Union County Civil Court Records

Union County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Lake Butler. The 8th Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Union County, and the clerk's office provides public access to court files online and at the courthouse.

Union County Clerk of Court

Kellie Hendricks Rhoades is the Clerk of Court for Union County. Her office stores all civil court records in the county. Staff handle new filings, keep court documents, and give out copies to the public. The office is at 55 W Main St, Room 103, in Lake Butler. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Union County.

The Union County Clerk website has links to tools for looking up court cases 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 Union County.

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

How to Search Union County Civil Court Records

You can search Union County civil court records online for free. The clerk's website links to case search tools that cover all 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 Union County.

Union County is one of the smallest counties in Florida with about 16,000 people. That means the number of civil cases filed here is much lower than in bigger counties. Searches are fast and results are easy to sort through. If you know a name or case number, finding the right civil court record in Union County should take just a few minutes.

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

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

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 55 W Main St in Lake Butler. 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 Union County.

Civil Court Structure in Union County

Union County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, and Levy counties. Civil cases in Union 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 Union 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 Union 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 Union County can point you the right way.

Confidential Information in Union 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 take them out. There is no charge for this in Union County.

To request redaction from Union 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.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in Union 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 Union 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 Union 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 Union 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 filing civil court papers in Union County.

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

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 55 W Main St in Lake Butler. 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 Union County

Union County has a few small communities. All civil court cases for these places go through the Union County Clerk of Court. Lake Butler is the county seat and the only real city in the county for filing and looking up civil court records in Union County.

Communities in Union County include Lake Butler, Raiford, and Worthington Springs. None of these have separate court systems. All civil cases go through the Union County clerk's office in Lake Butler.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 8th Judicial Circuit with Union 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.