Access Seminole County Civil Court Records

Seminole County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sanford. The 18th Judicial Circuit handles all civil filings in Seminole County, and the clerk's office provides public access to court documents both online and at the courthouse.

Seminole County Clerk of Court

Grant Maloy is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Seminole County. His office keeps all civil court records for the county. Staff process new filings, store court documents, and give out copies to the public. The main office is at 301 N Park Ave in Sanford. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Seminole County.

The Seminole 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 party name or case number to find civil court records in Seminole County.

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

How to Search Seminole County Civil Court Records

You can search Seminole 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 get results. The system shows case type, filing date, parties, and docket entries for civil court records in Seminole County.

The online search also connects to the statewide court records system run by CiviTek. This tool lets you look up civil cases across many Florida counties from one place. Search by party name or case number. Results include case status and key dates for Seminole County filings.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to Seminole 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 documents to Seminole County.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 301 N Park Ave in Sanford. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Both are available at the counter. Bring your ID when you visit for civil court records in Seminole County.

Civil Court Structure in Seminole County

Seminole County is part of the 18th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Brevard County. Civil cases in Seminole County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount at stake.

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 Seminole 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 Seminole County and every other county in the state. With nearly 470,000 people, Seminole County handles a large number of civil court cases each year.

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

Confidential Information in Seminole 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 Seminole County.

To request redaction from Seminole 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 version.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in Seminole 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 out of public view.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Seminole County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people who want to handle a civil case without a lawyer. Self-represented litigants can find form packets for common case types. The clerk's office in Seminole 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 questions and fills out court forms for you. More than 20 form sets cover small claims, landlord-tenant, and other civil case types. You can file the completed forms through the portal to the Seminole 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 Seminole County. Training videos on the portal walk through the whole process.

Public Records Access in Seminole 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 Seminole 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 Seminole County are open to the public without restriction.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 301 N Park Ave in Sanford. 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 Seminole County

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

Communities in Seminole County include Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, and Winter Springs. None of these cities have separate court systems. All civil cases go through the Seminole County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Brevard County is also in the 18th Judicial Circuit with Seminole 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.