fee of $15 for certified copy, and $7 for each additional copy requested.

To obtain a certificate of birth through the Alachua County Health Department, it is required to provide basic information, including the individual’s complete name as it appears on the certificate, their birth date, county of birth, mother’s full name (including her maiden name), and father’s full name (if applicable).

Fill out the Application for a Florida Birth Record Form and submit it via mail or in person at the below address. Provide a valid photo ID ex. State ID, passport and driver’s license.

A screenshot showing an application form for requesting a Florida birth record from the Alachua County Health Department, with fields for personal information and a warning about providing false information.
Source: Alachua County Health Department27
Florida Department of Health Address Contact Information
Gainesville Office – Birth & Death Certificates 224 SE 24th Street
Gainesville, FL 32641
Phone: 352.334.7970
Office Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday – Friday
Alachua Office – Birth Certificates only 15530 NW US Hwy. 441, Suite 10010
Alachua, FL 32615
Phone: 386.462.2542
Office Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday – Friday

The copies obtained via the Alachua County Department of Health are certified certificates. However, the original copies of the birth records from all counties within the state of Florida are maintained at the State Office of Vital Records located at:

Florida Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
1217 Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL

Phone: 904.359.6900

Retrieve Death Records in Alachua County: Unlike birth certificates, you can check public records to access Alachua County death records, as long as the certificate requested does not include the cause of death.

If in some cases that your primary reason for obtaining a copy of a certificate of death is to determine the cause of death, access is only given to immediate family members, estate administrators and beneficiaries of the deceased’s life insurance.

Certified death certificates cost $10 each. To obtain these records, complete the Death Certificate Request Form and submit the request in person or by mail to the Gainesville Office, refer to the address and contact information listed above.

Note: The Gainesville Office can only issue certificates for death that occurred from 2009 to present. You can call 352.334.7970 to verify.

Alachua county birth and death records can also be ordered online via VitalChek:

  1. Visit the VitalChek websites’ Florida Vital Statistics page.
  2. Pick the certificate you wish to order

You can contact VitalChek to start your online order by phone at 1-877-550-7330.

For further assistance, you may reach the Alachua Department of Health at 352.334.7900 or [email protected].

How To See Who Lives at an Address or Owns a Property in Alachua County Florida

Searchers can visit the Alachua County Property Appraiser to find out who lives at a specific address or to look up property owner information.

A screenshot showing a parcel summary for a property, including details like Parcel ID, location, and property characteristics, with a small street view image.
Source: Alachua County Property Appraiser28

There are several methods a searcher can use in order to obtain property ownership information and the best one depends on the current information you have.

Below is a list of all the methods and what information you need in order to perform these searches:

  • Subdivision Search: This method can be found at the very bottom of the search page, this is quick and efficient if you already know the subdivision you want to look up.

All you need to do is click on the dropdown menu and it will give you all the available subdivisions. Once you select a subdivision, you can then click on the search button.

If you can’t find the subdivision from the dropdown menu, you can contact their Customer Service Department for assistance to locate what you are looking for.

Alachua County Property Appraiser – Main Office
515 North Main Street, Ste 200
Gainesville, Florida 32601

Phone: 352.374.5230
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday (except County holidays)

Alachua County Property Appraiser – Alachua Office
15010 NW, Swick House142 Terrace
Alachua, Florida

Phone: 386.418.6157
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Thursday (except County holidays)

  • Owner Name Search: This method is the first option you will see and the only thing you need to perform a search is a name. Once you enter a name, you can click on the search button which then will give you parcel results including a mailing label option below that you can download.
  • Property Address Search: This method also goes by “Search by Location Address” and it can be found under the search by owner name method. The only thing you need to perform this method is an address. You don’t need to have the exact address to enter a query, however, if you have the exact address, there’s a checkbox that you can tick so that results will give you an exact match.
  • Section-Township-Range Search: To perform this method, all you need to enter on the search bar is the section township and range and should follow either of these formats: 34/09/19 or 34 09 19.
  • Parcel Number Search: To conduct this method, all you need to enter is the parcel number and you can immediately hit the search button.
  • Legal Description Search: Also goes by “Search by Legal information” and all you need to enter on this method is any word or phrase related to legal descriptions.
  • Property Type Search: Once you click the search button, it will give you parcel results including information such as parcel ID, prop ID, owner name, owner address, property address, homestead info, legal description, and below these results is a mailing label option which you can download the file afterwards.

You can narrow down your searches by entering multiple information. For instance, you can enter a parcel number and also choose a subdivision from the dropdown menu.

Other than the County Property Appraiser, property records can also be obtained from the Alachua County Clerk of Court, as they serve as the public records repository.

All records maintained by the Alachua County Recorder are open to the public, but acquiring a copy requires a $1 fee per page.29

They offer an Official Records Search Tool which has an online index available from August 21, 1971 to present, with most document images available from January 4, 1980 onward.

However, results from this online resource are not considered certified copy. Certified copy can be obtained in-person or via telephone from the Official Records Office. Address and contact information is provided below:

Alachua County Clerk of the Court
Attn: Official Records
201 East University Ave.
Gainesville, Florida 32601

Phone: 352.374.3625
Office Hours: 8:15 am – 5:00 pm | Mon – Fri

Tax information can be searched from the Alachua County Tax Collector.

Your Rights & Responsible Use of Alachua County Public Records

Thanks to Statute 119, anyone can access free Florida public records to review and copy. As a responsible searcher, you should know more about your rights and responsibilities when accessing these records whether if it’s for personal or professional use.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Alachua County is an Equal Opportunity employer and any unlawful discrimination in county employment, programs and services is strictly prohibited.30

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): If an employer conducted a background check on you without your knowledge or permission, you can report it to the FTC.31

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Florida has enacted laws that prevent discrimination and abuse in the context of consumer’s credit report. The primary purpose of this act is to protect your rights as a consumer in instances where misinformation may be used against you, and ensuring your right to privacy is protected and unviolated.

Ban-the-Box Laws: Florida is among those with no statewide ban-the-box laws however, in Alachua County, the city of Gainesville passed a “Fair Chance Hiring” as an ordinance to the law. This prohibits employers from denying employment opportunities to any qualified candidates based on their criminal history that has no relevance to the job.

Know your FCRA Rights:

  • You have the right to know what is in your credit report file.
  • You have the right to demand accurate credit reports.
  • You have the right to dispute and demand misinformation in your file to be removed.
  • You have the right to restrict others from accessing your files.
  • You have the right to know who has requested your file, either credit or employment purposes.
  • You have the right to know if any information in your file is being used against you.
  • You have the right to prohibit the disclosure of your account number and other medical information.
  • You have the right to file for damages in cases of a credit reporting agency or anyone who violates the FCRA.

If you feel there may have been some discrimination, it’s important to know who to reach out and file a complaint.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): If you believe there’s been a discrimination, you may reach the Alachua County Equal Employment Opportunity Office through:

Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office
12 SE 1st Street, 1st Floor
Gainesville, FL 32601

Phone: 352.374.5275
Office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Email: [email protected]

You may also submit an inquiry through the EEOC’s public portal, or call them at 1(800)-669-4000, or send an email to [email protected].

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): If an employer conducted a background check without your permission, or denied you opportunities without sending you the required notice, or if you learn that a company shared your information with others without your permission, report it to the FTC.

To find out more about federal laws relating to background reports, visit FTC Business Guidance, or call the FTC toll-free 1(877)-382-4357.

To file a complaint with the Florida Labor Office, you can visit Florida’s Department of Labor website. Once you get there, navigate to the “Complaint Form” or you can connect with them through the following information,

Office of the Inspector General
107 East Madison Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4123

Phone: 850.245.7135
Fax: 850.245.7144
Email: [email protected]

With these resources at your fingertips, you’re now equipped to navigate Alachua County public records and access the information you need, from marriage certificates to criminal records.


References

1Florida Legislature. (2024). Chapter 119 – Public Records. The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C). Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0119/0119.html>

2Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. (2024). Inmate Search. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://acso.us/inmate-search/>

3Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. (2024). Inmate Lookup. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://asosite.alachuasheriff.org/ASOInmateLookup.aspx>

4Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. (2024). Inmate Lookup. View All Inmates. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://asosite.alachuasheriff.org/ASOInmateViewAll.aspx>

5Gainesville Police Department. (2024). Records. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://police.gainesvillefl.gov/About-GPD/Our-Departments-Units/Patrol-Support-Bureau/Records>

6Gainesville Police Department. (2024). Event Search. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://p2c.gainesvillepd.org/Summary.aspx>

7Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court. (2024). Case/Name Information. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.alachuaclerk.org/court_records/index.cfm?section=casehist>

8Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court. (2024). Case/Name Search. Search Results. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.alachuaclerk.org/court_records/index.cfm?section=casehist&p=13995F48BA243F33FB28F7E8112AA48CCB18B4368CAEC2877112B267597F8AB1BC75A15156CD3EE63B5FE33609456A1C0066C87451FA8F522660222F150BF7B5A4B49D72277CBF0CC3322DCF63D9BFE3FA0A8D539D69BA17FC2F29A3>

9Office of the Attorney | 8th Judicial Circuit. (2024). Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.sao8.org/sealexpunge.html>

10Alachua County Clerk of the Court. (2024). Clerk of the Court. Cler​k of the Court Information. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/Pages/Clerk.aspx>

11Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. (2024). Public Records Request. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachuacounty.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest>

12Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. (2024). Warrants Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://acso.us/organization/department-of-support-services/judicial-services-and-training-division/warrants-bureau/>

13Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). (2024). Corrections Offender Network. Supervised Population Information Search. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/search.aspx?TypeSearch=AO>

14Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). (2024). Search Results. Supervised Population Information Search. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://pubapps.fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/list.aspx?TypeSearch=AO&Page=List&DataAction=Filter&dcnumber=&LastName=smith&FirstName=&SearchAliases=1&OffenseCategory=&ZipCode=&SuperType=&SuperStatus=&CurrentLocation=&CountyOfSupervision=&photosonly=0&no>

15Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. (2024). Records Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://acso.us/organization/department-of-administrative-services/records-bureau/>

16Florida Department of Law Enforcement. (2024). FDLE’s Criminal History Search Overview. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/default?19>

17Florida Department of Corrections. (2024). Web Applications. Corrections Offender Network. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://fdc.myflorida.com/OffenderSearch/InmateInfoMenu.aspx>

18FLDE. (2024). Sexual Offenders and Predators Search. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/sops/offenderSearch.jsf>

19Federal Bureau of Prisons. (2024). Find an Inmate. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/>

20U.S. Department of Justice. (2024). National Sex Offender Public Website. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.nsopw.gov/>

21Alachua County Clerk of the Court. (2024). Court Records. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/PublicRecords/pages/courtrecords.aspx>

22Florida Department of Health. (2024). How to order a Florida Marriage Certificate. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/marriage/index.html>

23Florida Department of Health – Alachua County. (2022, January). Application for Florida Dissolution of Marriage Certificate. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/divorce/_documents/DH260-diss-marr-app-2-28-2024.pdf>

24Alachua County Clerk of the Court. (2024). Ancient Records. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachuaclerk.org/archive/>

25Alachua County Clerk of the Court. (2024). Marriage License Search Results. Ancient Records. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.alachuaclerk.org/Archive/AncientJ/results2.cfm>

26Alachua County Health Department. (2024). Ordering Certificates. Certificates. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachua.floridahealth.gov/certificates/index.html>

27Alachua County Health Department. (2016, April). Application for Florida Birth Record. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachua.floridahealth.gov/certificates/_documents/DH1960_CountyBIRTHApplication_2023.07_English.pdf>

28Alachua County Property Appraiser. (2024). Parcel Summary. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=1081&LayerID=26490&PageTypeID=4&PageID=10770&Q=1542483742&KeyValue=10246-015-000>

29Alachua County Clerk of the Court. (2024). Official Records & Recorder. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Clerk/PublicRecords/Pages/OfficialRecords.aspx>

30EEOC. (2024). Contact EEOC. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://www.eeoc.gov/contact-eeoc>

31Federal Trade Commission. (2024). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from <https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/faq>