Access St. Johns County Civil Court Records

St. Johns County civil court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in St. Augustine. The 7th Judicial Circuit handles all civil filings in St. Johns County, and the clerk's office provides public access to court files both online and in person.

St. Johns County Clerk of Court

Brandon J. Patty is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for St. Johns County. His office stores all civil court records for the county. Staff process new filings, keep court documents, and provide copies to the public. The main office is at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in St. Johns County.

The St. Johns 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 St. Johns County from home.

The clerk's office is open weekdays. Walk-ins can get help with civil court record requests during normal hours at the St. Augustine location.

How to Search St. Johns County Civil Court Records

You can search St. Johns 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 system shows case type, filing date, parties, and docket entries for civil court records in St. Johns County.

To search by name, type the last name first. Add a first name to narrow your results. St. Johns County has seen rapid growth in recent years, so the number of civil filings has gone up. Using a date range can help you find the right case faster.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to St. Johns County civil court records. This statewide system connects to all 67 county clerks. You can file new civil cases through the portal any time of day. Registration is free. Filing fees still apply when you submit documents to St. Johns County.

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

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Both are available at the counter. Bring ID when you visit for civil court records in St. Johns County.

Civil Court Structure in St. Johns County

St. Johns County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties. Civil cases in St. Johns County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This takes in contract disputes, personal injury suits, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in St. Johns 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 St. Johns County and every other county in the state. The clerk's office can help you figure out which court level fits your civil case if you are not sure.

Confidential Information in St. Johns 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 redact them. There is no charge for this in St. Johns County.

To request redaction, file the "Request to Redact Confidential Number" form with the St. Johns County clerk. List the case name, case number, document title, and page where the data appears. The clerk will black it out from the public version of the file.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in St. Johns County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form alerts the clerk that a filing contains protected data so it can be kept from public view.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in St. Johns County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling a civil case without a lawyer. Self-represented litigants can find packets for common case types. The clerk's office in St. Johns 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 asks you 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 St. Johns County clerk's office. 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 St. Johns County. Training videos on the portal walk you through the process step by step.

Public Records Access in St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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. Certain items stay confidential under Section 119.0714, like social security numbers and bank account numbers. Records sealed by a court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in St. Johns County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine. 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.

Cities in St. Johns County

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

Communities in St. Johns County include St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Hastings, and Nocatee. None of these cities have separate court systems. All civil cases go through the St. Johns County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 7th Judicial Circuit with St. Johns 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.