Gainesville Court Records Search
Gainesville court records are maintained by the Alachua County Clerk of Courts at 201 E. University Avenue in downtown Gainesville. As the county seat, Gainesville is where all Alachua County court filings are processed and stored.
Gainesville Quick Facts
Alachua County Clerk of Courts
The Alachua County Clerk of Courts manages all court records for Gainesville. The current clerk is J.K. "Jess" Irby. The office runs both circuit and county court operations for the 8th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties.
The courthouse is at 201 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. You can call (352) 374-3636 for help. The clerk handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic court records. Walk-in hours are on weekdays during normal business hours.
Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, these are public records. Anyone can request access. The clerk must provide it unless a judge has sealed the file or state law makes the record confidential. This rule applies to all court records from Gainesville.
The Alachua County Clerk's homepage is the starting point for searching court records, official records, and other services in Gainesville.
The site has quick links for case searches, recorded documents, marriage licenses, and jury duty. Gainesville residents can handle most court business online or in person at the University Avenue courthouse.
| Office | Alachua County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Clerk | J.K. "Jess" Irby |
| Address | 201 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 |
| Phone | (352) 374-3636 |
| Website | alachuaclerk.org |
Search Gainesville Court Records Online
The Court Records section on the clerk's site lets you look up cases filed in Alachua County. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. The system covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases from Gainesville.
No account is needed for basic searches. You can see docket entries, party names, case status, and filing dates. The search tool runs around the clock from any device. If your search returns too many results, add a middle name or narrow the date range.
Under Florida Statute 119.0714, the clerk redacts sensitive information. Social security numbers and bank account data do not appear in public search results. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 sets the rules for sealing court records in Gainesville. Sealed or confidential cases will not show up in your search at all.
Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, so the courts see a wide range of case types. The 8th Judicial Circuit handles everything from small claims to major felony cases. Traffic court in particular has a high volume because of the large student population.
Gainesville Official Records
The Official Records portal covers recorded documents in Alachua County. This includes deeds, liens, judgments, mortgages, and other items recorded with the clerk. Property transfers in Gainesville go through this system.
You can search by name, book and page, or document type. Older records may need to be viewed in person at the courthouse. Certified copies cost $1 per page. You can order them at the clerk's office or by mail.
Under Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, the clerk can post public document images online. Alachua County makes many recorded documents available for viewing through its website. Gainesville property owners use the official records portal regularly for deed and mortgage research.
Criminal and Family Court Records
Criminal cases from Gainesville go through the 8th Judicial Circuit Court. Felonies are heard at the circuit level. Misdemeanors stay in county court. The clerk stores all case records for both.
Arrest records and booking info come from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, not the clerk. If you need a statewide background check, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs that system. The clerk only has court records from cases that went through the Gainesville courts.
Family court records cover divorce, child custody, paternity, and domestic violence cases. Some family records are limited in who can view them. Child dependency and abuse records stay out of public search. The clerk follows Florida law on access.
Gainesville residents can file court documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Electronic filing is now required in most case types. The portal works 24 hours a day. Court fees still apply even though filing is free.
More Resources for Gainesville
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site connects all 67 county clerks in the state. You can pay fines, search records, or check jury duty info from one portal. The Florida Courts Help center has free forms and self-help guides for people filing on their own in Gainesville.
For payments, MyFloridaCounty.com lets you pay court fees online. You get a receipt right away. Gainesville residents often use this for traffic tickets and other court fines.
The Alachua County court records page has full details on the clerk's services. If your case was filed in a different county, you need to check with that county's clerk. The 8th Judicial Circuit covers several counties in north-central Florida besides Alachua.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Gainesville in north-central Florida. Court records for each city are handled by their own county clerk.