Union County public records include arrest reports, booking logs, inmate rosters, mugshots, court case files, and property documents held by local government offices in Lake Butler, Florida. Anyone can search these records under Florida’s open records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, without giving a reason or showing identification.
This page shows you exactly where to look, who to call, and what tools you can use to find arrest records, recent bookings, and inmate details in Union County, Florida.
What Counts as a Public Record in Union County
Florida law defines a public record as any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photo, film, or sound recording made or received by a government agency in connection with official business. Union County arrest records, booking sheets, incident reports, and jail rosters all fall under this rule. The clerk’s office, the sheriff’s office, the court system, and other county agencies must let you see these files during normal business hours.
Arrest records contain the name of the person taken into custody, the date and time of the arrest, the charge or charges filed, the booking number, the arresting officer, and the agency that made the arrest. Booking records add details like height, weight, date of birth, fingerprints, and a photograph taken at intake. Inmate records show who sits in the local jail right now, their housing unit, bond amount, and court date.
Some records stay sealed. Juvenile arrests, sealed court orders, expunged cases, and active criminal investigation files are not open to the public. The sheriff’s office can tell you which files are exempt when you ask.
Union County Arrest Records and Where to Find Them
Union County arrest records come from three main sources: the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Clerk of Court, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Each source gives you a different piece of the picture, and you may need to check more than one to get a full history.
The sheriff’s office creates the original arrest report when an officer takes someone into custody. These reports include the charges, the location of the arrest, and the officer’s name. You can request a copy by phone, in person, or by mail. The clerk’s office holds the official case file once the state files formal charges. That file shows what the court did with the case, including plea deals, sentences, and dismissals.
For statewide criminal history, the FDLE runs the public Criminal History Search portal. It pulls data from every Florida county, including Union County. The search costs a small fee and shows arrests, dispositions, and sentences reported by county clerks.
| Source | Records Held | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Union County Sheriff’s Office | Arrest reports, incident logs, calls for service | In person, phone, or written request |
| Union County Clerk of Court | Booking numbers, case files, dispositions | Online portal, in person, mail |
| FDLE Criminal History Search | Statewide arrest and conviction history | Online portal, fee applies |
| VineLink | Current inmate roster, bond status | Free online search |
Union County Booking Records and the Booking Process
A booking record is the official intake document created when someone enters the Union County jail. The booking officer collects the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, address, physical description, fingerprints, and a photograph. The record also lists the arresting agency, the statute violated, and the booking number, which acts as a unique ID for that jail stay.
Booking records become public the moment the booking is finished. You can ask the sheriff’s office for a copy of any booking record by giving the person’s name and date of birth. If you do not know the exact date, the staff can search a range of dates for you. There is no charge to look at the records in person, but copies cost 15 cents per page for plain paper and up to $1.00 per page for certified copies.
Each booking record links to a specific jail stay. A person booked into Union County jail more than once will have separate booking records for each stay. The records stay on file even after the person is released or transferred to a state prison.
Union County Jail Inmate Lookup and Current Inmates
The Union County Detention Center is a small county jail located in Lake Butler. The jail holds people arrested in Union County who are waiting for trial, serving a short misdemeanor sentence, or waiting for transfer to a Florida state prison. The daily inmate count is low compared to larger Florida counties, so the roster changes often.
You can look up current inmates through two free services. VineLink, a national inmate search tool backed by many sheriff’s offices, lists people booked into the Union County jail within the last 48 to 72 hours. The site shows the inmate’s name, booking date, charges, and bond amount when available. The Union County Sheriff’s Office also keeps a current inmate list on its website, which updates daily during business hours.
To search, type the inmate’s last name or booking number into the search box. If you cannot find the person you are looking for, that does not always mean they were not booked. It may mean the person was released, transferred, or booked under a different name. Call the sheriff’s office records desk at (386) 496-2501 to confirm a release or transfer.
How to Read an Inmate Record
Each inmate record shows a set of standard fields. The booking number is a unique ID you can use to track one specific jail stay. The housing unit tells you where the inmate sleeps in the facility. The charge list shows the statute number and a short description of the offense. The bond field shows the dollar amount set by a judge that the inmate must pay to leave jail before trial. A “no bond” entry means the judge has not allowed release before the case is resolved.
Records also show the next court date and the division where the case is filed. Use this date to check the clerk’s court calendar and see which judge is assigned to the case.
Union County Mugshots and Photo Database
A mugshot is the front-facing and side-facing photograph taken at booking. Florida law treats mugshots taken at intake as public records. The Union County Sheriff’s Office takes the photo during booking and keeps it in the inmate’s file. You can request a copy of the mugshot by submitting a public records request to the sheriff’s office.
Several third-party websites also post mugshots from Union County and other Florida counties. These sites pull booking photos from public sources and may charge a fee to remove the image. Use caution with these sites. The images may be outdated, and the fee to remove them is not required by law. If you see a wrong or outdated mugshot on a private site, contact the site’s removal team directly.
For an official copy of a mugshot, contact the sheriff’s office records unit. The office charges 15 cents per page for paper copies and can email a digital copy at no extra cost in some cases.
Union County Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Reports
The Union County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. The office patrols unincorporated areas, runs the county jail, and serves papers for the court. Sheriff’s deputies make most of the arrests in Union County, along with Lake Butler police officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
Sheriff’s arrest reports describe what the deputy saw, heard, and did during the arrest. The report includes witness statements, evidence collected, and the deputy’s narrative. Active criminal investigation files are exempt from public view, but the arrest report itself is open once the investigation reaches a certain point.
To request a copy of a sheriff’s arrest report, contact the records clerk at the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The office charges 15 cents per page. You can also mail a written request to the office address. Make sure to include the name of the person arrested, the date of the arrest, and the report or case number if you have it. The more detail you give, the faster the staff can find the record.
Contact Details for the Union County Sheriff’s Office
The Union County Sheriff’s Office sits at 50 NW 1st Avenue, Lake Butler, Florida 32054. The office phone number is (386) 496-2501. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The jail lobby stays open 24 hours a day for inmate visits and bond payments.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Right to Records
Florida’s public records law sits in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The law creates a strong default rule: all government records are open unless a specific statute closes them. The law applies to every county office in Union County, including the sheriff, the clerk, the property appraiser, the tax collector, and the school board.
Under Section 119.07, you do not need to give your name, show ID, or explain why you want the records. You can ask in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. The agency must let you inspect the records at any reasonable time and must provide copies on request. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is free. If the search takes longer, the agency can charge a reasonable hourly rate for staff time.
Some records are exempt. Section 119.071 lists the main exemptions, including active criminal investigation files, certain personal data like Social Security numbers, and sealed or expunged court records. If the agency denies your request, it must point to the exact statute that allows the denial. You can appeal a denial to the Attorney General’s open government office or contact the First Amendment Foundation for free legal help.
How to Search Union County Court Records Online
The Union County Clerk of Court runs an online portal that lets you search court case files from your computer or phone. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in the 8th Judicial Circuit, which includes Union County, Alachua County, Bradford County, Gilchrist County, Levy County, and Putnam County.
To search, go to the clerk’s website and click the public records search link. You can search by name, case number, citation number, or date range. The search returns a list of matching cases with the party names, the case type, the filing date, and the judge assigned. Click on a case to see the full docket, including every document filed, the hearing schedule, and the final judgment when the case closes.
Criminal case searches on the clerk’s portal show the charges, the plea, the sentence, and the probation terms when applicable. Some sealed records do not appear in the public search results. Juvenile cases are confidential under Florida law and never appear in the public portal.
Union County Recent Arrests and Arrest Log
The Union County Sheriff’s Office posts recent arrests on its website and through VineLink. The sheriff’s office daily arrest log lists the name of each person booked into the jail, the date and time of booking, the charge or charges, and the arresting officer. The log covers the last 48 to 72 hours. Older arrests drop off the log as the records move into the long-term archive.
You can use the daily arrest log to check whether someone you know was recently taken into custody in Union County. You can also use it to track local crime trends and see which areas of the county see the most arrests. The log updates each business day during normal office hours.
For a longer arrest history, run a name-based search on the FDLE Criminal History Search portal. The FDLE database goes back years and includes arrests reported by every Florida county clerk, including Union County. The search costs a small fee per name, and the results come back as a printable PDF.
Requesting Union County Arrest Records by Mail or Email
If you cannot visit the sheriff’s office or the clerk’s office in person, you can request records by mail or email. Send a written request that includes the full name of the person, the date of birth if you have it, the date or date range of the arrest, and the type of record you want. Give a return mailing address or email so the office can send you the records.
Mail your request to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, 50 NW 1st Avenue, Lake Butler, FL 32054, or to the Union County Clerk of Court, 55 West Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054. Mark the envelope “Public Records Request” to speed up the routing. Most simple requests are filled within five business days. Complex searches that pull files from archive storage can take two to four weeks.
You must pay the copy and search fees when you pick up or receive the records. The sheriff’s office and the clerk’s office both accept cash, check, and money order. Some offices also take credit cards for in-person pickups.
Fees and Copy Charges for Union County Records
Florida law sets the copy fees that all Union County offices must follow. Plain paper copies of administrative records cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 each, plus up to $1.00 per page for the copy itself. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is free for any request. After that, the office can charge a reasonable hourly rate for the time it takes to find the records.
There is no charge to inspect records in person. You can walk into the clerk’s office or the sheriff’s office and look at files during normal business hours without paying anything. You only pay if you want paper or digital copies of the records.
Other Public Records in Union County
Beyond arrest and court records, Union County holds many other public records. The Property Appraiser’s office keeps parcel data, ownership history, and tax assessment rolls. The Tax Collector’s office holds property tax payment records, vehicle registration, and local business tax receipts. The Supervisor of Elections keeps voter registration data and election results.
Marriage licenses and divorce decrees come from the clerk’s office. Birth and death certificates are not held at the county level in Florida. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps those records. You can order them online through the state’s vital records ordering service.
For statewide criminal history, traffic tickets, and corrections records, use the FDLE online portal. For sealed or expunged records, you must petition the court for an order to open the file. The clerk’s office can give you the forms you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover what people ask most about Union County arrest records, booking records, and inmate lookups. Each answer gives you the steps you can take right now to get the records you need.
How do I find out if someone was arrested in Union County?
Check the daily arrest log on the Union County Sheriff’s Office website or search the VineLink inmate search tool by name. The log covers the last 48 to 72 hours. If the arrest is older, run a name-based search on the FDLE Criminal History Search portal for a fee. You can also call the sheriff’s records desk at (386) 496-2501 to ask about a specific arrest. Give the person’s full name and date of birth to speed up the search. Active investigation files are exempt, so very recent arrests may not appear in the log until the booking is complete.
Are Union County mugshots free to view?
You can view mugshots at the sheriff’s office for free during normal business hours. Paper copies cost 15 cents per page. Some third-party websites post Union County mugshots and charge a fee to remove the image. The fee is not required by law, and the sites are not affiliated with the sheriff’s office. For an official copy, contact the sheriff’s records desk directly. The office can email a digital mugshot at no extra cost in many cases.
How long does Union County keep arrest records?
Union County keeps adult arrest records on file permanently unless a court orders the record sealed or expunged. Juvenile arrest records follow a different rule. Most juvenile records are confidential under Florida law and are eligible for expungement after the person turns 21. Sealed records do not appear in public searches but still exist in the clerk’s archives. Expunged records are destroyed by court order and no longer exist in the public system.
Can I look up Union County jail inmates for free?
Yes. VineLink offers a free inmate search that covers Union County and most other Florida county jails. The site shows current inmates, the booking date, the charges, and the bond amount when available. The Union County Sheriff’s Office also posts a current inmate list on its website. Both tools update daily during business hours. If you cannot find the person, they may have been released, transferred to a state prison, or booked under a different name.
Do I need a reason to request Union County arrest records?
No. Florida law does not require you to give a reason to request public records. You also do not need to show ID. You can ask in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. The only requirement is that you describe the records clearly enough for staff to find them. Give the person’s full name, date of birth, and the date or date range of the arrest. The more detail you give, the faster the office can respond.
What if the sheriff’s office denies my public records request?
The agency must give you a written reason for the denial and point to the exact statute that allows the agency to close the record. If you think the denial is wrong, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s open government office or contact the First Amendment Foundation for free legal help. You can also sue the agency in court to force the release of the records. Florida law favors open access, so courts often side with the requester when the exemption is unclear.
Can I seal or expunge a Union County arrest record?
You can petition the court to seal or expunge an arrest record if you meet the rules in Florida Statute Section 943.059. Most misdemeanor and felony arrests qualify if the case ended in a dismissal, acquittal, or completed diversion program. A prior record may disqualify you. You must file the petition with the clerk’s office in the county where the arrest happened, pay the filing fee, and complete a background check. A lawyer can help you with the process if the case is complex.
Union County Clerk of Court Contact Details
Address: 55 West Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, Florida 32054. Phone: (386) 496-3711. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Website: unionclerk.com. The clerk’s office handles court records, marriage licenses, official records, and passport applications for Union County residents.
Union County Sheriff’s Office Address: 50 NW 1st Avenue, Lake Butler, Florida 32054. Phone: (386) 496-2501. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jail lobby: open 24 hours a day. Website: unionsheriffsoffice.org (or check the current county web portal for the live link). The sheriff’s office handles arrest reports, incident logs, inmate records, and civil process service.