Tallahassee City Civil Court Records are kept and managed by the Leon County Clerk of Court. Tallahassee does not run its own separate city court for civil matters.
Every civil case filed inside city limits goes to the Leon County courthouse at 301 South Monroe Street. The clerk’s office stores all filings, dockets, judgments, and case documents for the public. Anyone can look at these records online or in person. This page explains who runs the system, how to search records, what the court structure looks like, what stays public, and what stays private.
Who Holds Tallahassee Civil Court Records
Tallahassee sits inside Leon County in the Florida panhandle. The Leon County Clerk of Court holds all civil court records for the city and county. The current clerk is Gwen Marshall Knight. Her office runs the records system, accepts new filings, issues copies, and keeps the official docket for every civil case. The clerk serves the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which covers Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. Tallahassee is the county seat, so nearly every case in the clerk’s civil database comes from the city.
Role of the Clerk’s Office
The clerk’s office acts as the official record keeper for the court. Staff accept new lawsuits, file motions, record judgments, scan paper documents, and publish case data online. The clerk also collects filing fees, issues certified copies, and manages the juror pool for civil trials. Records staff respond to public records requests and help visitors use the public access terminals inside the courthouse.
Tallahassee as the State Capital
Tallahassee also serves as Florida’s state capital. The Leon County clerk handles civil cases that involve state agencies, state employees, and elected officials. These cases follow the same rules as other civil lawsuits. They stay in the regular county docket. Only appeals and constitutional matters move to the Florida Supreme Court, which also sits in Tallahassee but does not handle first-time civil filings.
Leon County Clerk Office Details
The clerk’s office sits on the first floor of the Leon County Courthouse. Visitors can stop by during business hours to ask questions, view records, or file new cases. Staff can help locate a case by name, case number, or party type. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards for fees and copies.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Gwen Marshall Knight |
| Address | 301 S Monroe St, Ste 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301 |
| Phone | (850) 606-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | leonclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 2nd Circuit |
How to Search Tallahassee Civil Court Records
You can search civil court records in Tallahassee three main ways. The first way uses the Leon County clerk’s online case search tool. The second way uses the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The third way uses the in-person public terminals at the courthouse. Each method gives free access to the docket, party names, filing dates, hearing dates, and final judgments.
Online Search by Name
The Leon County clerk’s website has a free search tool at leonclerk.com. Type the last name of a person or business into the search box. The tool pulls up every civil case linked to that name. Results show the case number, filing date, case type, current status, and judge assigned. You can click on each case to see the full docket history and a list of filed documents.
Search by Case Number
If you already have a case number, type it directly into the search box. Florida case numbers follow a set format. The year comes first, then the county code, then the case type code, then a sequence number. For example, a 2024 Leon County civil case looks like 2024-CA-001234. Knowing the full case number gives the fastest search result.
E-Filing Portal Search
The statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com connects to all 67 county clerks. You can create a free account, search for cases statewide, and file new cases electronically. The portal covers Leon County and every other Florida county. The same login works for any case you want to track. The portal also has a tool called DIY Florida. DIY Florida asks you plain questions and fills out court forms based on your answers. It covers more than 20 form types, including small claims and evictions.
In-Person Public Terminals
The clerk’s office has free public computers on the first floor of the courthouse. Visitors can search for cases, view documents, and print copies. Staff at the front desk can help you get started. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk does not charge a fee to use the terminals. Printing costs a small fee per page.
Recorded Document Search
The OCRS portal through Civitek Florida gives access to recorded official records. You can search for liens, judgments, deeds, and other recorded documents. Many recorded documents tie to civil court cases. The tool is free and open to anyone with an internet connection. It works well for background checks, property research, and debt searches.
Civil Court Structure for Tallahassee
Tallahassee civil cases go to one of two court levels. The level depends on the dollar amount in the dispute and the type of claim. Circuit Court handles the larger and more complex cases. County Court handles smaller and simpler cases. Both courts sit in the same Leon County Courthouse building.
Circuit Civil Court
Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $30,000. This court also handles family law, probate, guardianship, and real property lawsuits. Personal injury claims, contract disputes over $30,000, and mortgage foreclosure cases all go to Circuit Court. Civil jury trials for these cases take place at the Leon County Courthouse.
County Civil Court
County Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is $30,000 or less. This includes most small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and minor contract issues. Small claims cases have a separate track with simpler rules and lower filing fees. The maximum claim for small claims in Florida is $8,000. Eviction cases in Tallahassee are filed in County Court.
Which Court Handles Your Case
If you plan to file a new lawsuit, the clerk’s office staff can help you pick the right court. Bring your documents and a short summary of your claim. The clerk looks at the dollar amount and the type of dispute. Filing fees depend on the court level and the type of case. The clerk accepts filings in person, by mail, or through the E-Filing Portal.
Public Access Rules for Civil Records
Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and city records are open to the public. This rule includes civil court records filed in Tallahassee. You do not need to be a party in the case. You do not need to give a reason. Anyone can ask to see a civil court file or request a copy.
What Stays Public
Most civil court records stay open to the public. This includes the case docket, party names, attorney names, hearing schedules, motions, briefs, orders, judgments, and final decrees. Anyone can view these records online or in person. Press outlets, employers, lenders, and background check companies all rely on these public files.
What Stays Sealed
Some records stay sealed by court order. Juvenile cases, adoption records, and some family law filings fall under this rule. A judge can also seal a civil case file for good cause. Once a case is sealed, the clerk removes it from public view. You must ask the judge to unseal the file before you can see it.
Exempt Personal Data
Certain personal data must stay out of the public file even when the rest of the case stays open. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names fall under this rule. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 requires filers to protect this data when they file new cases.
Confidential Data Protection Rules
Anyone who files a civil case in Tallahassee must follow the rules about confidential data. The clerk’s office provides a Notice of Confidential Information form. Filers use this form to flag social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other protected data. The clerk then keeps this data out of the public version of the file. The court still sees the data, but the public does not.
How to Request Redaction
If confidential data ends up in a public file, you can ask the clerk to redact it. Fill out the redaction form from the clerk’s office. List the case name, case number, document title, and the page where the data appears. The clerk reviews the request and removes the protected data from the public file. There is no charge for the redaction itself. The clerk will not remove the data from the court’s own copy.
Who Must Follow the Rule
Attorneys, self-represented filers, and third parties who add documents to the file must follow the rule. The clerk can reject filings that include visible social security numbers or bank account numbers. The clerk may also require the filer to refile the document with the data removed or redacted before accepting the filing.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Filers
People who want to handle a civil case without a lawyer can use free self-help resources. The Florida Courts self-help page at flcourts.gov has forms, guides, and plain-language instructions. The forms work for civil cases filed in Tallahassee through the Leon County Clerk. Self-help staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you pick the right form and file it the right way.
DIY Florida Tool
DIY Florida sits inside the E-Filing Portal. The tool asks you a series of questions about your case. It then fills out the correct forms based on your answers. You can review the forms, print them, and file them through the portal. More than 20 form types are available. Common forms cover small claims, evictions, name changes, and simple divorces.
Small Claims and Eviction Forms
Small claims forms cover disputes up to $8,000. The forms are short and use plain language. Eviction forms cover landlord-tenant disputes. Landlords use these forms to start an eviction case against a tenant who has not paid rent or has broken the lease. Tenants can use related forms to respond to an eviction filing.
E-Filing Portal Support
The E-Filing Portal support desk is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Call (850) 577-4609 for help with electronic filing. Since Tallahassee sits in the Eastern time zone, the support desk keeps the same hours as the local courthouse. The support desk can help with password resets, filing errors, and account questions.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs
Filing fees depend on the type of case and the court level. The clerk posts a full fee schedule on the website. As of 2026, a new civil complaint in Circuit Court costs more than $400. A new small claims complaint in County Court costs around $50 to $300 depending on the claim type. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for all fees.
Copy Costs
Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. A certified copy includes a raised seal and a stamp that confirms the copy is a true copy of the original court document. Banks, title companies, and government agencies often require certified copies for legal purposes. You can order certified copies in person, by mail, or online through the clerk’s office.
Fee Waivers
People with low income can ask the court to waive filing fees. The clerk provides an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. Fill out the form, list your income and assets, and file it with the clerk. A judge reviews the application and decides whether to grant the waiver. If the judge grants the waiver, you do not have to pay the filing fee.
Why People Search Tallahassee Civil Records
People search Tallahassee civil court records for many reasons. Employers run background checks before hiring. Landlords check civil records before renting to a new tenant. Lenders check civil records before issuing a loan. Lawyers check civil records to see if a witness or opposing party has a past lawsuit. Journalists check civil records to report on local court activity. Private citizens check civil records to research a neighbor, a business partner, or a potential date.
Background Checks
Civil court records can show past contract disputes, unpaid debts, evictions, and judgments. A person with a long history of civil lawsuits or judgments may be a higher risk in business deals or rental agreements. Background check companies pull this data from the Leon County clerk and add it to consumer reports.
Property and Title Research
Real estate buyers and title companies check civil records to see if a property has liens or pending lawsuits. A lien on a property can block a sale or cause legal problems for the new owner. Civil records can show who holds the lien, how much the lien is for, and when the lien was filed.
Genealogy and Local History
Civil court records from the early 1900s and later are open to the public. Genealogists and local historians use these records to trace family trees, study local disputes, and learn about Tallahassee history. Older records may need an in-person visit to the clerk’s archive room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions people ask about Tallahassee civil court records. Each answer gives a direct, useful reply based on Florida law, Leon County clerk rules, and current 2026 procedures. If your question is not covered here, call the clerk’s office at (850) 606-4000 during business hours.
Can I search Tallahassee civil records for free?
Yes. The Leon County clerk’s online case search at leonclerk.com is free. The statewide E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com is also free to search. The public terminals at the courthouse are free to use. You only pay when you want printed copies, certified copies, or copies of full case documents.
How do I find a civil case by party name?
Go to leonclerk.com and click on the case search tool. Type the last name of the person or business. The system pulls up every civil case linked to that name. You can see the case number, case type, filing date, and current status. Click on a case to see the full docket and document list.
What if I only know the case number?
Type the case number directly into the search box on leonclerk.com or the E-Filing Portal. Florida case numbers use the format year-county code-case type-sequence number. For example, 2024-CA-000123 means a 2024 civil case in Leon County. The system will pull up the matching case in seconds.
How long does the clerk keep old civil records?
The clerk keeps civil records based on the Florida retention schedule. Most closed civil cases stay on file for at least 20 years. Some case types, like real property and foreclosure cases, stay on file longer. Older records may need a request to the clerk’s archive room. You can ask the clerk for records that go back to the 1800s in some cases.
Can I remove a civil case from public view?
Only a judge can seal a civil case. You must file a motion to seal or expunge the record. The judge reviews the motion and decides whether to grant it. Most civil cases stay public. Expungement is rare in civil cases and usually only happens for mistaken identity or wrongful filing.
Are eviction records public in Tallahassee?
Yes. Eviction cases filed in County Court stay public. Landlords file these cases to remove tenants who have not paid rent or have broken the lease. Tenants can see the eviction on their record. Future landlords, lenders, and employers can also see the eviction through the Leon County clerk’s online search.
What court handles small claims in Tallahassee?
Leon County Court handles small claims in Tallahassee. The maximum claim for small claims in Florida is $8,000. Small claims cases use simpler rules, lower filing fees, and faster hearing schedules. Many small claims hearings happen within 30 to 60 days of filing. You can file a small claims case in person, by mail, or through the E-Filing Portal.