Common Questions About Pinellas County Court Records
The questions below come from the most frequent searches and calls directed at Pinellas County court offices. Each answer points to the official agency or portal that handles the record type. Where fees or statutes apply, those are included from the published Clerk fee schedule and Florida law.
How do I search Pinellas County court records?
Start at the Clerk "View Records" page and choose Court Records Public View. This free, no-login option covers many criminal, civil, and traffic cases. Search by case number when you have it, or search by party name when you don't. Case numbers in Pinellas often follow formats like 25-01828-CF-1 for felonies or the statewide uniform format 522020CF000088000APC. Family and probate documents generally require a registered user login, and juvenile records are not available online at all. For full details on the search portal and its fields, see the court records page.
Is the Pinellas County court records search free?
Viewing many court case records online is free through Court Records Public View. However, fees apply for other services. When Clerk staff conduct a record search for you, the fee is $7.00 per name plus $2.00 for each year in which an offense or record is found. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page for court or official records, and $2.00 for certification. Exemplified or authenticated certificates are $7.00 each. Special service charges may apply for electronic database copies. Use the Clerk of the Circuit Court page for the full fee schedule and copy request options.
Why can't I see a document in the online court portal?
Several official reasons can block online document access. The case may predate document scanning. The document may contain sensitive information that is still being redacted before public release, which connects directly to Florida Rule 2.420 and Rule 2.425. The case may fall in a restricted category such as family, probate, or juvenile, each of which has different access tiers. Family and probate cases require a registered user login even when the docket is viewable. Juvenile court records are not available online at all; those must be requested in person at the Pinellas County Justice Center. Public terminals at Clerk offices can provide access to records that are not viewable remotely. See the public records page for more on Florida access rules.
How do I get a certified copy of a court record?
If the document is not downloadable in certified form, use the Clerk copy request center or visit the appropriate Clerk location. The Clearwater Courthouse handles civil, family, probate, and official records. The Pinellas County Justice Center handles criminal court records. Standard copy cost is $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification. Exemplified copies are $7.00 each. For documents that are not available online at all, use the Pinellas public records request center, and the Clerk will quote the total cost by email. The Clerk of the Circuit Court page lists all request options and fee details.
Who is the Pinellas County Clerk of Court?
Ken Burke, CPA, is the elected Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. His official title uses the full name because the Clerk also serves as county comptroller. 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. The Clerk manages roughly $43 million in local budget and about 550 employees. His office is the unified custodian for all Circuit and County Court records, official records, marriage licenses, probate records, traffic filings, and copy services. Learn more at the Clerk of the Circuit Court page.
What court handles felony cases in Pinellas County?
Felonies are handled in Circuit Criminal Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, at the Pinellas County Justice Center, 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762. County Court handles misdemeanors when there is no concurrent felony charge. The Sixth Circuit is Florida's third-largest trial court, with 30 circuit judges and 17 county judges in Pinellas. Court records for both levels are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Felony case numbers often include the suffix CF; misdemeanor cases use MM. The Circuit Court page covers jurisdiction, divisions, and courthouse locations in detail.
What court handles small claims in Pinellas County?
Small claims are County Court matters for disputes of $8,000 or less, excluding court costs, interest, and attorney fees. County Court also handles misdemeanors, landlord-tenant cases, and civil matters under the monetary threshold. The Clerk civil/small claims resources and the Clerk Self Help Center can help self-represented users find forms and understand the process. Attorney consultations at the Self Help Center start at $15 for family law, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters. Self Help Center locations include Clearwater Courthouse Room 114, the St. Petersburg Judicial Building Room 103, and the North County Customer Information and Service Center. See the County Court page for jurisdiction details.
How do I find an inmate in the Pinellas County Jail?
Use the inmate records page or go directly to the Sheriff arrest inquiry at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office website. The free "Who's in Jail" search covers current inmates and persons released within the last 30 days. You can search by last name, first name, docket number, or booking date, and filter by race, sex, arresting agency, charge type, or arrest type. The agency filter is practical because Clearwater PD, St. Petersburg PD, Largo PD, and other city departments all book into the county jail. Jail information is available by phone at (727) 464-6415. The Pinellas County Jail is at 14400 49th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33762-2877.
Does the jail roster show the final outcome of a criminal case?
No. The Sheriff's own page warns that arrest and booking information may not reflect State Attorney charging decisions or trial outcomes. An acquittal or dismissal does not necessarily erase the fact of an arrest record, and that record remains in the booking system. Final criminal disposition, plea, sentence, or dismissal comes from the Pinellas Clerk court record, not the jail roster. Search the court records portal by the court case number shown on the charge report for the full case docket. Never treat a jail booking record as equivalent to a criminal conviction.
How do I find someone released more than 30 days ago?
The Sheriff arrest inquiry is limited to current inmates and persons released within 30 days. If no result appears, it does not mean no arrest occurred. For releases older than 30 days, you must request records through the PCSO Records Request Portal. Court case outcomes are separate: use the Clerk's court records portal and search by the court case number from the charge report to find the docket, plea, and final disposition. For state prison or supervision after release from the county jail, search the Florida Department of Corrections. For federal custody, use the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. See the released inmates page for all search options.
How do I search for warrants in Pinellas County?
The Pinellas Sheriff's warrants page directs users to the FDLE statewide wanted-person search for statewide warrants. FDLE's tool does not search local Pinellas County warrants such as parking-ticket warrants. For court-related warrants and capias entries, contact the Clerk at (727) 464-7000 or search the court records portal for a docket entry showing a warrant was issued. You can also check the Sheriff arrest inquiry to see whether a warrant led to a booking, which would appear in the arrest type field. See the warrant records page for types of warrants and steps to resolve an outstanding one.
How do I seal or expunge a Pinellas County criminal record?
The process has two stages. First, apply to FDLE for a Certificate of Eligibility. The Clerk page states you must mail the application form, fingerprint card, certified copies of dispositions, and a cashier's check or money order for $75 payable to FDLE. If FDLE finds you eligible, it mails the certificate. Second, file the certificate with the Pinellas Clerk and pay the Clerk 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 seal or expunge. Florida law distinguishes sealing under section 943.059 from expunction under section 943.0585. See criminal records for eligibility details.
Are juvenile records available online?
No. The Clerk specifically states that juvenile court records are not currently available online. Juvenile records have narrower public access rules under Chapter 119 and Florida Statutes section 985.04. Requests that include juvenile cases may require the defendant to appear in person at the Pinellas County Justice Center with valid identification. Do not expect the general Court Records Public View portal to return juvenile case results, even if the case exists. Adoption records are also confidential under Florida law. See the court records page for a full breakdown of restricted and confidential record categories.
Where do I get marriage license records in Pinellas?
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. After a ceremony, the license is returned to the Clerk and recorded in Official Records. To search for a marriage license, use the Clerk Official Records portal and search by party name. The current license fee is $61.00 for Florida residents who complete a premarital preparation course, or $86.00 for non-Florida residents or residents without the course. Solemnization by the Clerk is $30.00. Certified copies of the recorded license require the standard copy and certification fees. Marriage license service locations include the Clearwater Courthouse and the St. Petersburg Judicial Building. See the marriage and divorce records page for the full process.
Where do I file for divorce in Pinellas County?
Divorce is filed with the Pinellas Clerk in Circuit Court, Family Division. The Clerk fee schedule lists the petition for dissolution of marriage at $397.50 plus $10.50 for recording and reporting the final judgment. Simplified dissolution has the same base fee. If self-represented, use Florida Supreme Court family law forms and the Sixth Circuit's self-help resources. The Clerk Self Help Center at Clearwater Courthouse Room 114 and the St. Petersburg Judicial Building Room 103 offer consultations starting at $15. Note that family case documents are not accessible through anonymous public view; registered user login is required for online document access. See the marriage and divorce records page for the full filing walkthrough.
Where do I search probate records in Pinellas?
Pinellas probate records are handled by the Probate and Guardianship Division of the Circuit Court. The Clerk Probate Court Records office is at Clearwater Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Room 106, Clearwater, FL 33756. The direct phone is (727) 464-3321; email is probate@mypinellasclerk.gov. Modern probate case documents generally require registered user login through the Clerk portal. The Clerk also links a historical Probate Inquiry covering records from 1973 to 1987. Probate covers estates, wills, guardianship, incapacity, Baker Act, Marchman Act, elder exploitation, and advance health care directives. Formal administration fees start at $400.00. See the probate records page for filing fees and search steps.
What is the difference between Court Records and Official Records?
Court Records are case files and dockets for lawsuits, criminal cases, traffic matters, family cases, and probate proceedings. You search these through the Clerk's Court Records Public View portal. Official Records are recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments recorded as liens, plats, powers of attorney, affidavits, and marriage licenses. You search these through the separate Clerk Official Records portal. Some court judgments appear in both systems when they are recorded as a lien. If you are looking for a deed or mortgage, start with Official Records. If you are looking for a case outcome or docket, start with Court Records. Both portals are free to search; copies require fees. The Clerk of the Circuit Court page explains each system.
Can I get court date reminders for a Pinellas case?
Yes. Florida E-Notify provides free reminders by text or email for court events. You need the case number before signing up, which you can find through the Clerk's Court Records Public View portal. E-Notify does not substitute for formal notice or service of court documents. Self-represented parties still must comply with court rules for electronic service designation. Court dates can change; always verify by checking the official docket or using the Court Calendar option in the Clerk portal, especially if a hearing is approaching. Search court records first to confirm the case number before registering for E-Notify.
What happens if I miss a court date in Pinellas County?
Missing court can trigger serious consequences. In criminal and traffic matters, a bench warrant or capias may be issued. In traffic cases, the Clerk warns that failure to pay within 30 days can result in driver license suspension. In civil cases, default judgment may be entered. Bond can be forfeited. Consequences vary by case type, so check the docket promptly, contact the Clerk, and speak with counsel as soon as possible. If a capias was issued, it appears as a docket entry on the court records portal. Contact the Clerk at (727) 464-7000 for court-related warrant and capias questions related to an open case.
Is a traffic court record the same as a driver record?
No. These are two different files from two different agencies. The Pinellas Clerk maintains the traffic court record, which shows the citation, court date, plea, payment, disposition, and fines. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) maintains the state driver record, which shows license status, points, convictions, and suspensions. Employers, insurance companies, and CDL holders typically need the state driver record. The Clerk fee schedule lists driver license history transcript fees: $14.25 for a 3-year transcript and $16.25 for a 7-year transcript when requested through the Clerk. Most infractions must be paid within 30 calendar days. See the traffic court records page for full payment and contest instructions.
Which federal court covers Pinellas County?
Federal cases involving Pinellas County are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. The federal courthouse is the Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse, 801 North Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602; federal clerk phone is (813) 301-5400. Federal cases are not in the Pinellas Clerk portal. Search federal court records through PACER/CM-ECF for the Middle District of Florida. PACER requires an account; fees and waivers follow federal PACER policy. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District is at justice.gov. Federal bankruptcy cases in Pinellas also go through the Middle District, not the county Clerk.
Can Clerk or court staff give me legal advice?
No. Clerk and court staff can provide procedural information, forms, and records access, but they cannot give legal advice or recommend legal strategy. For low-cost help, the Clerk Self Help Center at Clearwater Courthouse Room 114 and the St. Petersburg Judicial Building Room 103 offers attorney consultations starting at $15 for family law, small claims, and landlord-tenant matters.
Free legal aid for eligible Pinellas residents is available from three local organizations. The Gulfcoast Legal Services legal aid page lists free help in housing, family law, domestic violence, immigration, elder law, and public benefits.
The Community Law Program offers free civil legal services in St. Petersburg for financially eligible Pinellas residents. Services include advice clinics and pro bono representation in bankruptcy, family law, housing, probate, and criminal records expunction. Phone: (727) 582-7480.
Bay Area Legal Services covers Pinellas and surrounding counties, with free civil legal help for eligible residents and statewide services for seniors and veterans.
If you need a private attorney referral, use the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service. The Public Defender, Sara Mollo, represents eligible indigent defendants in criminal matters through court-ordered appointment.
Still Have Questions About Pinellas County Court Records?
For the right office, see the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller page. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, criminal records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate records. The Clerk main line is (727) 464-7000; jail information is (727) 464-6415; probate records is (727) 464-3321.