Hillsborough County Court Records: The Main Facts You Need
Hillsborough County court records are public files kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Tampa, Florida. The clerk’s office runs the 13th Judicial Circuit and serves close to 1.5 million people across the county. Anyone can look up these records online through a free system called HOVER. The database runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It holds civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims case files. You can search by case number, party name, or citation number. Certified copies can be ordered online at any time.
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
Victor D. Crist holds the position of Clerk of the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County. The clerk’s office is the central hub for all court records, new filings, and fee payments in the county. Every case type passes through this office, from circuit civil and county civil to family law, probate, guardianship, trust, and mental health matters. Criminal cases, both felonies and misdemeanors, are also filed and stored here. The office sits in downtown Tampa and handles records for the entire county.
The clerk’s website at hillsclerk.com gives you a full set of online tools. You can search court records, order certified copies, and check the status of a pending case from your home computer. The site also explains what counts as confidential information. Florida Statute 119.0714 requires the clerk to block social security numbers, bank account details, and other private data from public view. This rule applies to all court records filed in Hillsborough County without needing a special request.
The clerk’s office runs a “File Without an Attorney” program. This helps people who represent themselves find the right forms and follow each step in the court process. Court services cover domestic violence injunctions, restraining orders, foreclosure sales, and juvenile delinquency filings as well.
| Office Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Current Clerk | Victor D. Crist |
| County Seat | Tampa, Florida |
| Official Website | hillsclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 13th Judicial Circuit |
| Population Served | Approximately 1.5 million |
How the 13th Judicial Circuit Handles Court Records
The 13th Judicial Circuit Court covers Hillsborough County as one of the largest trial court systems in Florida. The circuit hears major civil cases, felony criminal trials, family law disputes, juvenile matters, and probate cases. Court records from this circuit go through the clerk’s office in Tampa. Appeals from the 13th Circuit move up to the Second District Court of Appeal. You can track those appeals through the Appellate Court Information System at acis.flcourts.gov.
Search Hillsborough County Court Records Online with HOVER
The main way to search court records in Hillsborough County is through HOVER. HOVER stands for Hillsborough Online Viewing and Electronic Records. The Florida Supreme Court approved this tool for public use. HOVER lets you search by case number, uniform case number, or citation number. The basic search is free, and you do not need an account to run a lookup.
To use HOVER, visit the Hillsborough County court records search page at hover.hillsclerk.com. Pick the type of search you need from the menu. Type the case number or citation number into the search field. Press search. The results page shows case details, party names, filing dates, and a list of documents. Many public court documents appear as image files you can view in your browser. Cases sealed by a judge or marked confidential by state law will not appear in the results.
You can file new court papers through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal runs 24 hours a day. Attorneys must use e-filing for most civil cases. People without a lawyer can also use the portal to submit court documents.
Hillsborough County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Hillsborough County cover disputes between people, businesses, or groups. Circuit civil cases deal with disputes over $30,000, injunctions, and appeals from county civil court. County civil cases cover smaller money claims and landlord-tenant matters. Both types of civil court records are stored at the clerk’s office and can be searched through HOVER. Each year, the 13th Judicial Circuit sees a high volume of new civil filings, making it one of the busiest court systems in the state.
Hillsborough County Criminal Case Records
Criminal court records in Hillsborough County fall into two main groups. Circuit criminal records cover felonies, grand jury indictments, and active warrants. County criminal records cover misdemeanors and less serious charges. The clerk’s office also keeps bond agent registration files and processes for sealing or expunging criminal records. Under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, all court records stay open to the public unless a specific rule or statute makes them private. A person who wants a criminal record sealed or expunged must file the right forms with the clerk and pay the listed fee.
Hillsborough County Family Court Records
Family court records in Hillsborough County cover divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and name change cases. The clerk’s family law section also handles paternity filings and domestic relations matters. All family court records are searchable through HOVER. The family law page on hillsclerk.com has a list of forms and step-by-step instructions for people filing on their own. The page helps self-represented parties find the right paperwork for each type of family case.
Hillsborough County Probate Court Records
Probate court records in Hillsborough County deal with estates, wills, trusts, and the care of minors or incapacitated adults. The clerk handles formal and summary administration of estates, guardianships, and trust filings. Mental health cases fall under the probate division as well. Probate court records are open to the public and can be searched through HOVER using the case number.
Hillsborough County Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Hillsborough County cover moving violations, traffic infractions, and DUI charges filed as misdemeanors. These records sit in the county criminal division of the clerk’s office. You can search traffic cases through HOVER by citation number or case number. Many traffic cases settle with a fine or a traffic school program, and the outcome appears in the public record.
Hillsborough County Small Claims Court Records
Small claims court records in Hillsborough County cover disputes for amounts up to $8,000. These cases skip the formal rules of evidence and move quickly through the court system. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts, security deposit returns, and contract disputes. All small claims records are kept at the clerk’s office and can be searched through HOVER by case number or party name.
Hillsborough County Appellate Court Records
Appellate court records cover cases that one party appeals to a higher court. Most appeals from Hillsborough County go to the Second District Court of Appeal, which sits in Lakeland, Florida. You can search appellate case files through the Appellate Court Information System at acis.flcourts.gov. The system shows briefs, motions, and written decisions from each appeal.
How to Get Certified Copies of Court Records
You can order certified copies of Hillsborough County court records at any time through the clerk’s online system. The service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Certified copies carry the clerk’s official seal and serve as proof in court, with government agencies, and in legal transactions. Each certified copy comes with a small fee set by Florida law. The clerk’s records and reports page lists the full fee schedule for certified copies and other services.
Free Hillsborough County Court Records Search
Basic court record searches in Hillsborough County cost nothing. The HOVER system is open to the public and does not charge a fee for running a search. You can view case details, party names, and filing dates for free. You can view most public court documents as image files at no cost. The only fees come into play when you order certified copies, run a large batch search, or request physical copies by mail. Florida law under Chapter 119 gives every person the right to inspect public court records during regular business hours.
Sealed and Confidential Court Records in Hillsborough County
Florida law shields certain types of court records from public view. Juvenile records stay confidential in most cases. Mental health cases have limited public access. Domestic violence injunction files may have parts sealed to protect the people named in the case. The clerk follows Florida Supreme Court rules and Florida Statute 119.0714 when redacting private data. Sealed cases do not appear in HOVER or any other public search tool. Sealed and expunged records are pulled from public access. The process to seal or expunge a criminal record starts with a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. You then file a petition with the court. The clerk keeps the sealed file, and only certain people can see it after the judge signs the order.
How to File Court Documents in Hillsborough County
You can file court documents in Hillsborough County through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The portal works around the clock. Attorneys must use e-filing for most civil cases in the 13th Judicial Circuit. Self-represented parties can also use the portal to file paperwork. The clerk’s office accepts paper filings at the courthouse in Tampa during business hours. Court filing fees vary by case type. The clerk’s fee schedule on hillsclerk.com lists the current cost for each type of filing.
Common Court Record Search Methods
You can search Hillsborough County court records by case number, party name, or citation number. The case number search gives the fastest, most accurate results when you have the full number. The party name search works well when you know the full legal name of a person or business involved in the case. The citation number search works best for traffic tickets and criminal citations. The HOVER system handles all three search types. You can also visit the clerk’s office in person during business hours and use the public access terminals to search court records on-site.
Legal Help for Court Records and Cases in Hillsborough County
The Florida Courts Help center at help.flcourts.gov offers free court forms and self-help guides for people who need to file in Hillsborough County without a lawyer. All court forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court are available at no cost. The 13th Judicial Circuit runs a self-help center at the courthouse in Tampa. Staff at the self-help center can point you to the right forms and explain each step in the filing process. They cannot give legal advice. The Hillsborough County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Bay Area Legal Services offers free legal aid to people who qualify based on income, covering family law, housing, and consumer cases.
Hillsborough County Clerk Contact Details and Location
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court main office sits at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33602. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone number is (813) 276-8100. The official website is hillsclerk.com. You can reach the clerk’s office by mail at P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601. The courthouse has public parking nearby, and the office is accessible by public transit through Hillsborough Area Regional Transit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hillsborough County Court Records
The questions below cover the most common search requests, record lookups, and case access needs for people who need Hillsborough County court records. Each answer gives a direct, fact-based response with no filler.
How Do I Search Hillsborough County Court Records by Name?
You can search Hillsborough County court records by name through the HOVER system at hover.hillsclerk.com. Pick the party name search option from the menu. Type the full legal name of the person or business you are looking up. The results page shows every case tied to that name, along with the case number, filing date, and case type. For the best results, use the full legal name, including any middle name or suffix. If the name is common, narrow the search by adding a date range or case type filter. Name searches work for civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Records that a judge has sealed will not appear in the results. The name search is free and runs 24 hours a day.
Are Hillsborough County Court Records Free to View?
Yes, basic court record searches in Hillsborough County cost nothing. The HOVER system gives you free access to case details, party names, filing dates, and most public court documents. You can view, save, and print public court documents at no charge. Fees apply only for certified copies, large batch requests, or physical copies sent by mail. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, every person has the right to inspect public court records during regular business hours at the clerk’s office in Tampa. The clerk cannot charge a fee for the time spent searching for records, only for the actual cost of producing copies.
Can I Access Hillsborough County Criminal Records Online?
Yes, criminal case records in Hillsborough County are open to the public and can be searched online through HOVER. The system covers both felony and misdemeanor cases. You can search by case number, citation number, or party name. Each result shows the charges, filing date, court division, and current status of the case. Sealed and expunged criminal records do not appear in HOVER. Juvenile criminal records stay confidential and are not open to public search. For statewide criminal history checks, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a separate online system at fdle.state.fl.us.
How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Court Record in Hillsborough County?
You can order a certified copy of a Hillsborough County court record online through the clerk’s website at hillsclerk.com. Pick the records and reports section, then select the type of record you need. Enter the case number and the document you want certified. Pay the fee listed on the clerk’s fee schedule. The clerk emails you a certified PDF with the official seal, or mails a paper copy to your address. Certified copies are accepted by courts, government agencies, and businesses as proof of the record. The service runs 24 hours a day. You can also order certified copies in person at the clerk’s office in Tampa during business hours.
What Court Records Are Confidential in Hillsborough County?
Florida law keeps several types of court records out of public view. Juvenile delinquency and dependency records stay confidential. Mental health commitment records have limited public access. Domestic violence injunction files may have parts sealed to protect the people named in the case. Adoption records stay sealed by default. Records that a judge has sealed by court order do not appear in HOVER or any other public search tool. The clerk follows Florida Statute 119.0714 when redacting private data such as social security numbers, bank account details, and the names of minor children from public records.
How Long Does the Clerk Keep Court Records in Hillsborough County?
The Hillsborough County Clerk keeps court records based on retention schedules set by the Florida Department of State. Most civil and criminal case files stay in the system for at least 10 years after the final judgment. Probate and guardianship records often stay longer because of the long-term nature of those cases. Older case files move to the clerk’s archive storage. Records that the retention schedule calls for destruction get purged from the public system. Sealed records stay in the clerk’s files but remain blocked from public search. You can contact the clerk’s office to ask about the status of an older case file.
Can I File a Court Case Online in Hillsborough County?
Yes, you can file a new court case in Hillsborough County online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal accepts filings for civil, family, probate, and small claims cases. Attorneys must use the portal for most civil filings. Self-represented parties can also use the portal to open a new case or file papers in an existing case. The system runs 24 hours a day. You will need to create a free account, fill in the case details, upload your documents, and pay the filing fee by credit card. The clerk reviews the filing and accepts or rejects it based on court rules.