Osceola County Court Records
What Is Osceola County Court Records
Court records in Osceola County are official documents created and maintained by the Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller's office. These records document proceedings, filings, and outcomes of cases heard in Osceola County courts. Pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), most court records are considered public documents.
The Osceola County Clerk of Court serves as the official custodian of these records, maintaining documentation of:
- Civil proceedings
- Criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Probate matters
- Family court cases
- Small claims court proceedings
- Tax deed sales
- Marriage licenses
The Records Center of the Osceola County Clerk's Office is responsible for the preservation, maintenance, and accessibility of these documents. Members of the public seeking court records may contact:
Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller 2 Courthouse Square Kissimmee, Florida 34741 Phone: (407) 742-3500 Osceola County Clerk of Court
Are Court Records Public In Osceola County
Court records in Osceola County are generally public pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution. These laws establish the public's right to access government records, including court documents, with certain exceptions.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Case dockets
- Pleadings and motions
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence admitted in court
However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or may be confidential under Florida law. These exceptions include:
- Records involving juveniles (except as provided in § 985.04, Florida Statutes)
- Records sealed by court order
- Adoption records
- Mental health proceedings
- Certain domestic violence cases
- Records containing social security numbers, bank account information, or other sensitive personal data
Individuals seeking access to court records may submit a public record request through the Osceola County Clerk's Office. The office is required to respond to such requests in accordance with § 119.07, Florida Statutes.
How To Find Court Records in Osceola County in 2025
Osceola County provides multiple methods for accessing court records in 2025. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures to locate and obtain court documents:
In-person requests can be submitted at:
Osceola County Clerk's Records Center 2 Courthouse Square Kissimmee, Florida 34741 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (407) 742-3500
For in-person requests, individuals should:
- Bring identification
- Complete a records request form
- Provide as much information about the case as possible (names, case numbers, dates)
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for copies (per § 28.24, Florida Statutes)
Electronic requests may be submitted through:
- Email: Records.Request@osceolaclerk.org
- Online request form available on the Clerk's website
For criminal record searches specifically, contact: Phone: (407) 742-3500 Email: Records.Request@osceolaclerk.org
The Clerk's office processes requests in the order received. Response times may vary based on the complexity and volume of the request. Pursuant to § 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, the Clerk must acknowledge requests promptly and respond within a reasonable time.
How To Look Up Court Records in Osceola County Online?
Osceola County provides comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms. The primary resource for electronic court record searches is the Official Records Search portal maintained by the Clerk of Court.
To access court records online, members of the public may utilize:
-
Osceola County Official Records Search - This system allows users to search for:
- Civil cases
- Criminal proceedings
- Traffic citations
- Marriage records
- Property records
- Tax deed sales
-
Ninth Judicial Circuit Case Query System - As Osceola County is part of Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit, this resource provides access to:
- Case status information
- Party information
- Scheduled hearings
- Case dockets
-
Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS) - For appellate cases originating in Osceola County
When searching online records, users should have the following information ready:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Approximate date range
- Case type
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2023-04 of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, certain confidential information may be redacted from online records. Users requiring complete, unredacted records (when legally entitled) may need to submit requests in person at the Clerk's office.
Can You Search Osceola County Court Records for Free?
Osceola County provides free access to basic court record searches through several platforms. In accordance with Florida's commitment to government transparency, the following free search options are available to the public:
The Osceola County Clerk's Official Records Search allows members of the public to search and view basic case information at no charge. This includes:
- Case numbers
- Party names
- Filing dates
- Case types
- Case status
The Ninth Judicial Circuit Case Query system also provides free access to basic case information for Osceola County cases.
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies of documents (per § 28.24, Florida Statutes)
- Certified copies
- Extensive research requests requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time
- Electronic copies requiring special processing
Current fee schedule (as of 2025):
- Regular copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
- Research fee: $2.00 per name searched
Individuals with financial hardship may apply for a fee waiver by filing an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status pursuant to § 57.082, Florida Statutes.
What's Included in a Osceola County Court Record?
Osceola County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type, but typically include the following components:
Case initiation documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses
- Indictments or information (in criminal cases)
- Initial appearances
Procedural documents:
- Motions filed by parties
- Responses and replies
- Court orders and rulings
- Hearing notices
- Subpoenas
- Witness lists
Evidentiary materials:
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Deposition transcripts
- Affidavits
- Expert reports
Disposition documents:
- Judgments
- Verdicts
- Sentencing information (in criminal cases)
- Settlement agreements
- Dismissal orders
Administrative information:
- Case number
- Judge assignment
- Attorney information
- Filing dates
- Hearing dates
- Service of process documentation
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public court records, including social security numbers, bank account information, and information related to minors.
How Long Does Osceola County Keep Court Records?
Osceola County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. The retention periods vary based on case type and significance.
General retention guidelines include:
Criminal cases:
- Capital felonies: Permanent retention
- Non-capital felonies: 75 years after final disposition
- Misdemeanors: 5 years after final disposition
- Traffic infractions: 3 years after final disposition
Civil cases:
- Circuit civil cases: 10 years after final judgment
- County civil cases: 5 years after final judgment
- Small claims: 5 years after final judgment
Family law cases:
- Dissolution of marriage: 75 years
- Adoption: Permanent
- Child support: 75 years
- Domestic violence: 5 years after final judgment
Probate cases:
- Estates: 10 years after closing
- Guardianship: 10 years after termination of guardianship
The Osceola County Clerk's Records Center maintains historical records dating back to the county's formation in 1887. Many older records have been digitized for preservation purposes. Researchers seeking historical court records may contact:
Osceola County Historical Records 2 Courthouse Square Kissimmee, Florida 34741 Phone: (407) 742-3500 Email: Records.Request@osceolaclerk.org
Types of Courts In Osceola County
Osceola County's judicial system consists of several court levels, each with specific jurisdictional authority. The county operates within Florida's Sixth Judicial District as of 2025 (previously part of the Ninth Judicial Circuit).
Circuit Court:
- Handles felony criminal cases
- Civil disputes involving amounts over $50,000
- Domestic relations cases (divorce, child custody)
- Probate matters
- Juvenile proceedings
- Appeals from county court decisions
County Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Civil disputes involving amounts up to $50,000
- Small claims (up to $8,000)
- Landlord/tenant disputes
Specialized Courts:
- Drug Court
- Veterans Court
- Mental Health Court
- Teen Court
- Domestic Violence Court
The primary courthouse location is:
Osceola County Courthouse 2 Courthouse Square Kissimmee, FL 34741 Phone: (407) 742-3708 Florida Courts - Osceola
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
What Types of Cases Do Osceola County Courts Hear?
Osceola County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters in accordance with their jurisdictional authority under Florida law. The following case types are processed through the county's court system:
Circuit Court cases include:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil actions exceeding $50,000 in damages
- Real property and mortgage foreclosure matters
- Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate, guardianship, and mental health proceedings
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency
- Appeals from county court decisions
County Court cases include:
- Misdemeanor criminal prosecutions
- Traffic infractions and violations
- Civil actions up to $50,000
- Small claims up to $8,000
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Ordinance violations
Specialized proceedings include:
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Risk protection orders
- Baker Act proceedings (involuntary mental health examination)
- Marchman Act cases (substance abuse assessment and treatment)
- Name changes
- Evictions
Case assignment is determined by the Administrative Judge of the Sixth Judicial District in accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. Court calendars and judge assignments are published on the Osceola County Clerk's website.
How To Find a Court Docket In Osceola County
Court dockets in Osceola County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public can access court dockets through several methods:
Online access is available through:
- Osceola County Clerk's Official Records Search - Provides access to docket information for most case types
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Case Query System - Offers docket information for cases within the circuit
To search for docket information, users should have:
- Case number (preferred search method)
- Party names
- Date range of case filing
- Case type
In-person docket requests can be submitted at:
Osceola County Clerk's Office 2 Courthouse Square Kissimmee, Florida 34741 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: (407) 742-3500
For criminal dockets specifically, contact: Phone: (407) 742-3500 Email: Records.Request@osceolaclerk.org
Daily court dockets listing scheduled hearings are posted in the courthouse lobby and on electronic displays throughout the courthouse. These dockets show:
- Courtroom assignments
- Scheduled hearing times
- Presiding judges
- Case numbers and parties
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 2023-04, certain confidential cases may not appear on publicly accessible dockets.
Which Courts in Osceola County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Osceola County, certain judicial proceedings do not maintain official verbatim records of all testimony and evidence presented. These non-record courts include:
Small Claims Court proceedings, which handle civil disputes up to $8,000, typically do not maintain court reporters or electronic recording equipment. While written documents filed in small claims cases are preserved, verbatim transcripts of hearings are not automatically created. Parties wishing to have a record of small claims proceedings must:
- Arrange for a court reporter at their own expense
- Request permission from the presiding judge
- Notify all parties of the recording
Traffic Court hearings for non-criminal infractions are generally not recorded. While the outcomes and judgments are documented, the proceedings themselves are not transcribed or recorded unless specifically requested by a party and approved by the presiding judge.
Code Enforcement Board hearings, while quasi-judicial in nature, are not courts of record. These proceedings address violations of county ordinances related to property maintenance, zoning, and other local regulations.
Mediation sessions conducted through the court's Alternative Dispute Resolution program are confidential and not recorded, in accordance with § 44.405, Florida Statutes.
Parties involved in non-record proceedings who wish to preserve a record for potential appeal must make independent arrangements for court reporting services. Information about approved court reporting services can be obtained from:
Osceola County Court Administration 2 Courthouse Square, Suite 6300 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Phone: (407) 742-2417
Lookup Court Records in Osceola County
Search Osceola County court records online
Access case information through the Ninth Judicial Circuit
Request public records from the Osceola Clerk
Find criminal court records in Osceola County
Search Florida appellate cases