Palm Coast City civil court records are managed by the Flagler County Clerk of Court in Bunnell, Florida. Palm Coast sits inside Flagler County, so all civil lawsuits, small claims, eviction filings, and judgment records for the city flow through this one clerk office.
You can look at these records online, in person, or through the statewide Florida e-filing portal. This page explains exactly how the system works, who runs it, what you can search, what you cannot see, and how to get the papers you need.
Flagler County Clerk of Court
Every civil court record for Palm Coast lives at the Flagler County Clerk of Court. The clerk is the official record keeper for the county. The office files new lawsuits, stores old case files, issues certified copies, and runs the online search tools. Palm Coast is the largest city in Flagler County, so most of the civil cases filed here come from Palm Coast residents, businesses, or properties.
Tom Bexley and Office Contact
Tom Bexley serves as the current Clerk of Court for Flagler County. His office handles all civil filings and record requests for Palm Coast. The clerk office also runs the official records search and the court records search portals. Staff answer phone calls during business hours and help walk-in visitors find files at the public terminal.
Office Location and Hours
The clerk office sits at 1769 E Moody Blvd, Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. This courthouse is about 15 minutes west of Palm Coast. Doors are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. You can call the clerk at (386) 313-4400 for help before driving over.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Tom Bexley |
| Office | Flagler County Clerk of Court |
| Street Address | 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg 1, Bunnell, FL 32110 |
| Phone Number | (386) 313-4400 |
| Business Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Website | flaglerclerk.com |
How to Search Civil Court Records
You have four main ways to search Palm Coast City civil court records. Each method works for different needs. Some are free. Others cost a small fee. Pick the one that matches what you want to find, whether that is a party name, case number, judgment lien, or fresh court filing.
Search by Party Name
The Flagler County Clerk website hosts a free court records search. You type a last name and a first name. The system pulls every civil case where that person appears as a plaintiff, defendant, or party. This covers Palm Coast cases along with the rest of Flagler County. The search returns case numbers, filing dates, judge names, and current status.
- Go to flaglerclerk.com and click Court Records
- Pick Civil as the case type
- Type the last name first, then first name
- Add a date range to narrow the list
- Click the case number to open the docket
Search by Case Number
If you already know the case number, the docket search is faster. Civil cases in Florida start with a two-digit year, then a county code, then a case type code, then a sequence number. Flagler County uses the code FL for many older files and a newer uniform format for recent filings. Type the full case number into the search box to pull the full docket sheet.
Florida E-Filing Portal Access
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal connects every county clerk in the state into one search system. The portal at myflcourtaccess.com lets you look up Palm Coast civil cases without a flaglerclerk.com account. You can also file new civil cases through this portal. Account creation is free. The portal stores images of filed pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments.
In-Person Record Requests
Visit the Flagler County Courthouse in Bunnell for records that are hard to find online. Public terminals in the clerk lobby let you search and print dockets for free. Print and certified copies cost a per-page fee. Bring a photo ID. Staff can pull older archived files that are not yet scanned into the online system.
Civil Court Structure in Palm Coast
Palm Coast falls under the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit covers Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Civil cases get sorted into two court levels based on the dollar amount in dispute. Picking the right court matters because it changes the filing fee, the rules of evidence, and the appeal path.
Circuit Court Division
Circuit Civil Court handles disputes where the claim is more than $30,000. This includes most personal injury lawsuits, complex contract cases, real property fights, and business lawsuits. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court even when no dollar value applies. Judges in this division hear longer trials and often manage multi-party litigation.
County Court Division
County Civil Court takes cases with claims up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 also fall here. Most landlord-tenant disputes, eviction filings, consumer debt collection, and minor contract cases in Palm Coast end up in County Court. County Court uses simpler procedures and faster dockets. Many small cases settle without a full jury trial.
Common Civil Case Types
Civil court records in Palm Coast cover a wide range of disputes. Each case type has its own filing code, docket layout, and common document set. Knowing the type helps you search smarter because the clerk portal groups records by case category.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims cases in Palm Coast cover disputes worth $8,000 or less. People use small claims for unpaid debts, property damage, security deposit fights, and broken contracts. These cases move fast. Most hearings happen within 60 to 90 days of filing. The clerk records the judgment, and the winning party can later record a judgment lien.
Eviction and Landlord Cases
Eviction filings in Palm Coast go through County Court under the landlord-tenant division. The clerk stores the complaint, the summons, the writ of possession, and the final judgment. Landlords file most evictions for nonpayment of rent or lease violations. Tenants can search these records to check if a landlord has a history of eviction filings against other tenants.
Contract Dispute Records
Contract dispute cases cover unpaid invoices, service agreement failures, and broken business deals. Palm Coast businesses file these cases in County Court when the amount is under $30,000 and in Circuit Court above that line. The docket shows motions to dismiss, answers, counterclaims, and final judgments. Each contract case also lists the lawyers of record.
Personal Injury Filings
Personal injury cases always land in Circuit Court because damages usually exceed $30,000. Slip and fall claims, car accident lawsuits, and medical malpractice filings all appear in this docket. These records include medical records, expert disclosures, deposition transcripts, and settlement agreements. The clerk keeps the full case file even after the case closes.
Public Records Access Under Florida Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Most civil court records in Palm Coast are open to anyone. You do not need to be a party, a lawyer, or a citizen of Florida to view them. The clerk cannot ask why you want the records or deny you based on your purpose.
Chapter 119 Statute
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes requires that all state, county, and city records stay open for inspection and copying. This law covers civil court dockets, case files, and most supporting documents. The clerk must provide copies at a reasonable cost. The statute can be reviewed at leg.state.fl.us under Title X, Chapter 119.
Sealed and Exempt Records
Some civil court records are sealed by court order. Judges seal records to protect trade secrets, minors, or sensitive personal data. Bank account numbers, social security numbers, and minor children information are redacted from public files under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. Filers must use the Notice of Confidential Information form to flag private data so the clerk can keep it out of the public view.
Filing Fees and Court Costs
The clerk charges fees for filing new civil cases and for making certified copies of old records. Filing fees vary by case type. County Court civil filings start at $300 for most claims. Circuit Court civil filings start at $400. Small claims filings are lower. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $2 certification fee. Plain copies run about $1 per page. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and most major cards.
Self-Help Resources for Palm Coast
People who file civil cases without a lawyer can use free self-help tools from the Florida Courts. These tools work for any Florida county, including Palm Coast filings through the Flagler County Clerk. The forms cover the most common case types and follow the same statewide format.
Florida Courts Self-Help Page
The Florida Courts self-help page at flcourts.gov hosts form packets for small claims, evictions, debt collection, and basic civil suits. Each packet includes the complaint form, summons template, service instructions, and final judgment form. The page also links to plain-language guides that explain each step of the civil court process for Palm Coast residents.
DIY Florida Form Builder
DIY Florida sits inside the Florida E-Filing Portal. The tool asks you simple questions in plain English. Based on your answers, it fills out the correct court form for your case type. You can prepare small claims, eviction, and civil complaint forms this way. Then file the finished form through the same portal to the Flagler County Clerk. Standard filing fees apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers the most common questions people ask when they search for Palm Coast City civil court records. Each answer covers what you can do, what you cannot do, and where to go next. Use these answers as a quick reference before you start your search or file a new case.
Can I view Palm Coast civil court records for free?
Yes. The Flagler County Clerk online portal at flaglerclerk.com lets you search civil court records at no cost. You can look up cases by name or case number and view the docket entries without paying. Free public terminals at the courthouse in Bunnell also let you search and read files without a fee. You only pay when you request printed or certified copies of documents.
What types of records are sealed from public view?
Records sealed by a judge are off limits to the public. Judges seal files to protect trade secrets, the identity of minors, sensitive financial details, or personal safety matters. Personal identifiers like social security numbers and bank account numbers are redacted from public files even when the rest of the case stays open. Confidential information forms must be filed to flag private data at the time of submission.
How do I find a judgment from a Palm Coast case?
Search the civil docket at flaglerclerk.com using the case number or party name. The judgment entry shows the dollar amount, the winner, and the date entered. For recorded judgment liens, use the Official Records search under the same portal. Recorded judgments appear in the public land records tied to the debtor name. Certified copies of judgments are available from the clerk for a small per-page fee.
Can I search federal cases filed in Palm Coast?
No. The Flagler County Clerk only handles Florida state court records. Federal cases for the Palm Coast area fall under the Middle District of Florida. Federal civil cases must be searched through the federal PACER system at pacer.uscourts.gov. Bankruptcy filings for Palm Coast residents also go through federal court and require a separate search through PACER.
How long does the clerk keep civil case records?
The Flagler County Clerk keeps civil case records permanently. Older paper files are stored in the clerk archives or scanned into the digital system. Most civil cases from the past 20 years are fully searchable online. Cases from before 2000 may require an in-person visit to the clerk office to view microfilm or archived boxes. Sealed records are kept separate and are never released.
Can I remove or expunge a civil court record?
Florida law does not allow expungement of civil court records the way it does for criminal cases. Civil judgments stay on the public docket forever unless a court order vacates them. You can ask the court to vacate a judgment under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540 if there was a mistake, fraud, or new evidence. Paid judgments still show in the docket but list the satisfaction date.
Where do I file an eviction case in Palm Coast?
File eviction cases at the Flagler County Clerk of Court at 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110. The clerk accepts eviction filings in person or through the Florida E-Filing Portal. Eviction cases fall under County Court and carry their own filing fee schedule. Landlords must serve the tenant with a summons after filing. The clerk cannot give legal advice on whether grounds for eviction are valid.