Search Orange County Probate Court Records

Orange County probate court records are filed with the Clerk of Courts in Orlando and cover formal estate administrations, summary administration petitions, will deposits, guardianship proceedings, and related matters for residents of Florida's third most populous county. The 9th Judicial Circuit covers Orange and Osceola counties, with probate cases from Orange County heard under that circuit's jurisdiction. This page explains how to search records online, what information the online case portal provides, how to obtain copies, and which probate type applies to a given estate.

Orange County Clerk of Courts - Probate Division

The Orange County Clerk of Courts in Orlando handles all probate filings for the county. The main courthouse is on North Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Given Orange County's size and population, the probate division handles a large volume of cases. The clerk's office provides both in-person filing and access to the Florida E-Filing Portal for electronic submissions.

Most probate documents are public records. However, inventories and accountings filed in estates are confidential under Florida law. Florida law also prohibits the Clerk from placing an image or copy of a court file on a publicly available Internet Web site. Some document images are displayed on the case docket tab in the online search system, but others must be requested from the clerk before they can be released online.

Self-represented litigants in Orange County may file probate documents in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the Florida E-Filing Portal. If you are not sure which method is appropriate for your filing, call the clerk's office before submitting.

The Orange County Clerk's homepage is a good starting point for locating case search tools, fee schedules, and filing information across all court divisions.

The homepage links to the case search system, probate division contacts, and information on e-filing options available for Orange County cases.

Orange County Online Records Search

The Orange County Clerk of Courts provides an online case search system at clerk.org/Search-Records.aspx. The system supports searches for Circuit Civil, County Civil, Family Law, Probate, and Criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.

Many public document images are displayed directly on the docket tab in the search results. However, some documents must be requested from and reviewed by the clerk before they can be made available online. Some case types are entirely nonpublic and will not appear in results. Be aware that the system undergoes maintenance on Thursday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, during which searches may be unavailable.

The Probate Preliminary Monthly Report requires subscriber access and is not available to the general public through the standard search interface. For public case information, the free search tool covers most of what you need to locate a case and see its status.

The online search system is the fastest way to check whether a probate case has been filed in Orange County and to view the public docket entries associated with that case.

9th Judicial Circuit

The 9th Judicial Circuit covers Orange and Osceola counties. Probate matters in Orange County are heard by judges assigned to the 9th Circuit's probate and guardianship division. The circuit court website at ninthcircuit.org lists judge assignments, local administrative orders, hearing schedules, and links to court divisions for both counties.

Local administrative orders from the 9th Circuit affect how probate cases are handled in Orange County. These orders can specify formatting requirements for petitions, notice procedures, and how hearings are scheduled. Check the circuit website for any current orders before filing a new case. Failing to follow a local order can result in a rejection of your filing or a delay in getting a hearing scheduled.

The 9th Circuit site also has information on self-help resources and legal aid contacts for unrepresented parties in Orange County probate cases.

Types of Probate in Orange County

Florida law sets out three main estate administration processes, and which one applies depends on the estate's gross value and how long ago the decedent died. All three are filed with the Orange County Clerk of Courts.

Formal Administration

Formal administration is used when the estate's gross value exceeds $75,000 and the decedent died less than two years ago. A personal representative is appointed by the circuit court, creditors are formally notified, an inventory is filed, and a final accounting must be submitted before the estate can close. Florida law requires attorney representation in most formal administration cases. In a large metro county like Orange, estates involving real property, investment accounts, and business interests are common, and formal administration can take six months to over two years depending on the complexity of the assets and whether any disputes arise.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is available when the estate's gross value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for two or more years. No personal representative is appointed. The interested parties file a petition and the court issues an order directing distribution. This process is significantly faster and less costly than formal administration. It is worth evaluating whether an estate qualifies for summary administration before assuming that a full formal proceeding is needed.

Disposition Without Administration

When an estate has only personal property worth $6,000 or less and no real estate, a family member can petition for disposition without administration. This is the simplest option. The clerk's office has the required form. It is most often used to access a small bank account or collect a vehicle after someone dies with minimal assets.

All three processes are governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 733, which sets out the requirements for petitions, notice, creditor claims, inventories, accountings, and distribution in Florida estate administration.

Filing Fees and Costs

Orange County follows the statewide probate filing fee schedule set by Florida law. Fees for formal administration depend on the estate's estimated gross value. Summary administration petitions have a separate filing fee. Certified copies of letters of administration or court orders cost additional amounts per page plus a certification fee. Call (407) 836-2000 or check the clerk's website for the current fee schedule before filing.

Beyond filing fees, expect costs for service of process, publication of notice to creditors (required in formal administration), and attorney fees. Attorney fees in formal administration cases follow the schedule in Florida Statutes Section 733.6171, which is based on the estate's gross value. For large Orange County estates with significant real property or investment assets, attorney fees can be a substantial part of the overall probate cost.

Legal Resources for Orange County Probate

The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov provides approved probate forms, self-help guides, and general information on estate administration. These forms are accepted in Orange County and throughout Florida. The Orange County Bar Association and the Central Florida chapter of the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with local probate attorneys.

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida provides free civil legal help to low-income residents in Orange County, including some probate and estate matters. Contact their intake line to determine if your situation qualifies. For self-represented litigants, the Orange County Clerk's Self-Help Center offers assistance with court forms and filing procedures, though staff cannot give legal advice.

The statewide Find-a-Clerk directory helps you locate any Florida clerk's office quickly if you need records from multiple counties.

The directory at flclerks.com/page/findaclerk lists contact information for all 67 Florida county clerk offices, including Orange County.

Cities in Orange County

Orange County includes Orlando and many surrounding communities. Orlando is the county seat and the largest city, with its own dedicated page on this site. Other communities in Orange County include Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Maitland, Belle Isle, Windermere, and Edgewood. Note that Kissimmee is the seat of neighboring Osceola County, not Orange County. All probate filings for residents of any Orange County community are made with the Clerk of Courts at 425 North Orange Avenue in Orlando.

Nearby Counties

Orange County is bordered by Osceola County to the south, Polk County to the southwest, Lake County to the northwest, Seminole County to the north, Brevard County to the east, and Volusia County to the northeast. All neighboring counties have their own clerk of courts and probate divisions.