Hillsborough County Court Records

What Is Hillsborough County Court Records

Hillsborough County court records are official documents created, maintained, and stored by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court in accordance with Florida Statutes § 28.222. These records document judicial proceedings within the county's court system, which operates as part of Florida's 13th Judicial Circuit. Court records serve as the official account of legal proceedings and typically include:

• Case filings and pleadings
• Court orders and judgments
• Hearing transcripts
• Evidence admitted during proceedings
• Docket entries documenting case progression
• Final dispositions and sentencing information

The Hillsborough County Clerk of the 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 court system.

Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court
419 N. Pierce Street
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-8100
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court

Are Court Records Public In Hillsborough County

Court records in Hillsborough County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the state constitution's guarantee of access to public records. The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, establishes that all court records shall be open for public inspection except when exempted by law.

Public access to court records is subject to the following provisions:

• Most court records are available for inspection during regular business hours
• Records may be accessed through the Hillsborough County Clerk's online portal
• Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Florida law
• Confidential records include those involving juvenile proceedings (except as provided in § 985.04, Florida Statutes), adoption matters, and certain family court cases
• Records may be sealed by court order when statutory criteria are met

The Florida Supreme Court has established comprehensive access policies through Administrative Order AOSC07-49, which governs public access to court records throughout the state, including Hillsborough County.

How To Find Court Records in Hillsborough County in 2025

Members of the public seeking court records in Hillsborough County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain these documents. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains multiple access points for record retrieval:

1. In-person requests can be submitted at:

   • Downtown Tampa Courthouse
     419 N. Pierce Street
     Tampa, FL 33602
     Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

   • Brandon Regional Service Center
     311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110
     Brandon, FL 33511
     Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

2. Online access is available through:

   • HOVER (Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records)
   • Hillsborough County's official website

3. Written requests may be submitted by mail to:

   • Records Request Department
     Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court
     P.O. Box 3360
     Tampa, FL 33601

When requesting records, individuals must provide:

• Case number (if known)
• Names of parties involved
• Approximate date of case filing
• Type of case
• Valid identification for certain sensitive records

Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24 and include $1.00 per page for copies and certification fees of $2.00 per document.

How To Look Up Court Records in Hillsborough County Online?

Hillsborough County provides comprehensive digital access to court records through several online platforms. The primary resource for electronic court record searches is the Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records (HOVER) system, which provides access to the county's official court records index.

To conduct an online search:

1. Visit the HOVER portal
2. Create a user account or log in as a guest
3. Select the appropriate search option:
   • Case number search
   • Party name search
   • Citation number search
   • Document type search

Additional online resources include:

• Florida's Second District Court of Appeal for appellate cases originating in Hillsborough County
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida for federal cases within the jurisdiction
• Florida Courts for statewide court information and resources

Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential information may be redacted from online records. Users should note that electronic access may be subject to technical limitations and system maintenance schedules.

Can You Search Hillsborough County Court Records for Free?

Hillsborough County provides several no-cost options for searching basic court record information. The following free search capabilities are available to the public:

• Basic case information searches through the HOVER system are available without charge
• Public access terminals located at courthouse facilities offer free on-site searches
• Docket information can be viewed at no cost through the Clerk's public website

While basic searches are free, fees apply for:

• Printed copies of documents ($1.00 per page)
• Certified copies ($2.00 per document plus copy fees)
• Enhanced online access subscriptions for high-volume users
• Research assistance from clerk staff ($2.00 per name search)

These fees are established pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24 and are subject to periodic revision by the Florida Legislature. The Hillsborough County Clerk's Office accepts payment by cash, credit card, or money order for these services.

What's Included in a Hillsborough County Court Record?

Hillsborough County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as required by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. A complete court record typically includes:

• Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
• Pleadings filed by all parties
• Court orders and judgments
• Hearing and trial transcripts
• Evidence admitted during proceedings
• Financial information (filing fees, fines, restitution)
• Case disposition and sentencing information
• Appeals documentation when applicable

For criminal cases, additional components include:

• Arrest reports and booking information
• Charging documents
• Bail and bond records
• Pre-sentence investigation reports (with appropriate redactions)
• Probation and community supervision records

Family court records may contain:

• Marriage certificates and divorce decrees
• Child custody and support determinations
• Domestic violence injunctions
• Paternity determinations
• Guardian ad litem reports

All records are maintained in accordance with Florida Supreme Court standards for judicial record-keeping and retention schedules.

How Long Does Hillsborough County Keep Court Records?

Hillsborough County retains court records according to schedules established by the Florida Supreme Court through Administrative Order AOSC19-13 and Florida Statutes § 28.30. Retention periods vary by case type and significance:

• Felony case records: 75 years from final disposition
• Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
• Misdemeanor records: 10 years from final disposition
• Civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
• Probate matters: 10 years after closing
• Domestic relations cases: 75 years
• Juvenile records: Until the subject reaches age 25 or 10 years after last activity
• Traffic infractions: 3 years after final disposition

Historical records of significant legal or community importance may be designated for permanent preservation. The Hillsborough County Clerk's Office maintains an archival program for records with historical value, with some records dating to the county's establishment in 1834.

Digital preservation initiatives have expanded retention capabilities, with electronic records maintained in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-26.003 regarding electronic recordkeeping.

Types of Courts In Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County's judicial system encompasses multiple court levels operating within Florida's 13th Judicial Circuit. The county's court structure includes:

• Circuit Court

  • Handles felonies, civil cases over $30,000, probate, family matters, and juvenile cases
  • Located at George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
  • (813) 272-5040

• County Court

  • Adjudicates misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, small claims, and traffic offenses
  • Located at George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
  • (813) 272-5040

• Florida's Second District Court of Appeal

  • Reviews appeals from Hillsborough County Circuit Court
  • Located at 1005 E. Memorial Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33801
  • (863) 940-6060
  • Second District Court of Appeal

• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida (Tampa Division)

  • Federal court handling federal cases within jurisdiction
  • Located at Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, 801 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602
  • (813) 301-5400
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Each court maintains its own records according to jurisdictional requirements and applicable state and federal laws.

What Types of Cases Do Hillsborough County Courts Hear?

Hillsborough County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional parameters established by the Florida Constitution and statutes. The following case types are processed through the county's court system:

Circuit Court Cases:

• Felony criminal prosecutions
• Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $30,000
• Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
• Probate and guardianship proceedings
• Juvenile dependency and delinquency
• Mental health commitments
• Tax disputes and foreclosures

County Court Cases:

• Misdemeanor criminal charges
• Civil disputes under $30,000
• Small claims (up to $8,000)
• Traffic infractions and violations
• Landlord/tenant disputes
• Ordinance violations

Specialized Court Programs:

• Veterans Treatment Court
• Drug Court
• Mental Health Court
• Domestic Violence Court
• Juvenile Diversion Programs

Case assignment follows protocols established by Administrative Order S-2022-051 of the 13th Judicial Circuit, with cases distributed among 45 judicial officers serving Hillsborough County's population of approximately 1.5 million residents.

How To Find a Court Docket In Hillsborough County

Court dockets in Hillsborough County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods:

1. Online Docket Access:

   • HOVER system provides searchable docket information
   • Daily docket listings appear on the 13th Judicial Circuit website
   • Federal court dockets available through PACER

2. In-Person Docket Review:

   • Public terminals at the Clerk's Office, 419 N. Pierce Street, Tampa, FL 33602
   • Courthouse information desks provide daily hearing schedules
   • Self-service kiosks in courthouse lobbies display current dockets

3. Telephone Information:

   • Circuit Civil: (813) 276-8100 ext. 4365
   • County Civil: (813) 276-8100 ext. 4366
   • Criminal: (813) 276-8100 ext. 4367
   • Traffic: (813) 276-8100 ext. 4368

When searching for docket information, users should have the case number, party names, or citation number available. Docket searches may be conducted by case type, filing date, or judicial assignment. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential matters may not appear on publicly accessible dockets.

Which Courts in Hillsborough County Are Not Courts of Record?

Hillsborough County's judicial system includes limited venues that do not function as courts of record as defined by Florida Statutes § 34.01(3). These non-record courts include:

• Small Claims Court - While administratively part of County Court, small claims proceedings (for cases under $8,000) follow simplified procedures under Florida Small Claims Rules. These proceedings may not generate verbatim transcripts unless specifically requested by a party.

• Traffic Hearing Officer Proceedings - Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 318.32, certain traffic infractions are heard by traffic hearing officers rather than judges. These administrative hearings maintain docket entries but do not automatically create verbatim transcripts.

• Code Enforcement Hearings - Municipal and county code violations are often adjudicated by appointed hearing officers rather than judges. These administrative proceedings maintain written findings but not court reporter transcripts.

• Value Adjustment Board - Property tax assessment disputes are heard by this quasi-judicial body, which maintains written decisions but not court reporter transcripts.

Parties appearing before these non-record forums who wish to preserve a verbatim record must make independent arrangements for a court reporter at their own expense, as specified in Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.535.

Lookup Court Records in Hillsborough County

Search Hillsborough County court records online

Access official court records through the Clerk of Circuit Court

Find Hillsborough County government services and information

Search Florida state court records and information

Access Second District Court of Appeal records for Hillsborough cases

Search federal court records for the Tampa Division