Citrus County court records are official documents filed in civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases at the Citrus County Courthouse in Inverness, Florida. The Citrus County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, led by Clerk Angela Vick, serves as the official record keeper for all court filings in the county.
Residents, attorneys, employers, and researchers can search these records online through the clerk’s website, visit the courthouse in person, or submit written requests by mail. Most case files from Citrus County are public under Florida law, with limited exceptions for sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain mental health proceedings.
This page covers every method to search, view, and request copies of Citrus County court records, including case lookup by name, case number, and filing date. It also explains the difference between court records and official records, the role of the 5th Judicial Circuit, fees for certified copies, and statewide Florida tools that connect to Citrus County case data.
What Are Citrus County Court Records?
Citrus County court records are the complete file of documents, orders, and docket entries created when someone files a case in Citrus County courts. Each case generates a case number, a docket sheet, and supporting paperwork such as complaints, motions, judgments, and court orders. These records stay in the custody of the Citrus County Clerk of Court for the entire life of the case and are archived after the case closes.
Under Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, most court records in Citrus County are open for public inspection. The clerk’s office redacts sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names in certain cases, before posting records online. Records that a judge has sealed by court order remain confidential and will not appear in public search results.
Types of Court Records Available in Citrus County
Citrus County courts handle six main case categories, each with its own record set:
- Civil case records: Disputes between individuals or businesses, including contract lawsuits, property disputes, personal injury claims, and debt collection. Civil cases seeking more than $50,000 in damages go through the circuit court. Smaller civil disputes are handled in county court.
- Criminal case records: Felony charges, misdemeanor charges, and criminal traffic offenses. Felonies are filed in the circuit court. Misdemeanors and county criminal traffic cases are filed in county court.
- Family court records: Divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and dependency cases. All family matters are filed in the circuit court’s family division.
- Probate records: Wills, estate administration, guardianships, and trusts. Probate cases are filed in the circuit court.
- Traffic records: Moving violations, non-criminal traffic infractions, and driving under suspension charges filed in county court.
- Small claims records: Disputes involving $8,000 or less. Small claims cases are filed in county court and follow simplified rules.
Every category above is searchable through the same online portal maintained by the Citrus County Clerk of Court. Case information includes party names, case type, filing date, current status, hearing dates, and judge assignment.
Citrus County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
The Citrus County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is the primary custodian of every court record filed in the county. Clerk Angela Vick leads the office, which operates from the Citrus County Courthouse at 110 North Apopka Avenue in Inverness, Florida. The office files new cases, maintains existing case dockets, issues certified copies of court documents, and processes public records requests.
The clerk’s office also handles marriage licenses, passport applications, recording of deeds and mortgages, jury duty administration, and county financial records. For court record searches, the clerk’s office is the only official source. Third-party websites that aggregate court data pull from the same clerk’s database, but they may charge fees for services the clerk provides at lower cost or for free.
| Office | Citrus County Clerk of Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Angela Vick |
| Address | 110 North Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450 |
| Phone | (352) 341-6400 |
| Website | citrusclerk.org |
| Judicial Circuit | 5th Judicial Circuit |
| Circuit Counties | Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter |
5th Judicial Circuit Court Structure
Citrus County sits within the 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also serves Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties. The circuit court in Citrus County handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil cases over $50,000, family law, probate, juvenile delinquency, and dependency matters. County court handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions, and civil disputes under $50,000. Both levels use the same clerk’s office in Inverness for filing and recordkeeping. If you are unsure which court heard a specific case, clerk staff can direct you to the right division based on the case number prefix or filing date.
How to Search Citrus County Court Records Online
The fastest way to find Citrus County court records is through the official online search tool on the clerk’s website. The search portal at citrusclerk.org allows free public access to case dockets and basic case information. Anyone can use the tool without registering or paying a fee. The portal runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and pulls directly from the clerk’s live case database.
Search by Name
To search Citrus County court records by name, enter the last name and first name of any party to the case. The system will return all matching cases where that person appears as a plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, or other party. Results show the case number, case type, filing date, and current status. Searches work for both business names and personal names. Common names may return dozens of results, so use date of birth or middle name to narrow the list when possible.
Search by Case Number
Searching by case number is the most precise method for locating a specific Citrus County court case. Every case filed in the county receives a unique case number, formatted by year, case type code, and sequence number. For example, a 2024 felony case might be filed as 2024-CF-000123. Enter the full case number including dashes or slashes as shown on the original court paperwork. A case number search will return only the matching file with no extra results.
Search by Filing Date
The Citrus County clerk’s portal also allows searches by filing date or date range. Use this option when you need to find all cases filed during a specific week, month, or year. Date searches are useful for legal researchers, journalists, and employers conducting background checks. Results can be sorted by case type or party name to speed up review.
Citrus County Online Court Record Access: What You Can and Cannot See
The online portal shows complete docket entries, party names, attorney names, hearing schedules, and the text of most orders and judgments. The portal also displays the official case caption, the assigned judge, and the case status (open, closed, dismissed, or judgment entered). For many civil and criminal cases, the full case file is viewable as scanned PDF images attached to the docket.
Some documents are not available online. Sealed records, juvenile dependency and delinquency files, mental health commitment records, and certain family law documents such as adoption paperwork remain confidential. Records that contain protected personal information are redacted before posting. Florida Statute 119.0714 requires the clerk to remove Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and similar sensitive data before publishing court records online. Filers are also required to redact sensitive information from their own documents before submitting them to the court.
Citrus County Official Records vs. Court Records
The Citrus County Clerk’s office maintains two separate databases: court records and official records. Many people confuse the two, but they contain different types of documents.
Court records cover all case filings, motions, orders, and judgments from civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Official records cover property transactions and other recorded instruments, including deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions of mortgage, plats, easements, and marriage licenses. If you are searching for who owns a specific piece of property or whether a lien was released, use the official records search. If you are searching for a lawsuit, divorce, or criminal charge, use the court records search.
The official records database at citrusclerk.org goes back further in time than the court records database for many document types. Citrus County has an active real estate market, so the official records database contains a large volume of documents. The same clerk’s office manages both databases, but they are separate systems with separate search pages.
How to Get Copies of Citrus County Court Records
You can get copies of Citrus County court records three ways: in person at the clerk’s office, by mail, or online through the clerk’s document request system. Each method has its own fee structure and turnaround time.
In-Person Requests
Visit the Citrus County Courthouse at 110 North Apopka Avenue in Inverness during business hours. The clerk’s office accepts walk-in requests for copies of court records. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page under Florida law. Certified copies of court documents cost $7.00 for the certification plus $1.00 per page. In-person requests are the fastest option and most documents are available the same day.
Mail Requests
Send a written request to the clerk’s office with the case number, names of parties, list of specific documents needed, and your contact information. Include a check or money order payable to the Citrus County Clerk of Court covering the copy fees and shipping. Mail requests typically take five to ten business days. Call (352) 341-6400 before sending a mail request to confirm exact fees and current processing times.
Online Document Requests
The clerk’s online portal allows users to request and pay for copies of court records by credit card. Online requests are processed during business hours and delivered electronically when possible. Certified copies requested online are mailed to the requester. Online payment includes a convenience fee charged by the payment processor.
Florida E-Filing Portal for Citrus County Cases
Attorneys and self-represented filers submit new case filings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Florida law requires electronic filing for most case types in Citrus County. The portal operates 24 hours a day, accepts filings in all 5th Judicial Circuit counties, and provides immediate confirmation when the clerk accepts a document. Self-represented filers can register for a free account. Registered users can also track the status of pending filings and view electronic service of filed documents.
Statewide Court Resources for Citrus County Records
Several statewide tools work alongside the Citrus County clerk’s portal to give users more options for searching court data and filing documents.
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (flclerks.com): Links to all 67 county clerks in Florida, including Citrus County. Useful for finding clerk contact details in other counties.
- MyFloridaCounty (myfloridacounty.com): Processes online payments for court fees, fines, and traffic citations in Citrus County and other counties.
- Appellate Court Information System (acis.flcourts.gov): Provides case information for Florida appellate courts. Use this tool to follow a Citrus County case that has been appealed to a higher court.
- Florida Courts Help (help.flcourts.gov): Offers free court forms, self-help guides, and procedural information for people handling Citrus County cases without an attorney. Forms cover divorce, custody, small claims, eviction, and other common case types.
Sealed and Confidential Records in Citrus County
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 governs which court records are public and which remain sealed. Most Citrus County cases are public, but certain categories are confidential by law:
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency records
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment records
- HIV and sexually transmitted infection test results in criminal cases
- Trade secrets and certain business records
- Records sealed by specific court order under Rule 2.420(c)
A party to a case can file a motion to seal records in Citrus County. A judge reviews the motion and decides whether sealing is appropriate. Sealed records do not appear in the online search portal. If you believe a Citrus County record has been wrongfully withheld from public view, you can file a challenge under Rule 2.420(e) asking the court to remove the seal.
Cities and Communities Served by the Citrus County Clerk
The Citrus County Clerk’s office serves every community in Citrus County, including incorporated and unincorporated areas. Inverness serves as the county seat and houses the main courthouse. Crystal River is the only other incorporated city in the county. Major unincorporated communities include Homosassa, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Citrus Springs, and Hernando. There are no separate courthouses for these communities. Every case from every part of Citrus County is filed and maintained at the Inverness courthouse, regardless of where the underlying event occurred.
Nearby Counties and Court Records
Citrus County borders Hernando County to the south, Sumter County to the east, Marion County to the northeast, and Levy County to the north. Each bordering county has its own clerk of court and its own court records portal. If you need to search records in a neighboring county, you must use that county’s clerk’s website or visit its courthouse in person. The 5th Judicial Circuit covers Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties, so some legal processes and forms are standardized across those five counties, but the record databases are not shared.
Court Fees and Payment Options in Citrus County
Citrus County follows the standard fee schedule set by Florida law for court filings and record requests. Filing fees vary by case type. A new civil case in county court costs around $300 to file. A new felony case costs more. Filing fees for family cases, probate cases, and small claims cases each have their own rates. The clerk’s website lists current fees for every filing type. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Online payments through the e-filing portal and the MyFloridaCounty system add a processing fee charged by the payment vendor.
Visiting the Citrus County Courthouse
The Citrus County Courthouse is located in downtown Inverness at 110 North Apopka Avenue. Parking is available around the courthouse. Visitors seeking court records should go to the clerk’s office on the first floor. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Court hearings take place on the upper floors. The courthouse follows standard security procedures, so visitors should bring a photo ID and allow time to pass through the security screening. Cell phone use rules apply inside the building.
Official Website: https://www.citrusclerk.org/
Phone: (352) 341-6400
Address: 110 North Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Citrus County Court Records
The questions below cover the most common search, access, and copy requests related to Citrus County court records. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Citrus County clerk policies as of mid-2026. Users with urgent matters should call the clerk’s office directly at (352) 341-6400 for the most accurate, up-to-date answers.
How do I find a Citrus County court case by name for free?
You can search Citrus County court cases by name at no cost using the official online portal at citrusclerk.org. Click on the court records link and enter the last name and first name of any party. The search returns all matching cases with case numbers, filing dates, and current status. The system pulls from the clerk’s live database, so results are current. There is no fee to view basic case information. You only pay if you request printed or certified copies of the actual case documents.
Can I view Citrus County criminal case records online?
Yes. Most Citrus County criminal case records are viewable online through the clerk’s portal. You can search by defendant name or case number. The portal shows the charges, plea entered, sentence imposed, and current case status. Sealed criminal records, expunged records, and certain juvenile records are not visible in public searches. For federal criminal cases or appeals beyond the circuit court level, use the federal PACER system or the Florida Appellate Court Information System instead.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Citrus County court record?
Certified copies requested in person at the Inverness courthouse are usually available the same day, often within minutes. Mail requests take five to ten business days plus return mailing time. Online requests for electronic certified copies are processed within one to three business days. Standard copies, which are not certified, are produced faster because they skip the certification step. The clerk charges $7.00 for the certification plus $1.00 per page, so a 10-page certified document costs $17.00 plus any shipping fees.
Are Citrus County divorce records public?
Most Citrus County divorce records are public and searchable through the clerk’s portal. The final judgment of divorce, the case docket, and most filings are public. Some sensitive financial documents and records involving minor children may be sealed or redacted. To get a certified copy of a Citrus County divorce decree, visit the clerk’s office or submit a mail request. Divorce certificates for use in name changes or remarriage may also be available from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics.
What is the difference between Citrus County court records and official records?
Court records cover case filings from civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Official records cover property documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. The same clerk’s office maintains both, but they are separate databases with separate search tools. Searching for a property lien requires the official records search. Searching for a lawsuit or criminal charge requires the court records search. Users who enter their search in the wrong database will not find what they need.
Can I access Citrus County court records from my phone?
Yes. The Citrus County clerk’s portal is mobile-friendly and works on phones and tablets. You can search by name, case number, or date from any device with a web browser. The portal does not require an app download. For best results, use a current version of Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. The portal also supports viewing scanned PDF case documents on mobile devices.
Are there free third-party websites that search Citrus County court records?
Several third-party websites aggregate Citrus County court data. Most pull from the same clerk’s database, so the information is identical. Free third-party sites usually show basic case information, while paid sites offer additional features like alerts, bulk search, and nationwide coverage. The official Citrus County clerk’s portal is always the most current and most accurate source. Avoid sites that charge for information the clerk provides for free, such as basic case searches and docket views.