Duval County Court Records

Court records in Duval County are generated and maintained during proceedings in the County and Circuit Courts in Duval County, Florida. These records include pleadings, judgments, dockets, and related filings.

The highest court in Duval is the Circuit Court, which addresses major civil and criminal cases in the region. The County Court, the only other local court, is responsible for misdemeanor and minor civil cases.

State law stipulates that Duval County court records are public property and the local clerk of court must handle them according to retention, access, and confidentiality standards set out in the Florida Public Records Act and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration (Rule 2.420). The general public may view all case files unless they are unavailable by law or court order.

Custodians of court records in Duval County also maintain vital records and certain arrest records. Meanwhile, federal courts handle federal case documents, and the local police department oversees arrest records for cases that do not go to court.

Are Duval County Court Records Public?

Yes. According to the Rules of Judicial Administration, most case records are public unless made confidential by law or court order. Florida Statute Chapter 119 also reinforces the court rule and makes all public records available for inspection and copying upon request.

Any interested party can therefore request at the Clerk of the Circuit Court office to inspect or obtain a copy of any unsealed court record. Most civil lawsuits (including contract claims, real estate disputes, and probate matters) and criminal trial proceedings are open to the public.

However, records involving juveniles, adoption, mental health, and criminal cases of a sensitive nature are inaccessible pursuant to state laws, such as sections 39.0132(3)-(4) and 63.162(2) of the Florida Statutes. Even within open records, certain information, such as social security numbers, must be redacted before disclosure to the general public.

What Information is Available in Duval County Court Records?

Chapter 28 of Title V, Florida Statutes, mandates clerks of the circuit courts to maintain the records of every civil and criminal case. Hence, Duval County court records feature a variety of documents generated at every stage of a case, including filings, motions, orders, judgments, decrees, dockets, complaints, answers, summonses, evidence documents, hearing and trial transcripts, and verdicts.

Specifically, civil case files may feature contracts, deeds, probate inventories, financial statements, and settlement agreements. Meanwhile, criminal case files may include expert reports, indictments, witness lists, sentencing orders, probation terms, and restitution directives.

The documents in a court case file also vary based on the specific case type. For example, civil probate and family law files may contain wills, guardianship filings, certificates (marriage, divorce, or annulment), and custody orders.

Duval County Court Records Search

The Duval County Clerk of Circuit Court offers the following methods for case records inquiries:

Online Access

The clerk's online case search portal (CORE) is the primary way to access basic circuit and county court case information. Through it, users gain access to civil and criminal case information for free.

People using the "public access" option can see publicly available cases, but they cannot request documents that have not been reviewed and uploaded to the platform, nor view family and probate cases.

Individuals who want enhanced access can create an account with the clerk's office for free. They can then request documents that have not been uploaded to the case portal. The registration process involves filling out an agreement form and submitting it to the clerk's office.

Site users can look for cases by entering case numbers or other case criteria, such as filing year or party name. Documents that have been reviewed are accessible to every user. However, unreviewed documents are marked "View on Request".

The public can also visit the Official Records portal to find relevant case details and documents. This portal only allows searches by case number, with applicable filters like date range and document type.

In-Person Access

During business hours, individuals may visit the Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court office to view case information or request certified copies of public court documents. One can also call the office at (904) 255-1828 to make inquiries or mail record request orders to

Fees for Court Records in Duval County

Individuals are required by Florida Law to pay for certain services offered by the Office of the Duval County Clerk. The fees include

• Searching of records: $2 per year
• Copies of public records (14 inches by 8.5 inches or less): $1 per page
• Copies of public records (more than 14 inches by 8.5 inches): $5 per page
• Certified copies: $2 per document

Online searches through the Clerk Online Resource ePortal (CORE) and the official records search system are free for registered and public users.

Duval County Courthouse Locations

The following are the physical locations and contact information for courthouses in Duval:

Criminal Records Access in Duval County

The clerk's Criminal Services Department keeps records of felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, traffic, and criminal appeal cases. Individuals can review these records online, in person, or by mail using the channels highlighted earlier. Criminal cases heard in the circuit and county courts are available through the Office of the Duval County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

However, anyone who wishes to obtain criminal information at the state level can contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This agency is responsible for processing and disseminating comprehensive criminal history records for background screening purposes. One can also contact local law enforcement agencies, such as the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, for local arrest records.

Duval County Probate Records

Probate records in Duval County document cases related to the administration of estates, will disputes, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. The Circuit Court's probate division handles these matters.

Florida law generally prohibits online access to records of trusts, guardianships, and other proceedings involving minors or incapacitated adults. However, case summaries for other case types, especially recent ones, may be accessible via the CORE platform to eligible parties.

Eligible parties may request copies of wills and other probate documents in person upon paying the required fees. Parties can use the following information for inquiries and requests:

Duval County Family Court Records

Family cases encompass dissolution of marriage, child support, adoption, custody, name change, paternity, emergency pick-up cases, and other family law matters. In Duval County, the Circuit Court presides over these matters.

Unlike other records, most family court records, including adoption files, are confidential. For open records, details such as addresses of protected victims and professionals, social security numbers, and bank accounts are redacted before disclosure.

Individuals looking to access Duval County family court records can contact the family law department of the Duval County Clerk of Courts. One can view basic family law case details online using the Clerk's CORE system, which displays case party information and docket entries. Users can also access documents that have been reviewed and uploaded to the CORE platform. However, registered users can request to view family law files that are pending review.

Federal Court Records in Duval County

The U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, is in charge of federal court records emanating from federal cases in Duval County. The court deliberates on federal civil and criminal matters and maintains various documents related to these proceedings, including complaints, motions, judgments, orders, and indictments.

Interested members of the public can access federal court records online via the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) portal. Walk-in requests can be made at the following address, which is the closest federal courthouse serving Duval County: