Seminole County Court Records
What Is Seminole County Court Records
Court records in Seminole County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's judicial system. These records constitute a comprehensive repository of judicial activities maintained by various courts operating within Seminole County, Florida. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.011(3)(c)(1), court records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.
Court records differ from other public records such as property records (which document real estate ownership and transactions) and vital records (which include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates). While these other records are typically maintained by county clerks or health departments, court records are specifically generated through judicial proceedings and maintained by the court system.
In Seminole County, court records are maintained by several judicial bodies:
- Circuit Court (18th Judicial Circuit)
- County Court
- Probate Court
- Family Court
- Small Claims Court
- Traffic Court
These courts generate records pertaining to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family law matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts serve as the primary judicial authority in Seminole County, handling a wide range of legal matters and maintaining the associated records.
Are Court Records Public In Seminole County
Court records in Seminole County are generally accessible to the public under Florida's robust public records laws. The state's commitment to government transparency is enshrined in Florida Statutes Chapter 119, commonly known as the "Public Records Law," which establishes the public's right to access government records, including court documents.
Additionally, Florida's Constitution under Article I, Section 24 explicitly guarantees public access to records of all three branches of government, including the judiciary. This constitutional provision, coupled with the statutory framework, creates a presumption of openness for court records in Seminole County.
Records that are typically available to the public include:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Final dispositions
It is important to note that federal courts operating in the region maintain separate record systems from state courts, with access governed by federal rules rather than state laws. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida serves Seminole County for federal matters.
While the presumption favors public access, certain records may be exempt from disclosure or subject to redaction under specific provisions of Florida law. These exemptions are designed to protect privacy interests, confidential information, and sensitive matters such as:
- Records related to juvenile proceedings
- Certain family court matters
- Records sealed by court order
- Information protected by state or federal law
- Records containing social security numbers, bank account information, or other sensitive personal data
The Florida Supreme Court has established comprehensive rules governing access to court records through its Administrative Orders, which provide detailed guidance on public access protocols and exemptions.
How To Find Court Records in Seminole County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Seminole County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official custodian of court records for Seminole County.
To obtain court records in person:
- Visit the Seminole County Courthouse Records Department
- Present identification and complete a records request form
- Specify the case number, party names, or other identifying information
- Pay applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.15 per page for standard copies)
Seminole County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Seminole County Courthouse
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 665-4330
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Seminole County Clerk of Court
For remote requests:
- Submit a written request via mail including case information and contact details
- Include payment for estimated copy fees (call ahead for fee information)
- Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
Electronic access options:
- Utilize the Seminole County Clerk's online records portal
- Register for an account if seeking access to restricted information
- Search by case number, party name, filing date, or case type
- Download available documents (fees may apply for certain documents)
For specialized records:
- Criminal records: Contact the Criminal Division at (407) 665-4330
- Civil records: Contact the Civil Division at (407) 665-4330
- Probate records: Contact the Probate Division at (407) 665-4330
- Family law records: Contact the Family Law Division at (407) 665-4330
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential information may be redacted from court records prior to public access.
How To Look Up Court Records in Seminole County Online?
Seminole County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records electronically. These online resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person visits for many record types.
The primary online portal for Seminole County court records is the Clerk of Court's Official Records Search system. This comprehensive database includes:
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The Seminole County Clerk of Court Records Search:
- Provides access to civil, criminal, traffic, and probate case information
- Allows searches by case number, party name, or date range
- Displays case summaries, docket entries, and some document images
- Requires registration for full document access
- Offers free basic searches with fees for document downloads
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The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal:
- Serves as the statewide electronic filing system
- Provides registered users access to documents filed in their cases
- Requires Florida Bar number or registration as a pro se litigant
- Offers case tracking and notification features
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The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court Records:
- Provides court calendars and hearing schedules
- Offers access to administrative orders and local rules
- Includes judge assignments and courtroom information
- Features links to related judicial resources
For federal cases involving Seminole County residents:
- PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)
- Provides access to federal court documents
- Requires registration and charges nominal fees per page viewed
- Includes cases from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
When using these online systems, users should:
- Have specific case information ready (names, dates, case numbers)
- Be aware that some older records may not be digitized
- Understand that confidential information is typically redacted
- Be prepared to pay fees for certain document downloads
- Note that technical assistance is available by contacting the respective clerk's office
How To Search Seminole County Court Records for Free?
Florida law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, which establishes fee schedules for court services, inspection of records is distinguished from obtaining copies.
Free options for accessing Seminole County court records include:
- In-person inspection at the courthouse:
- Visit the Seminole County Courthouse during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files at public access terminals
- Take notes from records without incurring copy fees
- Bring identification and case information to expedite the process
Seminole County Courthouse
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 665-4330
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Free online resources:
- Seminole County Clerk's Public Records Search - Basic case information is available without charge
- Florida Supreme Court Public Dockets - For cases on appeal
- Fifth District Court of Appeal Docket Search - For appellate cases involving Seminole County
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Law libraries with public access:
- Seminole County Law Library located within the courthouse
- Public libraries with legal research terminals
- State university law libraries with public access policies
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Court calendars and dockets:
- Daily court calendars posted at courthouse entrances
- Online hearing schedules available through the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit website
- Public terminals at the courthouse for checking case status
While basic record searches are free, users should be aware that:
- Document printing or copying incurs fees ($0.15 per page for standard copies)
- Certified copies have additional charges ($1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee)
- Research assistance from clerk staff may be limited due to resources
- Complex searches may require professional legal research services
What's Included in a Seminole County Court Record?
Court records in Seminole County contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include the following components:
For Civil Cases:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer or response
- Motions filed by either party
- Orders issued by the court
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Transcripts of hearings (if ordered)
- Final judgment or disposition
- Post-judgment filings and enforcement documents
For Criminal Cases:
- Charging documents (information or indictment)
- Arrest warrant or probable cause affidavit
- Defendant's plea
- Bond or bail information
- Discovery materials (with appropriate redactions)
- Motions to suppress or dismiss
- Trial exhibits and evidence logs
- Sentencing documents
- Probation reports (with confidential information redacted)
- Appeal notices and related documents
For Family Law Cases:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage or other relief
- Financial affidavits (with certain information redacted)
- Parenting plans
- Child support worksheets
- Mediation agreements
- Final judgment and post-judgment modifications
- Domestic violence injunctions and related documents
For Probate Cases:
- Petition for administration
- Death certificate (partially redacted)
- Will and codicils
- Letters of administration
- Inventory of assets
- Claims against the estate
- Accounting reports
- Orders of distribution
- Closing documents
Case dockets serve as chronological indexes of all filings and proceedings, listing:
- Document titles and filing dates
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Judge assignments
- Attorney appearances
- Service of process information
- Fee payments
- Disposition information
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(d), certain confidential information must be redacted from court records, including:
- Social security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Juvenile information
- Information protected by court order
How Long Does Seminole County Keep Court Records?
Seminole County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services. These schedules, mandated under Florida Statutes § 257.36, provide systematic guidelines for preserving judicial documents.
Retention periods vary by record type:
Criminal Felony Cases:
- Capital punishment cases: Permanent retention
- First-degree murder (non-capital): 100 years
- Other felonies: 10 years after final judgment or last activity
- Appeals: 10 years after final disposition
Criminal Misdemeanor Cases:
- DUI cases: 10 years after final judgment
- Other misdemeanors: 5 years after final judgment
- Criminal traffic: 5 years after final disposition
Civil Cases:
- General civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
- Small claims: 5 years after final judgment
- Evictions: 10 years after final disposition
- Domestic relations (divorce, custody): 10 years after final judgment
Probate Records:
- Wills admitted to probate: Permanent retention
- Estate administration: 10 years after closing
- Guardianship: 10 years after termination of guardianship
Special Proceedings:
- Mental health: 10 years after last activity
- Juvenile dependency: 10 years after 18th birthday
- Juvenile delinquency: 5 years after 19th birthday or last activity
- Adoption: Permanent retention
Court created records:
- Indexes: Permanent retention
- Progress dockets: Permanent retention
- Minutes of court proceedings: Permanent retention
After the designated retention period expires, records may be:
- Transferred to archival storage
- Converted to digital format for long-term preservation
- Destroyed according to approved disposition procedures
Historical records of significant value may be preserved indefinitely regardless of standard retention schedules. The Florida State Archives, in cooperation with the Seminole County Clerk, may identify and preserve records with historical significance.
Researchers seeking older records should note that:
- Pre-digital records may require additional search time
- Some older records may be stored off-site
- Records past retention periods may have been legally destroyed
- Microfilm or digital conversion may have replaced original documents
Types of Courts In Seminole County
Seminole County's judicial system consists of several courts operating within a hierarchical structure. Each court has specific jurisdiction and authority as defined by Florida law.
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court - Seminole County
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 665-4330
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is Seminole County's court of general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, civil disputes exceeding $30,000, family law matters, probate cases, and appeals from county court. The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit serves both Seminole and Brevard counties.
Seminole County Court
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 665-4330
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Seminole County Court
County Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, small claims up to $8,000, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations. This court serves as the entry point for many legal matters in Seminole County.
Fifth District Court of Appeal
300 South Beach Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 947-1530
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fifth District Court of Appeal
The Fifth District Court of Appeal reviews cases appealed from the circuit courts in its jurisdiction, which includes Seminole County. This intermediate appellate court handles most appeals before they potentially reach the Florida Supreme Court.
United States District Court - Middle District of Florida (Orlando Division)
George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse
401 West Central Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 835-4200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida
The federal district court handles cases involving federal law, constitutional questions, diversity jurisdiction, and cases where the United States is a party. The Orlando Division serves Seminole County residents for federal matters.
The judicial hierarchy in Florida progresses from County Courts to Circuit Courts, then to District Courts of Appeal, and finally to the Florida Supreme Court. Each level has specific jurisdictional authority and serves distinct functions within the state's judicial system.
What Types of Cases Do Seminole County Courts Hear?
Seminole County's courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters, with jurisdiction determined by case type, monetary value, and severity of charges. The distribution of cases among the various courts is as follows:
Circuit Court (18th Judicial Circuit) handles:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes exceeding $30,000
- Domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, support)
- Probate and guardianship matters
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings
- Appeals from county court decisions
- Tax disputes and eminent domain proceedings
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Mental health commitments
County Court addresses:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil disputes up to $30,000
- Small claims up to $8,000
- Traffic infractions and violations
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- County and municipal ordinance violations
- Domestic violence injunctions
- First appearance hearings in criminal cases
Fifth District Court of Appeal reviews:
- Appeals from circuit court final judgments
- Appeals from non-final orders as permitted by court rules
- Original proceedings for extraordinary writs (mandamus, prohibition)
- Certified questions from circuit courts
- Orders of administrative agencies
United States District Court (Middle District of Florida) presides over:
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases arising under federal law
- Constitutional challenges
- Diversity jurisdiction cases (parties from different states with claims exceeding $75,000)
- Bankruptcy proceedings
- Patent, copyright, and trademark disputes
- Federal habeas corpus petitions
- Civil rights claims under federal statutes
Specialized divisions within these courts include:
- Drug Court (Circuit and County)
- Veterans Court (County)
- Mental Health Court (County)
- Juvenile Delinquency Court (Circuit)
- Dependency Court (Circuit)
- Domestic Violence Court (Circuit)
- Business Court (Circuit)
- Probate Court (Circuit)
Case assignment follows jurisdictional rules established by the Florida Constitution Article V and implemented through state statutes and judicial administrative orders.
How To Find a Court Docket In Seminole County
Court dockets in Seminole County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case, serving as essential navigational tools for tracking legal proceedings. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods.
Online docket access options include:
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Seminole County Clerk's Case Search:
- Search by case number, party name, citation number, or date range
- View docket entries showing filings, hearings, and court actions
- Access is free for basic docket information
- Registration required for document viewing
- Updated daily with new case information
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Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court Calendar:
- View upcoming court hearings by judge or division
- Search by date range or case type
- Check jury trial schedules
- Verify hearing locations and times
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Florida Courts E-Filing Portal:
- Registered users can access dockets for their cases
- Attorneys and registered pro se litigants have enhanced access
- Provides notification of new docket entries
- Links to related case documents
For in-person docket access:
Seminole County Courthouse
Clerk's Office - Public Records Department
301 N. Park Avenue
Sanford, FL 32771
(407) 665-4330
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Public access terminals available for docket searches
- Staff assistance for locating case information
- Daily printed dockets posted for scheduled court proceedings
- Request forms available for specific docket searches
For federal court dockets involving Seminole County matters:
When searching for docket information, users should:
- Have the exact spelling of party names or precise case numbers
- Know the approximate filing date or case year
- Understand the court division handling the case
- Be aware that some older dockets may not be available electronically
- Note that sealed or confidential cases may have restricted docket access
Which Courts in Seminole County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Florida's judicial system, the distinction between "courts of record" and "courts not of record" is significant for procedural purposes. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 34.01(5), a court of record maintains formal documentation of all proceedings, including verbatim transcripts when requested, and its decisions may be appealed directly to a district court of appeal.
In Seminole County, the following are not courts of record:
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Traffic Hearing Officer Proceedings
- Handle certain civil traffic infractions
- Decisions appealed to county court
- Proceedings may be recorded but not to appellate standards
- Located at the Seminole County Courthouse
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Code Enforcement Boards
- Adjudicate local ordinance violations
- Not part of the state court system
- Appeals go to Circuit Court via certiorari review
- Typically located at municipal government buildings
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Value Adjustment Board
- Hears property tax assessment disputes
- Not a judicial body in the traditional sense
- Decisions reviewable in Circuit Court
- Located at Seminole County Administration Building
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Local Administrative Hearing Officers
- Handle certain municipal ordinance violations
- Operate under local government authority
- Appeals typically go to Circuit Court
- Located at respective city halls
The primary characteristics of courts not of record include:
- Limited jurisdiction over specific matters
- Simplified procedures compared to courts of record
- Appeals typically heard de novo (new trial) rather than on the record
- Less formal evidentiary and procedural requirements
- Often presided over by magistrates or hearing officers rather than judges
By contrast, all of the following Seminole County courts are courts of record:
- Circuit Court (18th Judicial Circuit)
- County Court
- District Court of Appeal (5th District)
These courts maintain complete records of all proceedings, employ court reporters or digital recording systems, follow formal rules of evidence and procedure, and their decisions are appealed based on the official record rather than through a new trial.
Lookup Court Records in Seminole County
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts
Seminole County Court Information