Pinellas County Court Records Search
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Pinellas County, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast and encompassing Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Largo, operates within the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official custodian of all court records generated by both the Circuit Court and the County Court. These records span criminal, civil, family, and probate matters, along with traffic infractions, juvenile proceedings, and mental health filings. Under the authority of Florida Statute 28.24, the Clerk maintains case numbers, party names, attorney information, hearing dates, transcripts, exhibits, financial data, and electronically stored documents for each proceeding.
Florida’s state courts system provides a framework for locating judicial records across all 67 counties. Those beginning a search may find it helpful to consult FloridaStateCourts.us for background on the court structure and links to statewide resources. Within Pinellas County specifically, records are accessible through the Clerk’s online portals, in-person public view terminals at multiple branch offices, and by mail or email through formal record request procedures. The Clerk’s office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding county holidays. The general information line for all locations is (727) 464-7000.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pinellas County?
Pinellas County offers several methods for locating court case information, ranging from free online searches to in-person visits and staff-assisted requests.
Online — Public View (No Account Required)
The Clerk operates a free Court Records Public View portal that requires no login or registration. Users can search by case number, party name, attorney name or bar number, business name, date range, and court calendar. Non-confidential documents in most case types are viewable directly. Probate and family law documents, however, are restricted on the public portal and require a registered account.
Online — Registered User or Attorney Access
For expanded access, users can register for a court records account. Attorneys who register with their Florida Bar number gain the ability to view confidential documents on cases to which they are assigned. Existing users from the legacy Public Access system can log in through the Court Records Login page using their prior DUPA or REGA credentials and follow the prompts to activate their accounts on the updated interface.
In-Person — Public View Terminals
Public computer terminals are available at six locations throughout the county:
- Recording Services, Clearwater Courthouse — 315 Court Street, Room 150
- Civil Court Records, Clearwater Courthouse — 315 Court Street, Room 114
- Probate Court Records, Clearwater Courthouse — 315 Court Street, Room 106
- North County Branch — 3165 McMullen Booth Rd., Fessler Center, Building B, Clearwater, FL 33761
- Pinellas County Justice Center — 14250 49th Street North, Second Floor, Clearwater, FL 33762
- St. Petersburg Branch — 545 1st Avenue North, Room 153, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Older or confidential records available only on paper or microfilm can be viewed at the Clearwater Courthouse. For microfilm of civil and family cases, call (727) 464-3904 or email civilcert@mypinellasclerk.gov in advance so staff can pull the files.
Clerk-Performed Record Searches
The Clerk’s office can conduct name-based record searches for cases filed in Pinellas County. The fee is $7.00 per name plus $2.00 for each year in which a record is found. Standard copy charges apply if documents are needed. Requests can be submitted through the Public Request Center or in person at any Clerk location. You will need to provide the name (and any aliases), maiden name if applicable, date of birth, and last four digits of the Social Security number if available.
Juvenile record searches must be made by the defendant in person with valid photo identification and must be handled at the Pinellas County Justice Center on 49th Street.
Are Court Records Public in Pinellas County?
Most court records in Pinellas County are open for public inspection. Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420 establishes a presumption of public access, meaning anyone may view case filings, judgments, orders, and other documents that are part of the court file unless a specific statute or court order provides otherwise.
Records that are confidential or restricted from public access include:
- Information identifying minor children involved in proceedings
- Records of juvenile delinquency and juvenile dependency cases
- Sealed or expunged criminal records
- Baker Act and Marchman Act proceedings involving mental health or substance abuse
- Certain victim information in cases involving child abuse or sexual offenses, per Florida Statutes 119.071(2)(h) and 119.0714(1)(h)
- Injunction petitions (domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking) are sealed from public view until the respondent has been personally served, pursuant to the July 1, 2019 amendment
Restrictions on Online Access
Under Florida Statute 28.2221, the following categories of official recorded documents cannot be displayed on publicly available websites: military discharge records, death certificates, and court documents governed by the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, and Florida Probate Rules. Access to these restricted documents at Clerk offices is available through in-person public view terminals or by subscribing to the Clerk’s paid Official Records Subscription Service, which costs a one-time setup fee of $100.00 per User ID and an annual usage fee of $75.00 per User ID, payable each October 1.
Some documents in the online system may carry a “View On Request” (VOR) status, meaning they exist in scanned form but have not yet been reviewed for redactable material. Users can request VOR documents be made viewable through the online system, and most requests are processed within minutes, though complex documents may take up to two business days.
Pinellas County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Pinellas County cover felony cases heard in Circuit Court and misdemeanor cases handled in County Court. The Criminal Court Records department at the Pinellas County Justice Center is responsible for filing, processing, and maintaining records for felony charges, misdemeanor charges, criminal traffic offenses, juvenile delinquency and dependency matters, ordinance violations, and non-criminal payable infractions.
Where to Search Criminal Records
- Online: Use the Court Records Public View portal to search by defendant name, case number, or court calendar. Select the appropriate case category to narrow results to criminal matters.
- In Person: Visit the criminal court records office at the Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762.
- Statewide Criminal History: The Clerk’s office does not perform statewide criminal history checks. For Florida criminal history records, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at (850) 410-8109. FDLE offers an instant online search for $24.00 per search and a certified/non-certified mail search for the same fee.
Key Criminal Court Filing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sealing or expunging a court record | $42.00 (plus copy, certification, notary, and mailing charges) |
| Public Defender application fee | $50.00 |
| Payment plan setup fee | $25.00 |
| Criminal violation delinquency fee | $32.00 |
| Driver’s license reinstatement | $60.00 |
Juvenile Records
All juvenile delinquency records are confidential and accessible only to attorneys, court staff, or parties to the case. They cannot be discussed by phone. Individuals must appear in person at the Pinellas County Justice Center with a photo ID to request access. Juvenile dependency cases, involving suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment, are similarly restricted.
Criminal Appeals
A Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment. The filing fee payable to the Clerk is $100.00, plus $1.00 per page for copies, $2.00 for certification, and a separate check of $300.00 payable to the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Tampa.
Pinellas County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Pinellas County are divided between Circuit Court and County Court based on the monetary value of the claim. Circuit Civil handles cases where damages exceed $50,000, including mortgage foreclosures, contract disputes, medical malpractice, and negligence actions. County Civil covers claims between $8,000.01 and $50,000, including landlord/tenant disputes. Small Claims Court, a division of the County Court, handles disputes of $8,000 or less.
Filings and inquiries for civil cases are handled primarily at:
Clearwater Courthouse
315 Court Street, Room 170
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: (727) 464-7000
Selected Circuit Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action (up to 5 defendants) | $400.00 |
| Real property/foreclosure action ($50,001–$250,000) | $905.00 |
| Real property/foreclosure action (over $250,000) | $1,905.00 |
| Counterclaim/crossclaim/third-party complaint (Circuit) | $395.00 or $900.00 or $1,900.00 (based on amount) |
| Each additional defendant over 5 | $2.50 |
| Issuing summons (per summons) | $10.00 |
| Garnishment, attachment, replevin, or distress | $85.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $400.00 |
| Re-open fee | $50.00 |
| Pro Hac Vice motion | $100.00 |
| Court registry deposit: first $500 | 3%; balance at 1.5% |
Small Claims Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $100 | $55.00 |
| $100.01–$500 | $80.00 |
| $500.01–$2,500 | $175.00 |
| $2,500.01–$5,000 | $300.00 |
| $5,000.01–$15,000 | $300.00 |
County Court Specific Fees: Tenant eviction only (no damages) costs $185.00. Tenant eviction with damages between $2,500 and $15,000 is $300.00, and with damages over $15,000 is $400.00.
Standing Order Requirement: Per Administrative Order 2025-006, plaintiffs or their counsel must file and serve the appropriate Standing Order for Civil Case Management alongside the summons and complaint. The Clerk will not issue a summons until this order has been filed. Standing Order forms are on the Clerk’s Forms page.
Service of Process: The Pinellas County Sheriff no longer serves summonses, subpoenas, or writs of garnishment for non-governmental parties. Filing parties must use a private process server. If documents must be returned by mail, a pre-addressed stamped envelope must be provided to the Clerk’s office.
Copy and Certification Fees: Copies of court record documents cost $1.00 per page. Certification of any document is $2.00. Copies of public records (non-court) are $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 per two-sided page.
The Clerk’s Self-Help Center offers limited attorney consultations to self-represented litigants at no charge.
Pinellas County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Pinellas County are handled by the Family Division of the Circuit Court. This division has jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage, paternity, child custody, child support, alimony, domestic violence injunctions, name changes, adoptions, and termination of parental rights. The Unified Family Court coordinates certain adoption and domestic violence matters in conjunction with juvenile dependency proceedings.
Filing Fees for Family Cases
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage | $397.50 |
| Simplified Dissolution of Marriage | $397.50 |
| Recording/reporting of final judgment of dissolution | $10.50 |
| Other family actions (Chapters 61, 742, 753 — alimony, paternity, support) | $300.00 |
| Adoption, name change, emancipation, termination of parental rights (Chapters 63, 68, 382) | $400.00 |
| Counterpetition in dissolution cases | $295.00 or $392.50 |
| Modification filing in existing dissolution case | $50.00 |
Filing can be done in person at the Clearwater Courthouse (315 Court Street), the Justice Center, or the St. Petersburg Branch, or electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The Clerk also offers TurboCourt, an online guided form-preparation tool, for dissolutions of marriage, domestic violence injunctions, and evictions.
Injunctions for Protection
Filing for an injunction (restraining order) is free — there is no filing fee, and the Pinellas County Sheriff serves the respondent without charge. Five categories exist under Florida law: Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Repeat Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking. Petitions must be filed in person or through the E-Filing Portal by 4:00 p.m. for same-day judicial review. For emergency filings after 4:00 p.m., contact The Haven of RCS at (727) 442-4128 (Clearwater) or C.A.S.A. at (727) 895-4912 (St. Petersburg). An Injunction Filing Checklist identifies the required forms for each type.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk’s office. Florida residents who complete a premarital preparation course pay $61.00; all others pay $86.00. The ceremony solemnization fee is $30.00. Historical marriage licenses from November 2003 to the present can be searched through the Official Records Search portal. Statewide dissolution of marriage records can be obtained from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics using the DH260 application for $5.00 per record.
Access Restrictions
Family law documents are not viewable through the free public online portal due to Florida Statute 28.2221. Registered users or subscribers with appropriate accounts may view these records electronically. In-person viewing is available at public view terminals at any Clerk location.
Pinellas County Probate Court Records
The Probate and Mental Health department of the Clerk’s office manages estate cases, guardianships of minors and incapacitated persons, Baker Act proceedings (involuntary mental health examination), and Marchman Act proceedings (involuntary substance abuse assessment). Deposit wills are also accepted for filing.
Probate Filing Locations
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Courthouse | 315 Court Street, Room 106, Clearwater, FL 33756 | (727) 464-3321 |
| North County Branch | 3165 McMullen Booth Rd., Fessler Center, Bldg. B, Clearwater, FL 33761 | (727) 464-7000 |
| St. Petersburg Branch | 545 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | (727) 464-7000 |
Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Formal Administration, Ancillary Administration, Curatorship, Conservatorship | $400.00 |
| Summary Administration (estate ≤ $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary Administration (estate > $1,000) | $345.00 |
| Disposition of Personal Property without Administration | $231.00 |
| Opening any estate (one document or more) | $231.00 |
| Guardianship of the Person only | $235.00 |
| Veterans Administration Guardianship | $235.00 |
| Determination of Incapacity | $231.00 |
| Trusts | $400.00 |
| Notice of Trust | $41.00 (plus $7.00 per additional trustee) |
| Caveat | $49.00 (plus $8.00 per Notice of Caveator) |
| Counter/Cross/Third-Party Petition | $395.00 |
| Guardianship audit — initial inventory (property > $25,000) | $85.00 |
| Annual accounting audit (assets ≤ $25,000) | $20.00 |
| Annual accounting audit (> $25,000 to $100,000) | $85.00 |
| Annual accounting audit (> $100,000 to $500,000) | $170.00 |
| Annual accounting audit (> $500,000) | $250.00 |
Types of Probate Proceedings
Pinellas County recognizes three estate proceeding types. Formal Administration applies when the estate’s value exceeds $75,000 (excluding exempt assets under Florida Statute Chapter 732) or when a personal representative must be appointed. An attorney is required under Florida Probate Rule 5.030. Summary Administration is available when the estate value does not exceed $75,000, or when the decedent has been dead for more than two years. No personal representative is appointed, no letters of administration are issued, and no bond is required. Disposition of Personal Property without Administration is an informal process governed by Florida Statute 735.301 for transferring small amounts of personal property when no real estate is involved.
Viewing Probate Records
Probate court documents are not available through the free public internet portal. Registered users can view images online after creating an account. Public view terminals at Clerk locations display probate documents. Copies of non-sealed documents cost $1.00 per page and can be ordered online through the copy request service or by mail with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Older probate records from 1973 to 1987 may be searched through the Official Records Probate Inquiry portal.
Guardianship
Establishing a guardianship requires filing a petition with the Probate Court Records department and retaining an attorney. Non-professional guardian applicants must complete a fingerprint-based background check via Live Scan using Pinellas County ORI # FL052104Z and pay an initial investigation fee of $27.50. Professional guardians must be registered with the Office of Public and Professional Guardians and pay an annual clerk’s fee of $7.50 per Florida Statute 744.3135(1), due by January 31 each year. The estate bond schedule ranges from $18,000 for estates valued at $75,000 or less to a minimum of $100,000 for estates exceeding $500,000, with multipliers of $100,000 for each additional $500,000 in estate value.
Baker Act and Marchman Act
Petitions for involuntary examination under the Baker Act (Chapter 394, Florida Statutes) and petitions for involuntary assessment under the Marchman Act (Chapter 397, Florida Statutes) may be filed at any of the three probate filing locations during regular business hours. There is no filing fee for Baker Act petitions. After-hours petitions (received after 4:00 p.m., before 8:00 a.m., or on weekends and holidays) are date-stamped upon receipt but processed the next business day. In emergencies, petitioners should contact law enforcement or call 911.