Seminole County police blotter records are daily logs kept by the Sheriff’s Office and city police departments. These records show arrests, incidents, traffic crashes, and calls for service across the county.
Anyone can look at them under Florida’s public records law. You can search them online, in person, by phone, or by mail. This page explains exactly how to get them, what they contain, and who to contact for each city.
What Police Blotter Records Include
A police blotter is a running list of events handled by law enforcement. In Seminole County, deputies and city officers add entries every day. Each entry shows what happened, when, and where. The records help the public track local crime, confirm arrests, and verify facts about incidents.
Types of Records You Can Request
Seminole County offers several types of police records. The Sheriff’s Office keeps most of them, but city departments keep their own. Each type covers a different kind of event.
- Incident reports for crimes, disturbances, and calls
- Arrest records with booking details and charges
- Traffic crash reports for vehicle accidents
- Warrant records for active arrest warrants
- Daily booking logs from the county jail
- Call logs for service requests
Who Keeps These Records
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office handles records for unincorporated areas. Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma leads the agency. Seven city police departments cover the cities inside the county. Each department stores its own records in a separate system. You must contact the right agency to get the right report.
How to Search Records Online
The Sheriff’s Office runs three free online databases. You can search them at any time. No account or login is required. These tools cover arrests, crimes, and warrants countywide.
Online Arrest Search
The arrest search lets you look up people booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility. You type a last name and first name. The system shows booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and physical descriptions. Booking photos also appear when available. The database refreshes as new arrests are processed.
Crime Mapping Tool
Crime mapping shows incidents on an interactive map. You pick a date range and a crime type. The map loads dots for each report in that range. You can zoom in on a street or zoom out to see the whole county. Filters let you focus on theft, burglary, vehicle break-ins, and other categories.
Warrant Search System
The warrant search lists active warrants in Seminole County. Enter a name to see charges, issue dates, and bond amounts. Warrants from county courts appear in this system. City warrants may not show here, so check city police websites for those. Very recent warrants may take a few days to appear.
City Police Departments in the County
Seminole County has seven city police departments. Each one answers calls inside its city limits. The Sheriff’s Office covers everything outside the cities. Knowing which agency responded to an event helps you send your request to the right place.
Sanford Police Department
Sanford has the largest city police force in the county. The department sits at 815 E. 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771. You can call the main line at (407) 688-5070. The Sanford Police keeps its own arrest logs, incident reports, and crash reports. Online tools run through the city website.
Altamonte Springs Police
Altamonte Springs Police serves the city north of Orlando. The department is at 225 Newburyport Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. The main phone is (407) 571-8200. The agency provides patrol, traffic, and investigations services. Records requests go through the city clerk or the police records unit.
Casselberry Police Department
Casselberry Police covers the city between Altamonte Springs and Winter Park. The address is 95 Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, FL 32707. You can call (407) 262-7616 for non-emergency help. The department posts daily arrest logs on its website. Incident reports need a formal request.
Other City Departments
Four more cities run their own police departments. Each has its own phone, address, and records system. Contact the right one based on where the event took place.
| City Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mary Police | 911 Wallace Court, Lake Mary, FL 32746 | (407) 585-1330 |
| Longwood Police | 235 W. Church Avenue, Longwood, FL 32750 | (407) 260-9920 |
| Oviedo Police | 400 Alexandria Boulevard, Oviedo, FL 32765 | (407) 971-5700 |
| Winter Springs Police | 1126 E. State Road 434, Winter Springs, FL 32708 | (407) 327-1000 |
How to Request Records by Other Methods
Online tools do not cover every record. Some reports need a formal request. You can submit requests in person, online, by mail, or by phone. Each method has its own rules and processing time.
In-Person Request Steps
You can visit the Sheriff’s Office headquarters at 100 Bush Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773. The records window opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk what you need and provide any case numbers, names, or dates. Staff will look up the records and copy them for you.
Online Submission Steps
The Sheriff’s Office accepts public records requests through its website at seminolesheriff.org. Click the public records link and fill out the form. Add the date of the event, the address, and the names of people involved. The more details you give, the faster staff can find the report. You will get an email when the records are ready.
Phone and Mail Requests
Call (407) 665-6650 to reach the main office. Ask for the public records unit. Staff can take simple requests by phone. Mail requests should go to the Records Division at 100 Bush Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for any copy fees.
Fees and Processing Time
Simple requests often cost nothing. Standard copies are $0.15 for single-sided pages and $0.20 for double-sided pages. Large requests that need research time may cost more. Florida law lets agencies charge for the staff time spent on the search. Most requests take 3 to 10 business days. Complex searches may take 30 days or more.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to see and copy government records. Law enforcement agencies must follow this law when handling police blotter requests.
Chapter 119 Rights
Chapter 119 says all government records are open unless a specific law says otherwise. You do not need to give a reason for your request. You do not need to live in Florida. You can be a journalist, a researcher, a neighbor, or a business owner. The agency must respond in a reasonable time and provide copies at a fair price.
Exempt Records Explained
Some records stay private under Section 119.071. Active criminal investigation files are exempt while the case is open. Victim names in sex crime cases are protected. Social Security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted. Home addresses of sworn officers are also exempt. The agency must cite the law when it redacts or denies a record.
Challenging a Denial
If an agency denies your request, you can challenge the decision. First, ask for a written reason with a legal citation. If the answer still does not satisfy you, you can file a lawsuit in circuit court. Florida courts rule in favor of disclosure in most cases. You can also contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office for help.
Reading a Blotter Entry
Blotter entries use short codes and legal terms. Learning the format helps you read reports faster. Most entries follow the same structure from case number to charges.
Case Number Format
Seminole County case numbers follow a standard pattern. They start with the year, then a code for the case type, then a sequence number. For example, case 2026-0012345 means the 12,345th report filed in 2026. City departments use their own case number formats, but the year usually comes first.
Charges and Codes
Charges use Florida Statute numbers. A charge like 784.03 means simple battery under Florida Statute 784.03. Drug charges, theft charges, and traffic charges each have their own statute numbers. The full legal name of the charge appears in the arrest affidavit, not the blotter entry.
Common Abbreviations
Blotters use short forms to save space. Here are some of the most common ones you will see.
- DOB: Date of Birth
- AKA: Also Known As
- DOA: Dead on Arrival
- MVC: Motor Vehicle Crash
- DUI: Driving Under the Influence
- DV: Domestic Violence
- W/F: White Female
- B/M: Black Male
Contact Information
Use the contact details below to reach the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. The headquarters is in Sanford, near the county government complex. Office hours run Monday through Friday during normal business hours. For emergencies, always dial 911.
- Address: 100 Bush Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773
- Phone: (407) 665-6650
- Website: seminolesheriff.org
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Non-Emergency Line: (407) 665-6650
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common concerns people have about Seminole County police blotter records. Each answer gives clear facts you can act on. If your question is not listed, call the records unit during business hours.
How Far Back Do Online Records Go?
Online arrest records usually go back five to ten years. The exact range depends on the retention schedule set by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Crime map data covers the last six months in most cases. For older records, you must submit a formal public records request. The agency will pull archived files from storage and copy them for you. Older records may take longer to locate and may cost more to produce.
Are Arrest Photos Public in Florida?
Yes, booking photos are public records under Florida law. The Sheriff’s Office posts them in the online arrest search. They stay in the database until the case closes or the person is released. Juveniles are not included. Sealed or expunged records are removed from public view by court order. If your photo appears and the case was dropped, you can ask the clerk’s office about sealing the record.
Can I Get Records for Free?
Most simple records are free. The arrest search, crime map, and warrant search cost nothing to use. Formal requests for copies usually have a small fee. The fee covers paper, toner, and staff time. If you only want to view a record in person, there is no charge. The agency cannot charge for the time it takes to redact exempt information.
What Happens If a Record Is Sealed?
Sealed records are removed from public databases. You cannot see them through the online search tools. You also cannot get them through a public records request. The clerk of court handles sealing requests. A judge must approve the sealing. Common reasons include dropped charges, completed diversion programs, and certain juvenile cases. Expunged records are destroyed after a set period.
Can I Request Records for Another State?
No. Each state keeps its own records. You must contact the law enforcement agency in the state where the event took place. If you need records from multiple states, you must send a request to each one. Florida cannot pull records from Georgia, New York, or any other state. Out-of-state requests must go through that state’s public records law.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Request Records?
No. You can file the request yourself. Most people do. A lawyer is only needed if you plan to challenge a denial in court. Some people hire a records service to handle large requests. Those services charge a fee but save you time. You can also contact the Florida First Amendment Foundation for help with public records questions.
How Do I Report a Wrong Entry in a Blotter?
Call the records unit at (407) 665-6650. Explain the error and provide proof. Common errors include wrong names, wrong dates, and wrong addresses. The agency will review the report and correct any mistakes. Major errors may require a court order. Simple typos and misspellings usually get fixed without a court order. Always check your own record if you were involved in a case.