Search Suwannee County Civil Court Records

Suwannee County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Live Oak. The 3rd Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Suwannee County, and the clerk's office gives public access to court files online and in person.

Suwannee County Clerk of Court

Barry Baker serves as Clerk of Court for Suwannee 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 office is at 200 S Ohio Ave in Live Oak. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Suwannee County.

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

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

How to Search Suwannee County Civil Court Records

You can search Suwannee County civil court records online for free. The clerk's website links to the case search tools that cover civil case types. Enter a party name or case number to pull up results. The system shows case type, filing date, and docket entries for civil court records in Suwannee County.

To search by name, type the last name first. Add a first name to narrow the results. Suwannee County is a smaller county with about 44,000 people, so searches tend to turn up fewer results than in bigger counties. That makes it easier to find the case you need.

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

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

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 200 S Ohio Ave in Live Oak. 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 Suwannee County.

Civil Court Structure in Suwannee County

Suwannee County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, and Taylor counties. Civil cases in Suwannee 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 Suwannee 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 Suwannee County and every other county in the state. If you are not sure which court level handles your civil case in Suwannee County, the clerk's office can help you figure that out.

Confidential Information in Suwannee 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 Suwannee County.

To get private numbers taken out of Suwannee 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 shows. The clerk will take it out of the public version.

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

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Suwannee 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 packets for common case types. The clerk's office in Suwannee 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 for you. More than 20 form sets cover small claims, landlord-tenant, and other civil case types. You can file the forms to the Suwannee County clerk through the portal. 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 Suwannee County.

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

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 200 S Ohio Ave in Live Oak. 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 Suwannee County

Suwannee County has a few small cities and towns. All civil court cases for these places go through the Suwannee County Clerk of Court. Live Oak is the county seat and the main spot for filing and looking up civil court records in Suwannee County.

Communities in Suwannee County include Live Oak, Branford, and Wellborn. None of these cities have separate court systems. All civil cases go through the Suwannee County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 3rd Judicial Circuit with Suwannee 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.