Volusia County criminal records are the official court files that show every felony and misdemeanor case filed in the county. The Volusia County Clerk of Court keeps these records and makes them open to the public under Florida law.
You can search these records online at any time, visit the Clerk’s office in person, or request copies by mail. This page covers the exact steps, the right websites, the phone numbers, the search tools, the fees, and the rules about sealed records so you get the answers you need without confusion.
Volusia County Clerk of Court Criminal Records
The Volusia County Clerk of Court acts as the main record keeper for every criminal case in the county. The office files new cases, indexes docket entries, and stores final judgments. Laura E. Roth is the current Clerk of Court. Her office runs the public search system that lets residents, attorneys, employers, and journalists look up Volusia County criminal case files twenty-four hours a day through the official website.
Main Office Address and Phone
The main Clerk of Court office sits at 101 N. Alabama Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724. You can call the office at (386) 736-5910 during regular business hours for help with case lookups, copy requests, and fee questions. A second branch operates inside the Volusia County Courthouse at 125 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. Phone lines open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, except for state and federal holidays.
Branch Office in New Smyrna Beach
A third branch office operates in New Smyrna Beach to serve the southern part of the county. The address is 124 N. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168. You can call this office at (386) 423-3260 for the same services offered in DeLand. Each branch has public terminals where you can run Volusia County criminal record database searches for free.
Types of Records Stored by the Clerk
The Clerk’s office holds five major types of criminal case records. Each one serves a different purpose, and the way you request it may change based on the type you need.
- Felony case files for crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison
- Misdemeanor case files for crimes punishable by up to one year in county jail
- Violation of probation files that show probation status changes
- Criminal traffic case files for DUI, reckless driving, and similar charges
- Warrant files that list active arrest warrants issued by Volusia County judges
Volusia County Circuit Court and the 7th Judicial Circuit
Volusia County belongs to the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also covers Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. The circuit court handles all felony criminal cases, juvenile cases, and family court matters. County court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations. The Clerk of Court manages the files for both court levels in Volusia County.
Felony Case Records
Volusia County felony court records start with the arrest report filed by the arresting agency. The State Attorney’s Office reviews the report and files a formal charging document called an “Information.” A judge may also issue a “Direct Indictment” through a grand jury. The Clerk’s office creates a case number based on the year and the type of filing. You can search felony cases through the same online portal used for all other criminal case types.
Misdemeanor Case Records
Volusia County misdemeanor court records cover less serious offenses like simple battery, petit theft, and first-time DUI. Misdemeanors are divided into three classes: first-degree, second-degree, and simple citations. The Clerk of Court assigns each misdemeanor a case number that appears on every court document. You can see the full court docket for any misdemeanor case on the public search portal at clerk.org.
Court Division Codes and Their Meaning
Each case gets a division code that shows which courtroom handles the hearings. Knowing these codes helps you understand what you see in the search results.
| Division Code | Case Type | Court Location |
|---|---|---|
| CR | Circuit Criminal (Felonies) | DeLand or Daytona Beach |
| MO | Misdemeanor | DeLand, Daytona Beach, or New Smyrna Beach |
| CT | Criminal Traffic | Same as Misdemeanor |
| DR | Drug Court | Daytona Beach Courthouse |
| JV | Juvenile Delinquency | DeLand Courthouse |
How to Search Volusia County Criminal Court Records Online
The fastest way to look up a case is through the Clerk of Court’s online portal. You can run searches from any computer, tablet, or phone with a web browser. No account or login is required to use the basic search tool. The portal pulls live data straight from the court’s case management system, which means the information you see is the same data the judges use.
Starting a Search by Name
Open the public records search page on clerk.org. Choose “Criminal” from the case type menu. Type the person’s last name in the first box and first name in the second box. You can also add a middle name or date of birth to narrow the results. Click “Search” to see every case that matches. The results page lists each case with the defendant’s name, date of birth, case number, and current status.
Starting a Search by Case Number
Select “Case Number” from the search menu if you already have the official number. Case numbers in Volusia County use a 20-character format that starts with the year, court type, and a sequence code. An example looks like 2024-CF-012345. Type the full number into the search box, including any dashes. A single result will pop up with all court events listed in date order.
What You Can See in the Online Docket
Each case page shows the full docket sheet with every court action filed in the case. The docket shows the date, the type of filing, the name of the filing party, and a short description. You can see the arrest date, bond decisions, arraignment dates, plea entries, motion rulings, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and probation terms. Public docket entries stay available even after the case closes, except for sealed or expunged files.
Limitations of Online Records
Some documents are not visible through the public portal. Sealed records stay hidden by law. Expunged records are physically destroyed. Documents filed under a judge’s protective order may be redacted. Juvenile criminal records follow a different set of rules and most are not open to the public. The portal also does not show real-time court room activity, only the entries filed in the docket.
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Records
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office keeps the records for arrests, incidents, and jail bookings. The Sheriff’s Office works with the Clerk of Court but stores different documents. The Clerk keeps court records. The Sheriff keeps arrest and detention records. The two systems connect because arrests lead to court cases, but each one has its own search tool.
Current Inmate Search
The Sheriff’s Office runs an online inmate search at vcso.us. The tool shows everyone currently housed in the Volusia County Branch Jail and the Tomoka Correctional Institution. You can search by name or booking number. Results show the booking photo, booking date, current charges, bond amount, and next court date. The database updates every few hours as new bookings and releases occur.
Recent Booking History
The inmate search tool also shows recent releases for the past ninety days. You can see the date the person was released, the charges they were booked on, and the case number linked to the booking. Older booking history is not available through the public search tool. You can request older booking information through a public records request to the Sheriff’s Office records unit.
Arrest Reports and Police Reports
Arrest reports describe the facts of an arrest. Police reports describe the incident that led to the arrest. Both records come from the Sheriff’s Office in Volusia County. You can request a copy of a report by filing a public records request form on the Sheriff’s website. Reports that are part of an active criminal investigation may be exempt from public release under Florida law.
Civil Citations and Non-Criminal Arrests
Some arrests in Volusia County end with a civil citation instead of a criminal charge. Civil citations are common for minor marijuana possession and for first-time misdemeanor offenses. The Sheriff’s Office tracks these citations through a separate database. You can ask the records unit for civil citation data by providing the person’s name and date of birth.
Florida Statewide Criminal History Database (FDLE)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s main criminal history system called CCHInet. This database includes every arrest, charge, and disposition reported by law enforcement agencies across Florida. The Volusia County Clerk of Court reports case outcomes to FDLE, which means the state database lines up with what the Clerk’s office stores locally.
Running a Statewide Search
Visit cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us to start a public search. You need the person’s full legal name, date of birth, and a credit card. Each name-based search costs $24.00 plus a $1.00 processing fee for a total of $25.00 per search. Results show all arrests in Florida with the arresting agency, the date, the charges, and the final disposition if the case closed.
Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search
The Florida Department of Corrections runs a separate inmate search at fdc.myflorida.com. Use this tool to find people who were convicted of a felony in Volusia County and sentenced to state prison. The search shows current inmates, people on probation, and people on community supervision. The database also shows release dates, supervision status, and current location for active inmates.
Differences Between Local and Statewide Searches
A local Volusia County criminal case search shows the court docket. A statewide search through FDLE shows the criminal history record. Each one answers a different question. Local searches show court events, hearing dates, and sentencing orders. Statewide searches show arrests, dispositions, and whether the person has cases in other Florida counties. You may need both sources for a complete background picture.
Sealing and Expunging Volusia County Criminal Records
Florida law lets some people hide their criminal records through sealing or expungement. A sealed record stays on file but cannot be viewed by the public. An expunged record gets physically destroyed by every agency that has a copy. Volusia County follows the same state rules that apply to all Florida counties.
Who Qualifies for Sealing or Expungement
You can apply to seal or expunge a record if you were never convicted of the charge. You can also apply after a full pardon. You cannot have any prior sealed or expunged records. You cannot seal or expunge a record for serious charges like murder, sexual offenses, kidnapping, or arson. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement decides who qualifies before any court filing happens.
Getting a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE
You must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility before you file anything with the court. The application goes to FDLE. The application fee is $75.00 and is not refundable. FDLE reviews your criminal history to see if you meet the legal rules. The review takes about twelve weeks. You can apply online at fdle.state.fl.us or by mail with the paper form.
Filing a Petition in Volusia County Court
After you receive the Certificate of Eligibility, file a sworn petition with the Volusia County Clerk of Court. The petition must include the certificate, a proposed court order, and a fingerprint card. The State Attorney’s Office has the right to object. A judge holds a hearing and decides whether to grant the request. The court order goes to every agency that has the record.
Public Access Rules, Fees, and Copy Costs
Florida’s Public Records Act opens most government records to any member of the public. You do not need to be a citizen, an attorney, or a resident to ask for records. You also do not need to give a reason. The Clerk of Court must provide the records or explain in writing why the law blocks the release.
Records That Are Not Public
Some records stay sealed by law. Active criminal investigation files stay secret until the case closes. Juvenile criminal records stay private except for limited cases. Victim identities get redacted in many case files. Mental health records and substance abuse treatment records tied to a case stay sealed. Personal information like Social Security numbers and bank account numbers get redacted before public release.
Copy Fees and Certification Costs
Basic online searches and standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $7.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page. Long-form birth certificates cost different rates. Faxed documents cost $1.00 per page. The Clerk accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit cards. The Clerk posts the latest fee schedule on clerk.org under the fees section.
Contact the Volusia County Clerk of Court
You can reach the Volusia County Clerk of Court at the main office in DeLand. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Public terminals inside the office let you run free Volusia County criminal record database searches during business hours.
- Main Office: 101 N. Alabama Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724
- Daytona Beach Branch: 125 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- New Smyrna Beach Branch: 124 N. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
- Phone: (386) 736-5910
- Website: clerk.org
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers the questions people ask most often about Volusia County criminal case lookups, online court records, the Clerk of Court search portal, and the rules for sealing and expunging records in Florida. Each answer gives you the exact next step you can take right now. The answers cover the legal rules, the fees, the waiting times, and the right forms to use so you do not waste time on the wrong office.
How Do I Search Volusia County Criminal Court Records for Free?
You can run a free search on the Clerk of Court’s public portal at clerk.org. Choose the criminal case type, then enter a name, case number, or date range. The tool shows case numbers, charges, court events, hearing dates, and final outcomes. You do not need an account. You can also use the public terminals inside the DeLand, Daytona Beach, or New Smyrna Beach Clerk’s offices. The free search shows the same docket entries the judges and attorneys see in court.
Where Can I Find Felony and Misdemeanor Court Records in Volusia County?
All felony and misdemeanor court records sit with the Volusia County Clerk of Court. The Clerk runs the record system for the 7th Judicial Circuit. The Sheriff’s Office only has arrest and booking records, not court records. The State Attorney’s Office keeps prosecution files that stay internal. The Public Defender’s Office keeps defense files that stay private. For any official court record, the Clerk of Court is the right place to ask.
Can I See Criminal Records That Have Been Sealed or Expunged?
No. Sealed records are not open to the public. Expunged records are physically destroyed by every agency that had a copy. Only the person named in the record, their attorney, and a small list of government agencies can see a sealed file. You cannot view a sealed record for a background check, a job application, a housing application, or any other private use under Florida law.
How Long Does It Take to Get Certified Court Records?
In-person requests for certified copies take about twenty minutes at the counter when the file is on site. Mail requests take seven to ten business days from the date the Clerk receives the request. Online requests through the Clerk’s eDockets service take one to three business days. Rush service is not part of the standard process. Plan ahead when you need certified records for a court hearing or a legal filing.
What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Record and a Court Record?
A criminal record is a summary of arrests and convictions created by law enforcement. A court record is the full file of every document filed in a court case. In Volusia County, the Clerk of Court keeps the court record. The Sheriff’s Office keeps the arrest record. FDLE keeps the statewide criminal history record. Each system has its own search tool, and the answers you get may differ based on which system you use.
Can I Search Volusia County Criminal Records by Date of Birth?
Yes. The Clerk’s online portal lets you add a date of birth field to a name search. Adding a date of birth narrows the results and removes name matches that belong to other people with the same name. The portal also shows the date of birth for each case result, which makes it easier to confirm you have the right person before you request copies or certified records.
How Do I Correct a Mistake in a Volusia County Criminal Record?
You can file a request to correct a clerical error through the Clerk of Court. Fill out the “Request to Correct or Modify a Court Record” form on clerk.org. Attach proof of the error, such as a court order or a corrected disposition. The Clerk reviews the request and forwards it to the judge for a final order. FDLE also has a process to update the statewide criminal history record when a court order changes a disposition.