Hillsborough County Court Records

Hillsborough County court records are legal documents dedicated to recording the legal proceedings of the county's court system. The Clerk of Courts and Comptroller's office serves as the official recorder of the county so they maintain and give access to these records. Hillsborough County falls under the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida.

Court records generally exist to record case histories, and ensure accountability in the judicial system. Court records are classified as public records and so intersect with other public records in their dissemination. Examples of these public records are vital records (disseminated through the Clerk's Office), and arrest records (form part of criminal court records). Federal case files are managed by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. They are not accessible through local courts, only through the district court and online through PACER, the national tool for electronic court records.

Are Hillsborough County Court Records Public?

Yes. In Florida, the public has access to the court records, and access is governed by key state laws. Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24 grants access to records created by government bodies (public records), which includes court records. The Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 further specifies the public's right of access to all records of the judicial branch of government unless otherwise restricted by law.

The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is the custodian of records in the county. Examples of cases that are public by law include civil cases, criminal cases, some family law cases, probate records, and traffic cases. According to Florida state rules like Fla. Stat. § 39.0132 and Fla. Stat. § 63.162, case types that are confidential by law and publicly inaccessible include juvenile cases, adoption cases, mental health cases, and court records that have been sealed or expunged. A court order is required to access a confidential court record.

What Information is Available in Hillsborough County Court Records?

Information typically available in Hillsborough County Court Records includes the following:

• Case number
• Name and division of court with jurisdiction over the case
• Names of parties involved in the case (attorneys, judge, plaintiff, defendant)
• Petitions
• Motions
• Judgements
• Transcripts
• Evidence log
• Status of case
• Summons or warrants if any

Hillsborough County Court Records Search

Interested individuals can conduct a Hillsborough County Court records search online, in person, by mail, by email, or by phone request. Additional payment may be required to get certified copies.

• Online: HOVER (Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records) allows users to search its database by name, case number, or citation. Court records that can be retrieved through this resource include civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case records. Hillsborough County also has an online Public Records Search tool through which court records like liens, judgments, and other court-recorded documents can be retrieved.
• In-person: The main courthouse in Hillsborough County is the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse. They offer in-person access to court records and also have public terminals at the clerk's office for eligible individuals to conduct self-searches.
• Mail & email requests: The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is the custodian of court records. Hence, mail requests go to this office. The mail request needs to contain the case number, the description of the sought record and payment (check or money order) made out to the Clerk of Courts in a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Individuals can also email a public records request to publicrecords@hillsclerk.com or use the form on the Clerk's website. Mails go to:

Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

601 E. Kennedy Boulevard

13th floor,

Tampa, FL 33602

• Phone requests: Individuals can call the Clerk's office at (813) 284-2131 to request a copy of a court record. Adequate information about the case needs to be provided to facilitate a search, but full documents cannot be provided over the phone. Confidential records will also not be released over the phone.

Fees for Court Records in Hillsborough County

The standard fee for obtaining a copy of a court record in person and online through the Clerk's Certified Document Request Portal is $1 per page. Certification of the documents costs $2 per document, and if ordered online, there is a $6 online convenience fee per transaction. If payment is made using a credit card, a 3.5% credit card processing fee applies to the transaction.

The Hillsborough Clerk's Online Search of Case Records (HOVER) has a no-subscription model and offers free access to non-certified documents to the public. Vital records are handled by different agencies in Hillsborough County, depending on the type of vital record it is. Copies of marriage and divorce records are available from the Hillsborough Clerk of Court, while birth and death records are available from the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County under its Bureau of Vital Statistics. Fees apply for obtaining certified copies of vital records.

Hillsborough County Courthouse Locations

Key courthouses in Hillsborough County and their contact information is as follows:

Record type: civil, criminal, family law, probate & Guardianship, juvenile dependency & delinquency, domestic violence

Record type: Historical Court Records

Record type: Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Traffic

Criminal Records Access in Hillsborough County

State-level criminal history checks are conducted through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This agency provides records related to state-level arrest histories, conviction records, and sex offender registry data through their Criminal History Record Check Portal.

Criminal court cases filed within Hillsborough County (Local Case Records) are managed by the Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's Office. Examples of records available include arrest affidavits, charging documents, court dockets, and sentencing orders. These local records can be accessed online through the Hillsborough Clerk's Online Search of Case Records (HOVER) or in person at the Misdemeanor Department of the Clerk's office. Individuals are required to pay the applicable fees for obtaining a copy or a certified copy of the record. A public record request can also be made by filling out and submitting the appropriate forms to the Clerk's Office.

Hillsborough County Probate Records

Hillsborough probate court records contain information on the administration process of a deceased person's estate. An estate refers to the deceased person's assets after death, including their bank accounts, investments, real estate, life insurance policies, etc. The Probate, Guardianship, and Trust Department of the Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office is the custodian of probate records in the county. Examples of these probate records include the following:

• Wills: The probate court confirms the validity of a will and executes it
• Trusts: Although trusts are non-probate, the probate court keeps records of the process if any documentation exists
• Guardianships & Conservatorship: The probate court has oversight for incapacitated adults and minors. Guardianship covers conservatorship functions in Florida

Recent filings of public probate records are available through the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County's Index of the Official Records of Hillsborough County, Florida. Due to confidentiality concerns, some records are restricted from unauthorized public access per state laws. Examples of these confidential records include records on minors, sealed guardianships, financial account numbers, social security numbers, and mental health records.

Hillsborough County Family Court Records

The Family Law Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court handles family court cases in Hillsborough County. Examples of these cases include divorce cases, child custody cases, child support cases, and adoption cases. The Hillsborough Clerk's Court Records Search allows an online search for non-confidential family court cases through its portal. Family court records can also be viewed in person at the Clerk's office. Individuals must present a valid ID so that their eligibility to access the record can be confirmed.

To obtain a certified copy of a family court record, individuals can use the Clerk's Certified Copy Request online Portal or visit the Clerk's office in person and submit a written request. This request should include the case number, document description, and the payment proof of applicable fees. Records like adoption records and juvenile records are classified as confidential records and are not publicly available.

Federal Court Records in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County is under the Tampa Division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. This federal court handles records of federal civil cases, criminal prosecutions, bankruptcy filings, immigration, and intellectual property filings. PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) provides nationwide online access to federal case files. To use this platform, users need to register on the platform and search by party name, case number, or court location. It costs $0.10 to view each page of a document. Individuals can also view federal court records in person by visiting the Tampa Office locations. It is important to note that sealed cases and some immigration proceedings are considered confidential, so they are restricted from public access.