Records Requests & Background Requests

The following options are available when making records requests and background checks:

  • Leon County Sheriff's Office on-line records portal: LCSO Public Records Center
  • US Mail: Leon County Sheriff's Office, Records Management Division, PO Box 727, Tallahassee, FL 32301
  • Leon County Sheriff's Office mobile app: "LCSO Connect". Available in both the Apple Store and Google Play
  • In person: Leon County Sheriff's Office, Records Management Bureau, 3333 W. Pensacola Street, Suite 100,  Tallahassee, FL (during regular business hours - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday)

          Please note the change of address for in person records requests and background requests.

  • Telephone: 850-606-3317 (during regular business hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday)

*Fees for background checks are $5 per person requested, paid in advance, and must include a completed Local Criminal Records Check form for each name. Payment can be made by cash, check or money order, credit card* or e-check*.  There is a transaction fee of $2 for each request when paying by credit card or e-check. 

Completed background checks can either be picked up from the Records Management Bureau once you are notified, they are ready; or they can be mailed back to you, if you provide a self-addressed and stamped envelope.  If a self-addressed and stamped envelope is not provided to us, there will be an additional fee of $1 for postage.  Background check responses can also be provided to you through our records portal if we are provided with an email to send it to.

*IMPORTANT: The results of this background check will only show arrests within Leon County, Florida. To obtain a background check beyond the limits of Leon County, please contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records/Florida-Checks or call (850) 410-8161.

The following options are available for traffic crash report requests**:

  1. If you are requesting a traffic crash report, you can do so through any of the options listed above.
  2. You can also request the report through the FL DHSMV’s Crash Portal

Note:

Prior to 60 Days of Crash Report   Traffic crash reports are confidential and prohibited from public review for sixty (60) days from the date the report was filed. Therefore, an affidavit is required prior to release.  Some of those entitled to receive the report prior to 60 days are the parties involved in the crash, their legal representatives, their licensed insurance agents, their insurers, or insurers to which they have applied for coverage. If you wish to obtain an accident report prior to 60 days from the date of the report, Florida law requires that you complete an Affidavit for Crash Report (Prior to 60 days) indicating you are entitled to receive a copy of the report.

After 60 Days from Date of Crash Report   Effective March 1, 2023, crash reports remain confidential after 60 days of crash. Crash reports are still available to those parties outlined above for reports made immediately available prior to 60 days. After 60 days, crash reports are also made available to a limited number of permissible uses as outlined in 18 U.S.C. 2725 (b) and (c). These permissible uses are included on the Affidavit for Crash Report Information (More than 60 days). If you qualify as a person for immediate release or as a permissible use, please complete the Affidavit for Crash Report (More than 60 days), provide requested information or documentation, and return the notarized for to us.

**We must receive a completed/notarized affidavit prior to our response, or visit the Records Management Bureau in person to sign the affidavit in person with a picture ID. 

Fees:

The Leon County Sheriff's Office may provide records in paper or electronic format depending on the nature and volume of the records requested. Fees may apply. Please see LCSO General Schedule of Charges (2023).

All fees related to background checks or records requests are payable by cash, or cashier's check/check made payable to the Leon County Sheriff's Office. 

*Most recently, we accept credit card or e-check payments when related to records requests and background requests.  If you have received an invoice from us related to either a public records request or a background check via an email link, you can click on the link, and it will take you to where you can submit your payment by credit card or e-check.  Be advised, when you utilize this payment method, there is a $2 transaction fee charged by the vendor for credit card and e-check payments, in addition to any fee required by LCSO related to background checks or public records requests.

If you have any questions concerning a records request or local background check, please do not hesitate to contact us at 850-606-3317 where a member of the Records staff can assist you. 

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