Orange County probate court records are public files about who handles a dead person’s property, money, and belongings in Florida. These records live at the Orange County Clerk of Courts office in Orlando.
Anyone can look at most of these files for free online. This page shows you exactly where to look, what you can see, and how to get copies.
What Orange County Probate Records Include
Probate records are court papers about what happens to a person’s stuff after they die. In Orange County, these records cover wills, estate handling, and guardianship cases. The court makes sure debts get paid and the right people get the property.
Types of Cases Filed
Three main types of probate cases get filed in Orange County. The first is formal administration for large estates. The second is summary administration for small estates. The third is disposition without administration for very small estates. Guardianship cases for minors and adults who cannot care for themselves get filed in probate court too.
Who Files These Cases
A personal representative, sometimes called an executor, files most probate cases. This person is named in the will or chosen by the court. Family members can file if there is no will. Lawyers often file the papers, but people without lawyers can file too.
Where Records Are Stored
All Orange County probate records are kept by the Clerk of Courts. This office is the main record keeper for the county’s court system. The clerk keeps both paper files and digital records for each case.
The Clerk of Courts Office
The Orange County Clerk of Courts handles every probate case in the county. The office has been keeping court records for over 100 years. Old records from the early 1900s are stored there too. Some older files are only available for in-person review at the records counter.
Office Address and Hours
The main clerk’s office sits at 425 North Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on weekends and Florida state holidays. The phone number for general help is (407) 836-2000.
How to Search Records Online
The clerk’s office runs a free online search system. You can use it from any computer or phone with internet. The system covers probate, civil, family, and criminal cases. Most searches take just a few minutes to complete.
Name Search Steps
To search by name, go to the clerk’s search page and pick probate from the case type list. Type the last name of the person who died, then their first name. You can add a date range to narrow your search. Results will show the case number, filing date, and case status.
Case Number Search
If you already know the case number, type it into the case number box. Orange County probate case numbers start with letters that show the case type. The system will pull up the full docket and all public documents right away.
System Maintenance Times
The online system goes down for maintenance every Thursday night from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern Time. Searches will not work during these hours. Plan your searches for other times if you can.
The 9th Judicial Circuit
Orange County sits in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Osceola County too. Probate cases in both counties follow the same circuit rules. The circuit court has its own website with judge schedules and local rules.
Circuit Coverage
The 9th Circuit covers two counties. Orange County is the larger of the two by population. Osceola County, home to Kissimmee, is part of this circuit too. Probate judges in the circuit hear cases from both counties.
Local Court Rules
Each circuit can make its own local rules for probate cases. The 9th Circuit has rules about petition format, how to give notice, and how hearings get scheduled. You can see these rules on the circuit court website. Failing to follow local rules can cause your case to be delayed.
Three Types of Florida Probate
Florida law sets out three ways to handle a dead person’s estate. Which one you use depends on how much the estate is worth and how long ago the person died. All three types get filed at the Orange County Clerk of Courts.
Formal Administration
Formal administration handles estates worth more than $75,000 where the person died less than two years ago. A judge appoints a personal representative. Creditors get formal notice. The representative must file an inventory of all assets. A full accounting is required before the estate can close. Most formal cases need a lawyer.
Summary Administration
Summary administration is for smaller estates. The estate must be worth $75,000 or less, or the person must have died more than two years ago. No personal representative gets appointed. The people who inherit file a petition and the court signs an order. This process is faster and costs less than formal administration.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration handles the smallest estates. The total value must be $6,000 or less and there can be no real estate. A family member files a simple petition to claim property. This is often used to access a small bank account or get a vehicle title.
Filing Fees and Costs
Orange County follows the statewide fee schedule for probate filings. Costs include filing fees, copy fees, and service fees. The total cost depends on the type of probate and the size of the estate.
Court Filing Fees
Filing fees for formal administration depend on the estate value. Summary administration has a flat filing fee. Disposition without administration has its own lower fee. You can call the clerk’s office for the exact current fee amounts before you file.
Attorney Fee Rules
Florida law sets attorney fees in formal administration cases based on estate value. The fee schedule is in Florida Statutes Section 733.6171. The percentages drop as the estate gets larger. For very large estates in Orange County, attorney fees can still add up to a large dollar amount.
Getting Certified Copies
You can get certified copies of probate records from the clerk. Certified copies have the clerk’s stamp and are accepted by banks, insurance companies, and other courts. Plain copies can be printed from the online system for free.
Order by Mail
To order by mail, send a written request to the clerk’s office. Include the case number, the document you need, and a check or money order for the fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Allow two to three weeks for delivery.
Order in Person
Visit the clerk’s office during business hours to order in person. Staff can pull the file while you wait for most simple requests. Bring a photo ID. Pay by cash, check, or card at the payment window.
Online Orders
Some documents can be ordered through the online portal. You will need to create an account. The portal accepts credit and debit cards. Documents download as PDF files once payment clears.
Public Access Rules
Florida law makes most probate records public. This means anyone can see them. The clerk’s office follows state rules about which records stay open and which stay sealed.
What the Public Can See
You can see the petition, the will (if there is one), the order appointing the personal representative, and the final distribution plan. Court orders, docket entries, and hearing dates are public too. Most pleadings filed in the case are open for viewing.
Records Kept Confidential
Inventories of estate property are confidential under Florida law. Accountings filed with the court are confidential too. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers get redacted from public documents. Some sensitive medical records in guardianship cases may be sealed.
Legal Help Resources
People handling probate without a lawyer have several places to get help. The clerk’s office has a self-help center. Free legal aid is available for low-income residents. Lawyer referral services can connect you with probate attorneys.
Self-Represented Help
The Orange County Clerk’s Self-Help Center helps people who file without lawyers. Staff can answer questions about forms and filing steps. They cannot give legal advice. The center is on the first floor of the courthouse.
Free Legal Aid
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida gives free civil legal help to people who qualify. They handle some probate and estate matters. Call their intake line to see if your case qualifies. The Orange County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service too.
Cities in Orange County
Orange County covers a large area in central Florida. Orlando is the county seat and biggest city. Many smaller cities and towns fall within county lines too. All probate cases from any city in the county get filed at the Orlando courthouse.
Major Cities Served
Orlando is the county seat with the largest population. Other cities include Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Maitland, Belle Isle, Windermere, and Edgewood. Each of these cities sends probate filings to the same clerk’s office in Orlando.
Nearby Counties
Orange County borders six other Florida counties. Each neighbor has its own clerk of courts and probate division. If you need records from a neighboring county, you must contact that county’s clerk directly.
Adjacent County Clerks
Osceola County sits to the south. Polk County is to the southwest. Lake County is to the northwest. Seminole County is to the north. Brevard County is to the east. Volusia County is to the northeast. Each county clerk has its own search system and fee schedule.
Office Contact Details
The Orange County Clerk of Courts probate division can be reached by phone, in person, or by mail. The office is open on regular business days throughout the year, except for state holidays. Below is the main contact data for the office.
Phone, Hours, and Location
The clerk’s main phone line is (407) 836-2000. The office sits at 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. Standard hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The official website is www.orangeclerk.com. The free online search portal is at www.clerk.org/Search-Records.aspx. The 9th Circuit website is www.ninthcircuit.org.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Orange County Clerk of Courts |
| Street Address | 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 |
| Main Phone | (407) 836-2000 |
| Business Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | www.orangeclerk.com |
| Search Portal | www.clerk.org/Search-Records.aspx |
| Circuit Court | 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida |
| Circuit Website | www.ninthcircuit.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions people ask about Orange County probate records. Each answer gives clear steps based on current Florida law and clerk office rules. If you have a complex case, talk to a licensed Florida probate attorney before filing papers with the court.
How do I check for a probate case in Orange County?
To check if a probate case has been filed in Orange County, start at the free online search portal at www.clerk.org/Search-Records.aspx. Pick probate from the case type dropdown list, then type the last name of the person who died, followed by the first name. The portal also lets you search by case number if you already have one. The search results show the case number, the date the case was filed, the assigned judge, and the current status. Click the case number to open the docket and see all public documents filed in the case. You can narrow your search by date range to focus on a specific year. If the online system does not show a case, try calling the clerk’s office at (407) 836-2000 during business hours. Phone staff can search older paper files that may not be in the digital system. Walk-in visitors can use public computers at the courthouse to run searches at no cost. Some cases, like sealed guardianship files or those marked confidential by court order, will not show up in standard name searches. For official proof that a case exists, order a certified copy of the docket through the mail, online portal, or in person at the records counter.
Can I see a will before the person dies?
No, you cannot see a will before the person dies. A will stays private as long as the person who wrote it is alive. Florida law protects the privacy of living testators. Once the person dies and a probate case is filed with the court, the will becomes part of the public court file. At that point, you can view the will through the Orange County Clerk’s online search system. You can visit the clerk’s office during business hours to read paper files too. Some people choose to file their will with the clerk before they die using a will deposit service. A deposited will stays sealed until the person dies and proper proof of death is filed with the court. Even deposited wills are not open for public viewing as long as the person lives. After death, only certain people can ask the court to open a deposited will. These include the personal representative named in the will, a spouse, an adult child, or a named beneficiary. The clerk’s office can answer questions about the will deposit process and current fees. Wills that are never filed with the court stay private until the family chooses to submit them for probate after death.
How much does it cost to file probate in Orange County?
Filing costs in Orange County depend on the type of probate case and the value of the estate. Summary administration has a flat filing fee set by state law. Disposition without administration has a lower flat fee for very small estates. Formal administration fees are based on the gross value of the estate, with higher-value estates paying more at the time of filing. The clerk’s office can give you the current exact fee amounts by phone at (407) 836-2000 or through their website. You will pay extra for certified copies of court orders, which cost a per-page fee plus a certification fee. Service of process on creditors or beneficiaries adds another cost. Formal administration cases require publication of notice to creditors in a local newspaper, which can run several hundred dollars. Attorney fees in formal administration follow the percentage schedule in Florida Statutes Section 733.6171. The percentages drop as estate values grow larger, but a high-value estate can still pay a large dollar amount in attorney fees. Court-appointed attorneys for unrepresented parties in guardianship cases also charge fees. Expect to pay filing fees, copy costs, service fees, and publication costs at a minimum. Many filers also pay attorney fees unless they handle the case themselves.
Do I need a lawyer to file probate in Orange County?
Florida law requires a licensed attorney for most formal administration cases. A lawyer must sign the petition and represent the personal representative in court. The rule comes from Florida Statutes and the Florida Bar’s rules of professional conduct. Summary administration and disposition without administration do not have the same strict rule. People can file these simpler cases on their own, but the court can reject papers that do not follow Florida probate statutes. Many self-represented filers in Orange County use the clerk’s Self-Help Center to get basic form help. Staff at the Self-Help Center can answer questions about which forms to use and how to fill them out. They cannot give legal advice or tell you whether your case will succeed. For complex situations, a lawyer is strongly recommended. Examples include estates with business interests, real property in multiple states, family disputes, or unclear wills. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida offers free legal help for low-income residents in some probate matters. The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can match you with a probate attorney for a small fee. Some attorneys offer limited scope representation for self-represented filers who need help with specific parts of the case.
What is the difference between probate types?
Formal administration handles larger and more complex estates. The estate must be worth more than $75,000 in gross value and the person must have died less than two years ago. A judge appoints a personal representative to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute what remains. Creditors get formal notice by mail or publication. The personal representative must file an inventory of all assets within 60 days. A full accounting is required before the estate can close. Most formal cases need a lawyer. The case stays open for months or years depending on the size and complexity. Summary administration handles smaller and older estates. The estate must be worth $75,000 or less, or the person must have died more than two years ago. No personal representative gets appointed. The people who stand to inherit file a petition listing all assets and proposed distribution. The court reviews the petition and signs an order. Summary administration is faster, cheaper, and simpler than formal administration. A lawyer is not required, though many people still hire one. The choice between the two depends on the estate value, how long ago the person died, and whether any family disputes need court oversight.
How long does probate take in Orange County?
Probate timelines in Orange County vary by case type and complexity. Disposition without administration is the fastest and often closes in a few weeks. Summary administration usually takes two to four months from filing to final order. Formal administration takes much longer. Simple formal cases with no disputes often close in six months to one year. More complex formal cases can take one to two years or more. Several factors affect timing. Estates with real property in multiple counties or states take longer because each property needs separate handling. Estates with business interests require valuation and possible sale, which adds months. Family disputes over the will, beneficiary rights, or personal representative choice can stretch a case to multiple years. Creditor claims and tax issues add time too. Florida requires a 90-day creditor claim period in formal administration. Tax returns for the estate may need to be filed. The court can set hearings that take weeks or months to schedule depending on the judge’s calendar. For the fastest close, file complete and accurate paperwork, respond quickly to court notices, and keep beneficiaries informed. Hiring an experienced probate attorney helps avoid delays from rejected filings.
Can I get a death certificate from the probate court?
No, the probate court does not issue death certificates. Death certificates in Florida come from the Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics. You can order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person through the county health department. Each certified copy comes with a state-issued stamp and is accepted by banks, insurance companies, and federal agencies. Standard certified copies cost a set fee set by state law. Expedited service costs extra. You will need to provide the dead person’s full name, date of death, and county of death. A photo ID and proof of your relationship to the deceased may be required. The probate court file may have a copy of the death certificate attached as an exhibit, but the court cannot give you an official certified copy. The clerk can give you a regular photocopy of any document in the file, but only the Office of Vital Statistics can issue certified death certificates. Death certificates from other states require contact with that state’s vital records office. The Florida Department of Health can help with apostille services for death certificates used in foreign countries. For most estate matters, the original death certificate is filed once with the probate court, and certified copies are then ordered through the state for use with banks, retirement accounts, and insurance.