Find Court Records in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg court records are maintained by the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The main courthouse is in Clearwater, but Pinellas County operates a branch courthouse in St. Petersburg to serve the southern half of the county.
St. Petersburg Quick Facts
Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles all court records for St. Petersburg. Even though St. Petersburg is the biggest city in Pinellas County, the clerk's main office is in Clearwater at 315 Court St. The 6th Judicial Circuit covers both Pinellas and Pasco counties, but each county has its own clerk.
The clerk stores records for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, these are public records. Anyone can look them up. St. Petersburg residents access the same clerk system as the rest of Pinellas County. You do not need to show ID or give a reason to view a court record.
The Pinellas County Clerk's website provides St. Petersburg residents with access to court records, official records, and other services.
From the homepage you can reach court record searches, official record lookups, jury duty info, and payment portals. St. Petersburg residents handle most court business through this site or at one of the county's courthouse locations.
| Office | Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756 |
| Phone | (727) 464-7000 |
| Website | mypinellasclerk.gov |
Search Court Records in St. Petersburg
The clerk's View Records page is the starting point for searching court records in St. Petersburg online. From there you can access case searches, official records, and other lookup tools. The system lets you search by name, case number, or date range.
The View Records portal for Pinellas County is where St. Petersburg residents begin their court records search.
Basic searches are free. You can check case status, view docket entries, and see scheduled hearings. The system covers all case types filed in Pinellas County. Criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases are all searchable.
Certified copies cost $1 per page. You can pick them up at the Clearwater courthouse or request them by mail. Under Florida Statute 119.0714, the clerk keeps social security numbers and bank data out of online records. This happens automatically. St. Petersburg residents do not need to file a separate request to have personal data redacted.
For official records like deeds, liens, and recorded judgments, the clerk runs a separate search tool. This covers recorded documents rather than court case files. Both tools are free to use for basic searches.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases from St. Petersburg are heard in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Felony cases go to circuit court. Misdemeanors are handled in county court. The clerk stores records for both.
The clerk's criminal and juvenile page has info on criminal case procedures in Pinellas County. You can search criminal records through the View Records tool. Results show charges, court dates, and outcomes.
Arrest records come from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office or the St. Petersburg Police Department. The clerk handles only court records. Per Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, the clerk can post court document images online. Sealed or expunged cases are kept out of public search results. St. Petersburg sees a large volume of criminal cases each year.
Family Court Records in St. Petersburg
Family law cases for St. Petersburg go through the 6th Judicial Circuit. Divorce, child custody, paternity, and domestic violence cases are filed with the Pinellas clerk. The clerk's Find A Service page can point you to the right forms and resources for each case type.
Some family records have access limits. Child dependency cases are confidential under Florida law. Domestic violence injunctions are public, but victim addresses may be shielded. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls the sealing process. Sealed cases will not show up in public searches. St. Petersburg has a large population, so the family court docket stays busy year round.
St. Petersburg residents can file family law documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. E-filing is required for attorneys and available for everyone else. The portal is open 24/7. Court fees apply on top of filing.
How to Get Court Records
There are three ways to get court records for St. Petersburg cases.
Online is the fastest. Use the View Records page on the clerk's site. Searches are free. Results show up right away. You can view docket entries and some documents from your computer or phone.
In person, the main courthouse is in Clearwater at 315 Court St. That is about a 25-minute drive from St. Petersburg. There is also a branch courthouse in St. Petersburg for some court operations. Call the clerk at (727) 464-7000 to check which location handles your case type. Bring ID for certified copies.
By mail, write to the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 315 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Include the case number or full party names. Add payment for copies. Allow time for processing and return mail.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers site connects all 67 county clerks. The Florida Courts Help center has free forms and self-help guides. The MyFloridaCounty.com portal lets St. Petersburg residents pay court fines and fees online.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near St. Petersburg in the Tampa Bay area. Court records for each are handled by their county clerk.