Manatee County Court Records
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Manatee County sits on the Gulf Coast of Florida, with Bradenton as its county seat. The Twelfth Judicial Circuit serves Manatee alongside DeSoto and Sarasota Counties through a two-tier trial court system: the Circuit Court and the County Court. Angelina "Angel" Colonneso, Esq., is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and the official keeper of all court records in the county. Those records cover criminal, civil, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims cases—everything from charging documents and motions to judgments, orders, and transcripts.
The Circuit Court has broad jurisdiction over felonies, civil matters above the statutory threshold, family law, juvenile dependency and delinquency, and probate. The County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims, and lower-value civil disputes. If you need to find records or file documents, the Clerk's office is your first stop—and the statewide resource at FloridaStateCourts.us can help you navigate case-search tools across Florida.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Manatee County?
You have several options for locating a court case in Manatee County: searching online, visiting the courthouse in person, or submitting a written request by mail or email. The right approach depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search
Start with the Clerk's Public Records Hub, which lets you search by party name, business name, case number, citation number, or case type. Results show the case number, party name, case type, status, filing date, and date of birth. Basic index searches are free. If you need access to non-confidential document images beyond what the public portal shows, you may need to sign a Subscriber Agreement under F.S. 28.2221(5)(a).
The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court website also has division-specific forms, calendars, and guidance for online case lookups.
In-Person Search
You can visit either of the following locations to search records at a public-access terminal or speak directly with staff:
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Address: 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 749-1800
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Manatee County Judicial Center
Address: 1051 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 749-3600
Fax: (941) 749-3692
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3000, Bradenton, FL 34206
By Email or Mail
Written requests go to the Clerk's copy center at clerkscopycenter@manateeclerk.com, or by mail to P.O. Box 3000, Bradenton, FL 34206. Include the case number, party name, or other identifying details, and prepay any applicable copy fees with your request.
Copy Fees Under Florida Statute 28.24
The following standard service charges apply to copies of court records:
- Photographic copies (up to 14″ × 8½″): $1.00 per page
- Photographic copies (larger than 14″ × 8½″): $5.00 per page
- Certification of a court record: $2.00 per certification
- Searching court records: $2.00 per year searched
- Exemplified certificates: $7.00
- Sealing a court file or expungement: $42.00
Are Court Records Public in Manatee County?
Most court records in Manatee County are open to the public. Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119, sets a broad presumption of access to government records, including court documents. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 narrows that further for judicial branch records, spelling out exactly which categories are confidential or exempt from disclosure.
Records that are not open for public inspection include:
- Memoranda or advisory opinions related to court administration
- Misconduct complaints against judges, until formal proceedings begin
- Identities of volunteers applying for unpaid court positions
- Unexecuted arrest warrants, search warrants, and their supporting affidavits
- Records designated confidential under federal law, Florida statutes, or the Florida or U.S. Constitutions
- Records sealed by court order
Minimization of Sensitive Information
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425 prohibits anyone filing a court document from including full Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or credit and debit card numbers. Identification numbers, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, and PINs must all be truncated. Minors must be identified by initials only.
You can ask the Clerk to remove from its public website any image or copy of a military record, death certificate, or court file covered by the Florida Rules of Family Law, Juvenile Procedure, or Probate Rules. Submit the request in writing—specifying the document and page number—by mail, fax, electronic transmission, or in person. No fee is charged for removal under F.S. 28.2221(5). If your Social Security number or financial account information appears in a court document, you can also request removal using the Clerk's Request for Removal of Private Information form.
Manatee County Criminal Court Records
Felony cases and juvenile delinquency matters go to the Circuit Court. Misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses are handled by the County Court. In both cases, the Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps the official file—charging documents, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgments.
Searching Criminal Court Records
- Go to the Public Records Hub, select the criminal case type, and search by defendant name or case number.
- Visit the Clerk's office at 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205, during regular business hours.
- Submit a written request by mail or email to clerkscopycenter@manateeclerk.com.
Arrest Records and Background Checks
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records separately from the Clerk's court records. The Sheriff's online Arrest Inquiry tool shows booking information for people currently in custody and those released within the past 90 days.
For local background checks and incident reports, contact the Sheriff's Records Section directly:
Manatee County Sheriff's Office Records Section
Address: 600 301 Boulevard West, Suite 202, Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 747-3011, ext. 2295
Fax: (941) 723-5196
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed weekends and holidays)
Background check requests need the subject's full legal name (spelled correctly), date of birth, race, and sex—include any prior surnames. The fee is $2.00 per person; mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted. Copy fees for incident reports are $0.15 per page for walk-in requests and $1.00 for mailed reports of up to four pages.
Statewide and National Checks
For a broader criminal history search, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offers statewide criminal history record checks through its online portal. National background checks can be requested through the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division at 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306.
Accident Reports
Under Florida Statute 316.066, crash reports containing personal information are confidential for 60 days after filing. During that window, access is limited to the parties involved, their legal representatives, insurers, law enforcement, qualified media organizations, and victim services programs.
Manatee County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Manatee County are split between the Circuit Court and the County Court based on the dollar amount at issue. The Circuit Court takes civil actions over $50,000, mortgage foreclosures, and complex commercial litigation. The County Court handles small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil cases below the circuit threshold. The Clerk maintains all civil filings for both courts: complaints, answers, motions, discovery documents, trial orders, and final judgments.
Searching Civil Records
Civil records are available through the same Public Records Hub used for other case types. Select the appropriate civil category and search by party name, case number, or business name. The case type search also lets you filter by category and date range.
Selected Circuit Civil Filing Fees
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Civil action (in excess of $50,000) | $400.00 |
| Mortgage foreclosure ($50,001–$250,000) | $905.00 |
| Mortgage foreclosure ($250,001 or more) | $1,905.00 |
| Cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party complaint | $395.00 |
| Garnishment action (per garnishee) | $85.00 |
| Case reopening (F.S. 28.241) | $50.00 |
| Bond approval | $8.50 |
| Non-resident cost bond | $100.00 |
The full current fee schedule is on the Clerk's Circuit Civil Fees page.
Appeals
An appeal from County Court to Circuit Court carries a $281.00 filing fee; a cross-appeal costs $100.00. For appeals going up to the Second District Court of Appeal, you'll need to pay fees at both the lower-court and appellate levels. Preparing and indexing the appellate record runs $3.50 per instrument, and clerk certification is $7.00.
Mediation Fees
Court-ordered mediation in civil and family cases is assessed per session based on household income:
- Family income above $50,000 but below $100,000 per year: $120.00
- Family income below $50,000 per year: $60.00
Manatee County Family Court Records
The Family Division of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit handles dissolution of marriage, child custody and support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, name changes, adoptions, and juvenile dependency cases in Manatee County. Multiple family divisions operate in the county, with hearings held in person and via Zoom. You can schedule hearings through the court's JACS system.
Searching Family Court Records
Family law case information is searchable through the Clerk's online portal—just select the family law case type. For in-person help, contact the Family Law Department:
Family Law Department
Phone: (941) 749-1800
Location: 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Mail requests go to P.O. Box 3000, Bradenton, FL 34206, or email clerkscopycenter@manateeclerk.com.
Confidentiality Restrictions
Most family court records are public, but significant exceptions apply. Juvenile dependency records (Chapter 48, Florida Statutes), domestic violence injunctions with sealed safety information, child abuse reports, and adoption proceedings are all confidential. Documents covered by the Florida Rules of Family Law may be removed from the Clerk's public website on written request under F.S. 28.2221(5).
Selected Family Law Filing Fees
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Petition for dissolution of marriage | $397.50 |
| Counter-petition for dissolution (no-fault) | $392.50 |
| Cross-claim, counterclaim, or counter-petition | $295.00 |
| Issuance of summons (each) | $10.00 |
| Final judgment of dissolution (Vital Statistics reporting, F.S. 382.023) | $10.50 |
| Family law case (Chs. 39, 61, 741, 742, 747, 752, 753) | $300.00 |
| Case reopening (F.S. 28.241) | $50.00 |
The complete fee schedule is on the Clerk's Family Law Filing Fees page.
Marriage Records
You can start a marriage license application online through the Clerk's marriage application portal. The license fee is $93.50, and both parties must appear in person at the Clerk's office with valid identification. Florida residents who have completed an approved premarital course may qualify for a reduced fee. Marriage and dissolution records can be searched through the Clerk's online case type search tool.
Statewide marriage and divorce records are also held by the Florida Department of Health, where you can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville.
Manatee County Probate Court Records
The Probate and Guardianship Division of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit handles estate settlements, guardian appointments, administration of minors' estates, incapacity determinations, involuntary hospitalization proceedings, will probates, and cases under the Jimmy Ryce Act (sexually violent predators). In Manatee County, Judge Diana L. Moreland presides over probate and guardianship matters in Courtroom 5D of the Judicial Center.
Accessing Probate Records
Search probate case records through the Clerk's case type search—select the probate category and enter a date range or party name. For in-person help, contact the Probate and Guardianship Department:
Probate and Guardianship Department
Phone: (941) 741-4037
Location: 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
For probate coordinator assistance in Manatee County, email probatemanatee@jud12.flcourts.org.
Hearing Procedures
Non-evidentiary probate hearings and evidentiary hearings of 60 minutes or less are held via Zoom under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Ex parte hearings run Monday through Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 5D. Attorneys must email the petition, notice of hearing, and proposed orders to the Probate Coordinator by noon on the business day before the hearing. Evidentiary exhibits must be submitted and marked at least five business days in advance.
Selected Probate Filing Fees
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Disposition of personal property (estate less than $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration ($1,000 or more) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration | $400.00 |
| Caveat / Notice of Trust | $41.00 |
| Guardianship | $235.00 |
| Filing verified inventory (Clerk's fee) | $85.00 |
| Annual accounting (estate value $25,000 or less) | $20.00 |
Standard copy fees under F.S. 28.24 apply: $1.00 per page for photographic copies and $2.00 per certification. A full fee listing is available on the Clerk's Department Fee Listing page.
Confidentiality of Probate Records
Most probate records are open to the public. However, guardianship reports containing medical or financial information about wards, records in involuntary commitment proceedings, and certain documents relating to minors' estates may be restricted. Documents covered by the Florida Probate Rules can also be removed from the Clerk's public website on written request, using the same process described above.