Search Pinellas County Civil Court Records

Pinellas County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Clearwater. The 6th Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Pinellas County, and the public can access court files online or at the courthouse.

Pinellas County Clerk of Court

Ken Burke serves as the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Pinellas County. His office stores all civil court records for the county. Staff handle new filings, keep court documents safe, and give out copies to the public. The main office is at the courthouse in downtown Clearwater. You can walk in or call for help with civil court records in Pinellas County.

The Pinellas County Clerk website lets you search court cases and official records from home. The site has tools for looking up civil filings by name or case number. You can also check case status and view docket entries for civil court records in Pinellas County.

The clerk's office is open on weekdays. Walk-ins can get help with civil court record requests during business hours at the Clearwater courthouse.

How to Search Pinellas County Civil Court Records

You can search Pinellas County civil court records online for free. The clerk's website has a case search tool that covers civil, family, and probate cases. Search by party name or case number. Results show case type, filing date, judge, and docket entries. This tool works for anyone who wants to look up civil court records in Pinellas County.

To search by name, type the last name first. Add a first name to narrow results. Pinellas County is a large county, so common names can pull up many results. Use a date range if you know when the case was filed. Case numbers in Pinellas County follow a standard format with a year prefix and case type code.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to Pinellas County civil court records. This statewide system connects to all 67 county clerks. You can file new civil cases through the portal at any time. It is free to set up an account. Filing fees still apply when you submit documents to Pinellas County.

The e-filing portal is the main way to submit civil court papers in Pinellas County. All attorneys must use it. Self-represented parties can also file through the portal. It works around the clock, so you can submit civil court filings to Pinellas County at any hour.

For in-person help, go to the clerk's office at 315 Court St in Clearwater. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Bring your ID. Certified copies cost more than plain ones, but both are on hand at the counter in Pinellas County.

Civil Court Structure in Pinellas County

Pinellas County sits in the 6th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Pasco County. Civil cases in Pinellas County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount at stake.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This takes in contract disputes, personal injury suits, and real property claims. Family law cases, probate matters, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in Pinellas County. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court too. Eviction cases land in County Court as well.

The Florida court locations page shows courthouse addresses for Pinellas County and the rest of the state. With nearly a million people, Pinellas County has a high volume of civil court cases each year. The clerk's office processes thousands of new civil filings on a regular basis.

If you are not sure which court level fits your civil case in Pinellas County, the clerk's staff can point you to the right filing window. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you where to go.

Confidential Information in Pinellas County Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records must stay private. Florida law says social security numbers and bank account or credit card numbers cannot appear in public court files. If these show up in a document, anyone can ask the clerk to remove them. There is no charge for this in Pinellas County.

To get private numbers taken out of civil court records in Pinellas County, file the "Request to Redact Confidential Number" form. You must list the case name, case number, document title, and page where the information appears. The clerk will black it out from the public version.

Attorneys and parties who file civil court papers in Pinellas County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form tells the clerk that a filing has confidential data so it can be kept from public view. The rule covers social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other protected details in civil court records.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Pinellas County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people who want to handle a civil case on their own. Self-represented litigants can find packets for common case types. The clerk's office in Pinellas County cannot give legal advice, but staff can point you to the right forms.

DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through a set of questions and fills out court forms for you. More than 20 form sets are available for small claims, landlord-tenant issues, and other civil case types. You can file the finished forms through the portal to the Pinellas County clerk's office. Standard filing fees still apply when you submit civil court documents.

The E-Filing Portal help desk is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time at (850) 577-4609. Call if you need help with electronic filing of civil court cases in Pinellas County. Training videos on the portal show how to set up an account, submit documents, and pay fees.

Public Records Access in Pinellas County

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 Pinellas County. You do not need to be a party in a case to look at the file. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court record.

There are some limits. Certain items stay confidential under Section 119.0714, such as social security numbers and bank account numbers. Records sealed by a court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in Pinellas County are open to the public without restriction.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 315 Court St in Clearwater. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The Find a Clerk directory on the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site lists contact info for all 67 county clerks if you need to reach another office for civil court records.

Cities in Pinellas County

Pinellas County has many cities and towns. All civil court cases for these places go through the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. Clearwater is the county seat and the main spot for filing and looking up civil court records in Pinellas County.

Other communities in Pinellas County include Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Seminole, and Tarpon Springs. All of them use the Pinellas County clerk's office for civil court records.

Nearby Counties

Pasco County is also in the 6th Judicial Circuit with Pinellas 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 right county for the court to have jurisdiction.