FDLE warrant search is a free online service provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) that allows users to look up selected Florida wanted-person and warrant records. Through the official Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) Public Access System, individuals can search by name, nickname, date of birth, and other identifying details.
An FDLE warrant search can help you identify publicly available warrant information, but it does not confirm whether a warrant is currently active. Some records may be incomplete, outdated, or unavailable through the public database.
This guide explains how to check Florida warrants online, understand search results, verify records, use county court resources, and avoid common mistakes.
What Is an FDLE Warrant Search?
An FDLE warrant search is an online lookup available through the Florida Crime Information Center Public Access System (PAS). It contains selected wanted-person information submitted by Florida law enforcement agencies and authorized for public release.
The service allows members of the public to search reported records and provide information to law enforcement when appropriate. However, the database is not a complete list of every outstanding warrant or criminal case in Florida.
What Information Does FDLE Show?
Depending on the reporting agency, a wanted-person record may include:
- Full name, nicknames, and known aliases.
- Date of birth and physical characteristics.
- Offense associated with the warrant.
- Reporting law enforcement agency.
- Warrant number and warrant date.
- Agency case number.
- Last known address.
- Photograph, when available.
Not every record includes all these details.
FDLE warns that its public information must not be treated as confirmation of an active warrant or as probable cause for an arrest. The responsible law enforcement agency must verify the record.
How to Perform an FDLE Warrant Search Online
The official FDLE website allows users to search selected Florida warrant records without paying a fee or creating an account.
Step 1: Visit the Official FDLE Website
Open the FDLE Wanted Persons Search page through the official government website. The service is part of Florida’s Public Access System and provides access to publicly released wanted-person records. Avoid unfamiliar third-party websites that charge for basic information or imitate government services.
Step 2: Enter the Person’s Name
The FDLE search form includes several fields:
- Last name
- First name
- Middle name or initial
- Nickname
- Race
- Sex
- Date of birth or age
You do not need to complete every field. FDLE requires at least the last two characters of a surname or an exact nickname to perform a search. For example, searching for someone named Michael Johnson can begin with the first and last name.
Step 3: Add Identifying Information
Common names may return several matches. Adding a known date of birth or other identifying details helps narrow the results.
FDLE accepts dates of birth in two formats:
- MM/DD/YYYY
- MM-DD-YYYY
You can search using either a date of birth or an age, but not both simultaneously.
Step 4: Complete the CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the CAPTCHA image. This verification helps prevent automated searches. If the CAPTCHA fails, reload the page and try again.
Step 5: Review Search Results
After submitting your search, the database may display matching public records.
- Results can include the person’s name, date of birth, race, sex, and reporting agency.
- A camera icon may appear when a photograph is available. Clicking the person’s name opens the detailed record.
- FDLE limits searches to a maximum of 500 results. Adding identifying details can reduce unrelated matches.
Step 6: Verify Any Possible Match
If you find a potential match, record the available warrant number, agency case number, and reporting agency. Contact the responsible agency through an independently verified official telephone number to determine the appropriate verification procedure.
Do not assume that a matching record establishes the person’s identity or current warrant status.
FDLE Warrant Search Requirements and Features
| Feature | Details |
| Provider | Florida Department of Law Enforcement |
| Database | FCIC Public Access System |
| Search fee | Free |
| Account required | No |
| Search by name | Yes |
| Search by nickname | Yes |
| Search by birth date | Yes |
| Search by county | No dedicated filter |
| Search by warrant number | No dedicated field |
| Maximum results | 500 |
| Public data refresh | Every 24 hours |
| Active warrant confirmation | Not provided |
FDLE refreshes public information from FCIC files every 24 hours. However, this does not guarantee that every warrant has been independently verified during that period.
How to Understand FDLE Warrant Search Results
A matching FDLE record means the database contains publicly accessible wanted-person information associated with the search criteria. It does not establish guilt, confirm identity, or independently verify that a warrant remains active.
Common FDLE Record Fields
| Field | Meaning |
| Name | Name reported by the agency |
| Alias | Other recorded name |
| Offense | Alleged offense connected to the record |
| Reporting agency | Agency responsible for the entry |
| Warrant number | Warrant identifier |
| Warrant date | Date recorded for the warrant |
| Case number | Agency’s case reference |
| Physical description | Recorded identifying characteristics |
Why Identifying Details Matter
Suppose an FDLE warrant search returns two records for someone named Michael Johnson. One record lists a different date of birth, while the other has incomplete identifying information.
Neither result should automatically be considered a confirmed match. FDLE warns that individuals sometimes use false identification, potentially causing another person’s information to appear in a warrant record. The agency also explains that certain physical measurements may be placeholders when accurate information is unavailable.
How to Verify Whether a Florida Warrant Is Active
A warrant may have been served, recalled, or affected by subsequent court proceedings after a record was entered.
To verify a possible warrant:
- Review the name and available identifying details.
- Record the warrant number and agency case number.
- Identify the reporting law enforcement agency.
- Find the agency’s contact information through its official website.
- Ask about the appropriate warrant-status verification process.
- Consult a criminal defense attorney if legal assistance is needed.
A reporting agency may have procedures governing the information it can disclose.
For someone concerned about their own arrest, obtaining legal advice before approaching the matter can help clarify the available options.
Is an FDLE Warrant Search Free?
Yes. The official FDLE Wanted Persons Search is available free of charge.
However, FDLE also offers a separate criminal history record-check service.
FDLE Warrant Search vs. Criminal Background Check
| Feature | Warrant Search | Criminal History Check |
| Main purpose | Wanted-person records | Criminal history |
| Standard fee | Free | $24 |
| Information | Selected warrant records | Available Florida criminal history |
| Complete warrant verification | No | No |
FDLE’s Instant Florida Criminal History Search costs $24 plus a $1 card-processing fee. A criminal history check is not a substitute for verifying whether someone has an outstanding arrest warrant.
Can You Check if You Have a Warrant in Florida?
Yes. Individuals can use an FDLE warrant search to look for publicly available records associated with their own names.
However, an empty result does not guarantee that no warrant exists.
If you believe a warrant may have been issued against you:
- Search using accurate identifying information.
- Review possible matches carefully.
- Identify the court or reporting agency.
- Consult a Florida criminal defense attorney when appropriate.
- Follow the applicable legal process to address the matter.
An attorney may be able to discuss a hearing, a request to recall a warrant, or arrangements for addressing an outstanding arrest order.
Available options depend on the case, and an arrest cannot necessarily be avoided.
What if an FDLE Warrant Search Shows No Results?
A search returning no results means the database did not display a matching public record using the information entered.
It does not prove that the person has no outstanding warrants.
Why a Warrant May Be Missing
Possible explanations include:
- The reporting agency has not entered the record.
- The record is not authorized for public release.
- The warrant was recently issued.
- The record contains an alias or different spelling.
- Incorrect identifying details were entered.
- The warrant or related court record is confidential.
- The warrant originates outside Florida.
If you have a specific reason to believe a warrant exists, seek verification through the responsible authority or qualified legal counsel.
How to Search Florida Warrants Through County Records
Florida has 67 counties, and county clerks maintain records for cases handled within their jurisdictions. Some county websites provide public criminal case searches, hearing dates, case dispositions, and related documents. However, county court records are not necessarily complete active-warrant databases.
How to Find County Court Records
- Visit the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website.
- Locate the clerk for the relevant county.
- Open the county’s official court records portal.
- Search using a name or known case number.
- Review available information and contact the appropriate office if necessary.
Can You Perform an FDLE Warrant Search by County?
The FDLE public search does not include a dedicated county filter. Users can begin with a statewide name search and examine the reporting agency associated with any matching record.
For county-specific information, additional research through the local clerk’s office or responsible law enforcement agency may be necessary.
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420(c)(6) also protects certain unexecuted arrest and search warrants and supporting affidavits held by court personnel from public disclosure.
Consequently, a public court website may not display every outstanding warrant.
Can You Search FDLE Warrants by Case Number?
The public FDLE warrant search does not have a dedicated warrant-number or court case-number search field.
- Its search options focus on personal identifying information.
- If you already have a warrant number, contact the reporting law enforcement agency.
- For court case numbers, use the appropriate county clerk’s public case-search system.
- Finding a case online does not necessarily confirm whether a related warrant is active.
Types of Warrants in Florida
Different warrants and court processes serve different legal purposes.
| Warrant Type | General Purpose |
| Arrest warrant | Authorizes an arrest |
| Bench warrant | Directs arrest or appearance under court authority |
| Capias | Orders that a person be taken into custody |
| Search warrant | Authorizes a legally specified search |
| Federal warrant | Issued under federal authority |
Arrest Warrants
Under Florida Statute 901.02, a judge may issue an arrest warrant when the applicable requirements, including probable cause, are satisfied.
An arrest warrant is not proof of a criminal conviction.
Bench Warrants and Capias
A bench warrant may arise when someone fails to appear for a required court proceeding.
A capias is a court process directing that a person be taken into custody.
These records do not necessarily appear in the public FDLE database.
Search Warrants
Search warrants authorize specified searches under applicable legal requirements.
They differ from arrest warrants and are not generally searchable through FDLE’s Wanted Persons Search.
FCIC vs. NCIC: What Is the Difference?
The Florida Crime Information Center and the FBI’s National Crime Information Center are separate criminal justice information systems.
| Feature | FCIC | NCIC |
| Geographic focus | Florida | Nationwide |
| Responsible agency | FDLE | FBI |
| Main users | Authorized agencies | Authorized agencies |
| General public search | Selected PAS records | No unrestricted public lookup |
The public FDLE system provides selected Florida information, not unrestricted access to either law enforcement database.
Therefore, it cannot serve as a complete nationwide or federal warrant check.
How Accurate Is the FDLE Warrant Search?
FDLE is an official government source, but the accuracy of individual records depends on information reported and maintained by law enforcement agencies.
Potential issues include incorrect names, outdated status information, incomplete descriptions, or details associated with false identification. If you believe a record is inaccurate, contact the reporting agency and ask about its correction procedures.
FDLE’s public information is refreshed every 24 hours, but changes made by an agency may not immediately appear in the public database.
What Happens if You Have an Active Warrant in Florida?
An active arrest warrant may result in arrest when law enforcement encounters the person named in it. Under Florida Statute 901.04, an arrest under a warrant may occur on any day and at any time, subject to the statute’s requirements.
Do not assume that an old arrest warrant has automatically expired. Its current status depends on the applicable legal process and any subsequent court action.
A Florida criminal defense attorney can explain possible options, such as requesting a hearing or seeking recall of a warrant when appropriate. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can help individuals find legal representation.
How to Avoid Fake Florida Warrant Search Scams
Scammers sometimes impersonate law enforcement officers or court employees and falsely claim that immediate payment is required to avoid arrest.
The Federal Trade Commission has warned about fraudulent jury-duty warrant notices, threatening telephone calls, and realistic-looking fake court documents.
Warning Signs
Be cautious if someone:
- Threatens immediate arrest unless money is sent.
- Demands cryptocurrency, gift cards, or prepaid debit cards.
- Sends an unexpected warrant document by text or email.
- Requests financial information through an unfamiliar website.
- Refuses to allow independent verification.
Use official government websites and independently verified telephone numbers.
Suspected scams can be reported through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Can You Report Information About a Wanted Person?
Yes. FDLE’s public wanted-person records include a Send A Tip feature. Users may submit information to the reporting law enforcement agency without disclosing their names.
However, Florida public-records laws can apply to communications, including email addresses submitted to government agencies. Do not attempt to confront or apprehend anyone based on a database entry. Report relevant information to law enforcement instead.
Conclusion
An FDLE warrant search provides a free and convenient way to access selected Florida wanted-person records online. By using the official FDLE website, entering accurate information, and carefully reviewing results, users can find records associated with reported warrants.
However, the database cannot guarantee that a warrant is active, inactive, or absent. Combining an FDLE warrant search with appropriate county court records, verification from the responsible law enforcement agency, and legal guidance when necessary provides a more reliable approach.
FDLE Warrant Search FAQs
1. Does an FDLE warrant search show active warrants?
It may display warrant records, but FDLE does not guarantee that listed warrants remain active. The responsible agency must verify their status.
2. Can I search Florida warrants by county?
FDLE does not provide a county filter. Search using personal details, then review the reporting agency or relevant county court records.
3. Does FDLE show federal arrest warrants?
The public FDLE database is not a comprehensive federal warrant search. It primarily contains selected information reported by Florida law enforcement agencies.
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Warrant records, court procedures, and applicable laws may change. Consult a qualified Florida attorney or the appropriate law enforcement agency about a specific situation.
