StJohns County Court Records
What Is StJohns County Court Records
St. Johns County court records are official documents created, maintained, and preserved by the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 28. These records document judicial proceedings that occur within the county's court system and serve as the official account of court activities. Court records typically include:
- Case filings and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence presented during proceedings
- Docket information
- Case dispositions
The St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the custodian of these records pursuant to Article V, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution, which designates the Clerk as the official recordkeeper for the county's judicial system. The maintenance of these records fulfills several essential governmental functions:
- Ensuring transparency in judicial proceedings
- Providing documentation of legal decisions
- Preserving the historical record of court activities
- Facilitating research by legal professionals and members of the public
- Supporting the administration of justice through accessible case information
St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 819-3600 St. Johns County Clerk
Are Court Records Public In StJohns County
Court records in St. Johns County are generally considered public documents in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the state's constitutional commitment to government transparency. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, establishes that all records made or received in connection with official government business are open for inspection by any person, with limited exceptions.
Members of the public may access court records through various means established by the St. Johns County Clerk's Office. However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or subject to confidentiality restrictions as provided by Florida law. These exemptions include:
- Records involving juvenile proceedings (§ 985.04, Florida Statutes)
- Records sealed or expunged by court order (§ 943.0585 and § 943.059, Florida Statutes)
- Records containing confidential information such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or medical information (§ 119.071, Florida Statutes)
- Adoption records (§ 63.162, Florida Statutes)
- Records related to certain domestic violence cases (§ 741.30, Florida Statutes)
The St. Johns County Clerk's Office is responsible for reviewing records requests and redacting confidential information before providing access to the public. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, the Clerk must maintain the confidentiality of exempt information while facilitating access to non-exempt portions of court records.
How To Find Court Records in StJohns County in 2025
St. Johns County provides multiple methods for accessing court records in 2025, accommodating various research needs and technological preferences. Individuals seeking court records may utilize the following options:
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the St. Johns County Courthouse to request and view court records during regular business hours. The Records Department maintains public viewing terminals for on-site research.
St. Johns County Courthouse 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (904) 819-3600
Online Access: The St. Johns County Clerk's Office maintains a comprehensive online research portal where many court records can be accessed remotely. The system allows searches by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Filing date
- Case type
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for court records by mail or email to:
Records Request Department St. Johns County Clerk of Court 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Email: recordrequest@stjohnsclerk.com
When requesting court records, individuals should provide:
- Specific case information (names, dates, case numbers if known)
- Type of documents needed
- Contact information for response
- Payment for any applicable fees (current standard copy fees are $1.00 per page and $2.00 for certified copies)
Pursuant to § 28.24, Florida Statutes, the Clerk may charge reasonable fees for copies of public records. Fee schedules are available at the Clerk's Office and on the official website.
How To Look Up Court Records in StJohns County Online?
St. Johns County offers comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms maintained by the Clerk's Office. The primary method for electronic access is through the Landmark Web Official Records Search system, which provides public access to digitized court documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To conduct an online search for St. Johns County court records, users should:
- Visit the St. Johns County Clerk's online research portal
- Select the appropriate database based on record type (Court Records, Official Records, or Board Records)
- Enter search criteria such as:
- Case number
- Party name (last name, first name)
- Date range
- Document type
- Review search results and select specific documents for viewing
- Pay any applicable access or copy fees through the secure online payment system
The online system provides access to records dating back to 1990, with ongoing digitization efforts for older records. Users should note that pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential information may be redacted from online records.
For technical assistance with the online records system, users may contact:
Records Technology Support St. Johns County Clerk's Office (904) 819-3655 Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Can You Search StJohns County Court Records for Free?
St. Johns County provides several options for free access to court records, though certain services may incur fees for copies or certified documents. The following free access options are available to the public:
Public Access Terminals: The St. Johns County Courthouse maintains public access terminals where individuals may search and view court records at no cost. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:
St. Johns County Courthouse 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Basic Searches: Basic case information searches through the St. Johns County Clerk's website are provided free of charge. This includes:
- Case status information
- Party names
- Hearing dates
- Case type
- Filing dates
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Document downloads ($1.00 per page)
- Certified copies ($2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page)
- Extensive research assistance ($20 per hour after the first 30 minutes)
These fees are established pursuant to § 28.24, Florida Statutes, which authorizes clerks to charge reasonable fees for copies and services. Fee waivers may be available for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship through an approved Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status.
What's Included in a StJohns County Court Record?
St. Johns County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as mandated by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. A complete court record typically includes the following components:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses
- Service of process documentation
- Filing fee receipts
Pleadings and Motions:
- Answers and responses
- Motions filed by parties
- Memoranda of law
- Affidavits and declarations
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Preliminary orders
- Final judgments
- Post-judgment orders
- Consent decrees
Evidentiary Materials:
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Deposition transcripts
- Interrogatory responses
- Expert reports
Procedural Documentation:
- Notices of hearing
- Court minutes
- Certificates of service
- Witness lists
Financial Information:
- Fee assessments
- Payment records
- Restitution orders
- Cost bills
The content of court records varies based on case type and complexity. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(d), certain sensitive information may be redacted or filed separately as confidential, including Social Security numbers, bank account information, and information related to minors.
How Long Does StJohns County Keep Court Records?
St. Johns County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. The retention period varies based on the type of case and document:
Permanent Retention:
- Felony case files
- Circuit civil cases
- Probate cases
- Guardianship cases
- Juvenile dependency cases
- Marriage records
- Adoption records
Long-Term Retention (10-75 years):
- Misdemeanor cases (10 years after final judgment)
- Traffic cases (10 years after final disposition)
- Small claims cases (10 years after final judgment)
- Domestic violence injunctions (75 years)
Medium-Term Retention (5-7 years):
- Non-criminal infractions (5 years)
- Administrative orders (7 years)
- Court reporter notes (7 years after transcription)
The St. Johns County Clerk's Office has implemented a comprehensive records management program that includes digitization of older records for permanent preservation. Records scheduled for destruction are reviewed by the Clerk's Records Management Liaison Officer to ensure compliance with retention requirements before disposal.
For specific information regarding the retention of particular court records, individuals may contact:
Records Management Department St. Johns County Clerk's Office 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 819-3650
Types of Courts In StJohns County
St. Johns County's judicial system consists of multiple court levels, each with distinct jurisdictional authority as established by the Florida Constitution and statutes. The county operates within the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which also encompasses Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties.
Circuit Court: The St. Johns County Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction handling major civil and criminal matters. The circuit court is staffed by 4.5 circuit judges assigned to St. Johns County, with additional judges serving throughout the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
St. Johns County Circuit Court Richard O. Watson Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 827-5600
County Court: The St. Johns County Court handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic cases, and civil matters under $30,000. Three county court judges preside over these matters.
St. Johns County Court Richard O. Watson Judicial Center 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 827-5600
Specialty Courts: St. Johns County also operates several specialty courts designed to address specific issues:
- Veterans Treatment Court
- Drug Court
- Mental Health Court
- Teen Court
These specialty courts operate under the administrative authority of the Seventh Judicial Circuit and are housed within the main courthouse complex. Information about specialty court programs can be obtained through the St. Johns County Court Administration.
What Types of Cases Do StJohns County Courts Hear?
St. Johns County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional limits established by Florida law. Case assignments are determined by case type, monetary value, and severity of charges.
Circuit Court Cases: The St. Johns County Circuit Court, as part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, has jurisdiction over:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes exceeding $30,000
- Domestic relations cases (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate and guardianship matters
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency proceedings
- Appeals from county court decisions
County Court Cases: The St. Johns County Court handles:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic infractions and violations
- Civil disputes up to $30,000
- Small claims (up to $8,000)
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Ordinance violations
Specialty Court Programs: Specialized dockets address specific case types with tailored approaches:
- Veterans Treatment Court: Criminal cases involving military veterans
- Drug Court: Substance abuse-related offenses
- Mental Health Court: Cases involving defendants with mental health issues
- Teen Court: Juvenile first-time offenders
Case assignment within the St. Johns County court system follows administrative orders issued by the Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Current case assignment schedules and judicial assignments can be found on the St. Johns County Clerk's website or through the Florida Courts website.
How To Find a Court Docket In StJohns County
Court dockets in St. Johns County provide a chronological listing of all proceedings scheduled before the court. These dockets are public records that can be accessed through multiple channels:
Online Docket Access: The most efficient method for accessing current court dockets is through the St. Johns County Clerk's online research portal. Users can search for docket information by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Judge
- Hearing date
- Case type
The online system provides real-time updates on scheduled hearings, filing deadlines, and case events.
In-Person Docket Review: Physical copies of court dockets are available for review at:
St. Johns County Courthouse 4010 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32084 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Public viewing terminals are available in the courthouse lobby for accessing electronic docket information.
Telephone Information: Limited docket information may be obtained by calling the appropriate division:
- Circuit Civil: (904) 827-5606
- Circuit Criminal: (904) 827-5609
- County Civil: (904) 827-5607
- County Criminal: (904) 827-5610
- Traffic: (904) 827-5615
- Family Law: (904) 827-5608
Pursuant to Administrative Order CV-2004-063-J, certain docket information may be restricted for confidential cases. Restricted dockets include certain juvenile proceedings, sealed cases, and matters involving confidential information as defined by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420.
Which Courts in StJohns County Are Not Courts of Record?
In St. Johns County, all courts currently operating are courts of record as defined by Florida law. This means that all proceedings are documented by court reporters or electronic recording systems, and these records are preserved according to statutory retention schedules.
However, it is important to note that certain administrative proceedings and quasi-judicial bodies within St. Johns County government are not courts of record in the traditional sense. These include:
Code Enforcement Board: The St. Johns County Code Enforcement Board conducts hearings on alleged violations of county ordinances. While these proceedings are documented, they are not part of the judicial branch and are not courts of record.
St. Johns County Code Enforcement Board 500 San Sebastian View St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 209-0734
Value Adjustment Board: The St. Johns County Value Adjustment Board hears appeals related to property tax assessments. These proceedings are documented but are not considered court proceedings.
St. Johns County Value Adjustment Board 500 San Sebastian View St. Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 209-0760
Special Magistrate Hearings: Various administrative hearings conducted by special magistrates appointed by the St. Johns County Government are not courts of record, though documentation is maintained for administrative purposes.
Individuals seeking information about proceedings before these administrative bodies should contact the relevant county department directly, as these records are maintained separately from the judicial records kept by the Clerk of Court.
Lookup Court Records in StJohns County
Search St. Johns County Court Records Online
Access Official Records Through Landmark Web
Find St. Johns County Court Information
Visit Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Website