Sarasota County Court Records
The County of Sarasota is part of Florida's Twelfth Judicial Circuit, along with Desoto and Manatee. Courts within the county hear all criminal and civil complaints filed by private citizens, businesses, or the government. The Sarasota County courts also keep records (known as court records) of every proceeding brought to the county's judicial system per Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420.
Court records, defined in Rule 2.420 as all contents of a court file generated to document case activity, have a vital role in the judicial system. Given that these records hold case events and outcomes, they provide unique insights to members of the public who want to learn about a high-profile or other court case. Case parties also rely on court records to ensure their cases are being handled correctly or determine how far along their cases are to resolution. To a judge, attorney, historian, journalist, or legal researcher, court records are important for discovering past legal precedents or studying the evolution of law.
The custodian of court records in Sarasota County is the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller.
Are Court Records Public in Sarasota County?
Yes. Sarasota County court records are available to the public under the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420. This Florida Supreme Court rule governs public access to and the protection of judicial branch records (i.e., court and administrative records).
Per Rule 2.420, everyone can inspect or copy a Sarasota County court record maintained by the custodian's office, including documentary exhibits, progress dockets, transcripts, electronic records, stenographic tapes of court proceedings, and other similar records. However, not all court records can be obtained by the public.
Along with granting public access to court records, Rule 2.420 also lists (in sections c and d) categories of information ordinarily exempt from public dissemination. Examples include Social Security and bank account numbers, juvenile delinquency records, the addresses of domestic violence victims, adoption records, grand jury records, and records relating to termination of parental rights.
Where to Conduct a Sarasota County Case Lookup
Individuals can utilize these methods to conduct a Sarasota County case lookup:
- Visit or write to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller's office.
- Search the Clerk and Comptroller's Case Search web application.
How to Conduct a Sarasota County Case Records Search
Individuals can conduct a case records search in Sarasota County in person, online, or by submitting a written request to the Clerk and Comptroller's office.
In-Person Case Records Search
Researchers can visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller's offices in Venice or Sarasota during business hours. There, they can request for court records. A requester may also call ahead to request a record review.
Whether requesting to review (search) or make copies of court records at the Clerk's office, the requester must know specific details about the case of interest, such as a defendant/plaintiff's name, case number, or filing date. This information helps the Clerk and Comptroller's office to locate and retrieve the desired case record(s).
Note that fees apply for certain records search requests. For instance, it costs $1 per page for copies and $2 per document for certification.
Case Records Search by Mail, Fax, or Phone
The Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller's office accepts record search requests by mail, phone, and fax. All such inquiries must come with a completed Records Search Request form and the applicable fee (indicated on the form).
Individuals mailing their requests to the Public Access Department, P.O. Box 3079, Sarasota, Florida, must pay with a check or money order payable to "Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller". On the other hand, persons who wish to submit the form by fax to (941) 861-7738 or by phone at (941) 861-7400 must fill out the credit card section of the Records Search Request form. Accepted cards include VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or AMEX). A 3.5% processing fee applies for all credit card transactions.
Online Case Records Search
Electronic court case records are available to members of the public in Sarasota County per the Standards for Access to Electronic Court Documents and Security Matrix (Supreme Court of Florida Administrative Order 20-108).
An online case records search can be conducted on the Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller's website. The Clerk's office provides a ClerkNet portal that can be accessed by registered and non-registered (anonymous) users. The portal processes criminal, civil, family, traffic, probate, will, and guardianship records searches.
Non-registered users can access the portal as follows:
- Under General Public User Access, select "Click Here".
- Answer the reCAPTCHA and agree to the disclaimer.
- Select "Search" from the top menu.
- Provide a case number, party name (defendant or plaintiff), or citation number where indicated, then click "Search".
Note that non-registered users cannot access protected, sealed, or Viewable-On-Request (VOR) document images via the ClerkNet portal. To review VOR case records, a person must create a user account on ClerkNet (on the portal homepage, click "New User Registration" to proceed).
The Sarasota County clerk's office can be contacted at (941) 861-7400 to learn how to find court records in person, submit a written case records search request, or use the ClerkNet portal. One may also email the Clerk's Public Access Department office at clkinfo@sarasotaclerkandcomptroller.com.
Sarasota County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court case records in Sarasota County comprise all information and materials generated from a dispute or claim litigated in the county's civil courts (county and circuit courts). Sarasota County's civil court jurisdiction covers small claims, dissolution of marriage, probate, guardianship, landlord/tenant, and other non-criminal actions.
Civil case records are preserved by Sarasota County's Clerk and Comptroller office. Individuals can visit the Clerk's office during normal working hours or use other means highlighted previously to request the records.
Sarasota County Criminal Court Case Records
Sarasota County criminal court case records are created from the prosecution of criminal charges (felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic). The Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller's office maintains criminal court case records for the county. Individuals can contact the Clerk's office to determine how to find court records in person or using other prescribed methods (see above).
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Sarasota County court records can be reviewed online for free through the Clerk and Comptroller office's ClerkNet portal. The portal is accessible on the Clerk's website. As mentioned, ClerkNet users can access the portal as guests (anonymously) or register for access. Persons who do not have a ClerkNet account can view case information but only limited document images (i.e., only documents marked as "Available" in the case docket).
Members of the public can also obtain Sarasota County court records online for free through third-party aggregate websites that offer the service. Third-party websites can typically be searched with a party name and city/state.
Courts in Sarasota County, Florida
Circuit and county courts make up Sarasota County's court system in Florida. The courts are located at the following addresses:
Florida's Twelfth Judicial Circuit Locations in Sarasota County
Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center (Main Courthouse)
2002 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941) 861-7800
Fax: (941) 861-7904
South County Courthouse
4004 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34293
Phone: (941) 861-7800
Sarasota County Justice Center
2071 Ringling Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941) 861-7800
Fax: (941) 861-7904
Other Courthouse Locations
Sarasota County Historic Courthouse(now the Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court's main office)
2000 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941) 861-7400
