Pinellas County court records are public files kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in Clearwater, Florida. These records cover civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can search these records from home through the clerk’s free online portal, or visit the main office at 315 Court Street for in-person help. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for every case filed in Pinellas County and gives the public open access to court files that are not sealed or made confidential by law.
Pinellas County Clerk of Court Office
Ken Burke, CPA is the current Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Pinellas County. His office handles every court record created in the county, from Circuit Court filings to County Court matters. The clerk accepts new cases, stores old case files, issues copies, and runs the public access system for court records. The office operates under Florida Statute Chapter 119, the Public Records Law, which makes most government records open to the public.
The main office sits at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756. You can reach the clerk’s office by phone at (727) 464-7000. Walk-in visitors can search case files during business hours, and staff can help you locate a case by name or case number. The clerk also removes protected details like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers from public files under Section 119.0714 of Florida law.
The Pinellas County Clerk homepage at mypinellasclerk.gov lists every service available to the public, such as court records search, official records, e-filing, copy requests, and payment portals. From this single page, you can reach every public records service offered by the clerk’s office.
How to Search Pinellas County Court Records Online
The clerk’s Court Records View tool is the main way to search Pinellas County court records online. This free service lets you look up cases by party name, case number, attorney bar number, or court calendar date. You do not need an account for a basic search. Type what you know into the search box, and the system pulls up matching cases from the county database.
Each case listing shows the case number, party names, case type, filing date, and current status. Documents marked with a Public icon can be viewed right away on screen. Documents marked Confidential or Sealed are hidden from public view. Some files carry a View On Request tag, which means you must ask the clerk for access before you can see those records. The system uses a Captcha check to block bots, and it signs you out after a long break for security reasons.
Under Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, the clerk can post public court document images online for viewing. Many records in Pinellas County are now available as images you can read on your screen. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls what stays public and what stays sealed. The clerk follows these rules when deciding which court records to display.
The View Records page explains each search filter and the different document access levels. Juvenile delinquency and dependency court case details are not available through the online search tool in Pinellas County and require an in-person request to the clerk.
Types of Cases in Pinellas County Court Records
The 6th Judicial Circuit handles many kinds of cases in Pinellas County. Each case type creates its own set of court records, all stored and managed by the clerk. Every progress docket logs every action in a case, from the first filing to the final judgment.
Civil Court Records
Civil cases involve lawsuits over money, property, contracts, foreclosures, and personal injury. The clerk files complaints, motions, orders, and final judgments for every civil case. You can search civil court records by case number or party name through Court Records View. For certified copies of civil records, send an email to civilcert@mypinellasclerk.gov. Civil cases in County Court handle disputes under a set dollar amount, while Circuit Court handles larger civil claims.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases cover felonies and misdemeanors in Pinellas County. Felonies go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors go to County Court. Criminal court records include arrest reports, charging documents, plea deals, sentencing orders, and probation files. For copies, email circuitcrim@mypinellasclerk.gov. Most criminal records are public unless a judge seals them under Florida law. Warrants, bond hearings, and pretrial motions all show up in the public docket.
Family Court Records
Family court handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence injunctions. These records are searchable by case number or party name. Some family court files, like those involving minors or adoption, are sealed by law. The clerk’s office works with the 6th Judicial Circuit family division to manage these sensitive cases. Self-represented parties can pick up family law packets at the clerk’s Self-Help Center.
Probate Court Records
Probate cases deal with wills, estates, trusts, and guardianships. The clerk files petitions, orders, final distributions, and inventories. You can view these records through Court Records View or request copies by emailing probate@mypinellasclerk.gov. Probate records may include the will itself, the letters of administration, and a full accounting of estate assets. Some probate files become public only after a judge admits the will to probate.
Traffic and Small Claims Records
Traffic cases and small claims cases go to County Court. Small claims cases usually involve disputes under a set dollar amount and are designed to be handled without a lawyer. Traffic records include citations, plea entries, and dispositions. The clerk works with the Florida Highway Patrol, local police, and county deputies to file these cases. You can search traffic and small claims records by case number, name, or citation number.
Official Records vs Court Records
The clerk keeps two separate databases: court records and official records. Court records come from cases filed with the court. Official records come from documents people record with the clerk, such as property deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and satisfaction of liens. If you need a court case file, use Court Records View. If you need a recorded document, use the Official Records portal at officialrecords.mypinellasclerk.gov.
Both systems are free for basic searches. They pull from different databases, so the search results will not overlap. Court records show the docket, party names, and documents from a lawsuit. Official records show the recorded document image, instrument number, book and page, recording date, and the names of the grantor and grantee. The clerk’s recording department handles the Official Records side, while the court clerk’s office handles the Court Records side.
Getting Copies of Pinellas County Court Records
You can get copies of court records in three ways: online, by mail, or in person. The copy type matters. Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and serve as legal proof. Uncertified copies are plain printouts with no seal and are useful for personal review.
To order copies by email, send a request to the right division:
- Civil: civilcert@mypinellasclerk.gov
- Probate: probate@mypinellasclerk.gov
- Criminal: circuitcrim@mypinellasclerk.gov
- Official Records: orcopy@mypinellasclerk.gov
Certified copies must be sent by mail from the clerk’s office because the clerk’s seal must appear on the document. Uncertified copies can be mailed, faxed, or emailed back to you. The clerk also offers a deposit account for people who order copies often. You put money in the account ahead of time and draw down the balance as you order records. To set up a deposit account, visit Room 449 at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, or fax a request to (727) 453-7666.
The Find-A-Service page on the clerk’s site can help you figure out which division handles the records you need. This page also links to forms, payment portals, and contact details for each division of the Pinellas County Clerk’s office.
Court Records Access Rules in Florida
Florida law makes most court records public. The main rules come from Florida Statute Chapter 119, the Public Records Law, and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, which controls access to court files. Under these rules, anyone can see judicial branch records except those covered by a specific exemption.
The clerk removes protected details from public files. Under Section 119.0714, the clerk must hide Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and similar data from public view. Sealed cases and confidential files do not appear in the online search at all. You must visit the clerk’s office in person to ask about a sealed case or file a motion to unseal.
Draft opinions and internal memos stay out of the public file. Records tied to active criminal investigations may also be hidden until the case is closed. Juvenile delinquency and dependency case details are not available through the online search tool. Most juvenile records stay confidential under Florida law. To learn more, contact the clerk’s criminal and juvenile division at the main office.
E-Filing and Online Court Services
Lawyers and self-represented filers can submit new cases and documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. This system handles every new filing in Pinellas County 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You must create an account, select the Pinellas County Clerk, and upload your documents. The portal charges a small convenience fee per filing.
The MyFloridaCounty.com portal lets you pay court fees, traffic tickets, and fines online for Pinellas County and all other Florida counties. You can search by case number, name, or citation number and pay with a credit card or debit card. The system sends a receipt to your email and updates the case right away. You can also use it to check outstanding balances and payment history.
Free Legal Help in Pinellas County
Several groups offer free or low-cost legal help in Pinellas County. Gulfcoast Legal Services has offices in Clearwater and St. Petersburg. They help with family law, housing, public benefits, and consumer matters. If you qualify based on income, they help you file court papers at no cost. The Community Law Program also gives free legal help to Pinellas County residents who cannot pay an attorney.
The 6th Judicial Circuit runs a self-help center where staff point you to the right court forms and explain the filing process. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you fill out the right paperwork. Family law packets are sold at the Self-Help Center for a small fee, and many forms are also available for free at the clerk’s office.
The Florida Courts Help center at help.flcourts.gov offers free court forms and self-help guides. Every form there is approved by the Florida Supreme Court and can be used in Pinellas County. You can also visit the law library at the Pinellas County Justice Center for legal research help. The library has printed statutes, case reporters, and computer terminals with free access to legal databases.
Cities in Pinellas County
Pinellas County covers several large cities. Every court case from these cities goes through the Pinellas County Clerk of Court in Clearwater. The main cities served by the clerk include:
- St. Petersburg
- Clearwater
- Largo
- Dunedin
- Palm Harbor
- Pinellas Park
- Seminole
- Tarpon Springs
- Safety Harbor
- Oldsmar
- Gulfport
Whether you live in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or a smaller town, your court case files are stored at the main clerk’s office. You can search these records online from any city, or visit the Clearwater office in person. The clerk also operates a satellite office at the Pinellas County Justice Center at 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762, for in-person visits related to criminal and traffic cases.
Neighboring Counties
Pinellas County sits on a peninsula west of Tampa Bay. Cases filed in nearby counties stay with those county clerks. If your case involves parties in a neighboring county, check which county has jurisdiction before you search. You must use the correct county clerk for your court records search. Neighboring counties include:
- Hillsborough County (east of Pinellas, across Tampa Bay)
- Pasco County (north of Pinellas)
Each of these counties runs its own court records portal. You cannot search Pinellas County records through the Hillsborough or Pasco clerk’s website, and vice versa. The 6th Judicial Circuit also covers Pasco County, so some administrative rules apply to both counties, but the case files stay separate.
Contact Details and Office Location
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Address: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: (727) 464-7000
Website: mypinellasclerk.gov
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on court holidays)
Pinellas County Justice Center (Criminal and Traffic Division): 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762
Recording Department Email: recording@mypinellasclerk.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Pinellas County court records, copy requests, sealed files, ticket payments, expungement, and new filings. Each answer gives the exact rules, contacts, and links you need to take the next step.
Are Pinellas County court records free to search?
Yes. The clerk’s Court Records View tool lets you search Pinellas County court records at no cost. You do not need an account or a subscription. You only pay if you order a certified copy, an emailed document image, or a printed copy mailed to you. Basic lookups by name, case number, or attorney bar number are always free for the public. The clerk does not charge a fee to view public case dockets or to read images marked Public. If you need a certified copy, the fee is set by Florida statute and is listed on the clerk’s fee schedule. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card for paid services.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a court record?
The clerk processes mailed copy requests within a few business days of receipt. You must include payment, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a clear description of the records you need. The clerk will not process a request without payment and a return envelope. Some requests take longer if the file is large or stored off-site. Certified copies can only be sent by mail because the clerk’s seal must appear on the document. Walk-in customers can get certified copies the same day in most cases, as long as the file is in the main office. Email and fax delivery are only available for uncertified copies.
Can I view sealed or expunged court records?
No. Sealed and expunged records are removed from public view by court order. They do not show up in the online search. Only the parties named in the case and their lawyers can see them. A judge must order the record unsealed before anyone else can view it. To ask for access to a sealed file, you must file a written motion with the court that issued the seal. The clerk cannot grant access on their own. Expunged records are destroyed under Florida law, and even the clerk cannot recover them after the court signs the expungement order.
What is the difference between a case number and a citation number?
A case number is assigned to every court case when it is filed. It stays the same through the life of the case, from the first filing to the final judgment. A citation number is given for traffic tickets and some misdemeanor charges before a court case is opened. In Pinellas County, you can search by either number in the Court Records View tool. A citation number can be matched to a case number once the ticket goes to court. The clerk’s office can help you match a citation to a case if you bring the citation paper in person.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Pinellas County?
You can pay traffic tickets online through the MyFloridaCounty.com portal. Search by case number, name, or citation number. You can also pay in person at the clerk’s office at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, or at the Pinellas County Justice Center at 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762. Accepted payment methods include credit card, debit card, check, money order, and cash. Payments by mail are also accepted at the main office. Make sure to pay before the due date on your citation to avoid late fees and a suspended license.
Can I remove my court records from public view in Florida?
Yes, in some cases. Florida law lets you seal or expunge certain criminal records. The process starts with a petition to the court. You must qualify under Florida Statute Section 943.059 for expungement or Section 943.058 for sealing. The clerk’s office cannot help you file these petitions, but the 6th Judicial Circuit self-help center can point you to the right forms. You must get a Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before you file the petition. The judge reviews the petition and signs an order that the clerk carries out.
Where do I file a new lawsuit in Pinellas County?
New lawsuits are filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. You must create an account, select the Pinellas County Clerk, and upload your documents. The clerk’s office accepts e-filings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The portal charges a small convenience fee per filing on top of the court filing fee. You can also file paper documents in person at the Clearwater office during business hours. New civil cases in County Court are filed at the main office, and new felony cases are filed at the Justice Center.