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Orange County, Florida
Genealogy, History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

Orange County, Florida Facts

When was Orange County, FL Created?
Orange County was created on December 29, 1824 from Saint Johns County (originally named Mosquito county after the name the Spanish had given the entire coast, “Los Mosquitos”, renamed January 30, 1845) . This county was named for the fruit that was the county’s main product.

What is the County Seat of Orange County, FL?
The County Seat is located in Orlando also, the county government website is www.orangecountyfl.net/.

What counties are adjacent to Oranges County, FL?
Bordering Counties are Volusia County, Brevard County, Osceola County, Polk County, Seminole County, Lake County.

What cities and towns are in Orange County, FL?
Cities and towns located in the County include Apopka, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Bay Lake, Lake Buena Vista.

Orange County, FL Vital Records

Where can find Orange County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Orange County vital records can be found at the Florida Office of Vital Records which has copies of Birth & Deaths reported 1917 to present and Divorce & Marriages since June 6, 1927. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Florida for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Orange County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Florida Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.

Vital Records can also be found in the Orange County Health Department has copies of Birth & Death certificates. Also has computer access from 1917 to present for birth records for the entire state as well as births that occurred in this county.

Orange County, FL Census Records


What Orange County, FL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Orange County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1830 (as Florida Territory), 1840 (as Florida Territory), 1850, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Orange Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Orange Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Orange Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. The Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860.

There are Florida State censuses from 1867, 1875, 1885, 1935, 1945. You can get free downloadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Florida Census Records Research Guide

Orange County, FL Courthouse and Government Records

Orange County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Orange County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Orange County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Florida Corthouse Records Research Guide.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!! Please call the clerk’s department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The files are available to interested parties, barring private issues. Many staff will guide individuals in locating the materials, however it’s up to the person to carry out the research. Courthouse was burned in 1868.  Most of the books and records were destroyed. 

Old Orange County Courthouse
  • Orange County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: P.O. Box 4994, Orlando, FL 32802-4994 or 425 N. Orange Ave., Suite 2110, Orlando, FL 32801
  • Orange County Clerk of the Circuit Court / County Clerk is custodian of all records of all predecessor courts, whether justice of the peace, city, county, probate, civil, or criminal.
    • Phone: (407) 836-2000
    • Marriage Records: 1869
    • Land Records: 1847
    • Probate Records: 1871
    • Court Records: 1847
  • Orange County Tax Collector collects all real estate taxes including postponed and delinquent, all county revenues in addition to the research and issue tax deed applications. Our department is the holder of tax records and assessed values.
  • Florida Land Records
  • BLM Land Records

Orange County, FL Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Orange County, FL?
A list of Orange County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Florida Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Orange County, FL Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Orange County, FL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Orange County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a fee. This is just a directory which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site over another.

Orange Co. FL Books, Newspapers & Publications

Orange Co. FL Cemeteries & Church Records

Orange Co. FL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Orange Co. FL General and History Websites

Orange Co. FL Immigration & Naturalization

Orange Co. FL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Orange Co. FL Military Records

Orange Co. FL Schools & Directories