Search St. Johns Court Records

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St. Johns County, Florida Court Records

St. Johns County court records are case documents preserved in the courts’ archives that constitute pieces of evidence about judicial disputes that the courts have resolved. The majority of St. Johns County judicial disputes are heard by judges of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, the County’s court of general jurisdiction. The court hears most of the County’s criminal and civil matters and maintains its case files in accordance with the Standard for Access to Electronic Court Records.

Although maintained separately as judicial records, St. Johns County court records form part of the State’s Public Records, and are typically connected to other official records such as St. Johns County arrest records or vital records. For example, a previous arrest carried out by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office may serve as a factual basis for a trial proceeding before a Circuit court.

Are St. Johns County Court Records Public?

St. Johns’ court records are public documents pursuant to Chapter 119.0714, Florida Statutes. Members of the public are permitted to access all civil and criminal case files except those that are sealed or expunged, as well as those considered confidential by Florida Statutes. Consequently, county residents may be lawfully denied access to the following information:

  • Sealed and expunged records
  • Juvenile court records
  • Certain family and domestic relations records
  • Mental health and competency proceedings
  • Adoption records
  • Confidential personal information, such as a Social Security number
  • Certain victim-related records
  • Active criminal investigation materials

Access is restricted to protect privacy and safety. Access to confidential records is limited to those individuals who require access in performance of their official duties.

What Information is Available in St. Johns County Court Records?

The content of St. Johns County court records varies by case type, as well as on a case-by-case basis. However, a typical court record includes:

  • Pleadings
  • Motions and applications
  • Exhibits and Witness Statement on Oath
  • Petition (common in probate and family law cases)
  • Affidavit
  • Court Orders and Rulings
  • Judgments
  • Dockets
  • Party and Attorney Information
  • Bonds and Affidavit (common in criminal cases)
  • Probation/Sentencing Reports

St. Johns County Court Records Search

To protect the integrity of the court case documents, nearly all of St. Johns’ court records data have been electronically replicated and made available online for public viewing. As the official custodian of the Circuit Court records, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller provides access to electronic court documents through its Clerk of Court website. To view St. John’s court records:

  • Access the Clerk of Court website
  • Click Court Records
  • The user will be prompted with a Case Search page. Identify the case by entering either a Name, Case Number, or Citation Number.
  • Click Search to initiate a query.
  • Search results will provide replicated data that match the description

Certified copies can also be obtained with some general steps.

  • Click "Get Certified Documents" at the top of the (Case Search) page.
  • On the next page, enter the researcher’s personal details-full name, email, and phone number-in the appropriate textboxes to proceed.
  • Click continue searching to proceed to the next page
  • The user will be taken to the Clerk’s E-Certify page ( Clerk E-Certify).
  • Follow the Search Clues and enter the local case number or uniform case number in the search field.
  • Check the "I’m not a robot box; and
  • Click Search to initiate a query.

Each electronic certification is digitally signed by the clerk of court. Receivers instantly receive an email with a link to download the certified document. With this method, one no longer has to go through the hassle of waiting in line at the courthouse or waiting for days for the record to arrive by mail.

Fees for Court Records in St. Johns County

The records are provided as a service to the public. This means online viewing is free. However, if an individual wishes to purchase an electronically certified copy of a court document (a certified digital file delivered by email) through Clerk E-Certify, the Clerk’s office charges for that service:

  • Up to $1.00 per page - standard document copy
  • Up to $2.00 per document - certification fee
  • Up to $6.00 per document - online service processing fee

Consequently, a 1-page certified document will cost up to $6.00, and a 5-page certified document will cost up to $13.00.

St. Johns County Courthouse Locations

Below is a directory of court locations in St. Johns County.

St. Johns County Circuit Court

Richard O. Watson Judicial Center

4010 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084

Phone: 904-819-3600

Fax: 904-819-3661

County Courts in St. Johns County

Richard O. Watson Judicial Center

St. Johns County Courthouse

4010 Lewis Speedway, St Augustine, FL 32084

Phone: 904-819-3600

Fax: 904-819-3661

Criminal Records Access in St. Johns County

Situations may arise requiring a state-level criminal history background check on a person. Common examples include employment screening, professional licensing and certification, firearm purchases or permits, adoption, and housing applications. In St. Johns County, individuals or organizations seeking such checks may contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Agency’s Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) provides state and national history information to criminal history record check customers through its Instant Florida Criminal History Search. Each search may cost up to $24.00 (plus a $1.00 surcharge), with results (non-certified copies) available immediately. Payment can only be made with a debit or credit card.

Local criminal history searches can also be conducted by going through St. Johns’ County criminal case files. However, these records are limited to judicial proceedings handled within St. Johns’ County. Internet searches for St. Johns’ County criminal court records can be conducted on the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller website.

St. Johns County Probate

St. Johns County probate records are court documents that disclose the manner in which a deceased resident’s estate was administered. These records document everything, from validating the will and paying off debts and taxes to distributing the remaining assets to the heirs. A typical probate record includes:

  • The will
  • Letters of administration
  • The deceased’s death certificate
  • The deceased’s photograph (while they were alive)
  • Trust
  • Guardianship
  • Conservatorships
  • Adoption and family matters

Probate matters are handled by the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, and the case files are kept by the Clerk of Court. Internet access to these records is available through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller website. Nevertheless, researchers are required to register to gain access to probate records.

Note: Although generally considered public, access to St. Johns County probate records is subject to statutory exemptions under Florida Statutes.

St. Johns County Family Court Records

In St. Johns County, family-related disputes fall within the Seventh Judicial Circuit court jurisdiction. Common family law-related disputes include divorce, child custody, spousal support, child support, adoption, domestic violence and protective injunctions, paternity sharing, juvenile dependency matters, and name change petitions.

Case documents for family law-related disputes are public documents. These records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court along with other court records. However, it is important to note that family-related disputes are highly sensitive matters, causing Florida Statutes to place public access under firm restrictions. Exempted records include:

  • Sealed records
  • Domestic violence cases
  • Records involving minors
  • Domestic violence cases
  • Sensitive personal information

The Clerk of Court keeps these records and enables public viewing through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller website, with certification available on the Clerk E-Certify platform.

Federal Court Records in St. Johns County

Federal case records for St. Johns County are maintained by the U.S. District Court (Middle District of Florida). To view them, access Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) (the primary source for federal case records) on the internet. This website allows users to view and print court documents for their case. Registration is mandatory-can be done on the PACER Registration Page on the PACER website or by calling (800)676-6856

If PACER does not have what the researcher is looking for, the Clerk’s office provides access to dockets as an alternative means of accessing these records. Researchers may view dockets at public access terminals in the Clerk’s office or by making an over-the-counter request.

Note: Documents obtained over the counter may cost 50 cents per page and 10 cents if made using the terminals.

St. Johns County Court