Dixie County court records are official documents created or filed through the court system in Cross City, Florida. These records cover every case type handled by the county and circuit courts.
The Dixie County Clerk of Court keeps, stores, and shares these records with the public. Anyone can look at them for free, ask for copies, or run a name search. Most records sit on the CiviTek online portal, and the rest live at the courthouse. This page covers what records exist, how to get them, what they cost, and which laws control who can see them.
What Are Dixie County Court Records
Dixie County court records are paper and digital files made by judges, clerks, attorneys, and parties to a case. They include complaints, motions, orders, judgments, dockets, transcripts, and exhibits. Each case gets its own file number. The clerk adds new documents to that file as the case moves through court. Files stay in the clerk’s office even after a case ends.
Dixie County sits inside the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit also covers Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. The circuit court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $50,000, family law, probate, juvenile matters, and appeals from county court. The county court handles misdemeanors, traffic, county civil, and small claims cases. Both courts send their files to the same clerk office in Cross City.
Florida law treats court records as public by default. The main law is Florida Statute Chapter 119, also called the Public Records Law. Court records fall under this law unless a judge seals them or a state rule blocks access. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the specific record types that get sealed or restricted.
Dixie County Clerk of Court and Office Details
The Dixie County Clerk of Court is the legal keeper of all court records in the county. The clerk is Dana H. Johnson. The office sits inside the Dixie County Courthouse in Cross City, Florida. The clerk’s office handles court filings, marriage licenses, official records, and other public duties for the county.
The clerk’s website gives access to court services, fee schedules, and filing instructions. The phone number for the clerk is (352) 498-1200. Staff can check if a record exists, quote copy fees, and explain how to get a file. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The office closes on weekends and state holidays.
| Office | Dixie County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Dana H. Johnson |
| Address | 214 NE 351 Hwy, Cross City, FL 32628 |
| Phone | (352) 498-1200 |
| Website | dixieclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Judicial Circuit | 3rd Judicial Circuit |
The clerk’s office works with CiviTek to host the online court records system. The official Dixie County Clerk of Court homepage also lists recording services, marriage license details, and other county services that go through the same office.
How to Search Dixie County Court Records Online
The fastest way to look at Dixie County court records is the CiviTek online portal. This portal covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases filed in the county. The search is free. You can look up records by party name, case number, citation number, or document type.
To run a search, go to the CiviTek portal and pick Dixie County. Type the last name of one party, or the full case number, then hit search. Results show the case style, file date, case type, and current status. Clicking a case opens a docket view. Some documents show up as viewable images. Others need a copy request through the clerk.
The portal does not list every case. Records filed before the county went digital may not be in the system. Older files still sit in paper form at the clerk’s office. If your online search comes up empty, call the clerk at (352) 498-1200 and ask the staff to check the paper index.
Search tips for the CiviTek portal:
- Use the full legal name of one party
- Try the case number first if you have it
- Search traffic cases by citation number
- Refine by date range to cut down extra results
- Open each docket entry for a full document list
Types of Dixie County Court Records Available
Dixie County keeps records for every case type that goes through local courts. The clerk stores each kind in its own index. Here is a breakdown of the main record types you can look up.
Civil Court Records
Dixie County civil court records cover disputes between people or businesses where the amount in question is more than $8,000. Circuit court civil files cover claims above $50,000. Common civil case types include breach of contract, property disputes, personal injury, and debt collection. Each file holds the complaint, answer, motions, orders, and the final judgment.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records split into two groups. Misdemeanors and violations stay in county court. Felonies go to circuit court. The clerk stores charging documents, arrest affidavits, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation records. Both groups are open to the public, except for sealed cases or juvenile records.
Family Court Records
Family court records cover divorce, custody, child support, adoption, paternity, domestic violence, and name change cases. Most family files sit in circuit court because they involve child-related matters. Sealed adoption records and certain domestic violence files have restricted access under Florida law.
Probate Court Records
Probate court records handle wills, estates, guardianships, and trusts. Dixie County is part of the 3rd Circuit probate division. Files include the petition, will, inventory, and final discharge. Most probate files are public once a case opens.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records cover moving violations, speeding tickets, DUI first offenses, and similar charges. Most traffic cases stay in county court. The CiviTek portal lets you search traffic cases by citation number. Fines and driving school orders also appear in the docket.
Small Claims Court Records
Small claims court records cover civil disputes where the claim is $8,000 or less. Common small claims case types include unpaid debts, security deposit fights, and minor property damage. These cases go through county court but use simpler procedures. Most small claims files resolve within a few months.
Appellate Court Records
Appellate court records cover appeals from the trial courts. When a party loses at the circuit or county level, they can ask the District Court of Appeal to review the case. Dixie County appeals go to the 1st District Court of Appeal. The Florida ACIS portal tracks every appellate docket in the state. You can pull the briefs, motions, and final decisions from that system.
Public Access Rules for Dixie County Court Records
Florida’s Public Records Law applies to Dixie County. The law says every person has the right to see and copy public records, including court files. The clerk must let you inspect records during normal office hours. Redaction rules apply. Florida Statute 119.0714 requires the clerk to remove sensitive personal data before giving records to the public.
Items that get redacted include:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Dates of birth (in some case types)
- Minor children’s names in certain filings
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls which court records get sealed. Some common sealed record types include:
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases
- Mental health proceedings
- Adoption records (before finalization)
- Grand jury materials
- Sensitive personal information tied to victims of certain crimes
If you believe the clerk wrongly blocked access to a record, you can file a written request under Rule 2.420. The court reviews the request and decides whether to keep the file sealed. Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 also lets courts post public documents online. Dixie County follows this order. The online portal lists a smaller volume of cases than larger Florida counties, but the access rules stay the same.
Fees for Dixie County Court Records Copies
The clerk charges fees set by Florida law. These fees cover the cost of copies, certification, and record searches. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. Certified copies carry a court-accepted stamp and work for legal filings.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $2.00 certification fee plus copy fee |
| Record search (per name, per year) | $2.00 |
| Authentication / apostille (extra step) | Set by Florida Department of State |
Walk-in requests at the Cross City courthouse get processed the same day in most cases. Mail requests take longer because the clerk has to handle them by hand. Online payment is available through the MyFloridaCounty portal for some services.
How to Request Dixie County Court Records by Mail
If you cannot visit the courthouse, you can send a written request by mail. Write to the Dixie County Clerk of Court at the courthouse address. Include the following items in your letter:
- Case number or party name
- Document types you want
- Your name and contact information
- A check or money order for the expected fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for the return
Call the clerk at (352) 498-1200 before you mail your request. Staff can confirm the file exists, quote the exact fee, and tell you which documents are available. Mail requests take one to two weeks to process. Certified copies take longer because the clerk must sign and stamp each one.
How to File New Cases in Dixie County
Most new court filings in Florida go through the e-filing portal. Dixie County requires e-filing for civil, family, probate, and criminal cases. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is the only way to submit new documents in most case types. The portal charges a small convenience fee for each filing.
Self-represented filers can use the Florida Courts Help center for free forms. The site covers divorce, small claims, custody, eviction, and name change filings. Local rules and filing fees apply. You must register on the e-filing portal before you submit your first document.
State Resources for Dixie County Court Records
Several state-level tools help with Dixie County court records. These sites link to county clerks, handle payments, and track appellate cases.
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (flclerks.com) – links to every county clerk in the state
- MyFloridaCounty (myfloridacounty.com) – online payment portal for court fees and traffic fines
- Appellate Court Information System (acis.flcourts.gov) – tracks every appeal in Florida
- Florida Courts Help (help.flcourts.gov) – free forms and guides for self-represented filers
- Florida Courts main site (flcourts.gov) – info on every judicial circuit, including the 3rd
These state resources work alongside the Dixie County clerk’s office. They help people who want to pay a fine, check on an appeal, or file a new case without visiting the courthouse.
Cities and Communities Served by Dixie County Clerk
Dixie County is one of the smallest counties in Florida by population. The county seat is Cross City, and the courthouse sits there. Old Town is another small community in the county. Horseshoe Beach and Suwannee also sit inside the county lines. Every resident gets service from the same clerk office in Cross City. There are no satellite offices for court records.
The clerk’s office covers the full county. Marriage licenses, official records, and court filings all go through the same building. Civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases all end up in the same digital index on the CiviTek portal.
Nearby Counties and Court Records
Dixie County borders several other rural counties in north Florida. Each has its own clerk and court records system. If you search the wrong county, you will not find the case. Court records do not cross county lines. Neighboring counties include Levy, Gilchrist, Lafayette, and Taylor. Each one uses a different online portal or a different CiviTek county code.
Before you run a name search, confirm the case was filed in Dixie County. The case number, court location, or party address can confirm this. If you cannot confirm, contact the Dixie County clerk’s office and ask staff to check the file index.
Contact Information for Dixie County Court Records
For Dixie County court records questions, contact the clerk’s office in Cross City. The phone number is (352) 498-1200. The office sits at 214 NE 351 Hwy, Cross City, FL 32628. The website is dixieclerk.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays.
For online access, use the CiviTek portal at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/14/. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. For e-filing, use myflcourtaccess.com. For state-level tools and forms, use flclerks.com, help.flcourts.gov, and flcourts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dixie County Court Records
Are Dixie County court records free to view?
Yes. Searching and viewing Dixie County court records on the CiviTek portal is free. You can run a name search, open a docket, and read filings without paying. Copy fees only apply when you ask for printed or certified copies. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies add a $2.00 fee per document. The clerk cannot charge for the right to inspect a public record under Florida law.
Can I look up Dixie County traffic tickets online?
Yes. The CiviTek portal lists traffic cases filed in Dixie County. Search by citation number for the fastest result. You can also search by driver last name. The docket shows the charge, fine amount, court date, and final outcome. If you need to pay a traffic fine, use the MyFloridaCounty portal or visit the clerk’s office in Cross City.
How do I get a certified copy of a Dixie County court record?
Visit the clerk’s office in person or send a mail request. Pay the certified copy fee of $2.00 plus the per-page copy fee of $1.00. The clerk signs and stamps the document. Same-day service is common for walk-in customers. Mail requests take one to two weeks. The certified copy works for legal filings, immigration cases, and name change paperwork.
What Dixie County court records are sealed or restricted?
Juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, mental health proceedings, adoption files (before finalization), and certain domestic violence records are sealed or restricted. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the specific sealed record types. The clerk cannot share these files without a court order. Sealed records can only be opened by a judge after a written request.
How long does it take to get a Dixie County court record by mail?
Mail requests take one to two weeks to process. The clerk must pull the file, make the copies, certify them if needed, and mail them back. Add extra time for older records that sit in paper storage. Call the clerk at (352) 498-1200 before mailing a request. Staff can quote the fee and confirm the file exists.
Can I search Dixie County court records by case number?
Yes. The CiviTek portal accepts case number searches. Type the full case number into the search box and pick Dixie County. The portal pulls the docket, document list, and party names. Case numbers follow