Manatee County Court Records
Manatee County court records are legal documents pertaining to judicial proceedings in a local court. These records include pleadings and filings, notices, settlement agreements, judgment records, dockets, evidence, and transcripts.
In Manatee County, the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the custodian of these records and makes them publicly to county residents. Although court records are publicly available, some records may be legally exempt from public disclosure for certain reasons.
Are Court Records Public in Manatee County?
Yes, court records are public in Manatee County. Chapter 119 of the Florida Public Records law dictates that any record created, received, or maintained by public agencies while carrying out official functions is deemed a public record.
Public records are made accessible to the public for inspection and duplication.
Where to Conduct a Manatee County Case Lookup
Inquirers may conduct a Manatee County case lookup through one of the following means:
- The online Public Records Hub provided by the County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
- The public access department of the Historic Courthouse for in-person case lookups
- Through mail-in or email requests to the Manatee County Judicial Center
- Third-party online databases.
How to Conduct a Manatee County Case Records Search
To conduct a Manatee County Case records search through the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court Inquirers may query the records division of the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller. The office maintains a Public Records Hub that processes requests for county case records. Per Florida Statute 28,2221(5)(a), the County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller provides electronic access to court records through via it’s website. However, only indexes and dockets that have not been expunged or restricted from public disclosure are available using this tool.
Additionally, only eligible requesters are provided uninhibited access to every court record on the portal. While anyone can conduct a limited public search, only individuals who have entered a subscriber agreement have legal rights to all electronic court records.
To conduct a Manatee County Case Records Search:
- Go to the Court Records Search tool provided by the clerk of court
- Choose the section you want to search for court records in. Available sections include person name, business name, case number, citation number, case type, and new cases.
- Depending on the section you choose, enter the necessary values in the textbox provided
- Click search.
For an in-person case record search in Manatee County visit the main floor of the Historic Courthouse and direct all inquiries to the Public Access department. There, requesters are offered assistance in obtaining court records managed by the Clerk and Comptroller, except those that have been legally redacted. Court records requests can also be made through email to clerkscopycenter@manateeclerk.com.
Court case records are also accessible through third-party online databases. Most online databases and websites provide a searchable database with which inquirers can search for court records for a fee. However, some aggregate sites will provide limited information for free.
Manatee County Civil Court Case Records
Civil Court Case records in Manatee County are legal documents containing proceedings of legal disputes between individuals or businesses. The civil division of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office maintains these records and makes them available for free inspection but fees may apply to make copies. Examples of civil cases include family law cases, probate cases, estate dispute cases, and small claims cases.
Manatee County Criminal Court Case Records
Manatee County criminal court case records are legal documents that provide an official account of judicial proceedings on arrestable offenses that occur within the county’s jurisdiction. In Manatee County, criminal cases are divided into misdemeanors and felonies and the case records are managed by the Criminal Division of the Clerk's Office. They maintain up-to-date records of all offenses in the county including pleadings, court proceedings, and criminal judgments. Eligible individuals can apply for expungement, pay applicable fees, and expunge or seal their criminal records. Examples of criminal cases include burglary, fraud, domestic violence, homicides, and juvenile offenses.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
According to Florida Statutes 28.2221(5)(a), the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court is authorized to provide digital access to court records. Using the Clerk’s Court Records Search Too, inquirers may search for court records for free or using a subject’s name, business name, case number, citation, or case type.
Some third-party websites may also offer access to court records, but it is important to note that they may not be as up-to-date as the county’s official tool. Some court information may be legally unavailable to the public online to protect the interests of the parties involved in the case.
Courts in Manatee County
The addresses and contact information of courts in Manatee County are as follows:
Manatee County Judicial Center
1051 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 749-3600
Manatee County Juvenile Court
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 741-4026
