Polk County Court Records
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Polk County, located in central Florida with Bartow as its county seat, runs an extensive judicial system within the 10th Judicial Circuit. The Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller manages court filings, maintains official case documents, and provides public access to records covering criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Whether you need to check the status of a pending lawsuit, get a copy of a divorce decree, or research criminal case history, the Clerk's office gives you several ways to find what you need — online, by mail, and in person at three locations across the county.
If you're starting a court records search in Florida, official state and county resources are the right place to begin. The Clerk's office maintains digital portals for searching case records, while the 10th Judicial Circuit Court oversees court operations across Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. The state courts website at FloridaStateCourts.us can also help you locate publicly available case information, understand filing requirements, and find self-help resources. Beyond online tools, you can access court records in person at any of the Clerk's three office locations or by contacting the Records Custodian directly.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Polk County?
Polk County gives you several methods for looking up court cases, depending on whether the matter involves criminal, civil, traffic, or family law proceedings.
Online Search Portals
The Clerk's office runs two primary online search systems:
- Polk Records Online (PRO) — This is the Clerk's consolidated case records search application. The public can search civil cases without registration and view docket entries, filed documents, court dates, fines, and party information. Some case data in PRO dates back to the mid-1960s. Documents may take up to three business days to appear after filing, and certain records require additional manual review before they can be viewed.
- ShowCase — This portal focuses on criminal and traffic case records, including felony, misdemeanor, municipal ordinance, and county ordinance cases. You can search by case number or citation number without creating an account. Registered users get access to additional features.
Both portals allow you to print uncertified copies of documents at no charge. Searches can be run by party name, case number, or citation number.
In-Person Searches
Court records can be accessed at any of the three Clerk locations listed below. Bring relevant identifying information — party names, case numbers, or case types — to help the clerk locate what you need.
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County Courthouse | 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830 | (863) 534-4000 |
| Lakeland Government Center | 930 E. Parker St., Lakeland, FL 33801 | (863) 534-4000 |
| Northeast Government Center | 200 Government Center Blvd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850 | (863) 534-4000 |
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All offices are closed on state-recognized holidays.
Mail and Email Requests
For records that can't be found online, send a written request to the Records Custodian:
Records Custodian
P.O. Box 9000, Drawer CC-18
Bartow, FL 33831-9000
Email: records@polkclerkfl.gov
Certified copies of court records can be requested through the Clerk's online Public Records Request portal, where you can submit requests, make payments, and track order status. For questions about certified copies, the Records department can be reached at (863) 534-4401.
Are Court Records Public in Polk County?
Under Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), commonly known as the Sunshine Law, court records in Polk County are generally public and open to inspection. Section 119.07(1)(a) requires that every person who has custody of a public record must allow anyone to inspect and copy it under reasonable conditions.
That said, significant categories of court records carry restrictions under Florida law and court rules. The following types of information are generally exempt from public disclosure or subject to redaction:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers and financial account identifiers
- Dates of birth (in certain filings)
- Names of minor children in many case types
- Records in sealed or expunged criminal cases
- Adoption records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases
- Baker Act proceedings and mental health records
- HIV test results and certain medical records
- Records designated as confidential by court order
The Florida Supreme Court's Administrative Orders (including AOSC14-19, AOSC15-18, and AOSC16-14) set standards for electronic access to court records and govern how the Clerk's office handles document redaction. Under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, specific procedures exist for requesting that records be made confidential. If you notice confidential information appearing in a publicly accessible document, the Clerk's office asks that you contact their Call Center at (863) 534-4000 immediately.
When the Clerk receives a public records request, the office will verify the record's accessibility, provide an estimated delivery timeframe, request additional identifying details if needed, or let you know if no matching record exists. The Clerk may deny a request if fulfilling it would impose an unreasonable burden on departmental resources or if the record is sealed, confidential, or otherwise protected.
Polk County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Polk County are heard by either the Circuit Court or the County Court, depending on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over felonies and lesser-included offenses, while the County Court handles misdemeanors, violations of municipal and county ordinances, and certain juvenile traffic matters.
Searching Criminal Records Online
The ShowCase criminal and traffic records portal is the primary tool for searching criminal court cases filed in Polk County. You can run a basic public search without logging in, or register for enhanced access. The portal covers felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and ordinance violations. You can also sign up for court date reminders through Florida's eNotify system.
Additional Criminal Record Sources
Beyond the Clerk's office, several other agencies maintain criminal records relevant to Polk County:
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) — Provides statewide criminal history information, including arrest records and disposition data.
- Polk County Sheriff's Office — Maintains current jail booking and inmate information, including arrest records.
- Florida Department of Corrections — Offers an offender search tool for individuals who are or have been in state custody.
- Sexual Offender and Predator System — Maintained by FDLE for searching registered sexual offenders and predators statewide.
In-Person Criminal Record Requests
Criminal court records can be obtained at the Polk County Courthouse at 255 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. For inquiries directed to the State Attorney's Office for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, the email address is publicrecords@sao10.com and the phone number is (863) 534-4844.
When conducting a criminal case lookup, it helps to know whether the matter falls under Circuit Court or County Court jurisdiction and to have the defendant's full name or a case number ready.
Polk County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Polk County are divided between the Circuit Court and the County Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court handles higher-value disputes involving contracts, property, personal injury, business litigation, and foreclosures. The County Court presides over small claims cases, evictions, and certain civil disputes within its jurisdictional limits.
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil case records are searchable through Polk Records Online (PRO), the Clerk's primary portal for civil case data. The system gives you access to the full case docket — including filed documents, scheduled court dates, party information, and financial obligations. No registration is required for basic public searches, and uncertified copies can be printed for free.
Civil records available through this portal include filings related to:
- Contract disputes and breach of contract claims
- Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Foreclosure actions
- Small claims filings
- Injunctions and restraining orders
Filing and Forms
If you want to file a civil action without an attorney, start with the Clerk's Do-It-Yourself Court Filings page and the Forms and Packets section. Additional forms and checklists are available through the Florida Courts Self-Help Center and the 10th Judicial Circuit's Forms and Checklists page. Self-help staff can be reached at (863) 534-4015 for guidance on Polk County filings, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fillable PDF forms provided by the Clerk should be downloaded and opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader rather than completed in a web browser, as some browser-based PDF viewers don't support all fillable fields.
Certified Copies and Fees
Certified copies of civil court records can be ordered through the Public Records Request portal. Fees are set by state law and vary depending on the document type and page count. Uncertified copies are available at no cost through the online portals. For questions about fees or copy requests, contact the Records department at (863) 534-4401.
Polk County Family Court Records
Polk County does not maintain a standalone family court. Instead, the Family Law Department within the Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all family-related filings. The Circuit Court — and in limited instances the County Court — presides over family law matters across the county.
Types of Family Law Cases
The courts in Polk County handle a broad range of family-related proceedings, including dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody and timesharing, child support, paternity establishment, adoption, domestic violence injunctions for protection, and guardianship. Divorce services are available at all three Clerk office locations in Bartow, Lakeland, and Lake Alfred.
Searching Family Court Records
Family case records, including divorce and custody matters, can be searched through Polk Records Online (PRO). The portal gives you access to filings, scheduled hearings, and court orders for both ongoing and closed cases. Searches can be run by party name or case number. Some records in family cases — particularly those involving minor children, domestic violence victims, or adoption proceedings — are restricted from public view to protect the privacy and safety of the parties involved.
Marriage and Divorce Records
The Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller maintains records for marriages and divorces that occurred within the county. These records can be accessed through two tools:
- Polk Records Online (PRO) — For searching marriage and divorce court records and viewing uncertified copies for free.
- Official Records Browser/Viewer — For searching official marriage and divorce records that have been formally recorded.
Uncertified copies of marriage and divorce records can be viewed and printed at no charge. Certified copies — which are often required for legal proceedings — are typically restricted to individuals named on the record and can be requested through the electronic Public Records Request system. If a record cannot be found online, you can mail or email a request to the Records Custodian at P.O. Box 9000, Drawer CC-18, Bartow, FL 33831-9000 or records@polkclerkfl.gov.
For marriages or divorces that took place elsewhere in Florida, direct your inquiry to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Birth and Death Records
While not court records, birth and death certificates are sometimes needed in connection with family law proceedings. These records are not public under Florida law and can only be obtained by the registrant, parents named on the record, or a legal guardian. Third parties must submit a notarized affidavit to release a birth certificate or death certificate. Birth records become public after 100 years, and death records become public after 50 years. Both the Polk County Health Department and the Florida Department of Health process requests for these vital records.
Legal Assistance
Clerk employees are not permitted to give legal advice, including recommendations about which forms to use. If you need guidance on family law matters, consult the Florida Statutes or contact the Florida Bar's Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011.
Polk County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Polk County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court's Probate Division, which is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. The division handles a range of estate-related proceedings and maintains active case management oversight, including monthly review of delinquent guardianship and estate filings.
Types of Probate Cases
The Probate Division hears matters including:
- Will Administration — Cases involving the validation and execution of a deceased person's will, including filings related to asset distribution, creditor claims, and final accountings.
- Intestate Succession — When a person dies without a valid will, the court oversees asset distribution under Florida's intestacy statutes. Typical filings include petitions for administration, asset inventories, and court orders for distribution.
- Guardianship — The court appoints guardians for minor children or incapacitated adults, and conservators to manage finances. These cases involve petitions for appointment, background checks, orders of appointment, and ongoing financial reporting. The 10th Judicial Circuit has specific guardianship procedures under Administrative Order 4-3.2.
- Conservatorship — Related to guardianship, these cases involve court oversight of financial management for individuals who cannot manage their own affairs.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available through Polk Records Online (PRO), where you can search by party name or case number. The portal gives you access to case dockets, filed documents, and scheduled hearings. Probate records may contain sensitive personal and financial information, and certain details may be redacted to protect privacy.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Probate records can also be obtained in person at the Polk County Courthouse at 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. When mailing requests related to probate or guardianship, address correspondence to P.O. Box 9000, Drawer CC-4, Bartow, FL 33831-9000, using the designated drawer number for the Probate/Guardianship section.
For probate-related forms, the Clerk's Forms and Packets page and the 10th Judicial Circuit's forms page offer downloadable documents for estate administration, guardianship petitions, and related filings. Cases involving delinquent reporting will move through a structured process — from initial notice to status conference to an order to show cause hearing — if attorneys or guardians fail to file required reports within specified timeframes.