St Petersburg city family court records cover all family law cases filed by people who live in this Florida city. These records sit in one main place.
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court keeps every file. The clerk’s office is in Clearwater, not in St Petersburg. This rule applies to divorce, custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence cases. Anyone who needs a copy must go through the county clerk. The city clerk only handles city business like permits and council minutes.
Where St Petersburg Family Court Records Are Kept
All family court records for St Petersburg residents live at the county level. Florida runs its courts through judicial circuits. Each circuit covers several cities. St Petersburg sits inside the 6th Judicial Circuit. Pinellas County makes up this circuit. The Clerk of Court for Pinellas County is the legal record keeper for every family case in the area.
The Pinellas County Clerk as the Record Holder
Ken Burke serves as the elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County. His office stores all family law files from St Petersburg. The main office sits at 315 Court Street in Clearwater, Florida 33756. Staff members help the public look up cases by name or by case number. They also issue certified copies for court use.
The clerk’s office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors must show a photo ID at the door. Security screening is required before entering the building. Public parking is available near the courthouse.
The 6th Judicial Circuit Court System
The 6th Judicial Circuit serves all of Pinellas County. This circuit hears every family law case from St Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Safety Harbor, and smaller towns. Family court judges in this circuit handle divorce, custody, support, and other domestic relations matters. The clerk files every motion, order, and judgment into one system.
This setup means a single search at the county level can pull up records from any city in Pinellas. There is no need to call each city office. The county clerk holds the full file set for the whole circuit.
Why the City Clerk Does Not Keep These Records
The St Petersburg City Clerk has a separate role. This office runs the city government side. It keeps city council minutes, business tax receipts, local contracts, and permit files. The city clerk never holds court records. Family court files stay with the county clerk by Florida law. This split keeps personal legal data out of city offices that handle other duties.
People who call the city clerk about a divorce or custody file will get a referral to the county office. The city office can confirm where a case was filed, but the file itself stays in Clearwater.
How to Search St Petersburg Family Court Records Online
Two online tools let people look up family court records without driving to Clearwater. Each tool serves a slightly different purpose. The county portal gives the most detail for local cases. The statewide portal covers all of Florida.
The Pinellas County Clerk Online Portal
The Pinellas County Clerk runs a public search system at mypinellasclerk.gov. Users can type a last name, first name, or case number. The system shows family cases filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit. The portal shows party names, case type, filing date, judge name, and a list of hearings or orders. Users can view some documents for free. Other documents need a paid copy request.
Searches run by name may pull up many results. Adding a birth year or middle name helps narrow the list. The system updates each day as new filings come in.
The Florida Statewide Court Records Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com covers every county in the state. Users can search for family law cases across Florida. This tool helps when a case moved from one county to another. It also helps when a person needs to check filings in a different city.
The statewide portal shows basic case data for free. Full document images often need a subscription or a copy fee. The site links to the Pinellas County clerk for local certified copies.
What You Can See Online Without Visiting
Online tools show the case docket. The docket lists every filing in the case. It shows hearing dates, motions filed, and orders signed by the judge. It also shows the names of the parties and the lawyers. Sensitive data like social security numbers and bank account details are removed by the system before display.
Certified copies cannot be printed from home. A certified copy needs a clerk’s stamp and signature. People who need that stamp must visit the office in person, mail in a request, or use an approved online ordering service.
Types of Family Court Records Available
The Pinellas County clerk stores many kinds of family law records. Each case type has its own set of filings. Most cases sit in the public file. A judge can seal some files for privacy reasons.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce cases make up a large share of family filings. Each divorce file holds the petition, financial affidavits, settlement agreement, parenting plan (if children are part of the case), and the final judgment. The final judgment ends the marriage and splits property and debts. People often need a certified copy of this judgment to remarry, change names, or settle bank accounts.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Orders
When parents disagree on custody, the court makes orders. These orders lay out the time-sharing schedule, decision-making rights, and child exchange details. The clerk files every signed order into the case docket. New parents, schools, and lawyers often ask for copies of these orders to confirm rights and duties.
Child Support and Paternity Records
Child support cases include income info, payment orders, and arrears balances. The clerk files these along with any payment records from the Florida Disbursement Unit. Paternity cases hold DNA test results, court findings, and orders that name the legal father. These records may be needed for school enrollment, benefits, or future support actions.
Adoption and Domestic Violence Records
Adoption files in Florida are often sealed once the case closes. Before sealing, the clerk holds the petition, home study, consent forms, and final adoption decree. Domestic violence cases include petitions, injunctions, and sworn statements. Active injunctions show on the clerk’s public site. Old case details may be limited based on the court order.
How to Get Certified Copies of Family Court Records
Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and a stamp. Courts, agencies, and many employers only accept certified copies. There are three main ways to get one in Pinellas County.
Visiting the Pinellas County Clerk Office in Person
The fastest way is a walk-in visit. The main office at 315 Court Street in Clearwater handles records requests. Staff can pull the file, copy the page, and stamp the copy in one visit. Most requests finish in under 30 minutes during slow periods. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have one.
The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards for copy fees.
Mailing a Records Request
People who live out of state or far from Clearwater can mail a request. The request should include the case number, the names of the parties, the records needed, a daytime phone number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment goes by check or money order. Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days to process.
Fees and Payment Options
Standard copies cost less than certified copies. The clerk charges a fee per page plus a certification fee for the seal. Current rates are listed on the clerk’s fee schedule at mypinellasclerk.gov. The clerk updates these rates each year. Always check the latest fee before sending payment to avoid a delay.
Online credit card payments are available for some services. The clerk also offers an e-certified copy option for certain documents. E-certified copies are sent by email and carry a digital seal for use in some online filings.
Sealed and Confidential Records in St Petersburg
Most family court files are open to the public. A judge can order a file sealed. Sealed files are not open to the public or to the parties without a court order. The clerk still keeps the file but blocks public view.
Records That May Be Sealed by Court Order
Judges may seal files in cases involving minors, adoption, certain paternity actions, and cases with sensitive personal data. A motion to seal must be filed and the court must hold a hearing before sealing. The clerk then flags the file in the system. Any future request for a sealed file needs a new court order before release.
Information Always Removed from Public View
The clerk’s office always removes certain data from public view, even when the file is open. This includes social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the names of minor children in some case types. The clerk’s system handles this removal before the public ever sees the docket. This rule protects people from identity theft and other harm.
| Record Type | Public View | Certified Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce judgment | Yes | Yes |
| Custody order | Yes | Yes |
| Child support order | Yes | Yes |
| Paternity order | Yes | Yes |
| Adoption decree (closed) | Limited | By court order only |
| Sealed file | No | By court order only |
Contact the Pinellas County Clerk for Records Help
For direct help with a St Petersburg family court record, contact the Pinellas County Clerk of Court. The main office phone line is (727) 464-3341. The office sits at 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. The public service window opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The official website is mypinellasclerk.gov and lists every online service, fee, and form.
Frequently Asked Questions
People searching for St Petersburg family court records often have similar questions. The answers below cover the most common ones based on the 6th Judicial Circuit rules and the Pinellas County Clerk’s current office policy.
Can I search St Petersburg family court records for free?
Yes. The Pinellas County Clerk offers a free public search tool at mypinellasclerk.gov. Users can look up family cases by name or case number. The free search shows the docket, party names, hearing dates, and signed orders. Certified copies and full document images may need a small fee.
How long does the Pinellas County Clerk keep family court records?
Permanent family court records stay in the clerk’s system for many decades. Florida law requires the clerk to keep final judgments, decrees, and orders on file for at least 99 years. Older paper files have been scanned into the digital system for easier lookup. Adoption files may be sealed and stored under a different retention rule.
Do I need a lawyer to get a copy of a family court record?
No. A lawyer is not required. Any member of the public can ask for a copy of a public record. The clerk’s office helps walk-in visitors, mail requests, and online orders. People who want a sealed file must ask a lawyer to file a motion to unseal the record before the clerk can release it.
What if I do not know the case number?
The clerk’s search tool works with just a name. Type the last name and first name. Add a middle name or birth year to narrow the list. The system will show every family case filed under that name in Pinellas County. Staff at the public service window can also help with a name search during office hours.
Can I view a sealed family court file in St Petersburg?
Sealed files stay closed to the public. Only the named parties, their lawyers, and certain agencies can see a sealed file without a court order. A person who is not a party to the case must file a written motion and get a judge’s approval before the clerk can release any part of a sealed record.
Are juvenile dependency records part of the family court file?
Juvenile dependency cases are a separate case type from family law cases. Dependency records involve the Department of Children and Families. These records are not stored with divorce, custody, or support files. Access to juvenile records is more limited and often needs a court order.
How do I fix a name or date on an existing family court record?
Errors in a record must be fixed through a court motion. A person can file a motion to correct clerical error or a motion to amend judgment. The judge must sign an order before the clerk updates the file. The clerk cannot change a record based on a phone call or letter alone.