Sumter County Court Records Search

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    Sumter County is part of Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, which also encompasses Citrus, Hernando, Lake, and Marion Counties. With its county seat in Bushnell and a growing population driven largely by The Villages community in the northern part of the county, Sumter County’s court system handles a broad range of legal matters through its Circuit Court and County Court divisions. The Sumter County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of court records, managing everything from criminal and civil case files to official records, marriage licenses, and probate proceedings. The Clerk operates from two locations — the main courthouse in Bushnell and a secondary annex in The Villages that provides limited services.

    Searching for court records in Florida can be done through official clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and various online platforms. The Fifth Judicial Circuit oversees court operations across five counties including Sumter, and FloridaStateCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court case information at the state level. The Sumter County Clerk also maintains its own electronic search tools for accessing case data remotely, which are detailed further below.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Sumter County?

    Sumter County offers in-person, online, and mail-based methods for looking up court cases.

    Online Case Search

    Two primary electronic tools are available for searching Sumter County court records:

    1. Sumter County Online Court Records Search (OCRS) — This portal provides anonymous public access to the Clerk’s electronic court records. Users can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. No account is required for basic public access.
    2. Sumter County Clerk Online Services — This page serves as a hub for accessing court records, official records, online fine payments, and other services. Users who need expanded access may contact the Clerk’s office for login credentials.

    When performing an online search, having at least one of the following will improve results: the full name of a party, case number, or attorney name.

    In-Person Search

    Visitors can search court records during regular business hours at either Clerk location:

    Main Office — Sumter County Courthouse
    Address: 215 E. McCollum Ave., Bushnell, FL 33513
    Phone: (352) 569-6600
    Fax: (352) 569-6623

    North Sumter Annex(Limited Services)
    Address: 8033 E. CR-466, The Villages, FL 32162
    Phone: (352) 689-4625
    Fax: (352) 689-4626

    Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding posted holidays)

    Mail Requests

    Written record requests should be directed to:

    Sumter County Clerk of Courts
    Courts / Official Records
    P.O. Box 2587
    Bushnell, FL 33513

    Include an attention line specifying the appropriate division (Criminal, Civil, Family, Probate, or Official Records) to ensure timely processing.

    Key Fees for Record Copies

    ServiceFee
    Copies of public records (per page, up to 8½ x 14)$1.00
    Copies of public records (per page, larger than 8½ x 14)$5.00
    Certification of document (per document, in addition to copy fee)$2.00
    Searching records$2.00 per year searched
    Sealing a court file or expungement$42.00

    Are Court Records Public in Sumter County?

    Florida has some of the broadest public records access laws in the country. The Florida Public Records Act (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) establishes that all records made or received in connection with official government business are public records, open to inspection and copying by any person. This presumption of access extends to court records maintained by the Sumter County Clerk of Courts.

    Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 governs public access to judicial branch records specifically. Under this rule, court records fall into two categories — court records associated with particular cases and administrative records related to court operations — and both are generally open to the public.

    Exemptions and Restricted Records

    Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Florida law, including:

    • Sealed or expunged criminal records
    • Records involving juvenile proceedings
    • Certain mental health records
    • Adoption records
    • Information identifying victims of sexual offenses
    • Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other personal identifiers subject to redaction under the clerk’s confidentiality obligations
    • Active criminal investigation materials held by law enforcement
    • Traffic crash reports during the first 60 days after filing (Florida Statute § 316.066), with access limited to parties involved, their attorneys, insurers, prosecutors, and qualifying media outlets

    The Clerk’s office may require valid identification before releasing certain records and will review files for confidential information prior to disclosure. Records that are sealed or restricted by court order remain inaccessible to the public unless a court modifies the order.

    Sumter County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal prosecutions in Sumter County are handled by the Circuit Court for felony cases and the County Court for misdemeanors and traffic criminal offenses. The Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit prosecutes criminal matters, and the Clerk of Courts maintains all resulting case files.

    Searching Criminal Court Records

    Criminal court case records can be searched through:

    • The Sumter County OCRS portal — search by defendant name, case number, or case type
    • The Clerk’s Online Services page
    • In person at the Clerk’s Criminal Division in Bushnell or the North Sumter Annex

    For questions specific to criminal or traffic cases, the Clerk’s dedicated fax lines are:

    • Criminal / Traffic / Family / Child Support Fax: (352) 569-6987
    • Criminal Record Search Fax: (352) 569-6992

    Sheriff’s Office Records

    The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Records Division processes requests for arrest reports, incident reports, and calls for service. The division operates from two physical locations and accepts online submissions:

    Sheriff’s Office — Main Records Location
    Address: 7361 Powell Rd., Wildwood, FL 34785

    Sheriff’s Office — Bushnell Location
    Address: 250 E. McCollum Ave., Bushnell, FL 33513

    Villages Annex(crash reports and victim reports only)
    Address: 8033 E. CR-466, Lady Lake, FL 32159

    Phone: (352) 569-1600
    Email: records@sumterso.org
    Records Custodian: Michelle Keszey

    An Online Records Request form is available on the Sheriff’s website.

    Sheriff’s Office Copy Fees:

    • Paper copies: $0.15 per page
    • Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
    • Certified copies: $1.00 per copy
    • Extensive requests requiring more than 30 minutes of research: $18.02 per hour

    Local Background Checks

    The Sheriff’s Office performs local background checks free of charge, covering Sumter County arrests from August 2024 to the present. For statewide or nationwide criminal history searches, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains the state’s central criminal history repository.

    Traffic Crash Reports

    Under Florida Statute § 316.066, crash reports are not public records for 60 days after filing. During this restricted period, only parties involved, their legal representatives, insurers, prosecutors, and qualifying media may obtain copies. An affidavit must be completed specifying entitlement to the report. After the 60-day window, reports become available to the general public. Crash reports can also be obtained through the DHSMV’s Florida Crash Portal.

    Sumter County Civil Court Records

    Civil disputes in Sumter County are divided between the Circuit Court and the County Court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Civil Division handles cases where damages or the matter in controversy reaches $50,000 or above, while the County Court manages civil claims below that threshold, including small claims and landlord-tenant disputes.

    Types of Circuit Civil Cases

    The Circuit Civil Division primarily handles:

    • Foreclosure actions
    • Quiet title suits
    • Partition complaints
    • Condemnation and eminent domain proceedings
    • Medical malpractice
    • Negligence claims
    • Contract disputes
    • Writs of certiorari, habeas corpus, and prohibition
    • Declaratory judgment actions

    The Clerk notes that due to the complex nature of these proceedings, the Circuit Civil Division does not offer forms or procedural guidance.

    Accessing Civil Court Records

    Civil court records can be obtained through:

    • The OCRS portal for online case searches
    • In-person requests at the Clerk’s main office in Bushnell
    • Mail requests addressed to Courts / Official Records, P.O. Box 2587, Bushnell, FL 33513

    Fax for civil court inquiries: (352) 569-6991

    Official Records (Property and Real Estate)

    The Clerk of Courts also maintains Official Records encompassing deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property titles. These can be searched online through the Clerk’s website. Recording and copy fees for official records include:

    • Recording first page: $10.00
    • Each additional page: $8.50
    • Copies of official records: $1.00 per page
    • Certification of official records document: $2.00 per document
    • Copy of recorded plat (24 x 36): $5.00 per page

    The Sumter County government also maintains a Public Records page where broader county records can be requested through an online form. Standard county public records copy charges are $0.15 per page for one-sided copies and $0.20 per page for two-sided copies.

    Sumter County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Sumter County are adjudicated in the Circuit Court. There is no separate family court, but the Circuit Court maintains a family law division that handles domestic relations proceedings.

    Types of Family Law Records

    Family court records in Sumter County cover proceedings involving:

    • Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
    • Child custody and parenting plans
    • Child support establishment and modification
    • Paternity actions
    • Alimony
    • Domestic violence injunctions
    • Adoption
    • Spousal support

    These records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are generally accessible to the public under the Florida Public Records Act, though portions involving minors, domestic violence victim information, or sealed proceedings may be restricted.

    Fax for family law and child support inquiries: (352) 569-6987

    Child support payments can be made online through the Clerk’s portal at PayKidz.com.

    Marriage Records

    The Sumter County Clerk of Courts issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Key details:

    • Standard marriage license fee: $86.00
    • Reduced fee with pre-marital course completion: $61.00
    • Marriage ceremony fee (performed by the Clerk): $30.00
    • Three-day waiting period applies unless the couple resides out of state or completes an approved pre-marital course
    • Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance
    • Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification

    Marriage licenses can be obtained at:

    • Bushnell Courthouse: (352) 569-6810 (Option 2)
    • North Sumter Annex: (352) 689-4625

    Divorce Records

    Divorce (dissolution of marriage) records are part of the Circuit Court’s civil case files. They can be searched online through the OCRS portal or requested from the Clerk’s office. The Sumter County Health Department Certificates page also provides access to marriage and divorce records — marriage records from June 6, 1927, to the present and divorce records for the same period are available through the Florida Department of Health.

    Birth and Death Records

    While not court records, birth and death certificates are frequently needed in family and probate proceedings. The Florida Department of Health in Sumter County issues certified copies:

    • Birth records: available from 1917 to present
    • Death records: available from 2009 to present
    • Fee: set by the Department of Health (contact for current pricing)

    Access to birth records is restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. During the restricted period, only the registrant, parents named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal guardians or representatives, and persons with a court order or demonstrated tangible interest may obtain certified copies. Valid identification and proof of relationship or legal authority are required.

    Sumter County Probate Court Records

    Probate proceedings in Sumter County are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and fall under the Circuit Court’s general civil jurisdiction. The Clerk’s Probate Division assists the public with filings and provides information about probate procedures, though staff cannot give legal advice.

    Depositing a Will

    Under Florida Statute § 732.901, the original Last Will and Testament of a deceased person must be deposited with the Clerk of the Circuit Court within 10 days of learning of the testator’s death. The depositor must provide the date of death or social security number of the testator, along with a death certificate. There is no charge to deposit a will. Upon deposit, the Clerk issues a Receipt for Deposit of Will with a file number and the court seal.

    Certified copies of a deposited will can be obtained for $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification.

    Types of Probate Proceedings

    Whether an estate requires formal probate depends on the assets the decedent owned at death. If the decedent solely owned real property, formal probate is generally required to transfer title to heirs or beneficiaries.

    For smaller estates, the Clerk’s Probate Division can assist with a Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration (also called a Small Estate Proceeding) under Florida Statute § 735.301. This simplified process is available when no real property is involved. Required documentation includes:

    • Original Last Will and Testament (if one exists)
    • Death certificate
    • Statement from the funeral home showing who paid the bill
    • Signed and notarized consents from all heirs
    • Documentation of assets (bank statements, stock certificates, insurance information)

    The filing fee for this small estate proceeding is $231.00, with a $3.00 charge for one certified copy of the Order for Payment of Funds.

    Accessing Probate Records

    Probate case records can be accessed through:

    • The OCRS portal for online searches
    • In-person visits to the Clerk’s Probate Division at the Bushnell courthouse
    • Mail requests to the Clerk’s office (P.O. Box 2587, Bushnell, FL 33513)

    Probate records are public records under the Florida Public Records Act, though records involving guardianships of minors or incapacitated persons may contain restricted information. The Sumter County government public records request portal can also be used for broader public records inquiries. For detailed questions about probate filing requirements and costs, contact the Clerk’s Probate Division through the main reception line at (352) 569-6600.