Access The Villages Court Records
The Villages court records are primarily handled by the Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court. This large retirement community spans parts of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties, but the bulk of the population and most court filings go through Sumter County.
The Villages Quick Facts
Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Most court records for The Villages go through the Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The clerk runs circuit and county court operations from the courthouse in Bushnell, the county seat. This office handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases.
The main office is at 215 E. McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513. Call (352) 569-6600 for help. Bushnell is about 20 miles south of The Villages. There is no courthouse within The Villages community itself, so in-person visits mean a short drive to Bushnell.
Here is the key thing about The Villages. The community crosses into three counties: Sumter, Lake, and Marion. Most of the population lives in Sumter County, so that is where most court records will be. But if your address is in the Lake County or Marion County portion of The Villages, your court records may be with that county's clerk instead. Check your property tax bill or voter registration to confirm which county you are in.
Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court records are public. Anyone can ask to view them. Cases sealed by a judge or made confidential by law are the exceptions.
The Florida Courts website provides general information about court structure and public records access that applies to all courts serving The Villages.
Because The Villages spans multiple counties, residents should make sure they know which county handles their specific matter before searching for records or going to a courthouse.
| Office | Sumter County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 E. McCollum Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513 |
| Phone | (352) 569-6600 |
| Website | sumtercountyclerk.org |
Search Court Records for The Villages
The Sumter County Court Records page is the starting point for looking up cases. The clerk also uses the CiviTek portal for online case searches. You can search by name, case number, or date.
Basic searches are free. No account is needed for most lookups. The portal shows docket entries, party names, and hearing dates. For document images, you may need to register or visit the courthouse in Bushnell.
The Villages cases in Sumter County are mixed in with all other county cases. There is no community filter. Use the person's full name or case number for the best results. A middle name or date range helps narrow things down when the name is common.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers website links to each county's search tools across the state.
Under Florida Statute 119.0714, the clerk removes social security numbers and bank account info from public view. This is automatic. Sealed cases will not appear in search results. The system is available around the clock.
If the person you are searching for lives in the Lake County or Marion County part of The Villages, you need to check that county's clerk website instead. The Sumter County system only covers cases filed in Sumter County.
The Villages Official Records
The Official Records portal covers deeds, liens, mortgages, and recorded judgments for properties in the Sumter County portion of The Villages. This is separate from the court records search.
Certified copies cost $1 per page. You can order them at the courthouse or through the clerk's site. Property records for The Villages addresses in Lake or Marion County would be with those respective county clerks.
The official records system covers recorded documents going back many years. Very old filings may not be in the online system and could require an in-person visit to the Bushnell office.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases from The Villages (Sumter County portion) go through the 5th Judicial Circuit. Felonies are at the circuit level. Misdemeanors stay in county court. The clerk stores records for both.
Look up charges, case status, and court dates through the clerk's site or the CiviTek portal. Arrest records and booking info come from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office or the local police, not the clerk. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers a statewide criminal history search.
Under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, criminal records are open unless a judge orders them sealed. Juvenile cases are not in the public search. The 5th Judicial Circuit also covers Citrus, Hernando, Lake, and Marion counties, but each county has its own clerk.
Civil and Family Cases
Civil cases in The Villages cover contract disputes, foreclosures, personal injury, and small claims. Circuit court handles cases over $50,000. County court takes small claims up to $8,000.
Family court records cover divorce, custody, paternity, and domestic violence. Some family records are confidential by law. Dependency cases have strict access limits. The clerk follows Florida law on what stays public and what gets shielded from view.
The Villages residents can file court documents through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. E-filing is required for most case types in Florida. The portal is open 24/7. Filing fees apply. Credit card processing runs about 3.95%.
One thing to be aware of: if a divorce or other family case involves property in multiple counties (which can happen in The Villages since it crosses county lines), the case is filed in whichever county meets the filing requirements. Talk to the clerk or a lawyer if you are not sure where to file.
More Resources for The Villages
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers site connects all 67 county clerks. Search records, pay fines, or check jury info from one place. The Florida Courts Help center has free forms and guides for people filing on their own.
For payments, MyFloridaCounty.com lets you pay court fees online. You get a receipt right away. Under Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, the clerk can post court document images online. Not all documents are posted, but the most common ones are available.
The Sumter County page has more on county-wide court services. If your part of The Villages falls in Lake or Marion County, check those county pages for the correct clerk information. This is the most important step for Villages residents: know which county you are in before you start looking for records.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near The Villages in central Florida. Court records for each go through their county clerk.