Crime Numbers
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) provides crime statistics for all counties in the state. In its latest publication, Charlotte County recorded 361 violent crimes and 2,093 property crimes in 2018. Compared to 2014, these figures represent a 139% upsurge in violent crime rate and a 35.5% rise in the property crime rate. A breakdown of 2018 crime figures shows that the county recorded 2 murders, 32 rapes, 19 robberies, 308 aggravated assaults, 255 burglaries, 1,724 larcenies, and 114 motor vehicle thefts.
The most recent five-year crime trend for the county indicates that the only crime to record a decrease rate is burglary (15%). In the same period, murder count went from zero in 2014 to two in 2018 while the aggravated assault (30.6%), rape (113.3%), robbery (90%), larceny (44.7%), and motor vehicle theft (111.1%) rates fell in the five-year period.
Criminal Records
The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of FDLE provides criminal history checks for Charlotte County. Residents can request name-based or fingerprint-based check. The Division accepts requests for background checks online or by mail and charges $24 per check. To perform a name-based criminal record check for Charlotte County, visit the Computerized Criminal History on the Internet portal. Note that requests for certified criminal history checks are only accepted by mail. To request a criminal history record by mail, provide the subject's name (and any known aliases), date of birth, race, and sex. Enclose a check or money order for the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the subject's details. Forward the mail to:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Attn: Criminal History Services
P.O. Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 410-8161
Police reports for Charlotte County are provided by the county’s primary law enforcement agency, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. To obtain a copy of a police report, contact the Sheriff’s Office Custodian of Public Records online or in writing using the following contact information:
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Custodian of Public Records
7474 Utilities Road
Punta Gorda, FL 33982
Phone: (941) 575-5251
Fax: (941) 505-4631
Email: records@ccsofl.net
Information on sex offenders residing in Charlotte County can be accessed via the FDLE Sex Offender Registry. To find sex offenders living nearby, visit the Sexual Offenders and Predators search page and query the database by the street address or zip code. The search returns a list of all registered sex offenders/predators within a 5-mile radius of the provided address. Users can also search the database with the names of known registered sex offenders.
Charlotte County Jail is the central booking and intake location for all law enforcement agencies operating in Charlotte County. The County Jail is located at:
26601 Airport Road
Punta Gorda,
FL 33982
(941) 833-6300
The jail offers TouchPay services for friends and family looking to fund inmate accounts. To make this deposit visit the TouchPay website or call (866) 232-1899. When prompted for the facility locator number, provide this code: 233901. Visitors can also make credit/debit card deposits at the TouchPay kiosk in the video visitation lobby of the county jail. Alternatively, funds can be deposited into an inmate’s account online using ePay or Telepay by calling the toll-free number (866) 232-1899. Family and friends may also choose to procure commissary gift packages online for inmates via icaregifts.
Court Records
Charlotte County courts are part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The county’s primary court of trial is the Circuit Court which handles all felony cases and civil disputes involving over $15,000. The other court in the county is the County Court with jurisdiction over misdemeanors and civil disputes with claims less than $15,000. Both courts hold sessions at the same locations in the county. These locations are:
Charlotte County Justice Center
350 East Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 505-4716
Murdock Administration Building
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
(941) 743-1400
The Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all court records in the county. The public can search through these court records online or at the office of the Clerk. To search online for available court documents, visit the court record search page of the Clerk’s office website. Requests for certified copies of the court records can only be made in person at the Clerk’s office. Certified copies cost $2 per document while the fee for photocopies is $1 per page.
Vital Records
Charlotte County divorce certificates from June 6, 1927, to the present, are provided by the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Florida Department of Health at $5 per copy. To request a copy of a divorce record, complete this application form and mail it to:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Enclose a check or money order for the fee and a copy of a valid ID. The request may attract an additional $2 per year search fee if it is submitted without the year of divorce. For requests that require rush processing, the Bureau charges an additional $10 expedited fee. When making an expedited order, include the additional fee and indicate ‘RUSH’ on the mail.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Florida Department of Health also maintains marriage, birth, and death records for Charlotte County. Marriage records from June 6, 1927, to the present are available at this office. To make a request, download and complete the Application for Marriage Certificate form. The requirements and fees for requesting a divorce record also apply for obtaining a marriage record.
Birth and death records for Charlotte County can be obtained from the local offices of the Florida Department of Health in the county. Charlotte County birth records from 1930 to the present and death records from 2009 to the present are available at these offices. Death certificates prior to 2009 are only available at the Bureau's office in Jacksonville. To request the copy of a birth or death certificate, complete the birth or death application form and submit it in person or by mail to either:
Florida Department of Health - Charlotte
1100 Loveland Boulevard
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
(941) 624-7200
Or
WIC - Englewood
6868 San Casa Drive
Englewood, FL 34224
(941) 681-3750
The office at Port Charlotte is open to the public from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. While the Englewood location is only open on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fee for a birth or death record is $12 per copy. Residents can also visit the Charlotte County Tax Collector office to order a copy of birth certificate. For more information, contact the Tax Collector office at:
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Phone: (941) 743-1350
Fax: (941) 637-2276
Email: taxcollector@charlottecountyfl.gov
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Charlotte County?
Under the State of Florida’s Sunshine Law, the public has unrestricted access to inspect and copy all property records documented in Charlotte County. Requesters may submit requests for records or written notices identifying the type of record request to the Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Courts.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Charlotte County
The Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Courts is responsible for recording and preserving all property-related documents for the county. The records kept by the county clerk consists of deeds, mortgages, public defender liens and judgments entered by the court, tax liens and claims against an estate, instruments of conveyance, agreements, contracts, maps, and plats of subdivisions and surveys. People can request Charlotte County property records online, by mail, or in-person. Requesters ordering records by mail may have to send written requests for documents or written notice to the:
Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court
Attention: Records Request
Justice Center
350 East Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
For in-Person requests, people can visit the office of Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Courts every weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
Justice Center:
350 East Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL
Murdock Administration Building
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL
Requesters can also request records by email to recordsrequest@charlotteclerk.com or by calling (941) 505-4848.
Copies of Charlotte County property records cost $1 per page for instruments from public documents within the size range of 81/2 x14 inches, while larger copies cost $5 per page. There is also an additional fee of $2 per page for certification.
How to Look Up Charlotte County Property Records
The Charlotte County Clerk of the Circuit Courts keeps a searchable property portal with current owners in the county from 1921 till the present. Record searches are usually performed by filling the required columns on the site, including the name of the property owner, name of business, document types, and Record date. Other search criteria include Book/page number and instrument date. Staff support and assistance is available to requesters at the administrative office located at:
Murdock Administration Building
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL
People can channel inquiries on Charlotte County property records to the office of the Charlotte County clerk of the circuit court by email to recordsrequest@charlotteclerk.com or by calling (941) 637-2335.
Location of Charlotte County Township Property Assessors
Murdock Administration Center
18500 Murdock Circle
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
South County Annex
410 Taylor Street
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Email: rp@charlottecountyfl.gov
Phone: (941) 743-1498
