Court records in Alachua County, Florida can be searched through several channels. AlachuaCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases. You can also access records through the Alachua County Clerk's public records portal, in person at the Clerk of Court's office, or at public terminals inside the courthouse. The Florida Courts website offers additional statewide search tools for appellate-level cases.
Alachua Court System & Jurisdictions
Alachua County is part of Florida's Eighth Judicial Circuit and falls within the First District Court of Appeal. Two levels of trial court operate in the county — Circuit Court and County Court — each handling distinct case types.
Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000
- Family law matters — divorce, child custody, paternity, adoption, domestic violence injunctions
- Probate and guardianship — wills, estates, mental health proceedings
- Juvenile cases — delinquency and dependency
- Appeals from County Court decisions
County Court
County Court handles cases of more limited scope:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil disputes of $50,000 or less, including small claims (up to $8,000)
- Traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses
- Ordinance violations
If you are unsure which court's docket to search, start by identifying your case type. Criminal felony and family law matters will appear on Circuit Court dockets, while traffic tickets and misdemeanors are found on County Court dockets. Appellate cases from the Eighth Circuit can be searched through the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS).
Alachua Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Alachua County are managed through the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's scheduled hearings:
- Visit the Alachua County court records page to look up your case and check for scheduled hearing dates.
- Check the Florida Virtual Courtroom Directory for any hearings being conducted remotely in Alachua County.
- Call the Clerk's office at (352) 264-6906 to ask about a specific case's next hearing date.
- Visit the courthouse in person and use the public terminals or posted daily docket sheets near the courtrooms.
Daily docket sheets are typically posted outside each courtroom and list the cases scheduled for that day, including the judge, case number, parties, and hearing type. If you have an active case, your attorney or the Clerk's office can confirm your next appearance date.
How to Get a Copy of an Alachua Court Document
The Alachua County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official custodian of court records. You can obtain copies in three ways:
Online
Search for your case through the Clerk's online court records portal. Some documents may be viewable or downloadable directly. For certified copies, you will generally need to request them by mail or in person.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court office:
Bring the case number or the full names of the parties involved. Staff can pull documents and provide certified or uncertified copies while you wait, depending on volume.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Your full name and contact information
- The case number (if known)
- The names of the parties
- A description of the document you need
- Whether you need a certified or uncertified copy
- Payment by check or money order made payable to "Alachua County Clerk of Court"
Certified vs. uncertified: A certified copy bears the Clerk's official seal and signature, making it valid for legal proceedings, background checks, or filing with other agencies. An uncertified copy is a plain reproduction suitable for personal reference. Most people requesting documents for court filings, employment verification, or official purposes need certified copies.
For sealed or expunged records, access is restricted. The Clerk's office provides instructions on sealing or expunging a criminal record for those who qualify under Florida law.
Alachua Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Alachua County are set by Florida Statute § 28.24. The following schedule reflects standard charges:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of a court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Search fee (per name, per year searched) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy of a court record (first page) | $1.00 + $2.00 certification |
| Additional pages of a certified document | $1.00 per page |
| Duplicate certified copy of a recorded document | $1.00 per page + $2.00 certification |
Payment methods: The Clerk's office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders in person. For mail requests, send a check or money order payable to "Alachua County Clerk of Court." Contact the office at (352) 264-6906 to confirm current accepted payment methods and whether online payment is available for your request type.
Notes:
- Fees may differ for records that require extensive retrieval or involve older archived files.
- Some documents — such as those in juvenile, mental health, or sealed cases — are not available to the general public regardless of willingness to pay.
- If you need law enforcement records such as offense reports or jail records, contact the Alachua County Sheriff's Office public records division separately, as those are maintained independently from court records.