Florida warrant records online are public files that show every active arrest warrant, bench warrant, and capias order filed across the state’s 67 counties. Anyone can search these records from a phone or computer through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Public Access System, county sheriff websites, or clerk of court docket portals.
The search tools are free. No account is required. Most results show the person’s full name, the warrant type, the issuing county, the charge, and the agency that filed it. This page explains every method to run a Florida warrant search in 2026, plus the exact steps to take if a warrant shows up in your name.
How Florida Warrant Records Work in 2026
Florida law treats warrant records as public information. Once a judge signs a warrant, the document is entered into the court file. The clerk of court records the warrant in the official docket. The sheriff’s office then enters the same warrant into the state computer system. From that point, the warrant can be served by any peace officer in any Florida county. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement pulls data from every county and uploads it to the Public Access System every 24 hours. The whole process takes a few days from the courtroom to the online database.
Statewide Tracking Through FDLE
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, or FDLE, runs the central warrant database used by officers across the state. The system is called the Florida Crime Information Center. It holds active warrants, missing persons, stolen property, and protective order flags. Members of the public can search the same database through the FDLE Public Access System website. The data covers every county in Florida. The site updates each day. Search results include the warrant type, the issuing agency, and sometimes the date the warrant was filed.
County-Level Records Held by Sheriffs and Clerks
Each of Florida’s 67 counties has an elected sheriff. The sheriff’s office files the warrant in the county system. The clerk of court enters the same warrant in the case docket. Both agencies keep their own copy of the record. A warrant often appears on a county sheriff site before it shows up on the FDLE database. If you need the freshest data, start with the county. Larger counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough run full online search portals. Smaller counties may only accept phone calls or walk-in requests.
The Main Types of Florida Warrants
Florida courts and law enforcement agencies issue several kinds of warrants. Each type has its own purpose, its own issuing authority, and its own rules. The most common types include arrest warrants, bench warrants, capias orders, probation violation warrants, and fugitive warrants. Some warrants are for new crimes. Some are for failures to follow court rules. Some come from other states. Knowing the type helps you decide the next step.
Arrest Warrants for Felonies and Misdemeanors
An arrest warrant is signed by a judge under Florida Statute 901.02. A judge reviews a sworn complaint or a police affidavit. The judge then decides if probable cause exists. If yes, the judge signs the warrant. The warrant names one person. It describes the charge. It directs all sheriffs in Florida to arrest the named person. The warrant can be served any day, any time. Arrest warrants cover both felony and misdemeanor charges. Felony warrants usually cover drug crimes, theft, assault, or fraud. Misdemeanor warrants cover smaller offenses like trespassing, petty theft, or simple battery.
Bench Warrants for Missed Court Dates
A bench warrant is issued by a judge when a person fails to appear in court. The judge signs the order from the bench. The order tells officers to bring the person to court. Common reasons for a bench warrant include missing a criminal hearing, missing a traffic court date, or missing a jury duty appearance. Florida drivers often pick up bench warrants for unpaid traffic tickets. A bench warrant stays active until the person shows up in court or a judge recalls it.
Capias Warrants from the Clerk of Court
A capias is similar to a bench warrant. It is often issued by the clerk of circuit court under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.790. A capias can be issued for a missed court date, an unpaid fine, or a violation of court rules. The clerk signs the order. The clerk then sends a copy to the sheriff. A capias can also be issued for the arrest of a witness who fails to appear. Most capias records appear in the clerk’s online docket. They often show up on the FDLE system as well.
Probation and Community Control Violation Warrants
A probation violation warrant is signed by a judge. The judge signs it after reviewing an affidavit from a probation officer. The affidavit lists the alleged violations. Common violations include failed drug tests, missed check-ins, new arrests, or travel without permission. A community control violation follows the same process. The warrant tells officers to arrest the person and bring them back to court. Probation warrants often sit in the system for months before an officer tries to serve them.
Fugitive and Out-of-State Warrants
A fugitive warrant applies when a person is wanted in another state. The governor of the other state can issue a governor’s warrant. The governor of Florida then issues a rendition warrant. Under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, the person can be picked up in Florida and sent back to the other state. NCIC entries flag the warrant in the national database. The FDLE system picks up the entry. The fugitive can be arrested during any police contact in Florida.
| Warrant Type | Who Issues It | Common Reason | Where It Appears Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest Warrant | County or circuit judge | Probable cause for a new crime | FDLE, county sheriff, clerk docket |
| Bench Warrant | Judge from the bench | Failure to appear in court | Clerk docket, FDLE |
| Capias | Clerk of circuit court | Missed date, unpaid fine | Clerk docket, FDLE |
| Probation Violation | Sentencing judge | Breaking probation rules | FDLE, county sheriff |
| Fugitive Warrant | Florida governor | Wanted in another state | FDLE, NCIC, county sheriff |
How to Run a Florida Warrant Search Online
A Florida warrant search can be done in three main ways. You can use the FDLE Public Access System. You can run a county sheriff search. You can pull records from the clerk of court docket. Each method returns slightly different data. Running all three gives the most complete picture. The whole process takes about 10 minutes per person. No payment is needed for any state or county search tool.
Step 1: Use the FDLE Public Access System
The FDLE Public Access System is the main statewide search tool. The site is at web.fdle.state.fl.us. Click “Persons” in the left menu. Then click “Wanted Person.” Type the first and last name. Add a date of birth to narrow the results. Press “Search.” The system shows every active warrant reported to FDLE. Each result shows the name, race, sex, warrant type, and the agency that filed it. The search is free. No login is needed. The data refreshes once a day.
- Go to the FDLE Public Access System homepage.
- Click the “Persons” tab in the left sidebar.
- Select “Wanted Person” from the dropdown list.
- Enter the first name, last name, and date of birth.
- Press the search button to view results.
- Check each result for warrant type, charge, and issuing agency.
Step 2: Run a County Sheriff Search
Each Florida sheriff runs its own online search. Larger counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Hillsborough have full portals. Smaller counties may only list the most wanted. To run a county search, go to the sheriff’s official website. Look for a link labeled “Warrants,” “Most Wanted,” or “Active Warrants.” Enter the name. The results show the warrant and the charges. Some sheriff sites also show the booking photo and the case number.
Step 3: Pull Records from the Clerk of Court
The clerk of court in each county runs a docket search. The docket lists every case filed in that county. The docket also lists every warrant signed by a judge. To search, go to the clerk’s website. Find the link labeled “Official Records” or “Court Records.” Enter the person[‘s](s) name. The docket returns every case tied to that name. Look for entries with a “warrant” or “capias” flag. The docket entry shows the warrant date, the judge, and the next hearing date.
Searching Warrants by Florida County
Florida has 67 counties. Each one keeps its own warrant records. The level of online access varies. Some counties post full warrant lists. Others only post most-wanted lists. A few only take phone calls. The table below lists the major counties with the most online tools. The links go to each county’s official search page.
Miami-Dade County Warrant Search
Miami-Dade County is the largest county in Florida. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs an inmate search. The search shows current inmates and recent bookings. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts runs a separate docket search. The clerk docket shows every capias and bench warrant filed in the county. To search, go to miamidadeclerk.gov. Click “Search Official Records.” Enter the name. The docket returns all matching cases. Warrant records appear in the case detail page.
Broward County Warrant Search
Broward County uses the Broward Sheriff’s Office for warrant enforcement. The sheriff runs an inmate search at browardsheriff.org. The search shows current inmates, recent releases, and active warrants. The Broward Clerk of Courts runs a court records search at browardclerk.org. The clerk docket shows every criminal case. Capias and bench warrant entries appear in the docket under the defendant’s name. Both tools are free. Both tools update every 24 hours.
Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Searches
Hillsborough County covers Tampa. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office runs an inmate search at hcsso.tampa.fl.us. The search shows current inmates and warrant details. The Hillsborough Clerk of Court runs a docket search at hillsclerk.com. The clerk docket lists every criminal case. Pinellas County covers St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office runs an inmate search at pcsoweb.com. The Pinellas Clerk of Court runs a records search at pinellasclerk.org.
Orange County, Duval County, and Palm Beach County
Orange County covers Orlando. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office runs a warrant search at ocsofl.org. The Orange Clerk of Courts runs a docket search at myfloridacounty.clerk. Duval County covers Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office runs an inmate search at jaxsheriff.com. The Duval Clerk of Court runs a search at duvalclerk.com. Palm Beach County runs a warrant search at pbso.org. The Palm Beach Clerk runs a search at mypalmbeachclerk.com.
| County | Sheriff Search Tool | Clerk Docket Search | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | miamidade.gov/corrections | miamidadeclerk.gov | 305-275-1111 |
| Broward | browardsheriff.org | browardclerk.org | 954-765-4321 |
| Palm Beach | pbso.org | mypalmbeachclerk.com | 561-688-3000 |
| Hillsborough | hcsso.tampa.fl.us | hillsclerk.com | 813-247-8000 |
| Orange | ocsofl.org | myfloridacounty.clerk | 407-254-7000 |
| Duval | jaxsheriff.com | duvalclerk.com | 904-630-7600 |
| Pinellas | pcsoweb.com | pinellasclerk.org | 727-582-6200 |
Searching Warrants by Florida City
Florida cities do not run their own warrant systems. City police departments file cases through the county. The county sheriff and the county clerk then enter the warrants into the county system. To search by city, use the county search tool for that city. Tampa uses Hillsborough County tools. Miami uses Miami-Dade County tools. Orlando uses Orange County tools. Jacksonville uses Duval County tools. St. Petersburg uses Pinellas County tools.
Warrant Records in Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville
Tampa residents search Hillsborough County records. The Hillsborough Sheriff runs the inmate search. The Hillsborough Clerk runs the court docket search. Orlando residents search Orange County records. The Orange County Sheriff runs the warrant search. The Orange Clerk runs the docket. Jacksonville residents search Duval County records. The Jacksonville Sheriff runs the inmate search. The Duval Clerk runs the docket. All three tools are free. All three cover every warrant filed in the county.
Warrant Records in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach
Miami residents search Miami-Dade County records. The Miami-Dade Corrections Department runs the inmate search. The Miami-Dade Clerk runs the docket. Fort Lauderdale residents search Broward County records. The Broward Sheriff runs the inmate search. The Broward Clerk runs the docket. West Palm Beach residents search Palm Beach County records. The Palm Beach Sheriff runs the warrant search. The Palm Beach Clerk runs the docket. Each tool returns active warrants and recent bookings.
Smaller Cities and How Their Records Appear Online
Smaller Florida cities rely on the county sheriff for warrant service. Cities like Ocala, Lakeland, Sarasota, and Daytona Beach do not run their own warrant sites. Residents in these cities use the county search tool. Marion County covers Ocala. Polk County covers Lakeland. Sarasota County covers Sarasota. Volusia County covers Daytona Beach. Each county search tool returns every warrant filed in that county, no matter which city the charge occurred in.
Florida Sunshine Law and Warrant Record Access
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. The law is called the Sunshine Law. The law is found in Florida Statute Chapter 119. The law says any person can inspect and copy public records held by state or local agencies. Warrant records fall under the law. You do not need to be the person named on the warrant. You do not need a reason to ask. The agency must give you the records unless a specific exemption applies.
Records Open to the Public
Active warrant records are open to the public. You can view the warrant. You can copy the warrant. You can share the warrant. You can search the warrant in any public database. Sheriff websites list active warrants. Clerk dockets list every case file. The FDLE database pulls data from every county. Most agencies post arrest warrants, bench warrants, and capias records. Most agencies do not charge a fee for the search.
Records That Stay Sealed or Private
Some warrant records stay private. Search warrants stay private until the warrant is served. Once served, the search warrant becomes public. Criminal intelligence records stay private under Florida Statute 119.071. Active undercover operations stay private. Some juvenile records stay private. Sealed warrants stay private. Expunged records stay private. If you cannot find a record online, contact a criminal defense attorney in Florida for help.
What to Do If a Warrant Shows Up in Your Name
Finding a warrant in your name is scary. The right response matters. Do not run. Do not hide. Do not ignore it. Florida warrants do not expire. Old warrants stay active. The next traffic stop, the next job application, or the next airport check can trigger an arrest. Talk to a criminal defense lawyer first. Then decide the best path forward.
Talk to a Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer
A criminal defense lawyer can check the warrant. The lawyer can pull the court file. The lawyer can read the charge. The lawyer can talk to the prosecutor. In some cases, the lawyer can file a motion to recall the warrant. In other cases, the lawyer can arrange a voluntary surrender. Voluntary surrender often leads to a faster bond hearing. The lawyer can also appear in court for you in some misdemeanor cases.
Bail, Walk-Through Programs, and Voluntary Surrender
Florida law sets bail on most warrants. The bail amount depends on the charge. A felony carries a higher bond. A misdemeanor carries a lower bond. Some Florida counties offer walk-through programs. A walk-through lets you book in and post bond in a few hours. Not every county runs a walk-through. Call the local sheriff or the local clerk to ask. The clerk can tell you the bond amount. The clerk can tell you the next court date.
Quashing, Recalling, or Sealing a Florida Warrant
A lawyer can file a motion to quash a warrant. Quashing cancels the warrant. A judge can quash a warrant for several reasons. Common reasons include mistaken identity, paid fines, or resolved cases. A judge can also recall a warrant for similar reasons. Sealing is a separate process. Sealing hides the warrant from public view. Florida law allows sealing for certain cases after a waiting period. The process takes a few months.
Common Florida Warrant Search Mistakes to Avoid
Many people make the same mistakes when running a Florida warrant search. These mistakes lead to missed warrants, wasted time, or even arrests. Below are the most common errors. Avoiding these errors keeps you safer and saves time. Read each one carefully. Apply the right method to your search.
Waiting Until an Arrest Happens
Many people only check for warrants after an arrest. By then, the case is harder to handle. The arrest can happen at a traffic stop, a job interview, or an airport checkpoint. A simple search can prevent the arrest. Run a Florida warrant search once a year. Run another search after any missed court date. Run another search after any unpaid ticket. Three minutes of searching can save days of jail time.
Confusing State Warrants with Federal Warrants
Florida handles state warrants. Federal agencies handle federal warrants. Federal agencies include the FBI, DEA, ATF, and US Marshals. Federal warrants do not always appear in the FDLE database. To search federal warrants, use the federal court PACER system. PACER covers every federal court in the country. The cost is small per page. Federal warrants cover federal crimes like drug trafficking, firearms charges, and immigration violations.
Assuming Old Warrants Expire
Florida arrest warrants do not expire. A warrant from 1995 can still be active in 2026. A warrant from 2010 can still be active in 2026. The clerk of court keeps the file open. The sheriff keeps the warrant in the system. The warrant stays active until a judge recalls it or the person is arrested. Old warrants often lead to surprise arrests during traffic stops. Check the FDLE database for any old name. Pay any old fines. Clear any old tickets.
Official Florida Warrant Search Contact Details
Below are the main contact points for Florida warrant records in 2026. Use the FDLE Public Access System for statewide searches. Use the county sheriff for local searches. Use the county clerk for docket searches. The phone numbers and hours help you reach a real person if the online tools do not work. The addresses show where to visit in person. Most offices take walk-in requests during business hours.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Public Access System: web.fdle.state.fl.us. Phone: 850-410-7641. Hours: 24 hours online, phone support 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Florida Sheriffs Association directory: flsheriffs.org. Phone: 850-877-3695. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Florida Courts main site: flcourts.org. Phone: 850-922-5081. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Each county clerk and each county sheriff also runs a local office with its own hours and phone line.
Florida Warrant Records Online FAQ
This section covers the most common questions about Florida warrant records online. Each answer gives direct, practical detail. The answers cover the FDLE database, county searches, and the steps to take if a warrant shows up in your name. Read the full FAQ before running your search. The information applies to every Florida county in 2026.
How accurate is the FDLE warrant search in 2026?
The FDLE warrant search pulls data from every Florida sheriff’s office. The data refreshes every 24 hours. The search is accurate for any warrant entered into the system. Some warrants take a few days to enter. Some pocket warrants are held back from public view. Run the search on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the freshest weekly data. Run a second search through the county clerk for full accuracy. The two searches together cover nearly every active warrant in Florida.
Can I find out if I have a warrant without my name showing up?
Yes. You can search your own name through the FDLE Public Access System. The search does not require an account. The search does not send your name to a third party. The search does not flag your record. You can also visit the county clerk in person. The clerk can search your name in the docket. The clerk can also search by case number if you have one. A private attorney can also run a search for you.
What is the difference between a capias and a bench warrant in Florida?
A bench warrant is issued by a judge from the bench. A capias is often issued by the clerk of court under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.790. Both orders direct officers to arrest a person. Both stay active until served. Both appear in the FDLE database. Both appear in the county clerk docket. A capias can be issued for a missed date, an unpaid fine, or a witness failure. A bench warrant can be issued for the same reasons plus violations of court orders.
Do Florida warrants show up on a background check?
Florida warrants can show up on a criminal background check. The FDLE sells criminal history records through the Public Access System. Private background check companies also pull FDLE data. Active warrants often appear as a “record indicator.” Employers use background checks for job applications. Landlords use background checks for rental applications. A warrant can block a job or a lease. Clear any warrants before applying.
How long does it take to clear a warrant in Florida?
The time depends on the charge. A simple traffic warrant can clear in a few hours. A felony warrant can take weeks. The process starts with a lawyer. The lawyer files a motion to recall or quash. The court schedules a hearing. The hearing can take 30 to 90 days. A voluntary surrender can speed up the process. The lawyer can arrange a bond hearing the same day. Walk-through programs can release you in a few hours.
Can I check for warrants in Florida by date of birth?
Yes. The FDLE Public Access System accepts a date of birth field. Enter the first name, last name, and date of birth. The system narrows the results to matching records. The clerk of court docket also accepts a date of birth field. The sheriff inmate search accepts a date of birth field. A full date of birth prevents confusion between people with the same name. The search returns the right person every time.
Are juvenile warrants in Florida public records?
No. Florida juvenile records are private. Juvenile warrants are not posted on the FDLE database. Juvenile warrants are not posted on sheriff websites. Juvenile records are sealed under Florida Statute 985. The records stay sealed even after the person turns 18. The person can petition the court to seal or expunge the records. The records can be opened for certain law enforcement purposes. The records stay private from public view in 2026.