Putnam County Court Records

Putnam County court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Palatka. The county sits along the St. Johns River in northeast Florida with a population of about 74,000. Clerk Timothy W. Smith oversees all court records operations. The clerk's office handles civil, criminal, family, and traffic case filings for the entire county. Under Florida law, court records in Putnam County are public unless sealed by a judge or exempted by statute. You can search for case filings on the clerk's website or visit the courthouse in Palatka to access records in person.

Putnam County Clerk of Court

The Putnam County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all court records in the county. Clerk Timothy W. Smith manages the office at the Putnam County Courthouse in Palatka. You can reach the clerk by phone at (386) 329-0361. The office files new cases, stores court documents, and gives out copies to the public. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court records in Putnam County are open to the public unless sealed by a judge or exempted by a specific law.

Putnam County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. The circuit court handles felony cases, civil disputes over $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters. County court in Putnam covers misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic violations. Both types of court records go through the clerk's office in Palatka. The 7th Circuit is one of the busier circuits in northeast Florida, though most of that volume comes from Volusia and St. Johns counties. Putnam County has a more modest caseload.

The Putnam County Clerk website gives you access to court services and information about filing records.

The clerk's site also has links to official records, marriage licenses, and other services for Putnam County residents.

Putnam County Court Records Online Search

Putnam County court records can be searched through the clerk's court records page. The system lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or other search terms. It covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases filed in the county. You can view basic case data including party names, case type, filing date, and status. For many cases, you can also see documents directly through the online system.

The clerk also provides access to official records such as deeds, liens, and mortgages. These are separate from court case filings. Make sure you use the right search tool. Court records are for lawsuits, criminal charges, and other court proceedings. Official records cover property-related documents that are recorded with the clerk.

The Putnam County Clerk's official records search tool lets you look up property documents and recorded filings.

The official records portal is useful if you need deeds, satisfaction of mortgages, or other documents that are recorded but not part of a court case.

For statewide searches, the Florida Courts website links to all circuit courts. The E-Filing Portal connects to court data from all Florida counties. If you need to file a new case in Putnam County, all filings must go through the e-filing system.

Note: Putnam County's online court records system has improved over the years, but very old filings from before the digital conversion may only be available at the courthouse in Palatka.

Public Access to Putnam County Records

Florida Statute 119.0714 requires clerks to redact personal information from court records before they become public. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar data get stripped out. This rule applies in Putnam County just like every other county. Filers are also responsible for removing confidential info from documents before they submit them to the clerk.

Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls which court records are open and which ones can be sealed. Most records are public. Juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, and records sealed by a judge are off limits. If you think a Putnam County record is being wrongly withheld, you can file a written challenge under Rule 2.420. The court will then decide whether the record should be open.

Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 authorizes Florida courts to post public court documents online. Putnam County follows this order. Even though the county is not as large as some of its neighbors in the 7th Circuit, the same access standards apply. Your right to see public court records does not depend on the size of the county.

Getting Copies of Putnam County Court Records

You can get copies of Putnam County court records by visiting the clerk's office in Palatka, mailing a written request, or using the online system for documents that are available there. Fees are set by Florida law.

Standard fees for Putnam County:

• Plain copies: $1.00 per page
• Certification: $2.00 per document
• Search fee: $2.00 per year per name

In-person visits to the Palatka courthouse are the quickest way to get what you need. Staff can pull up your case and make copies while you wait. For mail requests, send a letter to the Putnam County Clerk of Court with the case number, which documents you need, and a check or money order for the fees. Not sure about the cost? Call (386) 329-0361. Mail requests can take a week or longer. New filings must go through the E-Filing Portal. Paper filings at the clerk's window are no longer accepted for most case types.

State Resources for Putnam County

Several statewide tools can help you find court records tied to Putnam County. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website links to every county clerk in the state. It is a useful starting point if you are searching multiple counties. The MyFloridaCounty portal handles online payments for court fees and fines.

The Appellate Court Information System (ACIS) gives free access to appellate case data. If a Putnam County case was appealed to a higher court, you can follow it on ACIS. The Florida Courts Help center offers free forms and self-help guides for divorce, custody, small claims, and other case types. These resources help people who are navigating the court system without a lawyer.

Note: Putnam County is in the 7th Judicial Circuit with Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Circuit-wide administrative orders and court schedules may cover all four counties in the circuit.

Cities in Putnam County

Palatka is the county seat and the largest city in Putnam County. Other communities include Crescent City, Interlachen, Welaka, and Pomona Park. All court records for the county go through the clerk's office in Palatka. There are no cities in Putnam County with a population over 75,000, so there are no separate city pages for this county. The clerk serves all residents from the Palatka courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Putnam County sits in northeast Florida and borders several counties. Each one has its own clerk and court records system. Make sure the case you need was filed in Putnam County before you search here. Court records from neighboring counties will not show up in the Putnam system.