Duval County Court Records
What Is Duval County Court Records
Court records in Duval County are official documents created and maintained by the county's judicial system during legal proceedings. These records document the activities, decisions, and filings associated with cases heard in Duval County courts. Pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes), most court records are considered public documents.
The Duval County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of these records. The Clerk's office is responsible for:
- Recording and maintaining all court documents
- Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of court records
- Providing public access to non-confidential records
- Implementing redaction procedures for sensitive information
- Certifying official copies of court documents
Court records may exist in both physical and electronic formats, with Duval County having transitioned many of its records to digital systems in recent years to improve accessibility and preservation.
Duval County Clerk of Courts
501 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-2000
Duval County Clerk's Office
Are Court Records Public In Duval County
Court records in Duval County are generally public pursuant to Florida's Constitution (Article I, § 24) and the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). The presumption of openness applies to most court records, allowing members of the public to access and inspect these documents.
However, certain exceptions and limitations exist:
- Records sealed by court order
- Records deemed confidential by Florida Statutes
- Cases involving juveniles (except in specific circumstances)
- Records containing sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers
- Adoption proceedings
- Baker Act and Marchman Act proceedings
- Certain domestic violence cases
The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration (Rule 2.420) establish procedures for determining confidentiality and for requesting that records be made confidential. When records contain both public and confidential information, the Clerk's office must redact the confidential portions before providing public access.
Individuals seeking access to court records must comply with established procedures and may be required to submit identification when requesting certain types of records. The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court provides guidance on accessing public records while maintaining necessary confidentiality protections.
How To Find Court Records in Duval County in 2025
Members of the public may access Duval County court records through multiple channels established by the Clerk's office. As of 2025, the following methods are available for locating and retrieving court records:
In-person requests can be submitted at:
Duval County Courthouse
501 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Phone: (904) 255-2000
The process for obtaining records in person typically involves:
- Completing a records request form
- Providing case information (names, case numbers, dates)
- Presenting valid photo identification
- Paying applicable fees for copies ($1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.15 per page for standard copies)
For electronic access, the Duval County Clerk of Courts maintains a comprehensive online records search portal that allows users to search by:
- Party name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date range
- Case type
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Department at the courthouse address. Requests should include specific case information, contact details, and payment for any applicable fees.
For assistance with locating records, the Records Department can be contacted directly at (904) 255-2070. Staff members are available to guide requestors through the process of identifying and obtaining the appropriate records.
How To Look Up Court Records in Duval County Online?
The Duval County Clerk of Courts provides comprehensive online access to court records through its electronic portal. This system, implemented pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC16-14, allows for remote access to non-confidential court documents.
To access records online, users should:
- Visit the Duval County Public Records Search portal
- Create a user account (for advanced features) or proceed as a guest
- Select the appropriate search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Apply any relevant filters (date range, case type)
- Review the search results
- View or download available documents
The online system provides access to:
- Civil court records
- Criminal court records
- Traffic citations
- Probate filings
- Family court cases (non-confidential portions)
- Small claims cases
Users should note that certain documents may require registration and payment of access fees. Additionally, some records may only be available in redacted form to protect confidential information as required by Florida Statutes § 119.071.
For technical assistance with the online portal, users may contact the Clerk's IT support desk at (904) 255-2060 during regular business hours.
Can You Search Duval County Court Records for Free?
Duval County provides several options for free access to court records, though certain limitations apply. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, the Clerk of Courts is authorized to charge reasonable fees for certain services related to court records.
Free access options include:
- Basic case information searches through the Clerk's online portal
- Public access terminals located at the courthouse (501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202)
- In-person inspection of physical records at the Clerk's office during regular business hours
Fee-based services include:
- Printed copies ($0.15 per page for standard copies)
- Certified copies ($1.00 per page plus certification fee)
- Extensive research assistance requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time
- Specialized electronic access to certain document types
The City of Jacksonville and Duval County Government also provides links to court resources and information about accessing public records. While basic searches are free, users should be prepared for potential costs associated with obtaining copies or certified documents.
What's Included in a Duval County Court Record?
Court records in Duval County contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings. In accordance with Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, these records typically include:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
- Pleadings and motions filed by parties
- Court orders and judicial decisions
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence admitted during proceedings
- Judgments and final dispositions
- Financial information (fees, fines, restitution)
- Party information (names, addresses, attorney information)
- Case chronology and docket entries
For criminal cases, additional components may include:
- Arrest reports and booking information
- Charging documents
- Bail and bond information
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (with appropriate redactions)
- Probation and community supervision records
Family court records may contain sensitive information related to:
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody determinations
- Support obligations
- Domestic violence injunctions
The Florida Department of Health in Duval County maintains vital records that may be referenced in certain court proceedings, such as birth certificates in adoption cases or death certificates in probate matters.
How Long Does Duval County Keep Court Records?
Duval County retains court records according to schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Retention periods vary based on case type and significance.
General retention guidelines include:
- Felony cases: Permanent retention for capital felonies; 75 years for other felonies
- Misdemeanor cases: 5-10 years after case closure
- Civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
- Probate matters: 10 years after closing
- Domestic relations cases: 10 years after final judgment
- Juvenile records: Until the subject reaches age 24-26 (varies by case type)
- Traffic infractions: 5 years after final disposition
Historical records of significant legal or cultural importance are preserved permanently. The Clerk's office has undertaken digitization efforts to preserve older records originally created in paper format.
Records scheduled for destruction are carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with retention requirements. Parties with an interest in specific cases may request special retention consideration by contacting:
Records Management Department
501 W. Adams Street, Room 1041
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-2074
Types of Courts In Duval County
Duval County's judicial system encompasses multiple court levels, each with distinct jurisdictions and authorities. The county's courts operate within Florida's unified court system as established by Article V of the Florida Constitution.
The primary courts in Duval County include:
-
Circuit Court (Fourth Judicial Circuit) - The highest trial court with jurisdiction over felonies, civil cases exceeding $30,000, probate, family matters, and juvenile cases.
Duval County Courthouse
501 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-1000
Fourth Judicial Circuit Court -
County Court - Handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, traffic offenses, and small claims.
Duval County Courthouse
501 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-1000
Duval County Court -
U.S. District Court (Middle District of Florida) - Federal court handling federal criminal and civil matters.
Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse
300 North Hogan Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 549-1900
U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida -
Specialty Courts - Including Drug Court, Veterans Court, Mental Health Court, and Teen Court, which focus on rehabilitation and specialized case management.
Each court maintains its own records, though the Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian for circuit and county court records.
What Types of Cases Do Duval County Courts Hear?
Duval County courts adjudicate a wide spectrum of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional boundaries established by Florida Statutes. The types of cases heard in these courts include:
Circuit Court cases (pursuant to Florida Statutes § 26.012):
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $30,000
- Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate and guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency
- Appeals from county court decisions
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Complex business litigation
County Court cases (pursuant to Florida Statutes § 34.01):
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Civil disputes involving amounts up to $30,000
- Small claims (up to $8,000)
- Traffic infractions
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Ordinance violations
- Civil infractions
The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court also operates specialized divisions including:
- Family Law Division
- Probate Division
- Juvenile Division
- Civil Division
- Criminal Division
Federal cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida include:
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Civil rights violations
- Bankruptcy proceedings
- Patent and copyright disputes
- Cases involving federal statutes
How To Find a Court Docket In Duval County
Court dockets in Duval County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods established by the Clerk of Courts.
To locate a court docket:
-
Online Access: Visit the Duval County Public Records Search portal and search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Filing date range
- Case type
-
In-Person Request: Visit the Records Department at the courthouse:
Duval County Courthouse
501 W. Adams Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM -
Telephone Inquiry: For basic docket information, call the Clerk's office at (904) 255-2000.
-
Court Calendar: Review upcoming hearings on the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court website.
Docket information typically includes:
- Case number and filing date
- Party names and attorney information
- Chronological list of filings and court actions
- Scheduled hearing dates
- Disposition information
For federal cases, dockets can be accessed through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) via the U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida website.
Which Courts in Duval County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Duval County's judicial system, certain proceedings do not constitute courts of record as defined by Florida law. A court of record maintains comprehensive documentation and transcripts of all proceedings, while non-record courts typically handle minor matters with simplified procedures.
The following are not courts of record in Duval County:
-
Small Claims Court - While technically part of County Court, small claims proceedings (for cases under $8,000) follow simplified rules of procedure pursuant to Florida Small Claims Rules. These proceedings may not have court reporters present unless specifically requested by a party.
-
Traffic Court - Handles non-criminal traffic infractions. While basic case information is recorded, full transcripts are not automatically created for these proceedings unless requested.
-
Code Enforcement Hearings - Administrative proceedings conducted by the City of Jacksonville to address municipal code violations. These are not judicial proceedings in the traditional sense.
-
Mediation and Arbitration Proceedings - Alternative dispute resolution methods that may be court-ordered but are not conducted as formal court proceedings.
Individuals participating in these non-record proceedings should note that if they wish to preserve a complete record for potential appeal, they must make arrangements for a court reporter at their own expense. Information about these proceedings can still be obtained through the Clerk's office, though the level of detail may be limited compared to courts of record.
Lookup Court Records in Duval County
Search Duval County court records online
Access Fourth Judicial Circuit Court information
Find Duval County court locations and services
Visit the Duval County Clerk of Courts website
Access federal court records for Duval County