Search Leon County Court Records

Leon County court records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Tallahassee, Florida's state capital. Clerk Gwen Marshall Knight oversees all case filings for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. The clerk's office sits at 301 S. Monroe Street in downtown Tallahassee. Because Leon County is home to the state capital, the court system here processes a steady flow of cases from residents, state workers, and people doing business in the area. You can search many court records online or visit the clerk's office in person during regular business hours.

Leon County Clerk of Court Office

The Leon County Clerk of Courts handles all court record filings for the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The main office is at 301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32301. You can call (850) 606-4000 for general questions about court records. The email for court-related matters is clerk_judicial@leoncountyfl.gov. Staff at the front desk can help you look up cases, pull files, and get copies made.

Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court records in Leon County are public unless sealed by a judge or made confidential by law. Anyone can walk in and ask to see a case file. You do not have to be a party to the case. The clerk must let you look at the record as long as it is not restricted. Per Florida Statute 119.0714, the clerk strips out social security numbers, bank account details, and other sensitive data before making records available. This is done to protect people whose info shows up in court filings.

The Leon County online services page gives you access to the digital tools the clerk's office provides.

This page links to case search tools, official records, and other services run by the Leon County Clerk.

Online Access to Leon County Court Records

The Leon County Clerk offers online search tools for court records and official records. You can look up cases by name or case number through the clerk's web portal. The system covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Basic searches are free. You get case details like the case number, party names, case type, filing date, and status. Click into a case to see the docket with all the filings and hearings listed in order.

Document images may be available for some court records in Leon County. Under Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14, clerks across the state can post public court document images online. Leon County participates in this program. The clerk reviews each document before posting to make sure protected data stays hidden. Not all documents are viewable, though. Some items may be withheld under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, which sets the rules for what is confidential in court records.

The Leon County court records search page is another way to look up case information from the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

You can search by party name or case number to find filings, hearings, and docket entries from Leon County.

If you need official records like deeds, liens, or marriage licenses, the clerk has a separate search for those. The marriage license portal lets you start the process online for Leon County. Court records and official records are two different things, so make sure you use the right tool for what you need.

Note: Some older Leon County court records may not appear in the online system if they were filed before digital record keeping began.

Leon County Court Records and the State Capital

Tallahassee is the seat of Florida's state government. This gives Leon County a unique place in the court system. The Florida Supreme Court sits in Tallahassee. So do the First District Court of Appeal and many state agencies. But these state-level courts are separate from the Leon County court system. If you need records from the Supreme Court or an appellate court, those go through different channels. The Leon County Clerk only handles trial court records for cases filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

That said, Leon County does see cases that tie into state government business. Contract disputes with state agencies, challenges to administrative rules, and other government-related lawsuits sometimes get filed here. These are still regular circuit court cases, and their records are managed by the Leon County Clerk just like any other case. The clerk treats all filings the same, whether the case involves a state agency or a private matter between residents of Leon County.

The Leon County clerk also handles the marriage license process through an online portal that lets applicants get started before visiting the office.

Marriage records are a type of official record in Leon County, kept separate from the court records system.

Types of Court Records in Leon County

The 2nd Judicial Circuit handles all case types in Leon County. Civil cases include lawsuits over contracts, property, personal injury, and debt. Criminal cases range from misdemeanors in County Court to felonies in Circuit Court. Family cases cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence. Probate matters include wills, estates, and guardianships. Each of these case types creates court records that the Leon County Clerk stores and keeps available for the public.

Traffic cases make up a big chunk of the caseload in Leon County. Tickets for speeding, running red lights, and other violations all create court records. You can pay fines or contest tickets through the clerk's office. Small claims cases are another common type. These are civil disputes under a set dollar amount. The records from small claims cases in Leon County are public just like any other case type, and you can search them through the same tools.

Juvenile court records in Leon County follow different rules. Most cases involving minors are closed to the public. You would need a court order to view them. Dependency cases, delinquency cases, and other matters involving children are kept separate from the regular court records search. Mental health cases also have limits on public access in Leon County.

Filing and Resources for Leon County

All new court filings in Leon County go through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Electronic filing is required for most case types in Florida now. The portal is open 24 hours a day. After you file, the Leon County Clerk processes the document and adds it to the case record. You can track the status of your filing through the portal as well.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site links to every county clerk in the state. If you need court records from a county other than Leon, that is a good place to start. The MyFloridaCounty.com portal handles online payments for court fees and fines across Florida. For free court forms and self-help info, the Florida Courts Help center has what you need. These forms are approved by the Florida Supreme Court and can be used in Leon County for any case type.

Legal Aid of North Florida serves Leon County residents who need free legal help. They handle family law, housing disputes, and consumer cases. The Tallahassee Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service if you need an attorney. The 2nd Judicial Circuit also has a self-help center at the courthouse in Tallahassee. Staff there can help you find the right forms and point you in the right direction for your Leon County court case, but they cannot give legal advice.

Note: The Leon County Clerk also provides notary services and recording services at the main office on Monroe Street in Tallahassee.

Cities in Leon County

Tallahassee is the main city in Leon County and the only qualifying city here. All court records for the county go through the clerk's office in Tallahassee. Other communities include Woodville, Bradfordville, and Killearn Estates.

Nearby Counties

Leon County sits in the Big Bend area of northern Florida. Several counties share borders with Leon. Make sure you file your case in the right county. Court records from one county will not show up in another county's search tools.