Search Sarasota County Civil Court Records

Sarasota County civil court records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sarasota. The 12th Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Sarasota County, and the clerk's office gives public access to court files online and at the courthouse.

Sarasota County Clerk of Court

Karen E. Rushing serves as Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller for Sarasota County. Her office stores all civil court records for the county. Staff process new filings, keep court documents safe, and provide copies to the public. The main office is at the Historic Courthouse at 2000 Main St in Sarasota. You can walk in or call for help with civil court records in Sarasota County.

The Sarasota 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 to find civil court records in Sarasota County.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website has a directory of all clerk offices across the state. You can use the Find a Clerk tool to look up the Sarasota County clerk or any other clerk in Florida for civil court records.

The clerk's office is open on weekdays during standard business hours. Walk-ins are welcome for civil court record requests at the Sarasota courthouse.

How to Search Sarasota County Civil Court Records

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

To search by name, type the last name first. Add a first name to narrow your results. Sarasota County has a large population, so common names may return many results. Use a date range if you know when the case was filed to help find the right civil court record.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to Sarasota 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 register. Filing fees still apply when you submit papers to Sarasota County.

All Florida attorneys must file through the e-filing portal. Self-represented parties can use it too. The portal works around the clock for civil court filings in Sarasota County.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 2000 Main St in Sarasota. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Both types are on hand at the counter. Bring your ID when you visit for civil court records in Sarasota County.

Civil Court Structure in Sarasota County

Sarasota County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers DeSoto and Manatee counties. Civil cases in Sarasota County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount at issue.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota County and the rest of the state. With about 450,000 residents, Sarasota County handles a high volume of civil court cases each year. The clerk's office stays busy processing new filings.

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

Confidential Information in Sarasota County Civil Court Records

Certain 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 redact them. There is no charge for this in Sarasota County.

To request redaction from Sarasota 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 remove it from the public version of the file.

Attorneys and parties who file civil court papers in Sarasota 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 protected data so it can be kept from public view.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 based on your answers. More than 20 form sets cover small claims, landlord-tenant, and other civil case types. You can file the forms through the portal to the Sarasota County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.

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 Sarasota County. Training videos on the portal show how to set up an account and submit documents.

Public Records Access in Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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. Items that stay confidential under Section 119.0714 include social security numbers and bank account numbers. Records sealed by court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in Sarasota County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 2000 Main St in Sarasota. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk responds to public records requests within a reasonable time as required by law.

Cities in Sarasota County

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

Other communities in Sarasota County include Venice, Englewood, Osprey, and Nokomis. All of them use the Sarasota County clerk's office for civil court records.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 12th Judicial Circuit with Sarasota 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.