Orange County police records are documents created by law enforcement agencies in Orange County, Florida. These records include incident reports, arrest reports, accident reports, and calls for service logs.
Anyone can ask for these records because Florida has open public records laws. This page shows you what records exist, how to get them, who keeps them, and what they cost.
What Are Orange County Police Records
Police records are written accounts of events handled by law enforcement. In Orange County, multiple agencies create these records every day. Each report covers a specific event, lists the people involved, and notes what officers did. Most records become public once an investigation ends.
Types of Police Records You Can Request
Orange County agencies create several kinds of reports. Each type covers a different situation and may have different access rules.
- Incident reports about crimes or calls for service
- Arrest reports with booking details and charges
- Traffic crash reports for vehicle accidents
- Calls for service logs showing 911 responses
- Use of force reports when officers use physical force
- Offense reports with case numbers and details
Who Creates These Records
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office covers unincorporated areas and some cities. The Orlando Police Department serves the city of Orlando. Other cities like Apopka, Winter Park, Maitland, and Ocoee have their own police departments. The Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on interstates. Each agency keeps its own files.
Why These Records Matter
People need police records for many reasons. Insurance companies ask for crash reports after accidents. Lawyers need incident reports for lawsuits. Landlords may ask for background checks. Some people want records for personal records. Victims may need copies for court. Employers sometimes check arrest records for jobs.
How to Get a Police Report in Orange County
The process to get a police report in Orange County depends on which agency wrote it. State law requires all agencies to respond to public records requests. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to explain why you want the report.
What Details Help Locate Your Report
The more information you provide, the faster staff can find your report. Always include as many of these details as possible in your request.
- Date and time of the incident
- Location where it happened
- Names of people involved
- Names of witnesses
- The case or report number if you have it
- Type of incident (theft, crash, arrest, etc.)
Ways to Submit Your Request
Orange County agencies accept requests through several methods. Choose the one that works best for your situation.
- Visit the records office in person during business hours
- Call the agency’s main records phone line
- Use the online public records portal on the agency website
- Send a written request by mail
- Email the agency’s public records contact
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. Deputies patrol unincorporated Orange County and serve some cities under contract. The Records Division handles all public records requests for the sheriff.
Sheriff’s Office Contact Details
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office main office is in Orlando. You can visit, call, or check their website for records help.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 2500 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 |
| Phone | (407) 254-7000 |
| Website | www.ocso.com |
| Records Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Records Division Process
When you contact the Sheriff’s Records Division, staff will ask for details about the report you need. They search their computer system using the information you give. Simple requests are often filled the same day. Large requests may take longer based on how much staff time is needed. Bring a photo ID if you visit in person.
City Police Departments in Orange County
Several cities in Orange County run their own police departments. If your incident happened inside city limits, you need to contact that city’s police department. They hold the records for events in their city.
Orlando Police Department
The Orlando Police Department serves the city of Orlando. It is the largest city department in the county. OPD handles thousands of calls each year. Their records division processes requests for reports filed by Orlando police officers. You can reach OPD through their official website or by visiting their downtown headquarters. They handle reports about crimes, traffic stops, and arrests within Orlando city limits.
Smaller City Departments
Cities like Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Park, Maitland, Winter Garden, Belle Isle, and Eatonville have their own police departments. Each one keeps separate records. Their processes follow the same state laws but may use different forms. Processing times vary based on staff size. Some smaller cities outsource records requests to the county sheriff.
Finding the Right Agency
If you do not know which agency responded to your incident, check the location. Incidents in unincorporated Orange County are covered by the Sheriff. Incidents inside a city are covered by that city’s police. The Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on I-4, the Florida Turnpike, and other state roads. When in doubt, call the non-emergency number for the area where it happened.
Florida Public Records Law and Access
Florida has very broad public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all government records are open to the public unless a specific law closes them. Police records have some exemptions, but most become public when cases close.
Chapter 119 Basics
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the main public records law. It applies to all state and local agencies. The law says any person can ask for records. Agencies must respond in a reasonable time. They cannot ask why you want the records. They can only ask for details to help locate them.
Active Investigation Exemptions
Records from active criminal investigations stay confidential. This includes witness statements, evidence logs, and detective notes. The exemption lasts as long as the case is active. Once a case closes or arrests happen, the active exemption ends. Some details may still be protected under other laws.
Always-Confidential Information
Some details are never released, even from closed cases. Agencies must always remove or protect this information.
- Names of sexual battery victims
- Names of child abuse victims
- Home addresses of current and former officers
- Personal details about undercover officers
- Identities of confidential informants
- Body camera footage from inside homes without consent
Victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual battery can ask in writing to keep their personal details private. The protection lasts five years and agencies must follow it.
Traffic Crash Reports
Orange County has thousands of traffic crashes every year. Crash reports come from the Sheriff, Orlando Police, other city police departments, and the Florida Highway Patrol. All reports are sent to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The 60-Day Confidentiality Rule
Florida Statute 316.066 makes crash reports confidential for 60 days after the crash. During those 60 days, only specific people can get copies. These include the people involved, their lawyers, insurance agents, and certain officials. This rule stops companies from using crash data for marketing. After 60 days, the report becomes public for anyone.
Florida Crash Portal
The Florida Crash Portal is the main way to get traffic crash reports. It is run by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You can search by date, driver name, or report number. Each report costs $10 plus a $2 convenience fee. Payment is by credit card. Once you buy a report, you have 48 hours to download it.
Reports usually appear in the portal within 10 days of the crash. If a report is not online or you need it sooner, contact the agency that investigated. For older reports not in the system, call FLHSMV Crash Records at (850) 617-3416 option 5. You can also email CrashRecords@flhsmv.gov.
FHP and State Road Crashes
The Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on interstates and state roads. This includes I-4, the Florida Turnpike, State Road 408, and State Road 417. Their reports go to the same state portal. FHP also responds to crashes on highways in unincorporated Orange County when local agencies ask for help.
Police Record Fees and Costs
Florida law sets maximum fees for public records. Agencies cannot charge more than the law allows. They also cannot make a profit from records requests. Fees only cover the actual cost of copying and staff time.
Standard Copy Fees
Section 119.07 of Florida Statutes sets the basic fee limits. These are the most a public agency can charge for copies.
| Service | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| One-sided copy | 15 cents per page |
| Two-sided copy | 20 cents per page |
| Certified copy | $1 extra per document |
| Other copies | Actual cost of materials |
Large Request Charges
Requests that take more than 15 minutes or involve more than 20 pages may have extra charges. Agencies can bill for staff time at the employee’s hourly rate. They must give you a cost estimate before doing the work. You can agree to the cost or withdraw your request. If they deny your request, they must cite the specific law that allows the denial.
Sealing and Expungement of Records
An arrest or charge can sometimes be removed from public view. This is called sealing or expungement. It does not erase the record, but it hides it from the public. Only certain people can get their records sealed under Florida law.
Who Qualifies for Sealing or Expungement
Florida law limits who can seal or expunge a record. You may qualify if you were arrested but charges were dropped. You may also qualify if you completed a diversion program. A first-time misdemeanor charge that was dropped can often be sealed. Felonies that were dropped or dismissed can sometimes be sealed. Sex offenses and certain violent crimes cannot be sealed.
How to File a Petition
You must file a petition with the Orange County Clerk of Court. The clerk provides forms and instructions. You will need a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE charges $75 for this certificate. A lawyer can help with the process. Court costs and fingerprinting fees also apply. The process can take several months from start to finish.
Other Helpful Resources in Orange County
Several agencies and offices can help with public records questions. They can tell you what records exist and how to ask for them.
- FDLE Office of Open Government at (850) 410-7676
- FDLE Criminal History Records at (850) 410-8161
- Orange County Clerk of Court for court records
- Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association for low-income help
- The Florida Bar lawyer referral service for attorney connections
Contact Information and Visiting Hours
Below is the main contact information for Orange County police records requests. Always call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and fees.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Records Division
2500 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: (407) 254-7000
Website: www.ocso.com
Records Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Orange County police records. These are the questions people ask most often when searching for reports, arrest logs, and crash reports in Orange County, Florida.
How long does it take to get a police report in Orange County?
Most simple requests are filled the same day or within a few business days. Large requests that involve many pages or old records may take 7 to 10 business days. Online requests through agency portals are often fastest. The agency must tell you the expected timeline when you make the request. If they need more time, they will let you know in writing.
Can I get a police report online in Orange County?
Yes, many Orange County agencies offer online request portals. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando Police Department both have online options. You can also use the Florida Crash Portal for traffic reports. You will need to create an account and pay any fees by credit card. Some records still require an in-person visit.
Are Orange County arrest records public?
Yes, arrest records are public in Orange County once the case closes. They show the arrestee’s name, age, charges, and booking details. Mugshots are also public unless the record is later sealed or expunged. The record stays on file even if charges are dropped. You must petition the court to remove it from public view.
How do I find out if someone was arrested in Orange County?
You can call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office or the relevant city police department. You can also check their online arrest logs if posted. The Sheriff often posts recent bookings on their website. For statewide checks, use the FDLE Public Records Portal. This lets you search criminal history across Florida for a fee.
What is the cost of a background check in Orange County?
A local background check through the Sheriff’s Office is usually free for basic checks. Detailed reports with copies may have small fees. A statewide criminal history check through FDLE costs $24 plus a small processing fee. Federal background checks through the FBI cost more and require fingerprinting.
Can I get someone else’s police report in Orange County?
Yes, Florida law lets anyone request public records. You do not need to be the person named in the report. You do not need to explain why you want it. However, some personal details are always redacted. This protects victim privacy, officer safety, and active investigations.
What if my request is denied?
If an agency denies your request, they must cite the specific Florida law that allows the denial. You can ask for the denial in writing. You can then challenge the denial or ask for the records with the exempt parts removed. If you believe the denial is wrong, you can contact the FDLE Office of Open Government for help or consult an attorney.