Criminal records in Nassau County, Florida, are generally public according to the state's public records law. Publicly accessible information about criminal cases can be found on the NassauFLCourt.us website. Additional sources include official state court systems, the office of the county court clerk, and law enforcement agencies. Each of these channels provides varying levels of detail—from basic case searches to certified copies of court documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Nassau
Start by determining what specific information you are looking for: details about a specific case, a general criminal history check, or inmate status. This will influence where to direct your inquiry.
Online Search
- NassauFLCourt.us — allows searching for publicly accessible information about court cases in Nassau County. Typically, a full name or case number is required for the search.
- Florida Courts Portal — the Nassau County page on the Florida Courts website has a link to the court clerk's website where district and circuit court records can be found.
- Florida Department of Corrections Inmate Search — if the individual is serving time in a state prison, use the FDOC offender search system.
- Nassau County Sheriff's Office — the official Nassau County Sheriff's Office website often provides access to the booking blotter.
In-Person Visit
The Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides access to case materials at the courthouse. Public terminals allow direct viewing of court records. Bring a photo ID.
Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Written Request
Mail requests are accepted by the court clerk at the address provided above. For a state-level criminal history check, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), including a completed form and fingerprints. FDLE processes requests according to Florida Statute § 943.053.
What you need to start a search:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
Search Nassau Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every criminal case in Florida is assigned a unique number. Understanding the format will save time.
The standard case number format in Florida:
XX-YYYY-CF-NNNNNN
- XX — two-digit county code (for Nassau, it's 45)
- YYYY — year the case was opened
- CF — case type. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — criminal felony
- MM — misdemeanor
- CT — criminal traffic
- NNNNNN — sequential case number
If you have the full case number, enter it into the search system on the court clerk's website. This is the fastest way to find a specific case—the result usually appears instantly without the need to filter by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Nassau
A criminal case record contains several key elements. Below is what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to Florida Statutes, such as § 893.13 (drugs). Indicates the specific offense. |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious offense), Infraction. |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge—reduce or add new counts. Both options are reflected in the record. |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed — the court has made a decision on the case
- Closed — the case is fully completed, all obligations fulfilled
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant states a plea
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-trial conference — discussion between parties before the main trial
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — check on compliance with probation terms or other court requirements
Court Results
| Result | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court found the person not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict—often due to insufficient evidence |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Withheld Adjudication | The judge refrained from a formal conviction, although guilt is established. This is a common practice in Florida, allowing avoidance of a conviction record in some cases. |
| Acquitted | Complete exoneration after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Nassau
Certified copies are official documents with a court seal, accepted by other institutions as legal proof. A regular printout from the web portal is not certified.
Where to Go
For certified copies of court documents, contact the Nassau County Clerk of the Circuit Court:
For a full state-level criminal history check, the request is submitted to FDLE.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office, provide the case number or full name of the defendant. Payment on-site.
- By Mail — send a written request including the full name, date of birth (if known), case number, return address, and a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — some documents can be ordered through the court clerk's portal. Check availability on the clerk's website, linked on the Nassau County page on Florida Courts.
Required Documents
- Photo ID (for in-person requests)
- For FDLE requests — completed request form and fingerprints taken at an authorized location
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Nassau
Fees for court document copies in Florida are set according to Florida Statute § 28.24. The Nassau County court clerk adheres to these rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Court document copy (per page) | $1.00 for the first pages; $0.15 for each subsequent |
| Document certification | $2.00 per document |
| Criminal history check via FDLE (state level) | Approximately $24.00 |
| Fingerprint-based check via FDLE/FBI | Approximately $24.00 (FDLE) + $13.25 (FBI) |
Processing Times
- On-site copies — usually issued the same day if the case is readily accessible
- Mail requests — 5 to 15 business days depending on complexity
- Criminal history check via FDLE — electronic requests processed within 1–3 business days; paper requests up to 10–15 business days
Note: Older cases, especially those predating electronic archiving, may require additional time. If the record is stored only on microfilm, the clerk will notify separately.