Access St. Petersburg Civil Court Records

Civil court records for St. Petersburg are managed by the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. Search these records online or visit the clerk's office in Clearwater or St. Petersburg.

Pinellas County Clerk of Court

St. Petersburg does not run its own civil court system. All civil court records in St. Petersburg go through the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. The clerk is Ken Burke. His office handles all civil case filings, court documents, and official records for Pinellas County. St. Petersburg is the largest city in the county, so a big share of the civil cases in the clerk's system come from St. Petersburg residents and businesses.

The Pinellas County Clerk website has tools for looking up court cases and official records online. The site covers civil, family, probate, and other case types. St. Petersburg residents use this portal to search civil court records from anywhere with an internet connection.

The Pinellas County Clerk website gives online access to civil court records for St. Petersburg and the rest of the county.

The main courthouse is in Clearwater. But St. Petersburg has its own courthouse location for many civil court matters.

How to Search St. Petersburg Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records for St. Petersburg in a few ways. The Pinellas County Clerk has an online case search tool on the clerk's website. Type the name of the person or business you are looking for. The search covers all civil cases filed in the county, which includes every case from St. Petersburg.

The OCRS portal for Pinellas County also gives access to official records. This tool lets you search for recorded documents like liens, judgments, and deeds. Many of these tie to St. Petersburg civil court cases. The tool is free and open to anyone.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another way to search. This statewide tool connects to all 67 county clerks. You can search for St. Petersburg civil court records and file new cases through the portal at any time. Creating an account is free. The DIY Florida tool in the portal helps you fill out court forms step by step.

For in-person access, you have two options in Pinellas County. The St. Petersburg courthouse at 545 1st Ave N handles many civil matters. The main courthouse in Clearwater at 315 Court Street is the other option. Both locations let you search civil court records and get copies. Bring your ID. Copy fees are charged per page.

Civil Court Structure for St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers both Pinellas and Pasco counties. Civil cases from St. Petersburg go to one of two court levels based on the amount in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This covers contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in St. Petersburg. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court. Eviction cases from St. Petersburg are filed in County Court as well.

If you need to file a civil case in St. Petersburg, you file it with the Pinellas County Clerk. The clerk's office can point you to the right court level. Filing fees depend on the type and value of the claim. The fees are set by the state, so they are the same at both the Clearwater and St. Petersburg courthouses.

Pinellas County Civil Court Records

All civil court records in St. Petersburg are handled at the county level. Visit our Pinellas County civil court records page for full details on the clerk's office, court procedures, fees, and all available search tools.

Pinellas County is one of the most densely populated counties in Florida. St. Petersburg is its largest city. The county has two main courthouse locations, one in Clearwater and one in St. Petersburg. This split makes it easier for residents on both sides of the county to access civil court records in person.

Public Records Law and St. Petersburg Civil Court Records

Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in St. Petersburg. Anyone can ask to see a public court file. You do not need to be a party in the case.

Some records are exempt. Social security numbers and bank account numbers must be kept out of public view. Sealed records are also off limits. But most civil court files in St. Petersburg are open to the public.

Parties who file papers must use the Notice of Confidential Information form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This flags any sensitive data so the clerk can keep it out of the public version of St. Petersburg civil court records. If private data gets through, anyone can ask for redaction at no cost.

Self-Help Resources for St. Petersburg Civil Cases

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling civil court matters without a lawyer. You can find packets for small claims, evictions, and other common case types. These forms work for St. Petersburg civil cases filed through the Pinellas County Clerk.

DIY Florida is a free tool built into the E-Filing Portal. It asks you questions and fills out the right court forms. More than 20 form types are available for civil cases. You can file the completed forms through the portal to the Pinellas County clerk's office. Standard filing fees still apply for St. Petersburg civil court cases.

The E-Filing Portal support desk is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Call (850) 577-4609 for help with electronic filing of civil court cases in St. Petersburg. Training videos on the portal walk you through the process from start to finish.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near St. Petersburg. Clearwater and Largo are in the same county and use the same clerk. Cities in other counties use a different clerk for civil court records.