Leon County Court Records Search
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Leon County is located in the Florida Panhandle and serves as the seat of state government, with Tallahassee as its county seat. The county’s court system operates within the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also encompasses Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. Court records generated by the Leon County Circuit Court and County Court span criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate, and guardianship proceedings. These records are maintained by the Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, which acts as the official custodian of all judicial filings in the county.
Individuals seeking court records in Florida can begin by contacting the appropriate clerk’s office, visiting public-access terminals at the courthouse, or using online search tools provided by the clerk. The Leon County Clerk offers a free court records search portal that allows name-based and case-number queries. Additional court information across the state may also be found through FloridaStateCourts.us, which can help users locate publicly available case data from courts throughout Florida.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Leon County?
Leon County offers several pathways for locating court case information, whether you need a docket entry, case disposition, or copies of filed documents.
Online Search Tools
The clerk’s office maintains two primary online platforms:
- Court Records Search — Visit the clerk’s Court Search page and complete the verification process. Enter the party’s name or case number to retrieve case details. Documents attached to the docket can be viewed, printed, or downloaded at no charge. If document images are unavailable, you may request scanned or paper copies at $1.00 per page. Requests are reviewed by staff, and the requester will be contacted regarding any charges before documents are mailed or made available for pickup.
- Secure Web Access — The Secure Web Access portal provides registered users with a more comprehensive database, including access to sensitive cases that may not appear in the standard court search. Viewing, printing, and downloading documents through this platform is free. Users can also certify documents electronically using the e-certify feature. Registration is required.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court at either of these locations during business hours:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Leon County Courthouse (Main) | 301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301 | (850) 606-4000 |
| Northeast Branch (Official Records) | 1276 Metropolitan Blvd., Suite 101, Tallahassee, FL 32312 | (850) 606-4030 |
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (the Northeast Branch operates 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Both locations are closed on weekends and county holidays.
By Mail
Written requests may be mailed to the main courthouse address. Include the full case number (if known), party names, and a description of the documents needed. Enclose payment for copying costs — $1.00 per page for standard copies — or contact the office in advance for a cost estimate. Payment by check or money order should be made payable to the Leon County Clerk of Courts.
By Email
The clerk’s judicial division accepts inquiries at clerk_judicial@leoncountyfl.gov. Staff can provide guidance on record availability, fees, and procedures before you submit a formal request.
Are Court Records Public in Leon County?
Florida maintains one of the broadest public records frameworks in the United States. Under the Florida Sunshine Law — specifically Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes — court records are presumed open to public inspection. Any person may request access to court records without stating a reason, and the clerk’s office is obligated to provide copies upon payment of the applicable fees.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 governs confidentiality in court records and identifies categories of information that are automatically protected from public disclosure. Under this rule, the filer bears responsibility for identifying and redacting confidential information before a document is filed. The rule enumerates 23 categories of automatically confidential data, including:
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card information
- Information identifying victims of sexual offenses
- Birth records and identifying information of minors in dependency and delinquency proceedings
- HIV test results and substance abuse treatment records
- Trade secrets designated by court order
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
- Mental health examination reports
- Certain identifying details related to domestic violence victims
- Juror information protected under statute
Section 119.0714 of the Florida Statutes further defines court-record exemptions from public access. If a record contains both public and exempt information, the clerk will redact the protected portions and release the remainder. Individuals who believe a record should be sealed or made confidential may petition the court for a protective order.
Leon County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Leon County are divided between the Circuit Court and the County Court. The Circuit Court handles all felony cases, while the County Court presides over misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and criminal traffic offenses. Both courts operate from the Leon County Courthouse at 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee.
Leon County Circuit Court
Address: 301 S. Monroe Street, Room 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 577-4000
Fax: (850) 577-4013
Criminal court records include charging documents, arrest affidavits, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, judgment and sentence forms, docket sheets, and appellate filings. These records can be searched through the clerk’s Court Search and Secure Web Access portals.
Leon County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) maintains arrest records, booking logs, and local criminal history information. Local background checks may be requested in person, by mail, by phone, or online:
- In person: Submit a completed local criminal records check form at 2825 Major James Morgan Jr. Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304.
- By mail: Mail the completed form with payment to Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Records Management Division, P.O. Box 727, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
- By phone: Call the Records Management Bureau at (850) 606-3317 during business hours.
- Online: Submit a request through the LCSO Public Records Center.
Local background checks cost $5.00 per name. Payment by cash, check, or money order is accepted for in-person requests. Results may be picked up at the office, emailed, or mailed (include a self-addressed stamped envelope or an additional $1.00 for return postage).
Sheriff’s service of process fees, mandated by Florida Statute 30.231, are $40.00 for each summons, subpoena, or writ, with an additional $50.00 for enforceable writs such as writs of possession or replevin.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
The FDLE provides statewide criminal history searches through several options:
- Instant Name Search: Available at FDLE Criminal History Information for $24.00 per search (plus a $1.00 credit card processing fee).
- Certified/Non-Certified Search: Fingerprint-based searches available through the FDLE Florida Checks portal.
- Personal Review: Individuals may request a free review of their own criminal history record by submitting a fingerprint card and application to FDLE at P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489. Contact the Criminal History Record Maintenance Section at (850) 410-7898 for questions.
Juvenile criminal records are generally confidential under Florida Statute § 943.053(3)(b)1 and are only released in limited circumstances, such as when the juvenile was charged with a felony-equivalent offense or was transferred to adult court.
Leon County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Leon County is divided between the Circuit Court and County Court based on the monetary value of the claims involved. Under current Florida jurisdictional thresholds, County Court handles civil claims of $50,000 or less (including small claims up to $8,000), while Circuit Court presides over claims exceeding $50,000 and cases involving equitable relief, real property disputes, and injunctions.
Circuit Court Civil Filing Fees (per Florida Statute § 28.241):
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil action (up to 5 defendants) | Up to $395.00 |
| Family law actions (Ch. 61, 741, 742, etc.) | Up to $295.00 |
| Foreclosure (claim ≤ $50,000) | $395.00 |
| Foreclosure (claim $50,001–$249,999) | $900.00 |
| Foreclosure (claim ≥ $250,000) | $1,900.00 |
| Cross-claim / counterclaim / third-party complaint | $295.00–$395.00 |
| Issuance of summons | $10.00 |
| Garnishment, replevin, attachment, distress | Up to $85.00 additional |
County Court Civil Filing Fees (per Florida Statute § 34.041):
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $100 | $50.00 |
| $100–$500 | $75.00 |
| $501–$2,500 | $170.00 |
| $2,501–$15,000 | $295.00 |
| Over $15,000 | $395.00 |
| Removal of tenant (eviction) | $180.00 |
| Replevin (claim ≤ $1,000) | $125.00 |
Copy and Certification Fees
Standard copies of court records cost $1.00 per page. Certification adds $2.00 per document. The clerk also provides electronic certification through the e-certify service available on the Secure Web platform.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records — including complaints, answers, motions, court orders, judgments, and liens — are searchable through the clerk’s online Court Search tool. The Leon County Clerk also provides official records search capabilities for recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, and satisfactions of judgment. Property-related records, including assessment data and ownership information, are available through the Leon County Property Appraiser’s online property search tool.
The clerk’s office offers TurboCourt self-help forms for small claims cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and other common civil matters, making it easier for self-represented litigants to prepare and file documents.
Leon County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Leon County are heard by the Circuit Court’s Family Law Division within the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Cases include dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence injunctions, and name changes.
Dissolution of Marriage
Filing fees for divorce actions fall under the family law category at up to $295.00 for the initial petition. As of January 1, 2025, the Leon County Clerk updated divorce filing fees; contact the clerk’s office at (850) 606-4000 for the current total, which includes surcharges. Issuance of a summons adds $10.00 to the total cost.
Divorce records can be searched online through the Secure Web Access portal or requested in person at the clerk’s office. The clerk’s office offers self-help forms and TurboCourt do-it-yourself document preparation for family law proceedings.
Domestic Violence Injunctions
Petitions for injunctions for protection against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual violence are filed at the Leon County Courthouse. There is no filing fee for the petitioner seeking a protective order. The clerk provides TurboCourt forms specifically for domestic violence injunction filings.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Leon County Clerk at the main courthouse and the Northeast Branch location. The marriage license fee is $93.50. Couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course receive a reduction, paying $61.00 instead. Both applicants must appear in person with valid identification. Applications can be started online through the clerk’s marriage license application portal. Previously issued marriage records are searchable via the clerk’s Marriage License Search page.
On the state level, marriage and divorce certificates dating from June 1927 onward can also be obtained from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. An Application for a Marriage Certificate or an Application for a Dissolution of Marriage Certificate may be submitted in person at the Bureau office at 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202, or by mail to:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
The state fee is $5.00 for a calendar-year search including one certified copy, $2.00 for each additional year searched, and $4.00 for each additional certified copy ordered at the same time. Rush processing adds $10.00.
Birth and Death Records
The Florida Department of Health in Leon County issues birth certificates (from 1930 to present) and death certificates (from 2009 to present). Requests may be made in person or by mail at the county health department office at 1515 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact the office at (850) 404-6300.
| Certificate Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 |
| Death certificate | $15.00 |
A valid government-issued photo ID is required. Death certificates showing cause of death are only issued to family members or legal representatives. Birth records prior to 1930 and sealed birth records (adoptions, paternity determinations) must be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Leon County Probate Court Records
Probate and guardianship matters in Leon County are handled by the Circuit Court. Cases include the administration of decedent estates, will contests, appointment of personal representatives, guardianship of incapacitated persons, and conservatorship proceedings. The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as custodian of all probate filings.
Types of Probate Records
Probate case files typically contain the petition for administration or summary administration, the last will and testament (if one was executed), letters of administration, inventories of assets, creditor claims, accountings, proposed distribution plans, and orders of discharge. Guardianship files include the petition, examining committee reports, guardian plans, and annual accountings.
How to Search Probate Records
Probate cases can be searched using the clerk’s online Court Search tool by entering the decedent’s name, the guardian’s name, or the case number. The Secure Web Access portal provides registered users with access to a broader range of probate documents, including the ability to view, download, and print filings free of charge.
For in-person requests, visit the clerk’s office at:
Leon County Courthouse
301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 100
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 606-4000
Email: clerk_judicial@leoncountyfl.gov
Filing Fees
Probate filing fees in Leon County are governed by Florida Statutes §§ 28.241 and 28.2401. Circuit court probate filings generally follow the family law fee structure, with initial petitions costing up to $295.00. Guardianship proceedings carry similar initial filing fees. The clerk also charges $10.00 for issuance of each summons and $1.00 per page for copies of probate documents, with a $2.00 certification fee per document. Contact the clerk’s office for a current, itemized fee breakdown specific to your filing type.
Guardianship Proceedings
Florida Statute Chapter 744 governs guardianship of incapacitated persons. Guardian reports and financial accountings filed with the court are part of the public record unless sealed by court order. The clerk’s office monitors guardianship compliance and maintains records of annual plans and inventories. Mental health examination reports associated with guardianship petitions are confidential under Rule 2.420 and are not available for public inspection.
Access Restrictions
While most probate records are open to the public, certain documents within a probate or guardianship file may be restricted. Medical records, mental health evaluations, Social Security numbers, and financial account information are automatically confidential under Florida law. The clerk will redact these elements from any copies provided to the general public.