Sarasota County Court Records Search
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Sarasota County occupies the central Gulf Coast of Florida, with its county seat in the City of Sarasota. The county is part of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, which it shares with DeSoto and Manatee Counties. Court proceedings take place at several facilities in Sarasota and Venice, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official custodian of all court records generated in the county — spanning criminal, civil, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases.
Residents and members of the public looking for Florida court records can search through several channels, including clerk offices, public access terminals at county courthouses, and the Clerk’s online case-search system. FloridaStateCourts.us may also help users identify court locations and access publicly available case information at the state level. In Sarasota County specifically, the Clerk provides an electronic portal called ClerkNet that offers free, searchable access to most non-confidential case records without requiring registration.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Sarasota County?
Sarasota County provides online, in-person, mail, phone, and fax options for locating court case information.
Online — ClerkNet
The fastest method is the Clerk’s ClerkNet portal. Users can search anonymously or register for an account. Search criteria include party name, case number, citation number, case status, case type, and filing date range. Civil records are available from 2001 forward, and criminal records from 2003 forward. Registered users gain additional access to Viewable On Request (VOR) documents and email notifications about case activity. ClerkNet also provides access to imaged case documents at no charge.
The Clerk additionally maintains an Official Records Index for land records (from 1990 to present), a Marriage Records search (from 1982 to present), and a Plat Search for subdivision and condominium records.
In Person
The Clerk’s Public Access Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at two locations:
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Main Office (Sarasota County Historic Courthouse) | 2000 Main St., Room 103, Sarasota, FL 34237 | (941) 861-7400 |
| Venice Branch (South County Courthouse) | 4004 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 34293 | (941) 861-7400 |
By Mail, Phone, or Fax
Requesters can submit a completed Records Search Request form by:
- Mail: Public Access Department, P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, FL 34230-3079 (check or money order payable to “Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller”)
- Phone: (941) 861-7400 (credit card payment)
- Fax: (941) 861-7738 (credit card payment)
Include the party name(s), years to search, case number (if known), document type, and whether a plain or certified copy is needed. Requests are typically completed within three business days.
Fees for Copies and Searches
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Record search | $2.00 per name per year |
| Copies from court files or Official Records | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.00 per document |
| Exemplification | $7.00 per document |
| Copies from other public records (non-Official Records) | $0.15 per page |
Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% processing fee from the third-party vendor.
Are Court Records Public in Sarasota County?
Court records in Sarasota County are presumptively open to the public. Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 establishes that the public has a right of access to all records of the judicial branch, unless a specific law, court order, or rule provides otherwise. Florida’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) reinforces this principle for records held by public agencies, including law enforcement.
Records that are confidential or exempt from public access under Rule 2.420© and (d) include:
- Complaints of judicial misconduct (until probable cause is established)
- Unexecuted arrest warrants, search warrants, and supporting affidavits retained by court personnel
- Internal court memoranda, drafts, and notes used in judicial decision-making
- Records whose release would reveal trade secrets, violate personal privacy, impede justice administration, or harm innocent third parties
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit/debit card numbers
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Grand jury records
- Adoption records
- Addresses of domestic violence victims
- Information identifying victims of sexual offenses
- Estate inventories and accountings
The Clerk’s Public Access Department can advise whether a particular record is available for inspection. For records sealed by court order, a motion to unseal must be filed with the court that issued the order.
Sarasota County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Sarasota County are divided between the Circuit Court (felonies) and the County Court (misdemeanors, criminal traffic). Both courts hold proceedings at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center and the South County Courthouse.
Sarasota County Justice Center (Criminal Division)
Address: 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941) 861-7800
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information from 2003 forward is searchable on ClerkNet by defendant name, case number, or citation number. For older files or certified copies, submit a Records Search Request to the Public Access Department by mail, phone, or fax.
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement Requests
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest and incident records for events within its jurisdiction. The Sheriff provides an online arrest inquiry tool and accepts public records requests through its online request form. Requests can also be made:
- In person: Records Section, 1st Floor, Criminal Justice Center, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
- By mail: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Attention: Records, P.O. Box 4115, Sarasota, FL 34230-4115
- By phone: (941) 861-4025
Include the subject’s full name, sex, date of birth, and race. Local arrest reports are provided at no cost.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a statewide criminal history search, submit a request to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Online name-based searches through the FDLE Criminal History Information portal cost $25.00 (including a $1.00 credit card processing fee). Fingerprint-based checks cost $24.00 and can be processed through livescan providers.
Sarasota County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Sarasota County is split by the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court’s Civil Division handles cases exceeding $50,000, mortgage foreclosures, and real property disputes. The County Court handles civil claims up to $50,000, small claims ($8,000 or less), landlord/tenant actions, and evictions.
Where to Search
Civil case records are searchable through ClerkNet by party name, business name, case number, or filing date. The Records Management Division at both the Sarasota and Venice courthouses handles in-person requests and walk-in lookups.
Key Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Circuit civil action (general) | $400.00 |
| Real property / mortgage foreclosure ($50,000 or less) | $400.00 |
| Real property / mortgage foreclosure ($50,001–$250,000) | $905.00 |
| County civil claim ($100 or less — small claims) | $55.00 |
| County civil claim ($100.01–$500) | $80.00 |
| County civil claim ($500.01–$2,500) | $175.00 |
| County civil claim ($2,500.01–$15,000) | $300.00 |
| County civil claim ($15,000.01–$50,000) | $400.00 |
| Tenant removal action | $185.00 |
| Summons (per summons) | $10.00 |
A full breakdown is available on the Clerk’s fee schedule.
Court Forms
The Twelfth Judicial Circuit provides downloadable court forms for civil, family, and probate matters. Statewide forms are accessible through the Florida Courts website.
Electronic Filing
Florida requires electronic filing for most court documents. The Clerk’s office accepts e-filed documents through the statewide e-filing portal. The Electronic Court Records Request page also allows users to submit electronic requests for certified or plain copies — standard certification and copy fees apply, with no extra charge for using the electronic service.
Sarasota County Family Court Records
The Circuit Court’s Family Division handles dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, name changes, annulments, and adoption proceedings. Family law cases are heard at the Hall of Justice (Southern Branch) in Redwood City and the South County Courthouse in Venice.
Southern Branch (Hall of Justice)
Address: 400 County Center, 1st Floor, Redwood City — [Note: this is the Sarasota address] 2000 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941) 861-7400
Accessing Family Court Records
Family law case registers are searchable on ClerkNet by party name or case number. However, many family court documents — particularly those involving adoption, juvenile dependency, and domestic violence victim information — are confidential under Florida law and are not available through the public portal. Parties to a case, or those with a court order, may obtain restricted records by contacting the Clerk’s office.
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
The Clerk’s divorce filing page provides detailed instructions and downloadable form packets for four types of proceedings: simplified dissolution, dissolution with no children and no property, dissolution with no children, and dissolution with dependent or minor children. Form packets are also available for purchase at the Clerk’s customer service counter.
| Divorce-Related Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Divorce filing fee | $408.00 |
| Simplified dissolution form packet | $7.20 |
| No property/no dependents form packet | $7.05 |
| Property/no dependents form packet | $8.40 |
| Dependents or minor children form packet | $11.55 |
| Counter petition (same case type) | $295.00 |
| Counter petition (dissolution in non-dissolution case) | $395.00 |
| Petition for modification of final judgment | $50.00 |
| Case reopen fee | $50.00 |
| Bureau of Vital Statistics report fee | $10.50 |
Parents who are divorcing must attend an approved parenting class; a list of approved course providers is available through the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk’s office at the Sarasota Main Office and the Venice Branch. The marriage license fee is $86.00 (includes one certified copy), reduced by $25.00 for couples who present a certificate of completion from a four-hour marriage preparation course. Ceremonies performed by the Clerk cost $30.00. Additional certified copies are $3.00 each.
The Clerk’s Official Records Index for marriage records covers May 6, 1982 to present and allows free searches by applicant name, license number, application date, or marriage date. Results include uncertified, viewable images of the certificate, license, and application.
Marriage records can also be obtained from the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota), not by the court. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail:
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota Vital Records | 2200 Ringling Blvd., Room 131, Sarasota, FL 34237 | (941) 861-2810 |
| Venice Vital Records | 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34293 | (941) 861-3528 |
Fees: birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $10.00 each. A birth certificate application and death certificate application are available for download. Under Florida Statutes § 382.025, birth records less than 125 years old are confidential and may only be issued to eligible applicants. DOH-Sarasota issues death certificates from 2009 forward; older death records must be requested from the State Vital Statistics Office in Jacksonville.
Sarasota County Probate Court Records
The Circuit Court’s Probate & Guardianship Division presides over decedents’ estates, guardianships, conservatorships, wills, involuntary hospitalizations, and competency determinations. Probate and guardianship cases are heard at the Southern Branch in Sarasota and the South County Courthouse in Venice.
Searching Probate Records
Probate, will, and guardianship case information is searchable on ClerkNet. Imaged case documents for non-confidential probate matters are viewable at no charge. Note that estate inventories and accountings are classified as confidential under Rule 2.420 and are not publicly accessible online.
For older records or certified copies, contact the Clerk’s Public Access Department at (941) 861-7400 or submit a Records Search Request by mail or fax.
Key Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening an estate (petitions, orders, including determination of heirs if not formal administration) | $231.00 |
| Summary administration (less than $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration ($1,000 or more) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship | $400.00 |
| Guardianship of the person only | $235.00 |
| Veterans Administration guardianship | $235.00 |
| Petition for determination of incapacity | $231.00 |
| Disposition of personal property without administration | $231.00 |
| Notice of trust | $41.00 |
| Caveat | $41.00 |
| Case reopen fee | $50.00 |
| Guardianship audit fee (initial inventory, if estate exceeds $25,000) | $85.00 |
Annual guardianship audit fees vary by estate value, ranging from $20.00 (estates of $25,000 or less) to $250.00 (estates exceeding $500,000). The complete fee schedule is published on the Clerk’s website.
The Clerk’s Wills, Probate, and Guardianship page provides procedural guidance, and the Twelfth Judicial Circuit maintains a list of attorneys available to represent alleged incapacitated persons in guardianship cases.