Clay County family court records are the official files the court keeps for every family case filed in Green Cove Springs, Florida. These public records cover each divorce, custody fight, child support order, paternity action, adoption, and domestic violence petition filed in the county.
Anyone can look at most of these files because Florida law makes family court records open to the public. The Clay County Clerk of Court stores every paper, hearing note, and final order for family cases heard in the 4th Judicial Circuit. This page explains what these records hold, how to find them, and what to do when records stay sealed.
Clay County Family Court Records and Local Courts
Clay County family court records connect to one court system that covers the whole county. The 4th Judicial Circuit Court runs all family cases here, and the Clerk of Court keeps the files. Knowing how the court system works helps you find the right record faster and avoid delays.
What Clay County Family Court Records Are
Clay County family court records are paper and digital files stored by the Clerk of Court. Each file holds the petitions, motions, financial papers, hearing transcripts, and final orders from a family case. The clerk numbers each case and stores the file in the courthouse office. You can read most of the papers inside, but a few sensitive papers stay sealed by law. The records also show the names of the judge, the lawyers, and any child or family member named in the case.
The 4th Judicial Circuit Court Role
The 4th Judicial Circuit Court is the group of courts that serve Clay County along with Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. Family cases in Clay County go through judges in this circuit, and the same law applies across the four counties. The circuit office sets the rules and the forms the courts use. Clay County residents file in Green Cove Springs, and the clerk’s office there keeps the records for the life of the case.
Where Records Are Stored in Green Cove Springs
All Clay County family court records sit at the main courthouse in Green Cove Springs. The Clerk of Court office runs out of the same building where judges hear family cases. The office stores paper files in fireproof cabinets and keeps digital copies on secure servers. You can visit the office during business hours or use the online portal to look at most files from home. The Green Cove Springs location is the only place that holds original paper files for Clay County cases.
How Clay County Family Court Records Are Created
Every family case starts the same way. Someone files a paper, the court opens a case, and records build up over time. These steps create a clear paper trail from the first filing to the last order, and each paper stays part of the public file.
How a New Family Case Gets Filed
A new family case begins when a person files a petition with the Clerk of Court. The clerk stamps the paper, assigns a case number, and opens a new file. A judge then reads the petition and sets a hearing date. The case number stays with the file for the life of the case, even when the parties later change names or move away. After the case opens, the clerk adds every new paper to the file in order.
Common Documents in a Family Court File
A family court file in Clay County often holds several types of papers. You will see the original petition that started the case, the response from the other side, financial affidavits, parenting plans, and child support worksheets. The file has hearing notes, signed orders, and the final judgment. Each paper gets scanned and added to the digital record. Some files also hold emails, photos, or other evidence the court accepted during hearings.
How Orders and Judgments Are Added
Judges sign orders and judgments at the end of hearings or trials. The clerk files the signed paper and adds it to the case file. A final judgment ends the case, but post-judgment motions can add new papers later. Sealed or confidential papers go into a separate part of the file that needs special permission to open. The clerk logs the date of each filing so the case timeline stays clear.
Main Types of Family Cases in Clay County
Clay County family court records cover six main types of cases. Each type has its own forms, hearings, and outcomes. Knowing the type helps you pick the right search terms when you look for a file.
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage Cases
Divorce cases are the most common family court files in Clay County. They are called dissolution of marriage cases under Florida law. Each file holds the petition for divorce, financial papers, settlement agreements, and the final judgment. Florida law requires at least one spouse to live in Florida for six months before filing in Clay County. The final judgment ends the marriage and divides property and debt under Florida rules.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Plans
Child custody cases create parenting plans that spell out where children live and how much time they spend with each parent. Florida courts call this time-sharing. The parenting plan goes into the court file once the judge signs it. Parents can file a motion to change the plan when life changes, like a new job or a move to another state. The court file shows every change in the plan over the years.
Child Support Filings and Payments
Child support files hold the financial worksheets that set the support amount. The Florida Department of Revenue helps collect payments statewide when parents do not pay on time. The court file shows the support order, payment history, and any collection actions. Parents can file to change the amount when income changes or when children grow older. Judges follow the Florida child support rules when they set or change the amount.
Paternity Establishment Cases
Paternity cases happen when parents are not married and need to set the legal father. The court can order DNA testing. The final order names the legal father and starts child support and custody rights. The file has the test results, the petition, and the final judgment of paternity. Once the court sets paternity, the father’s name goes on the birth certificate and the case file.
Adoption Cases
Adoption cases add a new legal parent to a child. The court file holds the adoption petition, home study, background checks, and final adoption decree. Most adoption files in Clay County are sealed by law once the adoption is final. Only the adopted adult or court order can open the file later. Step-parent adoptions, relative adoptions, and agency adoptions all follow the same court steps in Clay County.
Domestic Violence and Injunction Records
Domestic violence cases move fast through the court. A person files a petition for an injunction, and a judge can grant a temporary order the same day. The file holds the petition, the order, and any later court papers. Filing for an injunction is free in Florida to help victims get protection. A final injunction hearing happens within 15 days, and the file shows the judge’s final order.
How to Search Clay County Family Court Records Online
You can search Clay County family court records from home using two main websites. The Clay County Clerk website and the statewide Florida portal both let you look at case details. Most basic searches are free, but full document copies cost money.
Using the Clay County Clerk Website
The Clay County Clerk website at clayclerk.com has a public records search page. Type the last name of a party or the case number to start. The search shows case type, filing date, judge, and hearing dates. Click the case number to see more details and any open documents. The site works on phones, tablets, and computers, and you can use it 24 hours a day.
Using the Florida Statewide Court Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com covers all 67 Florida counties. You can search Clay County family cases by name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows the same basic details as the county site and works well when you do not know which county the case sits in. The portal also lets lawyers file new papers in Clay County cases.
Free Case Details You Can See
Free case details on both portals include the case number, party names, judge name, case type, and hearing schedule. You can see the date each paper was filed and a short list of motions. Free searches work well for checking when a case exists and seeing the next court date. You do not need an account to run a free search.
Paid Document Images and Copies
Full document images cost a small fee per page on the Clay County portal. Certified copies of judgments cost more, as the clerk signs and stamps them. You can pay online with a credit card or in person with cash, check, or card. The fee schedule is on the clerk’s website. Most people pay between $1 and $10 per document for regular copies.
How to Get Records by Mail or in Person
You do not need a computer to get Clay County family court records. The Clerk of Court office takes in-person and mail requests during business hours. Each way works for different needs, and certified copies cost more than regular copies.
Visiting the Green Cove Springs Courthouse
Visit the Clerk of Court office at 825 N. Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except court holidays. Bring a photo ID and the case number or party name. Staff will pull the file and let you look at it or make copies during your visit. The courthouse has free parking and a public entrance on the north side of the building.
Sending a Request by Mail
Mail a written request to the Clerk of Court at the same Green Cove Springs address. Include the case number, the names of the parties, and a list of the documents you need. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fees. Most mail requests take five to ten business days to process. The clerk mails the copies back to you in the envelope you sent.
Getting Certified Copies for Court Use
Certified copies carry the court seal and a clerk’s signature. Courts, agencies, and employers often need certified copies. Tell the clerk you need a certified copy when you order. The fee is higher than a regular copy, and the clerk prints the seal on the first page. Certified copies of a final divorce judgment often cost $10 to $20 in Clay County.
Current Fees and Accepted Payments
Regular copies cost a small fee per page in Clay County. Certified copies have a flat fee per document plus the per-page charge. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards in person. Online orders use credit cards only. The current fee list sits on the clayclerk.com website. Fee amounts can change each year, so check the site before you place a large order.
Clay County Clerk of Court Contact Details
The Clay County Clerk of Court is the main office for all family court records in the county. You can reach the office by phone, mail, or in person. The office sits next to the main courthouse in Green Cove Springs.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Clay County Clerk of Court, Family Division |
| Clerk | Tara S. Green |
| Address | 825 N. Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 |
| Phone | (904) 269-6302 |
| Website | https://www.clayclerk.com/ |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Holidays | Closed on state court holidays |
You can reach the office by mail at P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 for written requests. The main switchboard opens at 8:00 AM each business day and closes at 5:00 PM. The clerk’s office answers questions about case status, copy fees, and how to file new papers.
Other Help for People Working With Family Court
You do not have to hire a lawyer to handle a family case in Clay County. The court runs self-help programs, and several legal aid groups serve low-income residents. These services can save money and help you fill out forms the right way.
Self-Help Centers Inside the Courthouse
The Clay County courthouse has a self-help center for family law cases. Staff there can help you pick the right forms and explain how to file them. They cannot give legal advice or speak for you in court. The service is free and open during business hours. The self-help center can also show you how to use the e-filing portal from a courthouse computer.
Legal Aid for Low-Income Residents
Legal aid groups offer free help to people who qualify by income. They help with divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases. The Jacksonville Area Legal Aid office covers Clay County. You can call to apply and set up an appointment. Three Rivers Legal Services is another group that serves the region, and both groups handle family law cases for free when you qualify.
Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service that connects you to family law attorneys in Clay County. The first half-hour consultation costs a small fee. You can ask about the lawyer’s experience with cases like yours before you hire them. The service works for people who can pay for a lawyer but do not know where to start. The Florida Bar also has a Certified Family Law Specialist list for complex cases.
Records That Are Sealed or Restricted
Most Clay County family court records are public, but a few stay sealed by law. Sealed records protect children, victims, and sensitive medical details. You can ask the court to seal a record, but you need a good reason and a judge’s order.
Adoption Records and Sealed Files
Adoption files in Clay County are sealed once the adoption is final. The sealed file has the birth parents’ names and the original birth certificate. An adopted adult can ask the court to open the file after they turn 18. Birth parents and adoptive parents can ask the court to unseal records in some cases, like when a medical issue needs the family health history. Florida law also allows adopted adults to get a new birth certificate that lists the adoptive parents.
Juvenile Dependency Records
Juvenile dependency cases are not part of family court, but they touch family files. These cases involve children removed from a home by the state. Records stay sealed to protect the child and family. Only the parties, lawyers, and approved agencies can see the file. The clerk can tell you when a sealed file exists, but not what is inside.
Mental Health and Medical Records in Family Files
Mental health records and medical records filed in a family case can be sealed by the judge. These records often include therapy notes, treatment plans, and drug test results. The party who filed the records can ask the court to keep them private. The judge decides based on the need for privacy and the other party’s right to see the evidence. Drug test results used in custody cases are a common example of records that can be sealed in part.
Requests to Seal or Unseal Records
You can file a motion to seal or unseal a record. The motion must show a good reason, like protecting a child or keeping a medical issue private. The court holds a short hearing and the judge signs an order. The clerk seals the file or opens it based on the order. There is a filing fee for the motion, and you can ask the court to waive it when you cannot afford the fee.
Common Questions About Clay County Family Court Records
People often ask similar questions about Clay County family court records. These answers cover the most common questions about searching, copying, and using these public files. The answers below reflect current Florida law and Clay County clerk policies as of 2026.
How do I find a Clay County family court case number?
You can find a Clay County family court case number by searching the clerk’s online portal using the party’s full name. The search shows the case number, type, and filing date. When the search does not work, call the clerk’s office at (904) 269-6302 with the names and date of birth. Staff can look up the case number for you when you show a valid reason, like a legal matter or background check. The clerk’s office keeps case numbers on file for the life of the case.
Can I see sealed Clay County family court records?
You cannot see sealed Clay County family court records without a court order. The judge decides who can open a sealed file. You must file a written motion and show a legal reason. The court then holds a hearing where both sides can speak. The judge’s order controls who can see the records. In some cases, the court lets a lawyer see a sealed file without opening the file to the public.
How long does Clay County keep family court records?
Clay County keeps family court records based on Florida record retention rules. Most divorce and custody files are kept forever in digital form. Older paper files get scanned and stored. Adoption files are kept permanently and stay sealed. Juvenile files are kept until the child turns 30, then may be sealed or destroyed. The clerk follows the Florida General Records Schedule for court files.
Are Clay County family court records free to view?
Basic case details on the Clay County clerk website are free. You can see the case number, parties, judge, and hearing dates at no cost. Full document images and certified copies cost money. The fee covers the clerk’s time to pull, copy, and certify the file. You pay by credit card, check, or money order. The clerk does not charge for looking at files in person, only for copies.
Can I get Clay County family court records from another state?
You can request Clay County family court records by mail from any state. Send a written request with the case number, party names, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk mails the copies to you. Online orders work from any state with a credit card. Mail requests from outside Florida may take longer because of postal delivery times.
What if the names on the file do not match my search?
Names on a file may differ from your search when the person uses a nickname, alias, or changed name. Try different spellings and use the date of birth when you have it. The statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com often shows more name variations. The clerk’s office can run a name search with date of birth and last known address. Marriage and divorce cases sometimes show a former name on the file.
Can I remove my name from Clay County family court records?
You cannot remove your name from public family court records. Florida law lets the public see most family case files. You can ask the court to seal a specific document, but the case itself stays public. The only way to fully seal a case is through a judge’s order based on a strong privacy reason, like a domestic violence threat or a child safety issue. The motion must show a real danger, not just a wish for privacy.