Pinellas County Family Court Records Information
Pinellas County family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Clearwater. The county is located on Florida's Gulf Coast. It is part of the Tampa Bay metro area. Ken Burke, CPA serves as the current clerk. The county falls within the 6th Judicial Circuit. The office handles a high volume of family cases. Records include divorce, custody, and support matters. The clerk uses security features like Captcha to protect data. Users may get logged out after periods of inactivity. The system limits date range searches to 500 cases.
Pinellas County Clerk of Court Office
The Pinellas County Clerk of Court maintains comprehensive family court records at 315 Court Street in downtown Clearwater under the experienced leadership of Ken Burke, CPA. This bustling office serves as the primary hub for record requests from throughout Pinellas County, processing thousands of inquiries annually from attorneys, self-represented litigants, researchers, and members of the public seeking information about family law matters. The professional staff have developed efficient systems for managing both traditional paper files and modern electronic records, ensuring that requests are handled promptly and accurately regardless of the format.
The main office can be reached by telephone at (727) 464-3341 during regular business hours, though callers should be prepared for potential wait times given the high volume of inquiries and are advised to call early in the day for the most prompt service. The clerk's website offers an extensive suite of self-help tools that enable many routine requests to be completed online without requiring an office visit. In addition to the main Clearwater location at 315 Court Street, the clerk operates satellite offices at 14250 49th Street North in Clearwater and 545 First Avenue North in St. Petersburg, providing convenient access points for residents throughout the county. All locations feature security screening and require photo identification for record access.
| Clerk Name | Ken Burke, CPA |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 315 Court Street, Room 400, Clearwater, FL 33756 |
| Phone | (727) 464-3341 |
| Website | mypinellasclerk.gov |
| Circuit | 6th Judicial Circuit |
Pinellas County Online Records Search Tips
The Pinellas County records search implements Captcha security technology to protect user data and maintain system integrity against automated attacks. While this security measure may add a step to the search process, it ensures that sensitive family court information remains accessible only to legitimate users. When completing the Captcha challenge, follow the on-screen prompts carefully, and remember that this verification step is a normal part of accessing the system.
Users should be aware that the system may log out inactive sessions after periods of non-use as a security feature designed to protect confidential information. To maintain session continuity, work within a single browser window rather than opening multiple tabs, and save your work frequently to prevent data loss if a logout occurs. For users experiencing technical difficulties such as login problems or display issues, clearing the browser cache and closing and reopening the browser often resolves these problems. The clerk's website functions optimally with updated browsers, so ensuring your software is current will provide the best user experience.
Documents marked as VOR (View On Request) require special attention, as these materials may take up to two days to become available through the online system while staff process the request. If a document link appears inactive, check back after the processing period has elapsed. Date range searches are limited to returning a maximum of 500 cases, so broad searches may hit this ceiling and require refinement using more specific criteria such as exact names or narrower date parameters.
Pinellas County Family Court Records Search Features
The Pinellas County family law section offers sophisticated search tools specifically designed for locating domestic relations cases, with an interface optimized for ease of use that helps users find case information quickly and efficiently. Search results display comprehensive case details including party names, current case status, and scheduled future events, providing a complete picture of where a matter stands in the judicial process. The system has been designed with both legal professionals and members of the public in mind, ensuring that users at all levels of technical sophistication can navigate the database effectively.
Confidential cases receive special handling within the system, with certain sensitive matters such as domestic violence petitions and some juvenile cases displaying in search results without document links to protect the parties involved. This restricted access follows statutory requirements designed to balance public transparency with individual privacy and safety concerns. Party name searches remain the most commonly used search method, with optimal results achieved by entering full legal names with the last name first, then adding first names to narrow results. For the most precise retrieval, case number searches bypass potential ambiguity by navigating directly to the specific file using the unique identifier assigned to each case.
Types of Family Court Records Available in Pinellas County
Pinellas County maintains an extensive archive of family court records encompassing the complete range of domestic relations matters. Divorce cases are filed regularly, with records documenting each stage of the proceedings from the initial petition through financial disclosures, settlement negotiations, and final judgments. These comprehensive files provide a complete picture of the dissolution process and may be referenced for years following the conclusion of the case.
Child custody records contain detailed parenting plans that establish time-sharing arrangements, allocate decision-making authority, specify holiday schedules, and set forth child support obligations including provisions for medical and dental coverage. Modifications to existing orders are carefully tracked, ensuring the record reflects current arrangements. Domestic violence cases receive dedicated handling with petitions processed quickly, temporary orders issued for immediate protection, and final injunctions establishing longer-term safety measures.
Pinellas County Clerk Website Resources
The Pinellas County Clerk provides comprehensive online services specifically designed to facilitate access to family court records for Clearwater and St. Petersburg area residents.
The sophisticated e-filing system enables attorneys and self-represented parties to electronically submit family law documents for cases pending in Clearwater and St. Petersburg courthouses.
6th Judicial Circuit Court and Pinellas County Family Law
Pinellas County operates within the 6th Judicial Circuit in partnership with Pasco County, with the circuit court maintaining dedicated family law divisions staffed by experienced judges who specialize in domestic relations matters. These jurists handle a substantial caseload encompassing everything from routine uncontested divorces to highly complex custody disputes involving significant financial assets or allegations of abuse. The circuit provides valuable support services including professional family mediation programs that help parties reach mutually acceptable agreements, mandatory parenting courses designed to help families navigate transitions, and coordinated support enforcement efforts working in partnership with state agencies.
Court hearings take place in both Clearwater and St. Petersburg, with notices specifying the exact location, date, and time. Arriving early for security screening, bringing required identification, and having documents well-organized helps ensure smooth court appearances.
Getting Copies of Pinellas County Family Court Records
Copies of family court records are available from any of the Pinellas clerk's office locations, with regular copies priced on a per-page basis and certified copies, which bear the official seal and are frequently required for legal proceedings, available for an additional fee. The clerk's offices accept cash, personal checks, and credit or debit cards, with some services also offering online payment options for added convenience.
Most copy requests are completed quickly, though larger orders or requests for archived records may require additional processing time. Staff can provide estimated completion timeframes and advise on whether rush service is available for urgent matters.