Court records in Orange County, Florida, are maintained and serviced by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and they are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the clerk's office. OrangeCourt.us will help you navigate the public information on the county's court records. Additionally, you can use the Clerk of Court's electronic search portal, call the office, or visit it in person. Resources from the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida and the county government portal also provide access to court materials.
Orange Court System Overview
Orange County is part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also serves Osceola County. The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction and handles serious criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family, probate, and juvenile cases. The County Court operates as a court of limited jurisdiction — it handles misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic violations.
The main courthouse complex is located in downtown Orlando:
Detailed information about the court's structure can be found on the Florida Courts page for Orange County.
Courts Serving Orange
Circuit Court
County Court
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida — Orlando Division
There are no municipal courts in Florida — cases involving city ordinance violations are handled by the County Court.
What Types of Cases Orange Courts Hear
Orange County courts hear a wide range of cases at the state level. Below are the main categories:
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- Infractions, including traffic
- Civil lawsuits — from small to large
- Family law: divorce, custody, alimony
- Probate, guardianship
- Juvenile cases and child protection cases
- Adoption
- Traffic violations and DUI cases
Each of these categories falls under either the Circuit Court or the County Court depending on jurisdiction and claim amount.
District Court Cases in Orange
The Circuit Court in Orange County is where all serious criminal cases (felonies), civil lawsuits over $50,000, and appeals from County Court decisions are heard. It also handles divorce, child custody, probate, and juvenile proceedings. A criminal case typically begins with an arrest and first appearance before a judge — the schedule for such hearings is available online. After charges are filed by the State Attorney, the case is assigned to a specific Circuit Court judge. Appeals from Circuit Court decisions go to the Fifth District Court of Appeal.
Magistrate Court Cases in Orange
The County Court in Orange County handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, DUI cases, and civil lawsuits up to $50,000. Small claims are limited to $8,000 according to Florida law. Preliminary hearings in felony cases are also conducted here before being transferred to the Circuit Court.
Due to the high volume of cases in this county, County Court judges often specialize: some handle only traffic cases, others criminal misdemeanors or civil lawsuits. If you receive a summons for a traffic violation or need to file a small claim, start with the County Court. Information about a specific case can be found through the Clerk's electronic search portal.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Orange
Family Law
Divorce, custody, alimony, domestic violence protective orders, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the family division of the Circuit Court. Application forms and step-by-step instructions are available on the Clerk of Court's website. Divorce certificates can be ordered through the Florida Department of Health.
Probate and Guardianship
Probate cases, guardian appointments, and trust management also fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. Applications must be filed through the clerk's office, and case status can be tracked online.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile cases — both criminal and child protection — are handled by the juvenile division of the Circuit Court. These records are confidential under Florida law. For information, contact the Ninth Judicial Circuit directly.
How Cases Move Through the Orange Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case begins with an arrest or indictment; a civil case with the filing of a lawsuit; a family case with a petition. Documents are filed through the clerk's office or the e-filing system.
- Judge Assignment. After registration, the case is assigned to a specific judge in the appropriate division.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases, this is the arraignment. In civil cases, it's a planning conference or a hearing on temporary measures.
- Pretrial Phase. Parties file motions and conduct discovery. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Settlement. The case concludes with a jury verdict, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, appeals, or enforcement proceedings may follow.
The progress of a specific case can be tracked through the Ninth Judicial Circuit case search.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Orange
The administration of the Ninth Judicial Circuit courts is conducted by the Chief Judge along with the Trial Court Administrator. Contact details for the administrative office:
Local court rules (Administrative Orders) are published on the Ninth Judicial Circuit's website. Statewide rules are available through Florida Courts.
Under Florida law — specifically, the Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and court records access rules — most court documents are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed or expunged records, and certain family cases with protective orders.
Hearings are generally open to the public. Some sessions are conducted remotely via Zoom — schedules and links are published in the county's court calendar. To request public records from the county government, use the Orange County public records portal.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Orange
- Court Case Search: The Clerk of Court's online portal allows you to search civil, criminal, and family cases by party name or case number. No registration is required for basic search.
- Court Hearing Calendar: The hearing schedule is available on the Ninth Judicial Circuit's website, where you can find specific dates and courtrooms.
- Forms and Self-Help Resources: The official Clerk of Court's website contains forms for filing lawsuits, petitions, and other documents, as well as step-by-step instructions for individuals without an attorney.
- Public Records Request: To obtain certified copies of court documents, contact the clerk's office in person or through the electronic portal. A fee is charged for copying and certification.
- Inmate Search: The Orange County inmate search system is updated within 30 minutes of data entry. For state-level inmate searches, use the Florida Department of Corrections.
- Sex Offender Registry: The FDLE database allows you to search registered offenders by address or name.
- Criminal History and Record Sealing: Requests for criminal history checks are submitted through the FDLE. The procedure for sealing or expunging records is described on a separate FDLE page.
- Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates for Orange County can be ordered through the Orange County Department of Health.
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are available through the Orange County Comptroller's office.