Osceola County court records are public case files held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller in Kissimmee, Florida. The clerk’s office, led by Kelvin Soto, Esq., keeps every civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case filed in the county.
You can view most of these records online at no cost, or visit the courthouse at 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741. This page covers exactly how the system works, what tools to use, and what you need to know before you start your search.
How the Osceola County Court Records System Works
Every case filed in Osceola County flows through the clerk’s office. The clerk acts as the official record keeper for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which Osceola County shares with Orange County. When a judge signs an order, a party files a motion, or a clerk enters a docket entry, that data becomes part of the public record.
The clerk stores two separate types of files. Court records cover cases handled by judges. Official records cover documents like deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. You need different search tools to reach each set, even though both live on the same website. Knowing which one you need saves you time and prevents wrong results.
Where the Clerk’s Office Is Located
The Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller sits in the Osceola County Courthouse in Kissimmee. This single office serves every city and community in the county, including St. Cloud, Celebration, Poinciana, and Holopaw.
| Office | Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Kelvin Soto, Esq. |
| Phone | 407-742-3500 |
| Address | 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741 |
| Official Website | osceolaclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit (Osceola and Orange Counties) |
The office phone line (407-742-3500) is open during regular business hours. Staff can help you check whether a case exists, point you to the right search form, or tell you the fee for a certified copy.
Search Tools for Osceola County Court Records
Three main search tools give you access to Osceola County court records. Each one handles a different type of file. Use the right tool for the right job, and the results will load faster and cleaner.
1. The Clerk’s Online Court Records Search
The clerk’s homepage at osceolaclerk.com links straight to a court records search tool. You can look up cases by name, case number, citation number, or filing date. The results show the docket, party names, hearing dates, judge assigned, and a list of filings. Basic searches cost nothing, and you do not need an account to view public docket entries.
2. PERCH Search
PERCH (Public Electronic Records of the Court House) is the system the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers built. It pulls case data from the clerk’s office into a single statewide search. PERCH works well when you want to search Osceola County records along with other Florida counties at the same time. It also lets you subscribe to case alerts by email or text.
3. The Ninth Judicial Circuit Case Query
Osceola County belongs to the Ninth Judicial Circuit along with Orange County. The circuit’s case query tool at ninthcircuit.org lets you search both counties with one form. Use this tool when you do not know which county a case was filed in, or when you need to track a case that has been transferred.
Official Records vs. Court Records
Many users mix up official records and court records. The Osceola County clerk keeps both, but they live in different systems.
- Court records cover cases heard by a judge. They include dockets, motions, orders, judgments, and sentencing documents.
- Official records cover documents recorded with the clerk for public notice. They include deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, marriage licenses, and notices of commencement.
The official records search lives at officialrecords.osceolaclerk.org. To search by name, type the last name first, then the first name, with no comma between them. A search for John Smith would look like “Smith John” in the name field.
Types of Osceola County Court Records
The clerk files and stores every case type in Osceola County. Each type has its own docket, and each one is searchable online once the case moves past the sealed-record stage.
Civil Court Records
Circuit civil cases cover lawsuits over $50,000, foreclosures, injunctions, and other major disputes. County civil cases cover smaller claims, including small claims (cases under $8,000) and landlord-tenant disputes. Both produce court records that the clerk keeps on file.
Criminal Court Records
Felony cases are heard at the circuit level. Misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses are heard at the county level. Osceola County criminal court records show charges, plea deals, sentences, and probation terms. Bond amounts and conditions of release are also visible on the docket.
Family Court Records
Family court handles divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence cases. Most of these records are public, with a few exceptions. Domestic violence injunctions and adoption cases are often sealed.
Probate Court Records
Probate cases deal with wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health proceedings. Osceola County probate court records are public unless a judge orders them sealed. Mental health records are closed by default under Florida law.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic citations, DUI cases heard at the county level, and other driving offenses are all searchable. You can look up your traffic case by citation number to see fines, court dates, and whether you need to appear in person.
Small Claims Court Records
Small claims cases cover disputes up to $8,000. They are handled in county court and produce shorter dockets. The clerk makes these records available just like any other case type.
Confidential and Sealed Court Records in Osceola County
Florida law protects certain records from public view. Even though the clerk makes most Osceola County court records public, some are sealed or redacted. Knowing what stays private saves you from expecting data that will never appear in search results.
What Stays Sealed
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment records
- Cases sealed by a judge under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420
- Expunged criminal records
What Gets Redacted
Florida Statute 119.0714 requires the clerk to remove sensitive data before posting records online. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, debit and credit card numbers, and similar data are stripped from public Osceola County court records before they appear in any search tool.
eFiling and e-Notify in Osceola County
The clerk offers electronic filing for most case types. Lawyers file through the Florida Courts ePortal, and self-represented filers can use the same portal to submit paperwork without visiting the courthouse. Filing fees can be paid online.
e-Notify is a free service that sends you an email or text when something new happens in a case. You can subscribe to a specific case number and get alerts when the court files a new order, sets a hearing, or enters a docket entry. To set up e-Notify, visit the clerk’s website and create a free account.
Certified Copies and Document Requests
You can request certified copies of Osceola County court records in three ways:
- In person: Visit the clerk’s office at 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will pull the file, certify it, and hand it to you the same day in most cases.
- By mail: Send a written request to the clerk with the case number, your contact details, and a check or money order for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.
- Online: Use the official records or court records search to find the document, then order a certified copy through the clerk’s online ordering system.
Certified copies cost more than regular copies. The clerk’s fee schedule lists the exact price per page and per certification. Fees must be paid before the clerk releases the document.
How to Request Older Court Files
Cases filed more than a few years ago may sit in off-site storage. The clerk can still pull them, but the request may take longer. When you call the clerk at 407-742-3500, have the case number, full party names, and the year the case was filed ready. This helps staff locate the file faster.
For very old cases, the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds files the county has transferred. The clerk can tell you when a case was sent to the archives and how to request it from there.
Federal Court Records in Osceola County
Federal cases, such as bankruptcy, federal criminal charges, and civil rights suits, are not held by the Osceola County clerk. They live in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. To search federal records, you need PACER, the federal court public access system. PACER charges a small fee per page, but if your annual usage stays under a set threshold, the fees are waived.
Bankruptcy cases filed by Osceola County residents are also searchable through PACER, or you can use the free Bankruptcy Noticing Center search tool. Bankruptcy is handled by a separate federal court and produces a different type of public record.
Paying Court Fees Online
The MyFloridaCounty.com portal lets you pay court fees, traffic fines, and child support payments online. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check. The portal covers Osceola County court records fees along with payments for any other Florida county clerk.
Paying online saves a trip to the courthouse. The portal shows your balance, payment history, and case number for each charge.
Legal Help for Court Cases in Osceola County
Not every case needs a lawyer, but the law can be hard to follow alone. Several free and low-cost resources help Osceola County residents handle court matters on their own.
Florida Courts Help
The Florida Courts Help website at help.flcourts.gov offers every form approved by the Florida Supreme Court. You can download family law forms, small claims forms, civil forms, and more. Each form has instructions written in plain language. The site also links to self-help centers in the Ninth Judicial Circuit where staff review your forms and answer basic questions about the filing process. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right form.
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida serves low-income residents in Osceola County. They handle family law, housing, consumer, and public benefits cases. If your income falls below the federal poverty line, you may qualify for free legal help.
Lawyer Referral Service
The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that covers Osceola County. A short consultation with a local attorney costs a small fee. You can ask whether the lawyer handles your case type before deciding to hire them.
Cities and Communities Served
Osceola County court records cover cases filed by residents of every city and unincorporated area in the county. The clerk’s office in Kissimmee is the single point of contact for all of them.
| City or Community | Type | Cases Filed Through |
|---|---|---|
| Kissimmee | City (County Seat) | Osceola County Clerk |
| St. Cloud | City | Osceola County Clerk |
| Celebration | Community | Osceola County Clerk |
| Poinciana | Community | Osceola County Clerk |
| Buenaventura Lakes | Community | Osceola County Clerk |
| Holopaw | Unincorporated | Osceola County Clerk |
Nearby Counties With Their Own Clerk Systems
Court records stay with the county where the case was filed. If you searched Osceola County and found nothing, the case may be in a neighboring county. Each nearby county runs its own clerk and its own search tool.
- Orange County – shares the Ninth Judicial Circuit with Osceola County
- Brevard County – east of Osceola County
- Polk County – west of Osceola County
- Okeechobee County – south of Osceola County
- Indian River County – southeast of Osceola County
- Highlands County – south of Osceola County
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Searching
People run into the same problems over and over when searching Osceola County court records. Here is a quick list of issues to skip.
- Mixing up official records with court records. Use the right search tool for the file type you need.
- Typing the name in the wrong order. The official records search uses last-name first-name with no comma.
- Searching federal cases by mistake. Bankruptcy and federal criminal cases are not in the county system.
- Ignoring sealed records. If a case is sealed, no search tool will show it, even with the case number.
- Forgetting the fee for certified copies. Viewing is free. Certified copies and printed pages have a fee.
Contact and Office Details
The Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller is the central source for every court record in the county. Office hours match standard Florida courthouse hours, Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so staff can pull the file you need.
Address: 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: 407-742-3500
Official Website: osceolaclerk.com (not clickable per the policy of this page)
Records Search: officialrecords.osceolaclerk.org
Circuit Search: ninthcircuit.org
Frequently Asked Questions About Osceola County Court Records
The questions below cover what most users ask before they start a search. Each answer gives you the exact steps, the right tool, and the rules that apply in Osceola County.
How do I look up a criminal case in Osceola County?
Go to the clerk’s website at osceolaclerk.com and open the court records search. Type the full legal name of the person, or the case number if you have it. The results will show charges, plea, sentence, and current status. Misdemeanors and felonies are both searchable. If the case was sealed or expunged, it will not appear in the results, even when the search criteria match. You can also use the Ninth Circuit case query tool if you do not know the county.
Are Osceola County court records free to view?
Yes. Searching Osceola County court records online is free, and you do not need an account. You only pay when you ask for a paper copy or a certified copy. The clerk charges a per-page fee for paper copies and an extra fee for the certification stamp. In person, you can view the file at the clerk’s office at no cost. Staff will set the file out for you in a public reading area.
Can I see sealed or expunged records?
No. Sealed and expunged records are removed from every public search tool. Only the person who is the subject of the record, their lawyer, and certain government agencies named in the court order can view them. If you need your own sealed record unsealed, you must file a motion with the court. The clerk can tell you which form to use for a petition to unseal.
What is the difference between the clerk’s court records search and the official records search?
The court records search covers cases heard by a judge. The official records search covers documents recorded with the clerk for public notice, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. They live in two separate databases on the clerk’s site. Use the court records search for dockets, motions, orders, and judgments. Use the official records search for property records and other recorded documents.
How do I get a certified copy of a court order from Osceola County?
You can order a certified copy in person at the clerk’s office, by mail, or online. Bring or send a written request with the case number, the document name, and your contact details. Pay the fee listed in the clerk’s fee schedule. The clerk will pull the document, stamp it as a true copy, and either hand it to you or mail it back. Most certified copies are ready the same day when you visit in person.
Do I need a lawyer to file a case in Osceola County?
No, you can file a case on your own in most civil, small claims, and family law matters. The Florida Courts Help website has every form you need, and the Ninth Circuit self-help center at the Kissimmee courthouse can review your paperwork. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can check your forms for missing fields and tell you which filing fee applies. For criminal charges, the court will appoint a public defender if you cannot afford a lawyer.
How long does the clerk keep old Osceola County court records?
Florida law requires the clerk to keep most case files permanently, but the format may change. Active files stay at the courthouse. Older files move to off-site storage, and the oldest files transfer to the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. You can still request any of them through the clerk. Provide the case number and the year filed, and the clerk will track the file down, no matter where it sits.