Access Lafayette County Civil Court Records

Lafayette County civil court records are held by the Clerk of Court in Mayo. The 3rd Judicial Circuit handles all civil case filings in Lafayette County, and the public can access records through the clerk's office or online.

Lafayette County Clerk of Court

Steve Land is the Clerk of Court in Lafayette County. This office manages all civil court records for the county. Staff process new filings, store court documents, and give out copies to the public. The office is at the Lafayette County Courthouse on Main Street in Mayo. You can stop by in person or call for help with civil court records.

The Lafayette County Clerk website has contact info, office hours, and links to online record search tools. Lafayette County is one of the smallest counties in Florida by population, but the clerk's office still handles a full range of civil court business. The clerk also records deeds, mortgages, and liens filed in the county.

The office is open weekdays. Walk-ins can request copies of civil court records at the counter in Lafayette County.

How to Search Lafayette County Civil Court Records

There are a few ways to search civil court records in Lafayette County. The clerk uses the OCRS system for online public access. OCRS stands for Official Court Records Search. You can look up civil, criminal, and traffic cases. Search by party name or case number to find records.

The Lafayette County OCRS portal is free and open to anyone. No account is required. Results show case details, party names, filing dates, and docket entries for civil court records in Lafayette County.

OCRS results include case type, filing date, and the names of all parties. This makes it simple to find the civil court records you need in Lafayette County.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also provides access. This statewide system links to all 67 county clerks. Register for free to search existing cases or file new civil documents. The portal is available around the clock.

For in-person searches, visit the courthouse at 120 W Main St in Mayo. Staff can look up civil cases and make copies for you. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Bring your ID. The clerk's office can help you locate the right civil court records in Lafayette County.

Civil Court Structure in Lafayette County

Lafayette County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. Civil cases in Lafayette County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases where claims top $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury suits, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in Lafayette County. County Court takes civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court. Eviction cases go to County Court as well.

The Florida court locations page lists the courthouse address for Lafayette County and all other counties. If you need help figuring out which court handles your civil case, call the clerk's office in Mayo.

Confidential Information in Lafayette County Civil Court Records

Certain details in civil court records must stay private. Florida law says social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers cannot appear in public court files. If you find these in a document, you can ask the clerk to redact them. There is no fee for this in Lafayette County.

Submit a redaction request form to the clerk. Include the case name, case number, document title, and page where the info appears. The clerk will remove it from the public version. Parties and attorneys filing civil court papers in Lafayette County must also use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 to flag sensitive data.

Sealed records are not available to the public. A judge must issue an order to seal a file. Adoption records and some other case types are also confidential by state law in Lafayette County.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Lafayette County

People who want to handle a civil case on their own 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 Lafayette County cannot provide legal advice but can direct you to the right forms.

DIY Florida is a free tool in the E-Filing Portal. It guides you through questions and creates the court forms you need. File the finished forms through the portal to the Lafayette County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply. The portal support desk can help with tech questions on weekdays.

Legal aid groups serving north Florida may help people in Lafayette County who cannot afford a lawyer. Three Rivers Legal Services covers this area. Call the clerk's office or the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service for leads on low-cost legal help for civil court matters.

Public Records Access in Lafayette County

Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes all state, county, and city records open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Lafayette County. You do not need to be a party in 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 listed under Section 119.0714 must stay private. Files sealed by a judge are off limits too. But the great majority of civil court records in Lafayette County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 120 W Main St in Mayo. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies are more. The Find a Clerk directory lists contact details for all 67 county clerks, including Lafayette County.

Cities in Lafayette County

Lafayette County is one of the least populated counties in Florida. All civil court cases go through the Lafayette County Clerk of Court in Mayo. Mayo is the county seat and the only incorporated town in the county.

Other communities include Day and Cooks Hammock. None have separate court systems. All civil court filings go through the clerk's office in Mayo.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 3rd Judicial Circuit with Lafayette County. If you are not sure which county handles your civil case, check the address where the dispute took place. You must file in the correct county for jurisdiction.