Citrus County Court Records Search
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Citrus County sits along Florida’s Nature Coast, with its county seat in the city of Inverness. The county falls within Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, which also serves Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties. Court operations in Citrus County are administered through the Circuit Court and the County Court, both housed at the Citrus County Courthouse. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official custodian of all court records generated across both courts, handling everything from case filings and judgments to orders, docket entries, and transcripts.
Individuals looking for court records in Florida can access them through several channels. The Citrus County Clerk’s office maintains a free online search tool as well as two physical locations where records can be viewed and copied. Statewide case information from the Fifth Judicial Circuit may also be located through the State Attorney’s case search, and broader Florida court resources are available through FloridaStateCourts.us. In-person visitors can use public access terminals at the courthouse, while remote requesters may submit inquiries through the Clerk’s public records request portal or by mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Citrus County?
Citrus County offers multiple methods for locating court case information, whether online, in person, or by mail.
Online through SCORSS
The primary electronic tool is the Secure Courts Online Record Search System (SCORSS), maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. SCORSS allows searches by party name, case number, attorney name, and other parameters. Anonymous public users can view non-confidential case information without creating an account. Registered users, such as attorneys of record, law enforcement, and government agencies, gain access to additional document types based on a security matrix established under Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 2024-65.
Those needing bulk data can access the Court Records Bulk Data Export tool at no charge. This resource exports filing and disposition data for selected time periods in Excel format.
In Person
The Clerk operates two locations where walk-in visitors can request records, review case files, and obtain copies:
Citrus County Courthouse
Address: 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450
Phone: (352) 341-6424
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
West Citrus Government Center
Address: 1540 N. Meadowcrest Blvd., Crystal River, FL 34429
Phone: (352) 341-6424
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Both locations are closed on designated holidays. The TDD line for hearing-impaired callers is (800) 955-8771. Payments may be made by cash, personal or business check, money order, or credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express). A credit card service fee applies to card payments.
By Mail
Written record requests can be mailed to the Clerk at 110 N. Apopka Ave., Inverness, FL 34450. Include the case number or party names, the type of record sought, and a return address. Requests that require extensive research or clerical time beyond 30 minutes may incur additional fees based on the loaded rate of pay of the lowest-paid employee able to fulfill the request, as permitted under Florida Statute § 119.07.
Copy and Certification Fees
- Copies of court documents: $1.00 per page
- Certification of a document: $2.00
- Electronic certified copies via Clerk E-Certify: $9.00 per document
- Clerk’s certificate: $7.00
Are Court Records Public in Citrus County?
Florida has among the broadest open-government frameworks in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes — the Public Records Law — establishes that any records made or received by a public agency during its official business are open for inspection and copying, unless specifically exempted by the Legislature. The Government-in-the-Sunshine Law (Chapter 286) further reinforces transparency requirements for meetings and proceedings of governmental bodies.
Records generally open to the public include:
- Criminal case filings, docket entries, dispositions, and sentencing orders
- Civil complaints, answers, motions, and final judgments
- Probate petitions, inventories, and orders of administration
- Dissolution of marriage filings and final judgments
- Traffic citations and infraction records
- Official records such as deeds, mortgages, and liens
Records that may be exempt or confidential:
- Sealed and expunged criminal records (per Florida Statute § 943.0585 and § 943.059)
- Juvenile case records
- Active criminal investigative information and intelligence data
- Victim information in certain criminal cases
- Adoption records
- Mental health case files
- Social Security numbers and financial account information within court filings
- Traffic crash reports during the initial 60-day confidentiality period under Florida Statute § 316.066(2)(a)
Under Florida Statute § 119.071, any affected person may request that the Clerk remove from a publicly available internet site images of military discharges, death certificates, or court files related to family law, juvenile proceedings, or probate matters. Such requests must be notarized and state the statutory basis for the removal. Requests can be submitted at either Clerk location or through the online request portal.
Citrus County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Citrus County are heard in the Circuit Court (felonies) and the County Court (misdemeanors and ordinance violations). Both courts operate out of the Citrus County Courthouse at 110 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness.
How to search criminal court records:
- Online: Use SCORSS to search by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers. Public users can view non-confidential docket information and certain case documents. The Fifth Judicial Circuit Case Search also provides access to case information across all five circuit counties.
- In person: Visit the Clerk’s office during business hours to search records at the counter or request certified copies.
- By mail or online request: Submit a written request to the Clerk or use the public records request portal.
Sheriff’s Office records: The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement files. The records custodian can be reached at (352) 341-7414. Requests can be submitted through the Sheriff’s Public Records Request Form or the Audio Request Form for 911 calls and body-worn camera footage.
Sheriff’s Office fee schedule:
- Single-sided copies: $0.15 per page
- Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
- Photos: $1.00 each
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page
- Audio/video records (including body-worn camera and 911 calls): $14.00 (with a $10 deposit; redaction charges may apply for redactions exceeding 20 minutes)
- Postage: as applicable
Payment may be made by money order, cashier’s check, cash, business check, or personal check. Questions about records requests can be directed to (352) 341-7450.
Jail records: The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office does not operate the county detention facility. Jail records should be requested from CoreCivic at (352) 527-3332.
Statewide criminal history: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) conducts state criminal history record checks for $24.00 per search (plus a $1.00 credit card processing fee) through CCHInet. The Sheriff’s Office performs local background checks only for law enforcement agencies, DCF, adoption matters, and organizations working with juveniles, the elderly, or disabled individuals. A form or letterhead from the requesting agency is required, and processing takes up to 30 business days.
Sealing and expungement: Individuals seeking to seal or expunge a criminal record in Florida must apply through FDLE. The Clerk’s office does not handle these requests directly.
Citrus County Civil Court Records
Civil jurisdiction in Citrus County is split between the Circuit Court and the County Court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles civil cases involving amounts over $50,000, real property disputes, mortgage foreclosures, and injunctions. The County Court has jurisdiction over civil disputes up to $50,000, small claims matters up to $8,000, evictions, and landlord-tenant cases.
Circuit Court civil filing fees (per Florida Statute § 28.241):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Real property / mortgage foreclosure (under $50,000) | $400.00 |
| Real property / mortgage foreclosure ($50,001–$250,000) | $905.00 |
| Real property / mortgage foreclosure ($250,001+) | $1,905.00 |
| Cross-claim / counterclaim / third-party complaint | $395.00 |
| Each summons issued | $10.00 |
| Clerk’s certificate | $7.00 |
| Pro hac vice attorney appearance | $100.00 |
County Court civil filing fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims (up to $100) | $55.00 |
| Small claims ($101–$500) | $80.00 |
| Small claims ($501–$2,500) | $175.00 |
| Small claims ($2,501–$8,000) | $300.00 |
| County civil ($8,001–$15,000) | $300.00 |
| County civil ($15,001–$50,000) | $400.00 |
| Eviction (with or without monetary claim) | $185.00 |
| Unlawful detainer | $300.00 |
| Writ of possession | $90.00 |
Property and official records: The Clerk also maintains Citrus County’s official land records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. These can be searched through the Official Records (Landmark Web) search, which includes an index from 1980 to the present with PDF images of recorded documents. Records from 1887–1979 are available in hardcopy or microfilm at the Clerk Annex or the Historic Courthouse. Recording fees are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page, plus $1.00 per name after four names for indexing. The Citrus County Property Appraiser’s website offers property searches by owner name, address, and parcel number. Tax deed information is available through the Clerk’s Tax Deeds page.
Citrus County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Citrus County fall under the Circuit Court’s civil jurisdiction. The court handles dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and adoption proceedings. The Citrus County Self-Help Office, operated through the Fifth Judicial Circuit, assists self-represented litigants with procedural information and form review for domestic relations filings.
Dissolution of marriage: The filing fee is $408.00, plus $10.00 per summons. The Clerk’s office offers four dissolution of marriage packets based on family circumstances, comprised of Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms and additional forms specific to the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Packets and checklists may be purchased at the Clerk’s office or viewed online.
Injunctions for protection: There is no filing fee for protective order petitions in Florida. Injunctions for protection against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking are filed through the Clerk’s office.
Marriage licenses: Both applicants must appear in person at the Clerk’s office with valid photo identification and a Social Security number. The fee is $86.00, reduced to $61.00 if the couple completes a registered premarital course. If the applicants have minor children together born in Florida, an Affirmation of Common Children form is required ($7.00 fee). Florida law imposes a three-day waiting period between application and the effective date of the license, which may be waived with proof of at least four hours of marriage counseling. The waiting period does not apply to out-of-state residents. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days. One certified copy is included with the license fee; additional certified copies cost $3.00 each (or $9.00 for an electronic certified copy through Clerk E-Certify).
Vital records: The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County issues birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates through the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Birth certificates (for births in Florida from 1930 onward) and death certificates (from 2009 onward) can be ordered online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person. Birth certificates are also available through the Citrus County Tax Collector’s office at $21.25 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy. Eligible applicants must present valid identification. Marriage and divorce certificates are available for events occurring in Florida after June 6, 1927; earlier records must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county where the event took place.
Citrus County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Citrus County are handled by the Circuit Court. The Clerk’s Probate division manages filings for formal administration, summary administration, disposition of personal property without administration, guardianship, and the deposit of wills.
Types of probate proceedings:
- Formal administration (Florida Statutes Chapter 733): Used when a personal representative must be appointed to manage an estate with considerable assets. Letters of administration are issued by the court.
- Summary administration (Florida Statute § 735.201): Available when the total estate value does not exceed $75,000. A copy of the paid funeral bill is required.
- Disposition of Personal Property without Administration (Florida Statute § 735.301): A simplified process for small estates not involving real property. Forms and instructions are available in the Probate Forms & Packets section of the Clerk’s website.
Will deposits: Under Florida Statute § 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament of a deceased person must be deposited with the Clerk within 10 days of the date of death. There is no charge for depositing a will. The depositor receives a receipt with a file number and the Clerk’s seal. Certified copies of a filed will cost $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification.
Probate recording fees: Certain probate documents that must be recorded in official records (such as petitions to sell real property, death certificates, and affidavits of no Florida estate tax due) carry recording fees of $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. It is the filer’s responsibility to initiate the recording process at the Courthouse or the West Citrus Government Center.
Searching probate records: Probate case docket information and documents viewable to the general public are accessible through SCORSS. Older probate files or records not available online may be obtained by contacting the Clerk at (352) 341-6424 or visiting either office location during business hours. The Clerk’s office cannot provide legal advice or assist with completing probate forms; individuals needing guidance are encouraged to consult an attorney or visit the Self-Help Center.