Polk County Civil Court Records

Polk County civil court records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bartow. The 10th Judicial Circuit handles all civil filings in Polk County, and the clerk's office provides public access to court files both online and in person.

Polk County Clerk of Court

Stacy M. Butterfield is the Clerk and Comptroller for Polk County. Her office keeps all civil court records for the county. Staff process new filings, store court documents, and provide copies to the public. The main office is at the courthouse in Bartow. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Polk County.

The Polk County Clerk website has tools for searching court cases and official records online. The site covers civil, family, probate, and other case types. You can look up filings by name or case number for civil court records in Polk County.

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

How to Search Polk County Civil Court Records

You can search Polk County civil court records online at no cost. The clerk's website has a case search tool that covers all civil case types. Enter a name or case number to pull up results. The tool shows case type, filing date, parties, and docket entries for civil court records in Polk County.

The online case records search at Polk County also connects to the statewide system run by CiviTek. This portal lets you look up civil cases across many Florida counties. Search by party name or case number. Results include case status and key dates.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to Polk 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 of day. Registration is free. Filing fees still apply when you submit documents to Polk County.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 255 N Broadway Ave in Bartow. Staff can look up cases and make copies for you. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Both types are on hand at the counter. Bring your ID when you visit. The staff can help you find the right civil court records in Polk County.

Civil Court Structure in Polk County

Polk County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Hardee and Highlands counties. Civil cases in Polk County 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 claims, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in Polk County. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court as well. Eviction cases are heard in County Court too.

The Florida court locations page shows courthouse addresses for Polk County and every other county in the state. Polk County has more than 725,000 residents, making it one of the busiest courts in central Florida. The clerk's office handles a large volume of civil court filings each year.

Not sure which court level fits your case? The clerk's office in Polk County can point you in the right direction. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you where to file.

Confidential Information in Polk County Civil Court Records

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

To request removal of private numbers from Polk County civil court records, file the "Request to Redact Confidential Number" form. List the case name, case number, document heading, and page where the data appears. The clerk will black it out from the public copy of the file.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in Polk County 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 data, and certain other personal details in civil court records.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Polk County

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

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

The E-Filing Portal support line is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time at (850) 577-4609. Call if you need help filing civil court papers in Polk County. The portal also has training videos that walk you through setting up an account and submitting documents.

Public Records Access in Polk 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 Polk County. You do not need to be a party in a case to see the file. Anyone can ask to view a public civil court record.

Some limits apply. Section 119.0714 lists items that stay confidential, like social security numbers and bank account numbers. Records sealed by court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in Polk County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 255 N Broadway Ave in Bartow. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The Find a Clerk directory lists contact info for all 67 county clerks if you need to reach a different office for civil court records.

Cities in Polk County

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

Other communities in Polk County include Auburndale, Haines City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, and Davenport. All of them use the Polk County clerk's office for civil court records.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 10th Judicial Circuit with Polk 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.