Pinellas County Clerk of Court Records and Services

About the Pinellas County Clerk's Office

Ken Burke, CPA, is the elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for Pinellas County. He was first elected in November 2004, sworn in on January 4, 2005, and re-elected without opposition in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. Burke's background includes CPA credentials, law firm administration, and local civic involvement. The office manages a budget of approximately $43 million and employs around 550 people across its courthouse locations.

The Clerk holds a broader role than court record custody alone. Under Florida law, the office serves as Clerk of the Circuit and County Court, County Recorder, and Clerk and Accountant of the Board of County Commissioners. That combination makes this office the single point of contact for many county residents seeking legal records, recorded instruments, or financial documents tied to Pinellas County government.

The office has four main service locations. Clearwater Courthouse handles civil records, family records, probate, official records, and recording services. Pinellas County Justice Center covers criminal court records, criminal court customer services, and jury service. The St. Petersburg Judicial Building serves South County users with a Self Help Center and branch services. North County residents can use the Fessler Center branch in Clearwater.

The About Us page on the Clerk website includes Ken Burke's full biography and a summary of the office's responsibilities. For contacts by department and location, the Clerk contact page lists rooms, phones, and department names across all facilities.

The following image is from the Clerk's About Us page, which covers office history and Ken Burke's background as Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

The About Us section outlines how the office has grown since Burke took office in 2005, including investments in electronic access and public service programs.

What the Pinellas County Clerk Does

The office carries three distinct legal roles under Florida law. As Clerk of the Circuit and County Court, it maintains custody of all court records and pleadings, protects file integrity, collects and disburses fines and court-ordered payments, and summons jurors. As County Recorder, it records deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, plats, marriage licenses, powers of attorney, affidavits, and other official-record instruments. As Clerk and Accountant of the Board of County Commissioners, it maintains board meeting records, county financial records, and financial reports for the county government.

Beyond those core roles, the office provides a range of direct public services. Marriage licenses, passport acceptance services, traffic and parking payment support, probate records, tax deed and foreclosure services, certified copy and authentication services, fraud alert tools, and a Legal Self Help Center all fall under the Clerk's umbrella. That breadth is what makes the Clerk's office the single most useful starting point for most public record needs in Pinellas County.

• Maintain all court records for Circuit Court and County Court matters, including civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases
• Record official instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, judgment liens, and powers of attorney in the Official Records system
• Issue marriage licenses and passport acceptance services at Clearwater and St. Petersburg locations
• Collect filing fees, court costs, fines, child support payments, and registry deposits; disburse funds per court order
• Process certified copies, conformed copies, exemplified certificates, and authenticated certificates for court and official records
• Provide tax deed and foreclosure file services for county tax collection proceedings
• Operate the Legal Self Help Center for affordable attorney consultations in family, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters

The following image is from the Clerk's Civil Court page, which covers circuit civil, county civil, small claims, landlord-tenant, and family court records handled by the Pinellas County Clerk.

Civil and family court records make up a large share of the Clerk's workload and include dissolution filings, custody matters, landlord-tenant actions, and contract disputes.

Pinellas Clerk Online Records Systems

The Clerk operates separate online systems for court case records and for recorded official documents. Most people searching for court case information start with Court Records Public View, which provides free access to many criminal, civil, and traffic case records without requiring a login. Family and probate documents require a registered user account for online viewing, and juvenile records are not available online at all.

The Official Records Search portal is a separate system for recorded instruments. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, marriage licenses, powers of attorney, affidavits, and judgment liens appear in Official Records, not in the court case records portal. These are different databases, and knowing which one to use saves time. If you are looking for a case docket, use Court Records Public View. If you are looking for a deed or recorded lien, use Official Records.

When a document is not available through either online system, the Public Records Request Center lets users submit a request. The Clerk will review the request and contact the requester by email with a cost quote if fees apply before fulfilling the order. This system handles certified copies, conformed copies, exemplified certificates, older paper or microfilm records, and records not yet scanned.

The following image is from the Public Records Request Center, the online portal Pinellas County uses for clerk copy requests and records not available through direct public view.

The request center routes users to the correct Clerk department based on the type of record requested, and most responses include a fee quote by email before the record is produced.

Public view terminals at Clearwater Courthouse, Justice Center, St. Petersburg Judicial Building, and North County branch give in-person access to records that may not be available remotely. Older documents that predate scanning, records in restricted categories, and records held on microfilm may only be reviewed at a terminal or through a staff-assisted request.

Attorney and registered user accounts add another access tier. Attorneys of record can view confidential documents on their active cases. Registered users can access family and probate records online within the limits of Florida public-records law. Anonymous public users can view many criminal, civil, and traffic records but will hit access walls on family, probate, and juvenile matters.

The following image is from the Clerk's Criminal and Juvenile page, which covers Pinellas County criminal court records, appearance dates, and links to Sheriff inmate information.

Criminal court records are housed at the Justice Center, and the Clerk's criminal/juvenile page directs users to the correct search tools for Pinellas felony and misdemeanor case records.

How to Request a Certified Copy

Certified copies carry the Clerk's official certification and are required for legal proceedings, immigration applications, probate filings, name-change purposes, and many other official uses. A plain printed docket page from the portal is not the same as a certified copy. If the document you need must be certified, you must either request it through the Clerk's copy service or pick it up from the appropriate Clerk location after staff processes the request.

1. Identify the case number or instrument number. Search Court Records Public View by party name or case number to find the case. Note the exact case number as shown in the system, such as a local number like 25-01828-CF-1 or the statewide uniform format. For official records such as deeds or marriage licenses, use the Official Records Search portal and note the instrument number or book and page.
2. Choose your request method. If the document is viewable online but not downloadable in certified form, use the Public Records Request Center to submit your request. You can also call the Clerk at (727) 464-7000 or visit the appropriate Clerk location. Civil and official records are handled at Clearwater Courthouse; criminal records are handled at the Justice Center. For older civil and family microfilm, call (727) 464-3904 or email civil records before visiting so staff can locate and pull the file.
3. Provide the required information. Include the case number or instrument number, the names of the parties, the type of document you need, whether you need a certified or plain copy, and how many copies. For a record search conducted by Clerk staff, provide the name to be searched, date of birth, and any aliases. The more specific the information, the faster the response.
4. Pay the applicable fee. If using the online request center, the Clerk will email you a cost quote before processing the order. If visiting in person, be prepared to pay the per-page copy fee plus the certification charge at the counter. See the fee schedule below for current amounts. Payment methods vary by location; confirm accepted forms when you call or submit your request.
5. Receive your copy. In-person requests at a Clerk counter may be fulfilled while you wait or within a short processing period depending on record location and workload. Mail requests take additional time for postage, processing, and any back-and-forth on availability or fees. If the document is unavailable online because it has not yet been scanned or must be retrieved from microfilm or storage, processing may take longer. The Clerk will notify you of any delays.

The following image is from the Clerk's Recording Services page, which covers official records, recorded instruments, and certification services for documents recorded in Pinellas County.

Recording services at the Clerk's office handle instruments like deeds, mortgages, and marriage return recording, and the same office processes certified copy requests for recorded instruments.

Records Request Form Fields

Whether you submit a request online through the Public Records Request Center or by phone, the Clerk needs specific information to locate and fulfill your request. The table below lists the fields and what each is used for. Having this information ready before you call or submit will reduce back-and-forth delays.

Case number formats in Pinellas can vary. The local Clerk case number may appear as a shorter format such as 25-01828-CF-1, while the statewide Uniform Case Number may be longer, such as 522020CF000088000APC. Include whatever number appears in your court notice, summons, or the online portal when you submit a request. If you do not have a case number, provide the party name and date of birth and the Clerk will search the record. Staff-conducted searches carry the search fee listed in the fee schedule below.

Pinellas County Clerk Fee Schedule

The Clerk fee schedule covers copy fees, certification charges, search fees, and filing fees for court and recorded documents. The following table lists the fees most commonly used for copy and record requests. Filing fees for civil cases, probate, marriage licenses, and dissolution proceedings are also listed where relevant to general records access.

The $7.00 record search fee applies when Clerk staff conduct the search for you. It does not apply when you search Court Records Public View yourself online. If you use the self-service portal and find the case record, no search fee is charged for that access. Copy and certification fees apply when you order copies regardless of how the case was located.

Pinellas Clerk Office Locations

Services are split across four main facilities. Knowing which location handles the record type you need saves a trip. The Clerk contact page lists every department by location with room numbers and phone numbers.

Confirm current hours before visiting any location. The Clerk does not publish a uniform counter-hours schedule across all branches in the sources reviewed. Hours may vary by location and department. Call the main line at (727) 464-7000 or check the contact page for current availability.

Criminal records users should go to the Justice Center rather than Clearwater Courthouse. Civil, probate, official records, and recording services are primarily at Clearwater Courthouse. South County residents often find the St. Petersburg Judicial Building more convenient for services offered there. North County residents near Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, or Tarpon Springs may be closer to the Fessler Center branch.

Pinellas County Clerk Self-Help and Legal Aid

The Clerk's Legal Self Help Center provides affordable legal assistance for people without a private attorney. Attorney consultations are available for a minimum fee of $15 in family law, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters. Appointments can be made in person at Clearwater Courthouse Room 114, St. Petersburg Judicial Building Room 103, and the North County Customer Information and Service Center. Telephonic appointments are also available on request.

The Self Help Center can help with court forms and documents but cannot give legal advice in the way an attorney-client relationship would. Staff can point you to the correct form, explain the general filing process, and connect you with low-cost attorney consultation time. For free civil legal aid, three organizations serve Pinellas County residents: Community Law Program in St. Petersburg, Gulfcoast Legal Services, and Bay Area Legal Services. The Public Defender's office, led by Sara Mollo, represents indigent defendants in criminal matters through the Sixth Circuit court appointment process.

The following image is from the Clerk's Self Help Center page, which lists appointment options and legal assistance services available to Pinellas County court users who do not have private attorneys.

The Self Help Center is a practical resource for residents navigating family court, small claims, or landlord-tenant proceedings without legal representation in Pinellas County.

Community Law Program provides free civil legal services to financially eligible Pinellas residents, including help with bankruptcy, family law, housing, probate, and criminal records expunction. The program is located at 501 First Ave N, Room 519, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, and can be reached at (727) 582-7480. Bay Area Legal Services covers Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, and Sarasota counties and operates a senior legal helpline. Gulfcoast Legal Services handles housing, domestic violence, immigration, elder law, public benefits, and identification matters for qualifying residents.

Sealing and Expunging Pinellas Court Records

Sealing and expungement are two different legal remedies under Florida law. Florida Statutes section 943.059 governs court-ordered sealing, which makes eligible criminal history confidential but does not destroy it. Florida Statutes section 943.0585 governs court-ordered expunction, which removes eligible records from ordinary public access and requires agencies to destroy or obliterate records subject to statutory exceptions. Eligibility depends on the charge, prior history, and case outcome.

The process has two stages. First, the applicant must apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. The Clerk's View Records page states applicants must complete the application form and fingerprint card, obtain certified copies of all dispositions in the case, and mail those items with a cashier's check or money order for $75 payable to FDLE. If FDLE finds the applicant eligible, it mails the Certificate of Eligibility. Second, the petitioner files the certificate with the Pinellas County Clerk and pays the Clerk's filing fee, currently $42 plus applicable copy, certification, notary, and mailing charges. The State Attorney has an opportunity to respond, and the judge decides whether to grant the order. When the order is granted, the Clerk removes the information from the judicial record and forwards certified copies to the appropriate agencies.

Common reasons for denial include ineligible charges, a prior sealing or expunction, missing disposition documents, open charges, disqualifying prior convictions, or failure to follow FDLE and court procedures correctly. Contact the Clerk at (727) 464-7000 with questions about the filing stage. For eligibility questions, contact FDLE directly or consult an attorney. The Community Law Program in St. Petersburg also provides assistance with expunction for qualifying residents.

Public Access Laws for Pinellas Clerk Records

Florida's public-records framework is built on the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Under section 119.07, custodians must allow inspection and copying of public records unless a statute creates a specific exemption. When a record contains both public and exempt information, the custodian must redact the exempt portion and produce the rest. The custodian must identify the statutory basis for any exemption claimed.

Court records are governed by both Chapter 119 and Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, which controls judicial branch records specifically. The rule defines what constitutes a court record, who has access at each level, and how the Clerk manages confidential information within the court file. Section 119.0714 covers court files and official records exemptions, including protections for sensitive identifiers, victim information, and records made confidential by statute or court order.

Restricted categories in Pinellas include juvenile delinquency and dependency records, adoption files, mental health clinical records connected to Baker Act and Marchman Act proceedings, sealed criminal cases, expunged criminal history, and financial identifiers such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and debit card numbers. These categories appear redacted or withheld even when the rest of a case record is public. If a record contains a protected home address under the Address Confidentiality Program or domestic violence protections, those fields may appear exempt rather than blank in the system.

Related Pinellas County Records Resources

The Clerk's office is the starting point for many records, but other agencies handle different types. For court case files and dockets across criminal, civil, traffic, and family matters, see Pinellas County court records. For marriage and divorce records, the Clerk issues marriage licenses and holds dissolution case files in the family division. For probate records, the Clerk maintains the Probate and Guardianship Division records at Clearwater Courthouse Room 106. For broader public records from county agencies outside the court system, Pinellas County government operates its own public records request process at pinellas.gov. For the court itself, see Pinellas County Circuit Court for information on the Sixth Judicial Circuit, court divisions, and court programs.

For criminal charges and case outcomes beyond what the Clerk holds, the Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office handles prosecution and victim services. The Public Defender's Office represents appointed defendants. The Sheriff's arrest inquiry at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is the correct tool for current custody and recent booking records. FDLE maintains statewide criminal history and the sex offender registry at the state level.