Seminole County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Seminole County court records online?
Start at the Clerk's Search for a Court Case page and pick the portal that fits. Use Civil Cases for civil, family, and probate; Criminal Cases for felonies and misdemeanors; and Traffic Citations for tickets. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Most records begin in 1985, and each search caps at 500 results. The full walkthrough is on the court records page.
Are the online court records official?
No. The Clerk says only certified or eCertified documents count as the official court record. The free portal is fine for research, case numbers, and dockets, but the Clerk does not warrant non-certified data. For court or legal use, request a certified copy. The Clerk of Court page explains how to request one.
Why can't I find a case by name?
Name searches skip confidential cases, so a blank result is not always proof. You may also have the wrong portal, spelling, or date range. Try a partial name, add a date range, and type business names in the last-name field. Juvenile, adoption, sealed, and expunged cases will not show. See the court records page for tips.
How far back do Seminole online court records go?
The Clerk says most case indexes start in 1985. Scanned document images begin with open cases from 2005. Older or closed files, and records not imaged online, may need a call to the Clerk and a search or copy fee. The court dockets page covers this coverage gap.
How do I search for an inmate in Seminole County?
Use the Sheriff's custody portal. Search by last name, first name, middle name, age, race, gender, or booking number. Results show name, age, race, and gender, and each links to a booking profile with charges, bond, and the next court date. The inmate records page has the full search guide.
Is the inmate portal a criminal conviction record?
No. The portal provides arrest and booking information only. It may not reflect the State Attorney's charging decisions or the trial outcome, and final dispositions come from the Clerk. Use the custody portal for jail status and the Clerk for case history. The criminal records page explains the difference.
How do I post bond?
Start with the Sheriff's Posting Bond page and the inmate detail page. The custody portal warns that a $0.00 bond can mean no bond is due, the person was released, or the person was sentenced. If any single charge is listed as no bond, the person is not bondable. Confirm bond before paying. More is on the warrant records page.
How do I schedule a jail visit?
Create a SmartJailMail account and schedule at least 24 hours ahead. Onsite video visitation at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility is free, and each inmate may get two 30-minute visits per day, up to four per week. Bring a government photo ID and arrive 30 minutes early. Visit rules are on the inmate records page.
Where do I get marriage records?
Marriage licenses are handled by the Clerk. Recorded marriage documents are searched through Official Records, and certified copies are requested from the Clerk. During the Criminal Justice Center renovation, wedding services are at the Casselberry Branch. The marriage and divorce records page covers the process and fees.
Where do I find divorce records?
Use the civil and family case portal and select family categories such as simplified dissolution or dissolution of marriage. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. Some documents may be redacted, especially financial records and minor-child information. The marriage and divorce records page has the search fields.
Where are probate records filed?
Probate services are at the Juvenile Justice Center on Eslinger Way. Search probate through the civil portal's Probate Selection categories, including formal administration, summary administration, wills on deposit, and guardianship. The probate records page explains the categories and filing steps.
How do I pay or contest a traffic ticket?
You usually have 30 days to choose unless a court appearance is required. Options include paying the civil penalty, electing traffic school if eligible, submitting a no-contest withhold request, or requesting a hearing. Paying counts as a conviction and may add points. The traffic court records page lays out each choice.
How do I seal or expunge a criminal record?
Florida sealing and expunction follow sections 943.0585 and 943.059. Most cases need an eligibility review, an FDLE certificate where required, a petition in the criminal case, service on agencies, and a signed court order. Convictions and pending charges can disqualify you. The criminal records page has more detail.
How do I file a public records request?
Identify the custodian first, then describe the record clearly and send the request to that office. The Clerk holds court and official records, the Sheriff holds incident and jail records, and FDLE holds statewide criminal history. You do not have to say why you want a record. The public records page explains the process and fees.
How do I find a released inmate?
The county roster is set to current inmates, so try VINELink for release alerts and the Clerk criminal portal for the case. For state prison, search the Florida Department of Corrections, and for federal custody, search the Bureau of Prisons. The released inmates page walks through each tool.
Where do I search federal cases?
Use PACER for official federal court records. Seminole County is covered by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and bankruptcy goes to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for that district. Federal inmate records come from the Bureau of Prisons, not the county jail. The court records page covers state versus federal records.
Who prosecutes Seminole County criminal cases?
The Office of the State Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit prosecutes criminal cases in Seminole and Brevard Counties. The office decides which charges to file after an arrest, which is why the Sheriff's booking data may not match the final case. It also runs victim services. The criminal records page explains the State Attorney's role.
Where are first appearance hearings held?
All first appearance hearings are held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on Eslinger Way, in courtroom J-2. Workday hearings run at 2:00 PM, and weekend or holiday hearings at 9:00 AM. An arrested person is usually seen within 24 to 48 hours if still in custody. The inmate records page has more on bond and booking.
What is the difference between the Circuit Court and the County Court?
The Circuit Court is the general trial court for felonies, family, probate, and large civil cases. The County Court is the limited court for misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, and evictions. The Clerk keeps the files for both. See the Circuit Court and County Court pages for each one.