Escambia County Civil Court Records Search

Escambia County civil court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Pensacola. The 1st Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Escambia County, and the clerk's office provides public access to court files online and at the courthouse.

Escambia County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Escambia County is Pam Childers. This office keeps all civil court records for the county. Escambia County is the westernmost county in Florida, sitting on the Alabama border. The main courthouse is on Government Street in downtown Pensacola. Staff file new cases, store court documents, and provide copies of civil filings.

The Escambia County Clerk website has tools for court case search, official records search, and e-filing access. The clerk handles circuit civil, county civil, family law, probate, criminal, and traffic cases. You can also get information about marriage licenses and traffic citations on the site.

The clerk's office is open weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours for civil court record requests.

How to Search Escambia County Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records in Escambia County online or in person. The clerk's website provides a court case search tool that covers circuit civil, county civil, family law, probate, criminal, and traffic cases. You can look up cases by name or case number. The online search is free and open to anyone.

For official records like deeds, mortgages, and liens, the clerk offers a separate official records search. This is useful for finding civil judgments recorded against property in Escambia County. Online records are for informational purposes only. They are not official legal documents.

You can also visit the courthouse at 190 W Government St in Pensacola. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are valid for court use. Plain copies cost less. Bring your ID when you visit.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also provides access to Escambia County civil court records. This statewide tool connects to all 67 county clerks. You can file new civil cases through the portal any time. It is free to register. The portal has more than 770,000 users and handles over 30 million documents each year.

Civil Court Structure in Escambia County

Escambia County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. Civil cases in Escambia County go to one of two court levels based on the amount in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims above $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. Evictions and landlord-tenant cases go to County Court as well.

The Florida court locations page shows all courthouse addresses. If you need help figuring out which court handles your case, call (850) 595-4310.

Confidential Information in Escambia County Civil Court Records

Some details in civil court records are kept private. Under Florida law, social security numbers and bank account or credit card numbers must not appear in public court files. If these numbers show up in a document, anyone can ask the clerk to redact them. There is no fee for this in Escambia County.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form flags any confidential data so the clerk can keep it out of public view. The rule covers social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other personal details.

Self-Help Resources in Escambia County

DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through interview questions and fills out court forms for you. More than 20 forms are available for small claims, landlord-tenant, and other civil case types. You can file completed forms to the Escambia County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.

The E-Filing Portal support desk is available weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time at (850) 577-4609. Training videos show how to set up an account and submit documents. The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice but can point you to the right forms.

Public Records Access in Escambia County

Florida has broad 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 Escambia County. You do not need to be a party in a case. You can ask to see any public civil court file. The clerk must respond within a reasonable time.

Some limits exist. Records sealed by court order are off limits. Social security numbers and bank account numbers stay confidential. But most civil court files in Escambia County are open to the public. The Find a Clerk directory lists all 67 county clerks if you need to reach another county.

Cities in Escambia County

Escambia County includes Pensacola, Perdido Key, Cantonment, and other communities. All civil court cases go through the Escambia County Clerk of Court. Pensacola is the county seat and the main location for filing and looking up civil court records.

None of the cities in Escambia County currently meet the population threshold for a separate city page on this site. All residents use the Escambia County clerk's office in Pensacola for civil court matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 1st Judicial Circuit with Escambia County. If you are not sure which county handles your civil case, check the address where the dispute took place.