Hernando County Court Records Search
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Hernando County is part of Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit and is served by a Circuit Court and a County Court, both administered through the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller. The county seat is Brooksville, and the Clerk’s Office maintains filings for criminal, civil, family, and probate matters across two locations. Court records generated in Hernando County span the full life of a case, from initial petitions and motions through final judgments and orders. These documents are accessible to the public under Florida’s open-records framework, with certain statutory exceptions for sensitive or confidential information.
Residents of Florida can search for court case information through several channels, including clerk offices, in-courthouse public terminals, and electronic databases. The Florida Courts website, accessible via FloridaStateCourts.us, may help users locate publicly available case information and approved court forms across all 67 counties.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hernando County?
The Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller provides multiple pathways for locating case records. The method that works best depends on whether you need a quick status check or certified documentation.
Online — OCRS Portal
The Clerk’s Office maintains a free Online Court Records Search (OCRS) system. To use it:
- Select the “Public” access option on the OCRS landing page.
- Accept the terms of use.
- Enter the name of a party to the case, or search directly by case number.
- Use the filters on the right side of the results page to narrow by court type or filing date.
- Click the UCN number on any matching result to view the case summary, docket entries, and available documents.
This portal covers circuit and county court cases, including criminal, civil, family, and probate divisions.
Online — Official Records
For recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage certificates, the Clerk maintains a separate Official Records Search powered by LandmarkWeb. Searches can be conducted by name, document type, book and page, or recording date.
In Person
Walk-in requests are accepted at either Clerk location during business hours. You may search case files or request copies at the counter. At minimum, provide the name of one party. The case number, if known, significantly speeds retrieval.
| Office | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Main Office (Brooksville) | 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Spring Hill Office | 7405 Forest Oaks Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34606 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Phone: (352) 754-4201 (automated attendant, both locations)
By Mail
Written requests for court records can be sent to the Main Office at 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601. Include party names, case number (if available), the type of record needed, and payment for copy fees.
By Email/Fax
Public records requests under Florida Statutes Chapter 119.07 may also be submitted by email to publicrecordsrequest@hernandoclerk.org, by fax at (352) 754-4239, or by phone at (352) 540-6361.
Copy and Certification Fees
- Copies from court files: $1.00 per page
- Certification of a court document: $2.00 per document
- Exemplification certificate: $7.00
Are Court Records Public in Hernando County?
Court records in Hernando County are presumed open to the public under the Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), commonly called the Sunshine Law. Fla. Stat. § 119.011 establishes that records created or received by a government agency in connection with official business are public records and must be made available for inspection and copying upon request.
However, Fla. Stat. § 119.071 carves out categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. Within the court system, Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration further governs requests to seal or make court records confidential. Records or portions of records that are restricted from public access include:
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other personal financial identifiers
- Juvenile court records
- Records identifying minors in sexual-assault or abuse proceedings
- Adoption case files
- Medical and mental health records filed in a case
- Agency personnel information such as home addresses and personal phone numbers
- Records whose disclosure could compromise physical safety or the integrity of a judicial proceeding
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
When access to a particular document is restricted, only authorized individuals may view or obtain copies. These include public officials performing duties that require the record, the record subject or their attorney, and third parties who obtain a court order granting access. The court weighs the petitioner’s need against the legal basis for confidentiality before issuing any such order.
Hernando County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Hernando County are divided among the Circuit Court (felonies) and the County Court (misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses). The Clerk of Court classifies criminal filings into three primary case types: Circuit Felony (CF), Misdemeanor (MM), and Criminal Traffic (CT). Traffic infractions that are non-criminal are handled separately through the traffic ticket division.
How to Search Criminal Case Records
The fastest method is the free OCRS portal. Search by defendant name or case number and filter results to Criminal case types. Docket entries, case status, and available documents appear after selecting a specific case. In-person searches are also available at the Clerk’s Main Office (Room 362, Brooksville). The Criminal Department can be reached at (352) 540-6444.
Arrest Records and Sheriff’s Office
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking information independently of the Clerk’s court files. An inmate search tool provides current booking data. Public records requests to the Sheriff’s Office, including body-worn camera footage, can be submitted through the HCSO Public Records Request Portal.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 18900 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601
Phone: (352) 754-6830
Records Custodian Phone: (352) 797-3635
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Records Section)
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a comprehensive criminal background report beyond Hernando County court filings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offers an online name-based search. The fee is $25.00 per search (including a $1.00 credit card processing fee) and is non-refundable regardless of whether results are returned.
FDLE
Address: 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 410-8161
Fax: (850) 488-4424
Email: ApplicantChecks@fdle.state.fl.us
Seal and Expungement
Florida law permits eligible individuals to petition for the sealing or expungement of arrest records. Applications begin through the FDLE Seal and Expunge process; additional information is available at (850) 410-7870. Under Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, orders sealing civil cases must be posted publicly on the Clerk’s website and in the courthouse for at least 30 days.
Related Criminal Justice Contacts
- State Attorney’s Office (Fifth Circuit): (352) 754-4255
- Public Defender’s Office: (352) 754-4270
- State Probation (felonies): (352) 754-6710
- County Probation (misdemeanors): (352) 796-8181
Hernando County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Hernando County are split between the Circuit Court and the County Court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles civil actions exceeding $30,000, mortgage foreclosures, and real property disputes. The County Court handles disputes under $50,000, small claims, landlord-tenant evictions, and replevin actions.
Searching Civil Case Records
Civil case records are available through the OCRS portal (filter by Civil case types) or by visiting the Clerk’s Office during business hours. Official records such as liens, judgments, and lis pendens filings are searchable through the LandmarkWeb Official Records portal.
Filing Fees — Circuit Civil
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action exceeding $30,000 | $400.00 |
| Foreclosure (claim ≤ $50,000) | $400.00 |
| Foreclosure (claim $50,001–$250,000) | $905.00 |
| Foreclosure (claim > $250,000) | $1,905.00 |
| Writ of garnishment | $85.00 |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 |
| Issuance of summons | $10.00 each |
Filing Fees — Small Claims and County Civil
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| $0.01 – $99.99 | $55.00 |
| $100.00 – $500.00 | $80.00 |
| $500.01 – $2,500.00 | $175.00 |
| $2,500.01 – $8,000.00 | $300.00 |
| $8,000.01 – $15,000.00 (County Civil) | $300.00 |
| $15,000.01 – $30,000.00 (County Civil) | $400.00 |
| Removal of tenant (no monetary damages) | $185.00 |
A complete civil courts fee schedule is published on the Clerk’s website. Copies from court files remain $1.00 per page and certification costs $2.00 per document. Civil cover sheets, e-mail designation forms, and other required documents are available on the Clerk’s forms page.
Hernando County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Hernando County are heard in the Circuit Court’s Family Division, which has jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage, child custody and time-sharing, child support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, name changes, and temporary custody by extended family members. The Fifth Judicial Circuit provides self-help resources, and the Hernando County Clerk’s Office offers pro se packets for many family case types.
Dissolution of Marriage
Filing a dissolution of marriage costs $408.00. A counter-petition in an existing non-dissolution family case is $392.50. The Clerk’s Office provides self-represented-litigant packets at the following prices:
- Simplified divorce packet: $20.00
- No children, no property packet: $19.00
- With property, no children packet: $21.00
- With minor children packet: $26.00
- Modification of child support packet: $19.00
- Modification of visitation/custody packet: $20.00
The complete family law fee schedule lists all applicable charges. Additional Florida Supreme Court–approved family law forms are available through the Florida Courts forms library.
Domestic Violence and Repeat Violence Injunctions
There is no filing fee for petitions for domestic violence or repeat violence injunctions. Service of process through the Sheriff’s Office in Hernando County costs $40.00.
Child Support
Payoff statements for child support money judgments cost $25.00. A support case history printout is $0.15 per page. The Clerk collects a fee of 4% per payment processed (minimum $1.00, maximum $5.25).
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk’s Office at both the Brooksville and Spring Hill locations. The fee is $86.00 for all applicants, reduced to $61.00 for Florida residents who complete an approved premarital preparation course (the three-day waiting period is also waived in that case). Both applicants must appear in person with valid identification. Ceremonies can be performed in the Clerk’s chapel for $30.00. Additional certified copies of the marriage certificate cost $3.00 each. Contact the Marriage License division at (352) 540-6768 for details or visit the Clerk’s marriage licenses page.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County. Certified copies cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Applications for birth records and death records are submitted to:
Department of Health in Hernando County
7551 Forest Oaks Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34606
Phone: (352) 540-6800, Ext. 82110
Requestors must provide government-issued identification. Third parties who are not the record subject or an immediate family member need a court order or notarized affidavit.
Searching Family Court Records
Family court case records are searchable through the OCRS portal using a party name or case number. Because family files frequently contain sensitive personal and financial information, public availability may be limited. Records involving minors, adoption proceedings, and sealed divorce files are not accessible without authorization.
Hernando County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Hernando County Circuit Court handles the administration of decedents’ estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and petitions to determine incapacity. All guardianship matters in Florida require attorney representation under Rule 5.030 of the Florida Probate Rules.
Common Probate Filings and Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening of an estate (general) | $231.00 |
| Summary administration (estate < $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration (estate ≥ $1,000) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship | $400.00 |
| Guardianship of person and property | $400.00 |
| Guardianship of person only | $235.00 |
| Petition to determine incapacity | $231.00 |
| Caveat / Notice of trust | $41.00 |
| Filing a will (no administration) | No charge |
| Pre-need guardian designation | $7.50 |
A will in the possession of any person must be deposited with the Clerk’s Office within ten days of receiving notice that the testator has died. If a decedent died without a will and left no more than $5,000 in non-real-property assets, a Small Estate Letter (Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration) may be filed without an attorney. The required forms, including the Small Estate Letter and Statement of Claim, are available on the Clerk’s forms page.
Guardianship filings are required when a minor inherits or receives more than $15,000 in assets, or when an adult is determined to lack the capacity to manage personal or financial affairs. Audit fees for annual guardianship accountings range from $20.00 (estates valued at $25,000 or less) to $250.00 (estates exceeding $500,000).
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records are searchable through the OCRS portal or by visiting the Probate Division in Room 165 of the Hernando County Courthouse. For questions about probate filings, contact the Probate Division at (352) 540-6366. Information about professional guardians is available through the Office of Public and Professional Guardians.