Pasco County court records are official documents filed through the Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Dade City, Florida. The Clerk serves the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
This circuit also covers Pinellas County. Anyone can view most of these records online or in person. The Clerk keeps files for civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Records stay open to the public unless a judge seals them or state law makes them private.
| Pasco County Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Population | 560,000+ residents |
| County Seat | Dade City |
| Judicial Circuit | 6th Circuit (Pasco and Pinellas) |
| Primary Office | 14236 6th Street, Dade City, FL 33523 |
| Online Search | Free, 24 hours a day |
| Attorney Support Phone | (352) 521-4542 |
Pasco County Clerk of Court
The Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court holds every court record filed in the county. The main office sits at 14236 6th Street, Dade City, FL 33523-3414. The Clerk also runs a second location in the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey. Walk-in service runs on weekdays during normal business hours. The Clerk’s office serves as the record keeper, the financial officer for the courts, and the official custodian of court files.
The Clerk’s office handles circuit civil, county civil, criminal, family law, probate, guardianship, and mental health cases. Every case creates a file with a progress docket. The docket lists motions, hearings, and orders. The public can inspect and copy most files. Staff can help locate forms and explain procedures. Staff cannot give legal advice.
Florida Statute Chapter 119 sets the rules for public records. Court records in Pasco County stay open unless a judge seals them or a statute keeps them private. The Clerk must let anyone inspect public files during regular hours.
Search Pasco County Court Records Online
The Clerk’s Online Court Records Search tool is the main way to look up cases. The system runs day and night. It is free. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. No account is needed for basic searches. Results show case details, party names, case type, and filing dates. The tool covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases.
Access levels depend on the user’s role. The general public sees case information and non-confidential documents. Attorneys of record can request enhanced access. Enhanced access opens more document images and case details. Attorneys must submit a Registration Agreement to the Clerk’s office to get this access.
Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 lets the Clerk post public court document images online. Pasco County takes part in this program. Users can often see the actual documents filed in a case, not just the docket entries. The Clerk reviews each item before posting to keep protected data out of public view.
For best search results, use the full case number or the complete legal name of the party. Partial names can return too many results or miss the case you want.
Pasco Court Records by Case Type
The Pasco County court records page breaks down case types. Each type has its own division within the Clerk’s office.
Civil Court Records
Circuit civil cases deal with disputes over $30,000. They also cover real estate matters and injunctions. County civil cases handle smaller claims. County civil cases include landlord-tenant disputes. Both types are searchable through the Clerk’s online tool. The 6th Judicial Circuit covers both Pasco and Pinellas counties, so the total case volume is high.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Pasco County fall into two groups. Circuit criminal handles felonies. County criminal covers misdemeanors and some ordinance violations. The Clerk keeps records for both. Public users can see the case number, charges, party names, and hearing dates. Police reports and sealed documents stay restricted.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic cases are filed in county court. You can search those through the same online system. To look up a traffic citation from Pasco County, use the citation number for the fastest result. Traffic records show fines, court dates, and outcomes.
Family Court Records
Family law court records cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence cases. Some family records have limits on public access. Domestic violence injunction files often get sealed to protect the parties. Adoption records stay closed. Juvenile records stay closed to the public.
Probate Court Records
Probate records deal with wills, estates, and guardianship. Mental health cases have their own division. The Clerk offers a Mental-Health Case Search tool for that specific type of record. Not every mental health case is open to the public, so results may be limited under Florida law.
Small Claims Court Records
Small claims cases handle disputes up to $8,000. They are filed in county civil court. Records show the plaintiff, defendant, amount, and judgment. Small claims cases are public and searchable online.
Specialized Pasco County Court Record Tools
The Pasco County Clerk offers specialized search tools beyond the standard court records lookup. These go deeper into specific record types.
Animal Abuser Search
The Animal Abuser Search tool lets you check if someone has been convicted of animal cruelty in Pasco County. The database pulls from criminal court records. Convictions show the case number, date, and outcome.
Case Section and Division Lookup
The Case Section/Division Lookup helps you figure out which court division is handling a specific case. This tool helps lawyers and self-represented filers find the right judge or hearing room.
Wills on Deposit Search
The Wills on Deposit Search shows whether a will was filed with the Clerk before a person passed away. This only covers wills placed on deposit during the person’s life. It does not cover wills that went through the probate process after death.
Order E-Certify Court Documents
The Order E-Certify Court Documents tool lets users get certified copies of certain court records without visiting the courthouse. You place the order through the Clerk’s site. The Clerk sends back the document with the official seal. Fees apply for each certified copy.
Orders Sealing Noncriminal Court Records
The Clerk keeps a list of Orders Sealing Noncriminal Court Records. This list shows which cases had their records sealed by a judge outside of the criminal context. The list is open to the public. The actual sealed files stay private.
Pasco County Official Records Search
For deeds, liens, mortgages, and other property documents, the Pasco County Official Records Search is the right tool. This system is separate from the court records system. Property records and recorded documents go through this portal. Users can search by name, document type, or recording date.
Confidential Court Records in Pasco County
Not all court records stay open for public viewing. Florida law keeps certain information private.
Personal Data Removal
Under Florida Statute 119.0714, the Clerk must remove social security numbers, bank account data, and other sensitive details from any court record before making it public. This happens automatically. Users do not need to request it. The Clerk reviews documents and redacts protected data as part of the standard process.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 spells out the rules on confidential records. Sealed and expunged criminal records do not show up in any search. A judge signs an order to seal a case. Only certain people, such as law enforcement and some government agencies, can still see it after that.
Juvenile and Mental Health Records
Juvenile court records stay closed to the public. Mental health cases and some domestic violence files also have access limits. Mental health case searches may return limited results based on Florida law.
Filer Responsibility
If you file a document with the court, you must take out confidential info before you submit it. The Clerk can reject filings that have unredacted social security numbers or financial account data. This rule applies to every filer in Pasco County, with or without a lawyer.
How to Request Certified Copies of Pasco County Court Records
Certified copies carry the Clerk’s official seal. Courts, employers, and government agencies often require certified copies. You can order them three ways.
Order Online Through E-Certify
The E-Certify tool on the Clerk’s website lets you order certified copies from your computer. You pay by credit card. The Clerk mails the document or holds it for pickup. Standard processing takes a few business days.
Visit the Clerk’s Office in Person
You can visit the main office in Dade City or the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will pull the file and make certified copies on the spot for most records.
Request by Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk’s office. Include the case number, party names, and document type. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail requests take longer to process.
Pasco County Court Record Fees
The Clerk charges fees for copies and certified documents. The standard fee per page applies to regular copies. Certified copies cost more. The Clerk’s website lists the current fee schedule. Payments can be cash, check, money order, or credit card in person. Online payments use the MyFloridaCounty.com portal.
Federal and Appellate Court Records for Pasco County
Federal cases involving Pasco County residents get filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Federal court records go through PACER, a national federal court records system. Users must create a PACER account and pay a small fee per page. Federal appellate records go through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Florida state appeals from Pasco County go to the District Court of Appeal for the Second District. The Second District covers Pasco County. Appellate records are public and available through the Florida Courts website. Some appellate briefs and opinions are online. Older case files may require a trip to the appellate clerk’s office in Lakeland.
Legal Resources for Pasco County
The Florida Courts Help center has free forms and self-help guides. All court forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court are available at no cost. The 6th Judicial Circuit has self-help resources at the courthouse. Staff can point you to the right forms and explain the steps. Staff cannot give legal advice about your case.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is where all new filings go in Pasco County. The state requires electronic filing for most case types. The portal runs around the clock. Once your filing is processed, the Clerk adds it to the case record. You can track your filing status through the portal too. For fee payments on existing cases, MyFloridaCounty.com handles online transactions.
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association connects all 67 county clerks in the state. You can use their site to find links to any county’s court records system. For general questions about how courts work in Florida, the Florida Courts main site has guides, statistics, and contact information. Bay Area Legal Services covers Pasco County and provides free legal help for people who qualify based on income.
Cities and Communities in Pasco County
All court records for cities in Pasco County are filed through the county Clerk’s office in Dade City. Communities like New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and Port Richey all use the same court system. There are no separate city courts. If a case involves a person or property in any part of Pasco County, it goes through the Pasco County Clerk of Court regardless of which city or town they live in.
Nearby Counties and Their Court Records
Pasco County borders several other counties. Each has its own Clerk and its own court records system. Make sure you search the right county, since records from one county do not show up in another county’s database.
- Hillsborough County – Covers Tampa and the surrounding area
- Pinellas County – Shares the 6th Judicial Circuit with Pasco
- Hernando County – Located to the north of Pasco
- Sumter County – Located to the northeast
- Polk County – Located to the east
Pasco County Court Records Contact Details
Office: Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Address: 14236 6th Street, Dade City, FL 33523-3414
Phone: (352) 521-4542 (Attorney Support)
Website: https://www.pascoclerk.com/
Court Records Search: https://www.pascoclerk.com/172/Search-Court-Records
Visiting Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Tips for Successful Pasco County Court Records Searches
Use exact spellings for full legal names. Avoid nicknames. Include middle names or initials when known. Use the full case number with the year, sequence number, and case type code. Check the date range. Older cases may have been archived to a different system. Try multiple search methods. A name search and a citation search may return different results. Call the Clerk’s office if you cannot find what you need online. Staff can guide you to the right tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasco County Court Records
The questions below cover common issues people run into when searching Pasco County court records. Each answer gives you a direct, factual response based on Florida law and current Clerk practices.
How do I find a criminal case in Pasco County?
Go to the Clerk’s Online Court Records Search page. Use the defendant’s full legal name. Add a date of birth if you know it. The system shows case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. Felony cases show under Circuit Criminal. Misdemeanors show under County Criminal. Sealed and expunged records do not appear in the search. For a criminal background check for employment or licensing, use the official FDLE background check system instead.
Can I see juvenile records in Pasco County?
No. Florida law keeps juvenile court records closed to the public. Parents, guardians, and the juvenile’s attorney can see the file. Law enforcement and some government agencies can request access. The general public cannot view juvenile records online or in person. Juvenile cases do not appear in the Clerk’s public search tool.
How much does a certified copy of a court record cost in Pasco County?
Fees depend on the document type. The Clerk’s website lists the current fee schedule. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Online orders through E-Certify add a convenience fee. Payments by credit card carry a processing charge. In-person requests can be paid by cash, check, or card. The Clerk’s office can quote the exact fee before you place your order.
Are divorce records public in Pasco County?
Most divorce records are public. The final judgment of divorce is part of the public file. Financial documents, child custody evaluations, and sealed settlement agreements may be restricted. The case docket shows the case number, parties, and hearing dates. To get a certified copy of the final judgment, use the E-Certify tool or visit the Clerk’s office in Dade City.
How do I seal a court record in Pasco County?
File a motion to seal with the court. The judge reviews the request and holds a hearing. You must show good cause under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. Expungement of criminal records follows a separate process through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Clerk’s office can give you the forms for both. The Clerk cannot seal a record without a signed court order.
Can I search Pasco County court records for free?
Yes. The Clerk’s Online Court Records Search is free for the public. You can search as many times as you want. No account or login is needed. Fees only apply when you order certified copies or printed documents. Third-party sites may charge fees for the same records. The official Clerk site is the only source for accurate, current records.
What is the difference between Pasco County court records and official records?
Court records cover cases filed with the court. Official records cover property documents, deeds, liens, mortgages, and marriage licenses. The Clerk’s office runs both systems. Court records go through the Online Court Records Search. Official records go through a separate Official Records Search portal. You need the right system based on the document you want to find.