Search Tallahassee Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Tallahassee are kept by the Leon County Clerk of Court. You can search these records online or visit the clerk's office at the downtown courthouse.

Leon County Clerk of Court

Tallahassee does not run its own civil court. All civil court records in Tallahassee go through the Leon County Clerk of Court. The clerk is Gwen Marshall Knight. Her office manages all civil case filings, court documents, and official records for Leon County. Tallahassee is the county seat and the only major city in the county, so nearly all civil cases in the clerk's system come from Tallahassee.

The Leon County Clerk website has tools for looking up court cases online. The site covers civil, criminal, traffic, and other case types. Tallahassee is also the state capital, which means the clerk's office often handles civil cases that involve state agencies and officials along with regular disputes between residents and businesses.

The Tallahassee city government website also provides general information and links for residents looking for civil court records.

The clerk's office sits in the downtown courthouse. It is open on weekdays.

How to Search Tallahassee Civil Court Records

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

The OCRS portal through Civitek Florida also gives access to Leon County official records. You can search for recorded documents like liens, judgments, and deeds. These records often tie to Tallahassee civil court cases. The tool is free and open to anyone.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another option for Tallahassee civil court records. This statewide system connects to all 67 county clerks. You can search for cases and file new ones through the portal. It is free to create an account. The DIY Florida tool in the portal fills out court forms for you based on your answers.

For in-person searches, go to the Leon County Courthouse at 301 S Monroe St in downtown Tallahassee. The clerk's office is on the first floor. Bring your ID. Staff can help you find civil court records and make copies. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more.

Being the state capital, Tallahassee also has the Florida Supreme Court. But that court does not handle regular civil cases. Local civil disputes in Tallahassee go through the Leon County court system. The Supreme Court deals with appeals and constitutional matters.

Civil Court Structure for Tallahassee

Tallahassee is part of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. Civil cases from Tallahassee go to one of two court levels based on the amount in dispute.

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

If you live in Tallahassee and need to file a civil case, you file it with the Leon County Clerk. The clerk can help you figure out which court level is right. Filing fees depend on the type and value of your claim. All Tallahassee civil court filings go through this one office.

Leon County Civil Court Records

All civil court records in Tallahassee are handled at the county level. Visit our Leon County civil court records page for full details on the clerk's office, court procedures, fee schedules, and all available search tools.

Tallahassee makes up the vast majority of Leon County's population. The courthouse at 301 S Monroe St is the single location for all civil court business in the county. It serves everyone from Tallahassee and the surrounding areas of Leon County.

Public Records and Tallahassee Civil Court Records

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

Tallahassee is the home of the Florida Legislature, which wrote these public records laws. The law applies equally to the Leon County Clerk as it does to every other clerk in the state. Most civil court records in Tallahassee are open to anyone who asks.

Some records are exempt. Social security numbers and bank account numbers must stay out of public files. Sealed records are off limits. If you find private data in a Tallahassee civil court record, ask the clerk to redact it. There is no charge for the redaction.

Confidential Data in Tallahassee Civil Court Records

Parties who file civil court papers in Tallahassee must follow rules about private data. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 requires filers to use the Notice of Confidential Information form. This flags social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other protected data. The clerk then keeps this information out of the public version of the file.

If confidential information ends up in a public civil court record, anyone can request redaction. Fill out the form from the clerk's office. List the case name, number, document heading, and the page where the data appears. The clerk removes it from public view in the Tallahassee civil court record.

Self-Help Resources for Tallahassee Civil Cases

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people who want to handle civil matters without a lawyer. Packets for small claims, evictions, and other common types are available. The forms work for Tallahassee civil court cases filed through the Leon County Clerk.

DIY Florida is free and built into the E-Filing Portal. It asks you questions and fills out forms based on your answers. More than 20 form types are available. You can file the completed forms to the Leon County clerk's office through the portal. Standard fees still apply for Tallahassee 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. Since Tallahassee is in the Eastern time zone, the support desk keeps the same hours as the local courthouse.

Nearby Cities

Tallahassee is in the Florida panhandle. The nearest qualifying cities are a good distance away. Each uses its own county clerk for civil court records.