Santa Rosa County Civil Court Records

Santa Rosa County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Milton. The 1st Judicial Circuit handles all civil filings in Santa Rosa County, and the clerk's office provides public access to court files both online and in person.

Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court

Jason D. English is the Clerk of Court for Santa Rosa County. His office keeps all civil court records in the county. Staff handle new filings, store court documents, and give out copies to the public. The main office is at 6865 Caroline St in Milton. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Santa Rosa County.

The Santa Rosa County Clerk website has tools for looking up court cases and official records online. The site covers civil, family, probate, and other case types. You can search by name or case number to find civil court records in Santa Rosa County from home.

The clerk's office is open weekdays. Walk-in requests for civil court records are handled at the front counter in Milton.

How to Search Santa Rosa County Civil Court Records

You can search Santa Rosa County civil court records online for free. The clerk's website has links to the case search tool that covers all civil case types. Enter a name or case number to pull up results. The system shows case type, filing date, parties, and docket entries for civil court records in Santa Rosa County.

To search by name, enter the last name first. Add a first name to narrow results. Santa Rosa County has been growing fast, so you may get more results than you expect for common names. A date range can help if you know when the case was filed.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to Santa Rosa 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. Registration is free. Filing fees still apply when you submit papers to Santa Rosa County.

All attorneys must use the e-filing portal. Self-represented parties can use it too. The portal runs around the clock for civil court filings in Santa Rosa County.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 6865 Caroline St in Milton. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Bring your ID when you visit for civil court records in Santa Rosa County.

Civil Court Structure in Santa Rosa County

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

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

The Florida court locations page shows courthouse addresses for Santa Rosa County and every other county in the state. If you are not sure which court level handles your civil case, the clerk's office in Santa Rosa County can help point you in the right direction.

Confidential Information in Santa Rosa County Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records must stay private. Under Florida law, 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 redact them. There is no fee for this in Santa Rosa County.

To request redaction of confidential data from Santa Rosa County civil court records, file the "Request to Redact Confidential Number" form. List the case name, case number, document title, and page where the data appears. The clerk will remove it from the public version.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in Santa Rosa County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form flags protected data so the clerk can keep it from public view.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Santa Rosa County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling a civil case without a lawyer. The clerk's office in Santa Rosa 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 walks you through questions and fills out court forms for you. 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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa County. Training videos on the portal walk through the whole process.

Public Records Access in Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa County. You do not need to be a party in a case. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file.

Some limits exist. Section 119.0714 lists items that stay confidential, such as social security numbers and bank account numbers. Records sealed by court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in Santa Rosa County are open to the public without restriction.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 6865 Caroline St in Milton. 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 another office for civil court records.

Cities in Santa Rosa County

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

Communities in Santa Rosa County include Milton, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Navarre, and Pace. None of these cities have separate court systems. All civil cases go through the Santa Rosa County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 1st Judicial Circuit with Santa Rosa 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.