Seminole County court records are the official files kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for every case filed in the 18th Judicial Circuit. These records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, family law matters, probate filings, traffic citations, small claims, and juvenile cases.
Anyone can look at them because Florida law treats court records as public documents. The Clerk’s office in Sanford stores the paper files and runs the online search tools that let the public see the same records from a phone or computer.
What the Clerk of Court Does for Seminole County
The Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the record keeper for the entire county court system. The current Clerk is Grant Maloy. His office files new cases, stores every document a judge or party files, issues certified copies, and runs the public search websites. Staff at the counter can help visitors pull a file, but they cannot give legal advice or tell anyone how to win a case.
The Clerk’s office answers to the Florida Constitution and follows state law for every action it takes. Court staff redact social security numbers, bank account data, and other private details before posting files online. This redaction happens automatically. Anyone who files a new document in a Seminole County case must also remove that same private data before submitting the paperwork.
How to Search Seminole County Court Records Online
Two free search tools let the public check Seminole County court records without leaving home. The first tool is the Public Records Online portal on the Clerk’s website. The second tool is the separate Seminole County Courts search site. Both tools pull from the same set of files, but the search screens look different. If one tool does not return what the user wants, the other one might.
The Public Records Online portal covers criminal cases, civil cases, traffic citations, court events, and foreclosure filings. Users enter a name, case number, or date range. The system then shows matching cases, party names, hearing dates, and the docket sheet for each case. The portal also shows many of the actual filed documents, not just the list of what was filed. The Clerk reviews each scanned page before it goes online to make sure private data stays hidden.
The Seminole County Courts search site focuses on case lookups across all divisions of the 18th Judicial Circuit. It covers criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases. Users can search by full name, business name, case number, or citation number. Each search result links to the docket, a list of hearings, and a list of filed documents.
| Search Tool | Website | Case Types Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk Public Records Online | seminoleclerk.org/public-records-online/ | Criminal, civil, traffic, foreclosure, court events |
| Seminole County Courts Search | seminolecountycourts.org | All divisions in the 18th Circuit |
Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 gives Florida clerks permission to post court document images online. Seminole County takes part in this program. That is why so many actual filings are visible through the search portals instead of only docket entries.
Seminole County Courthouse Locations
Seminole County has three courthouse buildings. All three sit in the city of Sanford, which serves as the county seat. The buildings sit close to each other, so visitors do not need to drive far between them. The Clerk’s main office and most public service counters sit inside the Civil Courthouse.
The Civil Courthouse at 301 N Park Ave handles circuit civil cases, county civil cases, family law, probate, and the Clerk’s main office. The Criminal Justice Courthouse at 101 Eslinger Way handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, plus first appearances and arraignments. The Juvenile Justice Center at 190 Eslinger Way handles juvenile delinquency and dependency filings. Juvenile records follow different access rules than adult cases. Most juvenile files stay confidential under Florida law.
Anyone who wants to view a file in person should bring a photo ID and the case number if they have it. Staff at the public service counter will pull the file and bring it to a reading room. Photocopies cost a small fee per page. The Clerk’s office accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards.
Types of Court Cases Filed in Seminole County
The 18th Judicial Circuit covers a wide range of cases in Seminole County. Each case type creates its own file with its own docket, motions, orders, and final judgment. The Clerk’s office stores every file for the life of the case and often much longer for historical records.
Civil Court Records
Circuit civil cases cover disputes over $30,000. They include personal injury claims, business lawsuits, real estate disputes, and injunction requests. County civil cases cover smaller disputes, usually between $5,000 and $30,000, plus landlord-tenant matters. Both types create open files that anyone can view through the public search tools.
Small Claims Court Records
Small claims cases cover disputes up to $5,000. People often file these without a lawyer because the process is simple. The docket shows the claim amount, the hearing date, and the final judgment. Small claims files stay open to the public in the same way as other civil cases.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases split between circuit court for felonies and county court for misdemeanors. Each case creates a docket that tracks every charge, plea, motion, hearing, and sentence. The Clerk’s online search tools show criminal case results, including the charges, the defendant’s name, and the final outcome. Sealed or expunged criminal cases drop out of the public search results.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic citations filed in Seminole County appear in the public records portal. Users can search by citation number, driver name, or date. The docket shows the violation, the court date, and the final ruling, whether a fine was paid, a school was completed, or a judge ordered other action.
Family Court Records
Family law cases include divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and name changes. The Clerk stores each case file under a sealed cover sheet to protect private data like social security numbers. Basic docket entries stay public. The actual documents inside sealed family files may need a court order to view.
Probate Court Records
Probate cases cover wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health filings. The docket lists the petitioner, the deceased person or ward, the personal representative, and the final orders. Most probate files stay public, except for some mental health records that the court may seal.
Foreclosure Court Records
The Clerk’s website has a special foreclosure section where users can look up active foreclosure filings. This is helpful for title searchers, real estate investors, and homeowners who want to track a property. Foreclosure cases follow the same public access rules as other civil cases.
Juvenile Court Records
Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases sit in a separate file system at the Juvenile Justice Center. Most juvenile records stay confidential under Florida law. A person who wants to view a juvenile file usually needs a court order or written permission from the judge.
Confidential and Sealed Court Records
Not every court record in Seminole County is open to the public. Florida Statute 119.0714 requires the Clerk to redact social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other private data from any document posted online. This redaction happens during the normal review process before a document goes live on the search portals.
Sealed records drop out of every public search result. A judge can order a case sealed for many reasons, including protection of a minor, a witness safety issue, or a completed expungement. The process to seal a criminal case starts with a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The person then files a petition with the court. If the judge grants the petition, the Clerk removes the case from the public search tools. Only law enforcement and a few other agencies can still see sealed records.
Juvenile records are also confidential. People who need a juvenile file for legal reasons must file a motion with the court and get a signed order before the Clerk will allow access.
How to Get Certified Copies of Court Records
Certified copies carry the Clerk’s seal and serve as official proof of the document for use in other courts, government agencies, or business deals. Anyone can buy a certified copy of a public court record in person at the Civil Courthouse or by mail. The request must include the case number, the document name, and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the fee.
The standard fee for a certified copy is set by Florida law and is the same across every county. Regular photocopies of public records also carry a small per-page fee. The Clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards in person. Online payments go through the official MyFloridaCounty portal.
E-Filing New Court Documents
Most new filings in Seminole County go through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The portal runs around the clock, so filers can submit paperwork any time. The system accepts filings from attorneys and self-represented parties. After the Clerk reviews the filing, it gets added to the case docket and shows up in the public search tools.
Self-represented filers who do not want to use the e-filing portal can still file paper documents at the courthouse. The Clerk’s office accepts paper filings at the public service counter during normal business hours. The filer should bring the original and one copy of each document, plus a valid photo ID.
Records Available Through the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
The Clerk of Court is not the only office that holds legal records. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records, booking photos, and incident reports. The Records Custodian at the Sheriff’s Office answers requests for these files. People can call the Records Custodian at 407-665-6694 to ask about arrest records or incident reports.
The Sheriff’s Office also runs an online search tool on its website where users can check recent bookings and active warrants. Arrest records stay public unless a judge seals them. The Clerk’s online tools show court case results for each arrest, while the Sheriff’s tools show the arrest itself.
Federal Court Records for the Seminole County Area
Federal cases that involve Seminole County residents do not show up in the Clerk’s state search portals. Federal cases sit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The federal court system uses its own search system called PACER, which charges a small fee per page for document access. Anyone who needs a federal case file can search PACER or visit the federal courthouse in Orlando.
Common Fees for Seminole County Court Records
The Clerk charges small fees for copies, certified copies, and record searches. Florida law sets the base fees, so every county charges the same amount. Regular copies cost a few dollars per page. Certified copies cost more because of the official seal. The Clerk’s website lists the full fee schedule on the public records page.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular photocopy per page | Set by Florida law |
| Certified copy per document | Set by Florida law |
| Online search portal | Free |
| Federal PACER access | Small per-page fee |
Cities Served by the Seminole County Court System
Every city and town inside Seminole County uses the same court system. There are no separate city courts. Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, and Winter Springs all file their cases through the Clerk’s office in Sanford. The same online search tools cover every case in the county, no matter which city the parties live in.
Nearby County Court Records
Seminole County borders Orange County, Volusia County, and Lake County. Each of these counties runs its own Clerk’s office and its own search tools. A case filed in Seminole County will not show up in the Orange County portal. Users who need to check court records in more than one county should run a separate search in each county’s system.
- Orange County Clerk of Courts
- Volusia County Clerk of Courts
- Lake County Clerk of Courts
Official Contact Details and Visiting Hours
The main Clerk’s office sits at 301 N Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The main phone number is (407) 665-4330. The email is clerk@seminoleclerk.org. The Records Custodian for the Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 407-665-6694.
The Civil Courthouse, Criminal Justice Courthouse, and Juvenile Justice Center all sit in Sanford, just a short drive from each other. Visitors can park at metered spaces near each building. Free parking is also available in some nearby lots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seminole County Court Records
The following questions cover the topics people most often ask about Seminole County court records. Each answer gives clear, direct steps that anyone can follow.
Are all Seminole County court records public?
Most court records in Seminole County are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119. Sealed cases, expunged cases, juvenile records, and certain mental health filings are the main exceptions. The Clerk’s office also redacts private data like social security numbers and bank account numbers before posting documents online. This redaction is required by Florida Statute 119.0714 and happens during the normal review process.
How do I search for a criminal case in Seminole County?
Go to the Clerk’s Public Records Online portal or the Seminole County Courts search site. Enter the full name of the defendant, the case number, or the date of arrest. The search results will show the charges, the case status, the next hearing date, and the final judgment. Sealed or expunged criminal cases will not show up in either search tool.
Can I view court records for free in Seminole County?
Yes. The Clerk’s online search tools are free to use. No account is needed. In-person viewing at the courthouse is also free. The only costs are for photocopies and certified copies. The standard copy fee is set by Florida law and is the same across every county.
How do I get a certified copy of a court record?
Visit the Civil Courthouse at 301 N Park Ave in Sanford or mail a request to the Clerk’s office. The request must include the case number, the document name, and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the fee. The Clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards. Online payments go through the MyFloridaCounty portal.
What is the difference between sealed and expunged records?
Sealed records stay on file with the Clerk but drop out of public search results. Only judges, law enforcement, and a few other agencies can see sealed files. Expunged records are physically destroyed or deleted from the Clerk’s files. In Florida, a person can apply for a sealing or expungement only after receiving a certificate of eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
How do I e-file a new court document in Seminole County?
Go to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Create an account, pick the Seminole County Clerk as the filing location, and upload the document. The system accepts filings 24 hours a day. After the Clerk reviews the filing, it gets added to the case docket. Self-represented filers can also file paper documents at the courthouse during business hours.
Where do I find arrest records for Seminole County?
Arrest records are kept by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Call the Records Custodian at 407-665-6694 to ask about a specific arrest. The Sheriff’s website also has an online search tool for recent bookings and active warrants. Court case results for the same arrest can be found through the Clerk’s online search portals.