Lake County, Florida Court Records
In Lake County, Florida, court records are official documentation of court proceedings, filed documents, and judicial actions. Such records are important in various legal processes. For example, attorneys may use court documents as references in subsequent proceedings. Researchers may also use these records to locate related public files, such as property deeds and vital records.
Lake County’s trial courts generate records of all court activities. Furthermore, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains and discloses court records in accordance with Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration. The state law governs public access to court records.
Court records in the clerk’s office may also provide information on filed public documents. For example, record seekers may find arrest reports, vital records, and medical reports in Lake County court records.
Are Lake County Court Records Public?
The Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration allow public access to most court records generated in Lake County. Under this law, the public can view and obtain copies of court documents from designated record custodians. Record custodians, on the other hand, are responsible for releasing requested court records to record seekers.
Note that record custodians may redact specific court records from unauthorized access. Exempt records may include information whose disclosure may endanger the lives and properties of concerned parties. Non-public court records in Lake County may include the following:
- Court records that are sealed or expunged under state or federal law.
- Court documents that reveal personal information of crime victims, witnesses, or undercover officers.
- Information that is protected under client-attorney privilege.
- Court documents regarding minors.
What Information is Available in Lake County Court Records?
Lake County court records may provide information on the following:
- Case parties’ names and personal information.
- Case summaries and docket entries.
- Case identifiers, such as case and docket numbers.
- Case transcript.
- Court motions, judgments, and orders.
Lake County court records may contain specific information based on the case type and other circumstances. For example, a criminal case record may include motions, exhibits, pleas, and sentencing. In contrast, you may find bank statements, property deeds, and mortgage information in bankruptcy case files.
Lake County Court Records Search
Interested parties may search Lake County court records by using any of these options:
Online Access: The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains an online search portal for most court cases heard in the county courts. The online database only reveals most court documents from 2003 to the present. Record seekers may view records on the platform by entering the following search criteria:
- Case number
- Case party names
- Citation number
- Case year
- Court type
The online search platform may not include older court documents; such records are only available via offline requests.
In-Person Access: The clerk’s office accepts in-person inquiries for court records. Record seekers may view records through publicly available computers installed in the lobby of the clerk’s office. To obtain physical copies of court documents, record seekers are required to submit a request to the customer service point at this address:
550 West Main Street,
Tavares, FL 32778.
Phone: (352) 742-4100.
The request must include specific details about the case record and the required copy fees. The clerk’s office may request a valid ID if the document contains confidential information. Email and mail requests: For email-based requests, record seekers must submit a completed Request for Access to Court Record form via email to CourtRecordsSearch@lakecountyclerkfl.gov.
However, you may mail in the request by submitting a completed request form to this address:
Lake County Clerk of Courts,
Attn: Court Data & Records,
P.O. Box 7800,
Tavares, FL 32778-7800.
The clerk’s office charges $1 per printed court record page and $2 per certification. Furthermore, the court accepts money orders or checks for mail-in requests. The payments must be payable to the "Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of Court & Comptroller."
Fees for Court Records in Lake County
In Lake County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller charges $1 per page of printed court documents and $2 per document certification. The court also charges $2 per year for each record searched. Record seekers may qualify for fee waivers through Civil Indigent Status. The status allows the court to waive the costs of court record requests. Record seekers may contact the clerk’s office to determine if they qualify for a fee waiver.
Lake County Courthouse Locations
The Lake County trial court system consists of circuit and county courts. The circuit court typically handles all cases beyond the jurisdiction of the county courts. For example, the circuit court handles civil cases where the claim exceeds $15,000.
Circuit Courts in Lake County
Lake County Circuit Court
Lake County Courthouse,
550 West Main Street,
PO Box 7800,
Tavares, FL 32778,
Phone: (352) 742-4100,
Fax: (352) 742-4110
Lake County Circuit Court,
Lake County Courthouse,
550 West Main Street,
North Wing,
3rd Floor,
Tavares, FL 32778
Phone: (352) 253-2600
Fax: (352) 253-2616
County Courts in Lake County,
County Court of Lake County,
Lake County Courthouse,
550 West Main Street,
PO Box 7800,
Tavares, FL 32778,
Phone: (352) 742-4100
Fax: (352) 742-4110
County Court of Lake County,
Lake County Courthouse,
550 West Main Street,
North Wing,
3rd Floor,
Tavares, FL 32778
Phone: (352) 253-2600,
Fax: (352) 253-2616
Criminal Records Access in Lake County
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) handles all requests for criminal history checks. Record seekers may use the agency’s instant search database to search criminal history records. The instant search database enables record seekers to quickly search for and access records. In addition, inquirers seeking certified copies of criminal history records can use the certified search platform to request them by mail.
Criminal history records are different from criminal court records. The former contains a summary of an individual’s arrest, criminal conviction, and incarceration. In contrast, criminal court records provide information on all court activities regarding such cases. Criminal court records are obtainable via the Office of the Circuit Clerk and Comptroller. The clerk allows online, in-person, or mail-in requests for court documents.
Lake County Probate Records
Lake County Circuit Courts oversee all probate-type cases filed within the county. Probate-type cases may include the administration of a decedent’s estate, name changes, and the appointment of guardians or conservators.
Probate court records mostly include confidential information, such as financial statements and insurance policies. Thus, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller may redact such information from unauthorized record seekers. Only eligible parties, such as the decedent’s immediate relations, executors, and beneficiaries, may access such information.
To obtain probate court records, record seekers may conduct online searches using the clerk’s case search portal. Note that the platform may not include information on confidential probate cases. However, you may obtain such information by submitting an in-person or mail-based request to the clerk’s address.
Lake County Family Court Records
Lake County family court records provide information about family law cases and related judicial actions. Family law cases may include child custody and support, juvenile delinquency, domestic abuse, and divorce.
The Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller allows online and offline access to family court records. Record seekers may search the records via an online database maintained by the clerk’s office. In contrast, record seekers may submit a request in person or via mail to the clerk’s office at this address:
Mail address,
Lake County Clerk of Courts,
Attn: Court Data & Records,
P.O. Box 7800,
Tavares, FL 32778-7800.
Physical address,
550 West Main Street,
Tavares, FL 32778.
Phone: (352) 742-4100.
The mail-in request must include a completed request form and a money order or check payable to "Gary J. Cooney, Clerk of Court & Comptroller." Record seekers may provide a valid ID to retrieve confidential family court records.
Federal Court Records in Lake County
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida oversees all federal cases in Lake County. Federal cases under the court’s purview include immigration, drug trafficking, bankruptcy, and civil rights violations.
To search federal court records in Lake County, record seekers may use the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) platform. Record seekers must register and enter relevant search data to view records on the platform. In contrast, record seekers may obtain physical copies of the records by contacting the district court at any of the following locations:
Ocala Division
Golden-Collum Memorial Federal Building and United States Courthouse
207 Northwest Second Street,
Ocala, Florida 34475
Phone: (352) 369-4860