Hamilton County Civil Court Records
Hamilton County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Jasper. The 3rd Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Hamilton County, and the public can access records through the clerk's office or online search tools.
Hamilton County Quick Facts
Hamilton County Clerk of Court
W. Greg Godwin is the Clerk of Court in Hamilton County. The office handles all civil court records for the county. Staff file new cases, keep court documents, and give out copies to the public. The office is in the Hamilton County Courthouse in Jasper. You can stop by in person or call for help with civil court records.
The Hamilton County Clerk website has contact details, office hours, and links to court record search tools. The clerk's office also processes official records like deeds, mortgages, and liens filed in Hamilton County. Jury duty and traffic matters are handled here as well.
The clerk's office is open weekdays. You can walk in during business hours to request copies of civil court records in Hamilton County.
| Clerk | W. Greg Godwin |
|---|---|
| Address | 207 NE 1st St, Room 106 Jasper, FL 32052 |
| Phone | (386) 792-1288 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | hamiltonclerk.com |
How to Search Hamilton County Civil Court Records
You can search civil court records in Hamilton County through a few different channels. The clerk's office uses the OCRS system for online access. OCRS stands for Official Court Records Search. It covers civil, criminal, and traffic cases. You can search by party name or case number to pull up records.
The Hamilton County OCRS portal is free to use. No account is required. The search results display case details, party names, filing dates, and docket entries for civil court records in Hamilton County.
Results from OCRS show the case type, filing date, and all parties listed on the civil case in Hamilton County.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another option. This statewide system links to all 67 county clerks in Florida. You can register for free, search existing cases, or file new civil documents. The portal is available around the clock.
For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 207 NE 1st St, Room 106 in Jasper. The staff can look up civil cases and make copies for you. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Bring your ID. The clerk's office is there to help you find civil court records in Hamilton County.
Civil Court Structure in Hamilton County
Hamilton County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. This circuit also includes Columbia, Dixie, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. Civil cases in Hamilton County go to one of two court levels based on how much money is at issue.
Circuit Court takes civil cases where claims are above $30,000. Contract disputes, personal injury suits, and real property actions all go to Circuit Court. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases are handled there as well in Hamilton County. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 are part of County Court. Eviction cases also go to County Court in Hamilton County.
The Florida court locations page lists the courthouse address for Hamilton County and every other county. If you need help figuring out which court level is right for your civil case, call the clerk's office in Jasper.
Confidential Information in Hamilton County Civil Court Records
Certain details in civil court records must stay private under Florida law. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers cannot appear in public court files. If you spot these in a document, you can ask the clerk to remove them. There is no fee for redaction in Hamilton County.
To request redaction, file the proper form with the clerk's office. Include the case name, case number, document title, and page number where the private info appears. The clerk will take it out of the public version. Parties and lawyers who file civil court papers in Hamilton County must also use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420.
Sealed records are off limits to the public. A judge has to order a file sealed. Adoption records and some other case types are also kept private by state law in Hamilton County. The clerk's office can tell you if a certain file is available for public viewing.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Hamilton County
People who want to handle a civil case without a lawyer can use free tools from the Florida Courts. The state website has forms and instructions for small claims, evictions, name changes, and other common civil matters. The clerk's office in Hamilton County cannot give legal advice, but staff will point you to the right forms.
DIY Florida is a free online tool built into the E-Filing Portal. It guides you through questions about your case and creates the court forms you need. You can file the completed forms through the portal to the Hamilton County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply when you submit civil documents this way.
Legal aid groups serving north Florida may help people in Hamilton County who cannot afford a lawyer. The Three Rivers Legal Services office covers this area. Call the clerk's office or the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service to find low-cost legal help for your civil court matter.
Public Records Access in Hamilton County
Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes all state, county, and municipal records open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Hamilton County. You do not need to be a party to the case. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file, and the clerk must respond in a reasonable time.
Some records are exempt. Social security numbers and bank account numbers must stay private under Section 119.0714. Court files sealed by a judge are also off limits. But most civil court records in Hamilton County are fully open to the public.
For in-person access, go to the courthouse at 207 NE 1st St in Jasper. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies are more. The Find a Clerk directory has contact info for all 67 county clerks, including Hamilton County.
Cities in Hamilton County
Hamilton County has a few small communities. All civil court cases for these places go through the Hamilton County Clerk of Court in Jasper. Jasper is the county seat and the main place for filing and looking up civil court records.
Other communities in Hamilton County include White Springs, Jennings, and Lee. None of these have separate court systems. Every civil court filing in Hamilton County goes through the clerk's office in Jasper.
Nearby Counties
These counties are also in the 3rd Judicial Circuit with Hamilton County. If you need to check which county handles your civil case, look at the address where the dispute took place. You must file in the correct county for jurisdiction.