Town N Country City Court Records are public court files kept by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller in Tampa, Florida. Town ‘n’ Country is an unincorporated community in western Hillsborough County, and all court cases for its residents go through the same county clerk office that serves Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and the rest of the county.
Where Town N Country Court Records Are Kept
Town ‘n’ Country does not have its own courthouse or city clerk. Court cases for residents of Town ‘n’ Country are filed and stored through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller. The main office sits at 800 East Twiggs Street, Room 101, in Tampa, about a 15-minute drive east of Town ‘n’ Country. The clerk keeps records for the entire 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers all of Hillsborough County.
The clerk office stores civil, criminal, family, traffic, probate, and small claims records. Records go back to 1845 in some cases. Older files from the 1800s and early 1900s are stored on microfilm at the Tampa main office. Newer files from 1990 forward are scanned and available on the clerk’s online system.
How to Search Court Records Online
The Hillsborough County Clerk runs a free public portal called HOVER. Anyone can search from home at any time of day. The system works with a case number, a full legal name, or a business name. Search results show the case status, party names, charges, hearing dates, and final outcomes. Many court documents can be viewed as scanned images directly on the site.
Searches do not require an account. The basic search results show docket entries and the next court date. Image viewing costs $1 per page. Printed copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2 per certification plus $1 per page. The portal covers all case types: civil, criminal, family, traffic, probate, and small claims. Town ‘n’ Country residents can use HOVER to search court date reminders, pay traffic tickets, and check jury duty status too.
Types of Court Records
The Hillsborough County Clerk keeps records for many case types. Each type has its own search category on the HOVER portal.
Civil Court Records
Civil cases involve disputes between two or more parties. Common civil topics include money owed, property damage, contract disputes, and personal injury claims. Town ‘n’ Country civil court records show who filed the case, the amount in question, and the judge’s final decision. These files stay public unless a judge seals them for a specific legal reason. The clerk indexes civil cases by party name and case number. Older files from before 1980 may only be available on microfilm at the Tampa office.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Town ‘n’ Country start with an arrest or a charging document called an information or indictment. Felonies go to the circuit court. Misdemeanors stay in county court. Both levels keep public records through the clerk. Search results show the charges filed, plea entered, sentence handed down, and probation terms. Expunged or sealed criminal records do not appear in the public search. Records for juveniles are confidential under Florida law. Arrest records come from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, not the clerk.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic tickets in Town ‘n’ Country are filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk. Drivers can pay fines, view their ticket, or contest the charge online. Traffic cases include speeding, running a red light, driving without a valid license, and similar violations. Some traffic cases become criminal charges when they involve DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, or driving with a suspended license that caused injury.
Family Court Records
Family cases cover divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and adoption. These cases are filed at the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa. The records are public, but some details are removed for privacy. Adoption records are sealed by law. Domestic violence injunctions are public, but the victim’s home and work address may be shielded from public view. Child dependency records are confidential under Florida law.
Probate Court Records
Probate cases deal with wills, estates, and guardianship after someone dies or becomes unable to manage their own affairs. These files list the deceased person, the executor or personal representative, and the heirs. They show which assets were part of the estate. Most probate files are public, but some sensitive financial details may be redacted from the online version.
Small Claims Court Records
Small claims cases in Town ‘n’ Country handle disputes for up to $8,000. Common small claims cases include unpaid rent, security deposit returns, and small contract issues. Small claims records are public and easy to search through HOVER. No lawyer is required to file a small claims case. The filing fee is $50 for claims up to $2,500 and $75 for claims up to $8,000.
Court Case Search by Name and Case Number
Searching by name works best with the full legal name. A middle name or date of birth helps narrow results when a common name brings up many cases. Searching by case number gives the most direct result. The case number format in Florida looks like 23-CA-001234, where 23 is the year the case was filed, CA means civil action, and 001234 is the sequence number.
| Case Type | Code | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | CA | 24-CA-001234 |
| Criminal Felony | CF | 24-CF-005678 |
| Criminal Misdemeanor | MM | 24-MM-009012 |
| Traffic | TR | 24-TR-003456 |
| Family | DR | 24-DR-007890 |
| Probate | CP | 24-CP-001122 |
For people with common names, add a birth year or a partial address to filter results. The HOVER portal lets you search by name, case number, citation number, and date range.
Fees for Court Records
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online search | Free |
| Viewing docket entries | Free |
| Printed copy | $1 per page |
| Certified copy | $2 per document + $1 per page |
| Apostille (out of country) | $7 extra per document |
| Credit card processing | 3.5% of payment |
Real example: a 10-page certified copy of a divorce decree costs $12 total. Credit cards are accepted online. The clerk office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card in person. There is no fee to view a case online. The fee applies only when you print or download a document image.
Sealed and Restricted Records
Judges can seal records for good cause. Common reasons include juvenile cases, adoption, certain family matters, and expunged criminal records. Sealed records do not appear in HOVER search results. To view a sealed record, a court order is required. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the specific reasons a judge can seal a record. Expunged records are destroyed or returned to the person. Sealed records are kept private but still exist in the clerk’s storage.
Certified Copies of Court Documents
Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and a signature. Banks, employers, and government agencies often ask for them. Request certified copies in person at the Tampa office, by mail, or online through HOVER. Payment options include credit card, check, or money order. The certified copy fee is $2 per document plus $1 per page. Some agencies require an extra $7 for apostille or authentication for use in another country.
Visit the Clerk Office in Person
The main clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring a photo ID. The address is 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Self-service computers are available for free record searches. The office accepts passport applications, marriage licenses, and notary services. Parking is available in the county parking garage across the street. The cost is $1.50 per hour.
Step-by-Step In-Person Visit
- Arrive at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
- Park in the county garage across the street.
- Bring a photo ID and the case number or full legal name.
- Take a number at the public counter.
- Use a self-service computer for free record searches.
- Ask the clerk for certified copies if needed.
- Pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Mail and Email Record Requests
Mail a written request to the clerk at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Include the case number, full names of the parties, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Add payment for copies. Allow 5 to 10 business days for mail requests. For faster service, use a courier like UPS or FedEx. The clerk office does not accept email requests for court records. Email is for general questions only.
Pay Traffic Tickets and Court Fees Online
Drivers in Town ‘n’ Country can pay traffic tickets through MyFloridaCounty.com. Court costs, probation fees, and child support payments can also be paid online. The site accepts credit cards and debit cards. A 3.5% processing fee applies to credit card payments. There is no fee for debit card payments. Online payments post to the case the same business day.
Town N Country Florida Court Records and Pinellas County
Town ‘n’ Country sits on the Hillsborough-Pinellas county line. The western edge of Town ‘n’ Country borders Oldsmar and other Pinellas County communities. When a court case was filed in Pinellas County, contact the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Each county runs its own court system. The Pinellas clerk is located at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Their phone number is (727) 464-7000. Their website is pinellasclerk.org.
Florida Public Records Laws
Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see most government records. Court records fall under this law. A judge can seal a record only for a specific reason stated in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. The clerk removes social security numbers and bank account numbers from online records under Florida Statute 119.0714. This redaction happens automatically and does not require a request from the person named in the record.
Contact the Hillsborough County Clerk
Office: Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Address: 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 276-8100
Website: https://www.hillsclerk.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About Town N Country Court Records
Town ‘n’ Country court records raise many practical questions for residents, attorneys, employers, and curious family members. The answers below cover the most common questions about searching, copying, sealing, and paying for records. Each answer reflects the current rules in Florida and Hillsborough County as of 2026.
How do I search a court case in Town ‘n’ Country?
To search a court case in Town ‘n’ Country, go to the Hillsborough County Clerk HOVER portal at hover.hillsclerk.com. The HOVER portal is free to use and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can search by full name, case number, citation number, or business name. A name search works best with a full legal name and a birth year when the name is common. A case number search gives the most direct result.
The case number format depends on the case type. Civil cases use CA, criminal felony cases use CF, criminal misdemeanor cases use MM, traffic cases use TR, family cases use DR, and probate cases use CP. The first two digits show the year the case was filed. For example, 24-CA-012345 was filed in 2024.
Search results show the case type, party names, charges or claims, court dates, and the judge assigned. You can also see a list of docket entries that show every paper filed in the case. Document images are available for most cases filed after 1990. Older cases may only have docket text without images. To view older files, visit the Tampa clerk office in person and ask for microfilm records from the archives room on the second floor.
Are Town ‘n’ Country court records free to view?
Yes, basic case searches on the HOVER portal are free. You can search by name, case number, and date range without paying. Viewing the docket entries and case details is free too. The fee only applies when you print or download a document image from the case. Each page of a document image costs $1 to print or download through the portal.
Certified copies cost extra. A certified copy is a paper copy with the clerk’s official seal and signature. Banks, employers, and government agencies often require certified copies. The fee is $2 for the certification plus $1 per page. For example, a 5-page certified divorce decree costs $7 total. You can ask for certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the clerk office.
There are no monthly fees, no subscription fees, and no account fees. The HOVER portal is paid for by Hillsborough County and Florida state court fees. Anyone can use it without creating an account or giving personal data beyond a name search. The portal does not track who searches, and no login is required to use the basic search tools.
Can I search criminal records for Town ‘n’ Country online?
Yes, criminal court records for Town ‘n’ Country are online through the HOVER portal. The records show charges, plea, sentence, probation, and case status. Felony records start with CF in the case number. Misdemeanor records start with MM. Both types are public unless a judge sealed or expunged the case.
Arrest records come from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The clerk only stores court records, not arrest reports. To search arrest records, use the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office online portal at hcsheriff.gov. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal search at fdle.state.fl.us for a small fee per search.
Juvenile criminal records are not public. They are sealed under Florida law. Adult expunged records are removed from public search. Sealed records still exist in the clerk’s files but are not visible on HOVER. A court order is required to view a sealed or expunged record. The clerk can confirm a record is sealed but cannot share its contents without a valid court order from a Florida judge.
How do I get a certified copy of a marriage license from Town ‘n’ Country?
Marriage licenses in Florida are filed with the county clerk where the license was issued. For Town ‘n’ Country couples who married in Hillsborough County, the license is on file at the Tampa clerk office at 800 East Twiggs Street. You can ask for a certified copy in person, by mail, or online through the official records search page.
The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $3. There is no per-page fee for a marriage license since the document is one page. You will need a photo ID if you ask in person. By mail, include a copy of your photo ID, the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a check or money order for $3 payable to the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
Online, go to the Hillsborough County Clerk official records page at hillsclerk.com. Search by name. The marriage license will show up when it was filed in the county. Click the certified copy option and pay by credit card. The certified copy arrives by email as a PDF or by mail in 5 to 10 business days. Some agencies require the original paper copy with a raised seal, so ask the agency first.
What is the difference between sealed and expunged records in Florida?
Sealed records stay in the clerk’s storage but are hidden from public search. Only the person named in the record, their attorney, and certain government agencies can view a sealed record. Sealed records still exist. A judge ordered the record sealed for a specific reason listed in Florida law, such as a successful completion of a diversion program.
Expunged records are physically destroyed or returned to the person. The clerk removes the file from the system. After an expungement, the person can legally say they were never charged with that crime in most situations. Florida law allows expungement for certain first-time offenders and cases that did not result in a conviction.
The process to seal or expunge a record starts with a petition to the court. The person files Form 9.95A or 9.95B depending on the case type. A judge reviews the petition. When approved, the clerk seals or destroys the record. The whole process takes 4 to 8 months in Hillsborough County. The filing fee for the petition is $75, and there is an extra $75 fee to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for processing.
How long does it take to get court records by mail in Hillsborough County?
Mail requests for court records in Hillsborough County take 5 to 10 business days. The clerk office processes mail requests in the order they arrive. To speed up the request, include the case number, full legal names of all parties, the year the case was filed, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Add payment for copies plus postage for return delivery.
Certified copies add 1 to 2 business days. The clerk needs to apply the official seal and signature. Apostille copies for use in another country take 2 to 4 weeks. Florida uses the Secretary of State in Tallahassee for apostilles, so the mail goes to two offices and returns through the same path.
For urgent requests, visit the Tampa office in person. Self-service computers let you print records the same day. Staff can help you search for older cases on microfilm. The in-person option is best when you need the record right away or want to confirm the file exists before paying for copies. Walk-in service is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Do Town ‘n’ Country traffic tickets show up on background checks?
Yes, traffic tickets filed in Hillsborough County show up on background checks. The clerk files traffic cases in the public court system. Most background check companies pull from the Florida court records database. Paid traffic tickets appear as dispositions. Unpaid tickets appear as open cases with pending court dates.
Most employers do not care about minor traffic tickets like speeding or parking. Car insurance companies do check driving records. They pull from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, not the court clerk. Serious traffic offenses like DUI, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license that caused injury stay on the court record for life unless sealed or expunged.
To remove a traffic ticket from a background check, you need a court order. The court can withhold adjudication in some cases, which keeps the ticket off the public record. Talk to a traffic attorney about this option. The cost of an attorney is often less than the long-term cost of higher insurance rates over several years.