Santa Rosa County Court Records Search
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Santa Rosa County sits in the western Florida panhandle, with Milton as the county seat and the center of all judicial operations. The county’s trial courts belong to Florida’s First Judicial Circuit, a four-county circuit that also serves Escambia, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. Records generated by Santa Rosa’s courts — pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, and exhibits — are maintained by the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, who serves as the official custodian and provides multiple channels for public access.
Floridians searching for court case data can work through official clerk’s offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and digital record search tools hosted by county clerks and state agencies. The First Judicial Circuit website offers general court information, while statewide resources available through FloridaStateCourts.us can help users locate forms, self-help guides, and general procedures. For records specific to Santa Rosa County, the Clerk of Court operates online portals for both court case records and official public records, supplemented by in-person and mail-based request options.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Santa Rosa County?
Santa Rosa County has two trial courts: the Circuit Court, which handles felonies, civil matters above the county court threshold, family law, probate, and juvenile cases; and the County Court, which hears misdemeanors, traffic infractions, small claims, and lower-value civil disputes. The Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller manages records for both courts across several office locations.
Clerk’s Office Locations
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courthouse (Court filings & payments) | 4025 Avalon Boulevard, Milton, FL 32583 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Administrative Center (Official records) | 6495 Caroline Street, Suite A, Milton, FL 32570 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| South End Service Center (Branch office) | 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Public Records/Archives | 6816 Caroline Street, Milton, FL 32570 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
General Information Line: (850) 981-5554
Fax: (850) 626-7849
Email: CourtInfo@santarosaclerks.com
Online case searches are conducted through the Clerk’s Online Court Records Search (OCRS), powered by Civitek. The portal offers two access levels:
- Public access — anonymous, free searches by party name, business name, or case number. Results display case types, filing dates, docket entries, and scheduled hearings.
- Registered user access — requires an account and is available for attorneys and frequent users who need expanded viewing of case documents.
To request an account, contact the Clerk’s office or visit the Search Public Records page, which also links to the Official Records search tool for deeds, liens, mortgages, and other recorded instruments.
For official records (property documents, marriage licenses, judgments recorded in the public record), the Clerk maintains a separate Acclaim search portal that allows searches by name, document type, or case number.
In-person searches can be conducted at the Courthouse on Avalon Boulevard during business hours. Walk up to the appropriate division window and provide the case number or the full names of the parties involved. A valid photo ID may be required for viewing certain records.
Mail requests should include a completed public record request form or a written request specifying the case number or party names and the type of record sought. Send to:
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court
Attn: [Appropriate Department]
P.O. Box 472
Milton, FL 32572
Enclose a check or money order payable to “Clerk of Court” for anticipated copy fees, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Public records requests may also be emailed to PublicRecordRequest@santarosaclerk.com.
Copy and service charge fees are set by Florida Statute 28.24:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopy of any court record (per page, up to 14" × 8.5") | $1.00 |
| Certified copy of a court record | $2.00 |
| Search of court records (per name, per year) | $2.00 |
| Administering oath, attesting and sealing | $3.50 |
| Sealing a court file or expungement of a record | $42.00 |
The Clerk accepts cash, checks drawn on local banks, money orders, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). Credit and debit card transactions are processed through an outside vendor and may carry a service fee.
Are Court Records Public in Santa Rosa County?
Court records in Santa Rosa County are presumptively public. Florida’s commitment to open government is anchored in Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and reinforced by the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), which requires custodial agencies — including the Clerk of Court — to make records available for public inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 governs the treatment of confidential information within judicial branch records. Under this rule, the following categories of court records are either automatically confidential or restricted from public access:
- Sealed and expunged records — criminal case files sealed or expunged pursuant to Florida Statutes 943.0585 and 943.059
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records — confidential under Chapters 39 and 985, Florida Statutes; accessible only to parties, their attorneys, and authorized court staff upon presentation of valid photo ID at the Clerk’s office
- Adoption records — sealed upon finalization
- Baker Act and Marchman Act proceedings — mental health and substance abuse commitments are confidential
- Active criminal investigative and intelligence information
- Records subject to active warrants
- Victim information in domestic violence injunction cases, protected under Florida Statute 119.071
- Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors, and other sensitive data must be redacted from public filings under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425
Florida law also prohibits the placement of certain case categories — including juvenile, adoption, and probate inventory records — on publicly accessible websites, even though they may be viewable at the Clerk’s office under controlled conditions.
Santa Rosa County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Santa Rosa County are divided by severity. The Circuit Court handles felonies, while the County Court adjudicates misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses. Both operate out of the courthouse at 4025 Avalon Boulevard.
Department contacts:
| Division | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | (850) 981-5561 | Criminal@santarosaclerk.com |
| Misdemeanor | (850) 981-5561 | Criminal@santarosaclerk.com |
| Traffic Criminal | (850) 981-5561 | Criminal@santarosaclerk.com |
| Traffic Infractions | (850) 981-5656 | Traffic@santarosaclerk.com |
How to obtain criminal court records:
- Online: Use the OCRS portal to search by defendant name or case number. Public access provides docket information, charges, and hearing dates.
- In person: Visit the Criminal Division at the Courthouse (4025 Avalon Blvd., Milton, FL 32583) during business hours with valid ID. Staff can perform record searches and provide copies for the applicable fee.
- By mail: Send a written request with the defendant’s full name, date of birth if known, and the case number to: Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court, Attn: County Criminal Division, 4025 Avalon Blvd., Milton, FL 32583.
A packet for sealing or expunging a criminal record is available from the Clerk’s office for $3.00. The process requires obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE before filing a petition with the court; the court’s sealing/expungement fee is $42.00 per Florida Statute 28.24(26). For detailed questions about eligibility, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement can be reached at (850) 410-7870.
For a statewide criminal history search, individuals can use the FDLE Criminal History Information online system. The fee is $25.00 per name search (including a $1.00 credit card processing charge). FDLE also provides a no-cost personal review option for individuals requesting their own record.
Misdemeanor court costs in Santa Rosa County are set by statute at $190, with a maximum fine of $1,000 for first-degree misdemeanors and $500 for second-degree offenses. Partial payments are accepted with either a $5.00 per-payment fee or a one-time $25.00 payment plan setup fee.
Santa Rosa County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Santa Rosa County are split between the Circuit Court (higher-value cases) and the County Court (cases within county court jurisdiction and small claims up to $8,000). The Clerk’s Civil Division manages all filings, dockets, and records for both levels.
Civil Division contacts:
| Division | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Civil | (850) 981-5667 | Civil@santarosaclerk.com |
| County Civil / Small Claims | (850) 981-5567 | Civil@santarosaclerk.com |
Civil case records are searchable through the OCRS portal by party name, business name, or case number. In-person access is available at the Courthouse, and official recorded documents — judgments, liens, lis pendens — can be researched through the Acclaim Official Records portal.
Small claims filing fees (current as of January 2025):
| Claim Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $1.00 – $99.99 | $55.00 |
| $100.00 – $500.00 | $80.00 |
| $500.01 – $2,500.00 | $175.00 |
| $2,501.00 – $8,000.00 | $300.00 |
Additional charges include a $10.00 summons issuance fee per defendant ($17.00 if the clerk prepares the summons), a $3.50 oath fee per plaintiff, and a $40.00 Sheriff’s service fee per defendant. A small claims packet containing all necessary forms and instructions is available for $10.00 from the Clerk’s office or as a downloadable PDF.
All civil filings must go through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is mandatory for attorneys and available for self-represented litigants. Standard Judicial Council forms and local court forms can be printed at no cost from the Florida Courts Self-Help Center or purchased at the Clerk’s office for a minimal fee.
Florida law restricts the display of family law, juvenile, and probate records on publicly accessible websites. While civil case docket information is generally available through the OCRS portal, underlying documents in certain sensitive case types may require in-person review.
Santa Rosa County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Santa Rosa County are handled primarily by the Circuit Court’s Family Law Division. Case types include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, paternity, child custody and timesharing, child support establishment and modification, domestic violence injunctions, step-parent adoptions, and name changes.
Family Law Division
Phone: (850) 981-5557
Email: Civil@santarosaclerk.com
Child Support: (850) 981-5555
Domestic Violence: (850) 981-5553
The Clerk’s office accepts pro se filings for contested and uncontested divorces, simplified dissolutions, paternity actions, custody matters between parents, child support motions, step-parent adoptions, modifications, and related proceedings. Forms are available through the Clerk’s online forms page and the Florida Courts Self-Help Center. The filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Florida circuit courts is $408.00, plus $10.00 for summons issuance per defendant. Fee waivers may be available for qualified indigent parties.
To qualify for a simplified dissolution, both spouses must agree the marriage cannot be saved, have no minor children, agree on division of property and debts, and at least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for six months. Both parties must appear at the Clerk’s office with photo ID to complete the joint petition. A hearing is scheduled after a 20-day waiting period.
Domestic violence injunctions can be filed at no cost. Forms and assistance with the filing process are available through the Clerk’s Family Law and Domestic Violence departments.
Marriage licenses are issued at two Clerk locations by appointment:
- Administrative Center: 6495 Caroline Street, Suite A, Milton, FL 32570 — (850) 983-1966
- South End Service Center: 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 — (850) 983-1824
Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applicants can begin with the online marriage license application or the virtual application. The license fee is $86.00 without a premarital course, or $61.00 with proof of completion of an approved four-hour course. Payment is accepted in cash, checks payable to the Clerk of Court, or major credit cards. Florida residents face a three-day waiting period unless they have completed the premarital course; non-residents have no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days. Additional details and a list of approved premarital course providers are on the Clerk’s Marriage Information page. Marriage ceremony services are available at both Clerk locations for $30.00, as authorized by Florida Statute Chapter 741.
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County. Birth certificates are available for all Florida births back to 1930; death certificates are available for Florida deaths from 2009 to present. Fees include $15.00 per birth certificate copy and $11.00 per death certificate, plus a $2.00 mail fee and optional $5.00 vinyl envelope or $16.00 rush delivery. Requests can be made in person at the DOH–Santa Rosa office, by mail using the appropriate application form (birth or death), or online through VitalChek. The DOH office can be reached at (850) 983-5200, option 5, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Santa Rosa County Probate Court Records
Santa Rosa County does not have a separate probate court. Probate matters — estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments — are adjudicated by the Circuit Court and administered through the Clerk’s Probate Division.
Probate Division
Phone: (850) 981-5584
Fax: (850) 626-5705
Email: Probate@santarosaclerk.com
Guardianship
Phone: (850) 981-5584
Email: Probate@santarosaclerk.com
Filing fees for probate and guardianship matters:
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Guardianship of the Person and Property | $400.00 |
| Guardianship of the Person only | $235.00 |
| Incapacity proceeding (in addition to guardianship) | $231.00 |
| Baker Act / Marchman Act filing (oath fee) | $3.50 |
Estate probate proceedings follow the Florida Probate Code (Chapters 731–735) and the Florida Probate Rules. The personal representative is responsible for inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying valid claims, filing tax returns, and distributing assets to beneficiaries under court supervision.
Guardianship cases require appointment of an examining committee (typically two professionals and one layperson) and an attorney for the alleged incapacitated person. The court determines whether the individual is totally or partially incapacitated and, if appropriate, appoints a guardian. Any adult Florida resident, or a close non-resident relative, may serve as guardian, provided they have no disqualifying felony convictions and are physically able to perform the duties. Guardians must be represented by an attorney, may be required to post bond, and must file detailed annual reports and care plans with the court.
Baker Act and Marchman Act petitions (for involuntary mental health examination or substance abuse treatment) can be initiated through the Avalon Center at (850) 437-8900 or by obtaining forms from the Clerk’s mental health forms page. Completed paperwork is submitted to the Clerk’s Probate Department with valid ID and a $3.50 oath fee.
Most probate records are public, but certain categories are restricted. Under the Florida Probate Rules, estate inventories are confidential and available only to the personal representative, their attorney, or interested parties as defined by statute. A person’s cause of death is classified as confidential within probate filings. Florida law also prohibits placing probate records on publicly accessible websites, meaning online search results through the OCRS portal may show limited docket information without document images. Persons seeking to view probate files should contact the Probate Division directly or visit the Courthouse during business hours.
Probate forms are available through the Clerk’s online forms page and the Florida Bar’s consumer guides. For individuals who cannot afford an attorney, the Lawyer Referral and Information Service of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association can be reached at (850) 434-6009.