Duval County Court Records Search
Duval County court records are managed by the Clerk of Courts in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville and Duval County operate as a consolidated city-county government, so all court filings for the area go through one clerk's office. The clerk maintains civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case files for all of Duval County. You can search most court records online for free through the CORE system, which stands for Court Online Records. In-person access is also available at the Duval County Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville.
Duval County Quick Facts
Duval County Clerk of Courts
The Duval County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of all court records in the county. The clerk files new cases, stores documents, and issues copies to the public. Because Jacksonville is consolidated with Duval County, this single office handles every court filing in the area. There is no separate city court system. All records flow through the Duval County Clerk.
The clerk's main office sits at the Duval County Courthouse, 501 West Adams Street in Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Walk-in service is available on weekdays during normal business hours. Staff at the front desk can help you find court records, pull case files, and make copies. You can also call the clerk's office for questions about case status or filing procedures in Duval County. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, all court records in Duval County are public unless a judge seals them or a law makes them confidential. The clerk must keep certain data out of public view on its own, such as social security numbers and bank account info, per Florida Statute 119.0714.
The Duval County Clerk homepage gives an overview of the office and its services for the public.
From this page, you can get to all the main tools the clerk offers, from case search to official records lookup.
| Office | Duval County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 West Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Phone | (904) 255-2000 |
| Website | duvalclerk.com |
Search Duval County Court Records Online
Online access to Duval County court records is available through the CORE portal. CORE stands for Court Online Records. It is the main tool for public access to case files in Duval County. General public viewing gives you a basic level of access that lets you see non-confidential court records at no cost. You do not need to sign up or pay to run a basic search. Just go to the site, type in a name or case number, and the results come up on screen.
The CORE system covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases in Duval County. Each case listing shows the case number, party names, case type, filing date, and case status. You can click into a case to see the docket and any documents that the clerk has made public. Not all documents are viewable online. Some may be held back due to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, which sets out what stays confidential. Sealed cases will not show up in search results at all.
The Duval County court records page on the clerk's website walks you through how to use the CORE system step by step.
This page also explains the different levels of access that you can get in Duval County.
Under Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, clerks across the state can now post many public court document images online. Duval County takes part in this program. That means you can often view the actual documents filed in a case, not just the docket entries. However, the clerk still reviews items before posting to make sure protected data stays out of public view in Duval County court records.
Note: Some older Duval County court records may not be in the CORE system if they were filed before the office went digital.
Duval County Official Records
The clerk also keeps official records for Duval County, which are separate from court records. Official records include deeds, liens, mortgages, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents. The Duval County Official Records portal lets you search these by book type, number, page, or case number. This is a different system from CORE, so keep that in mind when you search.
Many people mix up court records and official records when looking for information in Duval County. Court records come from lawsuits, criminal cases, and other matters filed with the court. Official records come from documents that the clerk records for the public, such as property deeds and liens. If you need a court case, use CORE. If you need a recorded document, use the official records site. Both systems are free for basic searches in Duval County.
The official records search tool for Duval County lets you look up documents by book, page, or case number from the clerk's office.
You can combine search fields to narrow down your results if you know the book type and page number for a Duval County record.
Court Records Access in Duval County
The Duval County Clerk provides public information services at no charge for many types of requests. Anyone can walk into the courthouse and ask to see a court file. You do not need to be a party to the case. This right comes from Florida's public records law under Chapter 119. The clerk must let you look at the file unless a court order or statute says otherwise.
Copies of Duval County court records cost a small fee. Plain copies are less than certified ones. Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and stamp, which some agencies and courts in other states need as proof. If you just need to confirm case details or check a filing date, a plain copy works fine. For legal use in other courts, get a certified copy from the Duval County Clerk.
You can also file documents and pay fees through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. All new filings in Duval County must go through this system. The portal runs around the clock. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association links all 67 county clerks and offers extra services, including traffic fine payments and jury duty information that covers Duval County.
Note: You can also use the clerk's search guide page to find what type of search fits your needs in Duval County.
Types of Duval County Court Records
The 4th Judicial Circuit handles a wide range of case types in Duval County. Civil cases include contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury claims, and real estate matters. Family cases cover divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and name changes. Probate cases deal with wills, estates, and guardianships. All of these create court records that the Duval County Clerk stores and maintains.
Criminal court records in Duval County come from both felony and misdemeanor cases. Felony cases go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanor cases go to County Court. Traffic violations and small claims cases are also heard in County Court. Each case has its own file with a progress docket that tracks every motion, order, hearing, and ruling. Under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, the public can access all judicial branch records unless they fall under a specific exemption. Trial court memoranda and draft opinions are among the items that stay out of public view in Duval County.
Juvenile court records in Duval County have their own rules. Most juvenile cases are not open to the public. You typically need a court order to view them. Dependency and delinquency cases involving minors are kept separate from the regular court records system. If you need access to juvenile records in Duval County, you may need to file a motion with the court and show a valid reason.
Legal Resources for Duval County
Several groups help people who need court records or legal aid in Duval County. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid serves low-income residents with free legal help. They handle family law, housing, and consumer cases. Their main office is at 126 West Adams Street in Jacksonville, close to the courthouse. Call (904) 356-8371 to find out if you qualify for services in Duval County.
The Jacksonville Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney. The Florida Courts Help center has free forms and self-help guides for anyone who wants to file on their own. All court forms are free from the Florida Supreme Court and can be used in Duval County. The 4th Judicial Circuit also has a self-help center at the courthouse where staff can point you in the right direction, though they cannot give legal advice.
For court records from other Florida counties, the MyFloridaCounty.com portal lets you make payments and access services across the state. If you filed your case in another county but live in Duval County now, you will still need to get your records from the county where the case was filed. Florida does not have a single statewide database for all court records, so you must go to the right county clerk.
Cities in Duval County
Jacksonville and Duval County are consolidated, so the entire county operates under one government. All court records in Duval County are filed at the clerk's office in Jacksonville. There are a few smaller towns within the county limits, such as Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Baldwin, but they all use the Duval County court system for filings.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Duval County. Make sure you file in the correct county, since the court must have jurisdiction over your case. If you live in one county and the other party lives in another, check with the clerk about where to file.