Leon County civil court records are public files about civil lawsuits filed in Tallahassee, Florida. The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller keeps these records.
Anyone can look up a civil case, see the filings, and check the case status. This page explains how to search these records, what they contain, and where to get help.
What Leon County Civil Court Records Contain
Leon County civil court records are official documents about lawsuits between people, businesses, or groups. These cases do not include criminal charges. They cover money disputes, property issues, contracts, and other non-criminal matters. The Clerk of Court stores every paper filed in each case from start to finish.
Common Types of Civil Cases
Civil cases in Leon County cover many legal issues. The most common types include contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property liens. Other civil cases involve mortgage foreclosures, insurance claims, and business disagreements. Debt collection cases and civil appeals also fall under civil court records.
- Contract disputes
- Personal injury claims
- Property and real estate conflicts
- Foreclosures and liens
- Insurance claim lawsuits
- Business and commercial disputes
- Debt collection actions
Who Maintains These Records
The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains all civil court records for the county. The current Clerk is Gwen Marshall Knight. Her office handles every civil filing, stores the documents, and gives the public access to view and copy them. The Clerk also collects filing fees and issues certified copies.
Leon County Clerk of Court Contact Details
You can reach the Leon County Clerk of Court by phone, mail, or in person. The office helps both lawyers and people who file cases on their own. Staff answer questions about how to look up records, how to get copies, and how to file new cases.
Office Address and Hours
The Leon County Clerk’s office sits in the Leon County Courthouse in downtown Tallahassee. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Visitors should bring a photo ID when coming to the courthouse.
Phone Numbers and Website
The main phone number for the Leon County Clerk is (850) 606-4000. People who use a TTY device can call 850-488-7534. Florida Relay Service users can dial 1-800-955-8770. The official website is leonclerk.com. The site has search tools, forms, and fee schedules for civil court records.
Leon County Clerk of Court
301 S Monroe St, Suite 100
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 606-4000
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: https://leonclerk.com
How to Search Leon County Civil Court Records
Searching civil court records in Leon County is free for basic case lookups. You can search from home using a computer or phone. The Clerk’s office also lets you search in person at the courthouse. Both methods show the same basic case details.
Online Search Tools
The Leon County Clerk website offers an online case search tool. The tool lets you look up civil cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show the case style, parties involved, case type, and current status. The online search runs 24 hours a day and does not need an account.
Searching by Party Name
To search by name, type the last name of a party in the search box. The system shows all civil cases where that name appears as a plaintiff or defendant. You can also add a first name to narrow the results. The search works for individuals and businesses.
- Go to leonclerk.com
- Click on the case search link
- Choose Civil or All Case Types
- Type the last name and first name
- Press Search to see results
Searching by Case Number
Searching by case number gives faster and exact results. Leon County civil cases use a case number format with the year and a sequence code. For example, a 2024 case may show as 2024-CA-000123. Type the full case number in the search field to pull up one case file.
Searching In Person at the Courthouse
You can search civil court records at the Clerk’s office in Tallahassee. Staff at the public counter help visitors use the computer terminals. These terminals show the same records as the online system. You can also ask staff to pull paper files from storage for older cases.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is the statewide system for filing court papers online. The portal connects to all 67 county clerks, including Leon County. Lawyers and self-represented parties use the portal to file new cases, submit motions, and view existing records.
Account Registration and Login
You can register for a free account on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The account lets you file documents, pay fees, and track your cases. Self-represented litigants and licensed attorneys both create accounts through the same portal.
Filing a New Civil Case
To start a new civil case, log into the portal and choose Leon County as the filing location. Select the correct case type, such as civil, small claims, or eviction. Upload your petition and other required forms. Pay the filing fee by credit card or debit card.
DIY Florida Tool for Self-Represented Parties
DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through questions and fills out court forms for you. Over 20 form packets cover small claims, evictions, and other civil matters. Once the forms are ready, the tool sends them to the Leon County Clerk for filing.
Civil Court Structure in Leon County
Leon County belongs to the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit covers Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. Civil cases in Leon County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount in dispute.
Circuit Civil Court
Circuit Civil Court handles civil cases where the dispute is over $30,000. These cases include complex contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and real property matters. Family law cases, probate matters, and guardianship cases also fall under Circuit Court in Leon County.
County Civil Court
County Civil Court handles civil cases where the dispute is up to $30,000. These cases include smaller contract issues, property damage claims, and simple money disputes. The County Civil Division also handles civil infractions and certain local code violations.
Small Claims and Evictions
Small claims cases are civil disputes up to $8,000. People file these cases without a lawyer. Eviction cases, also called landlord-tenant actions, go through County Civil Court in Leon County. The Clerk’s office has forms and instructions for both small claims and evictions.
Fees for Leon County Civil Court Records
The Leon County Clerk charges fees for copies of civil court records. Online searches for basic case data are free. Charges apply when you request paper copies or certified copies of documents.
Standard Copy Fees
Plain copies of court documents cost a set fee per page. The fee covers the cost of printing and staff time. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or card when getting copies in person. Mailing copies adds a postage and handling fee.
Certified Copy Fees
Certified copies carry the official court seal and a Clerk signature. These copies prove the document is a true copy of the record. Courts, agencies, and most businesses require certified copies. The fee is higher than a plain copy because of the seal and signature.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online case search | Free |
| Plain copy (per page) | See Clerk fee schedule |
| Certified copy (per document) | See Clerk fee schedule |
| Document retrieval from storage | See Clerk fee schedule |
| E-filing convenience fee | Charged by service provider |
Confidential Information and Redaction
Florida law protects certain private data in civil court records. The Clerk removes this data from public files. People can also ask the Clerk to redact private details that appear in court documents.
What Information Gets Redacted
The Clerk redacts social security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s dates of birth. Financial account numbers and certain tax ID numbers also stay private. Court records must show only the last four digits of these protected numbers.
How to Request Redaction
Anyone can ask the Clerk to remove private data from a public court record. To start the request, fill out the Notice of Confidential Information form. Submit the form to the Leon County Clerk with the case number and the document details. The Clerk redacts the file at no charge.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls access to court records. The rule lists data that must stay private. The rule also lists records that courts can seal by order. Most civil court records in Leon County stay open to the public.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases
People who file civil cases without a lawyer can get free help. The Florida Courts website has self-help pages with forms and guides. Local groups in Tallahassee also offer legal aid for civil matters.
Florida Courts Self-Help Programs
The Florida Courts self-help page at flcourts.gov offers free forms and instructions. The page covers civil, family, and small claims cases. It explains each step of the process in plain language. Self-represented litigants in Leon County can use these resources at no cost.
Local Legal Aid in Tallahassee
Several legal aid groups operate in Tallahassee. These groups help low-income residents with civil cases. They handle housing disputes, consumer issues, and other civil matters. Many offer free clinics where people can ask lawyers questions about their cases.
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney. The service connects callers with lawyers in Leon County who practice civil law. Some lawyers offer a low-cost first meeting. The service is open to anyone in Florida.
Florida Public Records Law and Leon County
Florida has very broad public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that most government records are open to the public. Civil court records fall under this law in Leon County.
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see and copy government records. The law covers state, county, and city agencies. It also covers the Clerk of Court. Anyone can ask for civil court records under this law. The agency must respond within a reasonable time.
What Records Are Public
Most civil court records in Leon County are public. This includes petitions, motions, orders, and judgments. Dockets, case schedules, and party names are also public. Anyone can view these records online or at the courthouse.
Sealed and Restricted Records
A judge can seal a court record by order. Sealed records are not open to the public. Some records have restricted access under state law. Examples include records that expose trade secrets or put a victim’s safety at risk. Most civil cases do not have sealed records.
Other Counties in the 2nd Judicial Circuit
Leon County shares the 2nd Judicial Circuit with five other counties. Each county has its own Clerk of Court. Civil cases must be filed in the county where the dispute took place or where the defendant lives.
| County | Clerk Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Leon County | Tallahassee | (850) 606-4000 |
| Franklin County | Apalachicola | (850) 653-8861 |
| Gadsden County | Quincy | (850) 875-8601 |
| Jefferson County | Monticello | (850) 342-0218 |
| Liberty County | Bristol | (850) 643-2215 |
| Wakulla County | Crawfordville | (850) 926-0905 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Leon County Civil Court Records
This section answers common questions about Leon County civil court records. The answers cover search methods, fees, access rules, and other topics. The questions come from real searches by people looking for civil case data in Tallahassee and Leon County.
Are Leon County Civil Court Records Free to Search Online?
Yes, the basic online search for Leon County civil court records is free. The Clerk’s website at leonclerk.com lets anyone look up cases by name or case number at no cost. The search shows the case style, party names, filing date, and current status. You do not need an account or a subscription. Fees only apply when you request paper copies, certified copies, or full document images through the Clerk’s office.
How Do I Find a Civil Judgment in Leon County?
To find a civil judgment in Leon County, search the Clerk’s online case search by party name. Judgments appear in the case docket once the judge signs the order. You can view the judgment by clicking on the case number and looking at the filings list. For a certified copy of the judgment, visit the Clerk’s office or send a written request by mail.
Can I View Sealed Civil Court Records in Leon County?
No, sealed civil court records are not open to the public. Only the parties in the case, their lawyers, and the court can view sealed records. Some records are partially sealed, meaning only certain documents are hidden. To see a sealed file, a judge must order it opened. The Clerk cannot give access without a valid court order.
What Is the Difference Between Circuit Civil and County Civil in Leon County?
Circuit Civil handles cases with disputes over $30,000 in Leon County. County Civil handles cases up to $30,000. Circuit Civil cases include complex lawsuits, while County Civil cases cover simpler matters like small claims and evictions. Both divisions use the same Clerk’s office for records. The case type shows on the docket when you search online.
How Long Does the Clerk Keep Civil Court Records in Leon County?
The Leon County Clerk keeps civil court records based on Florida records retention rules. Recent records stay on the computer system for many years. Older paper files move to storage but remain available through the Clerk’s office. Some very old records may only exist on microfilm. Contact the Clerk for help finding a record from a specific year.
Can I File a Civil Case Online in Leon County Without a Lawyer?
Yes, self-represented parties can file civil cases online in Leon County. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com accepts filings from people without lawyers. Use the DIY Florida tool to fill out the forms. Pay the filing fee by card and submit the case to the Clerk. Standard filing fees apply.
What Happens If I Lose a Civil Case in Leon County?
If you lose a civil case in Leon County, the judge enters a judgment against you. The judgment may order you to pay money, return property, or take other action. The losing party can appeal within 30 days of the judgment. After 30 days, the Clerk records the judgment. The judgment stays on your record and can affect future cases and credit.