St. Johns County Family Court Cases and Files

Finding St. Johns County family court records is easy with the right guidance. The Clerk of Court keeps all documents for family law matters in this historic coastal county. Cases include dissolution of marriage, child custody disputes, domestic violence injunctions, and paternity actions. St. Augustine serves as the county seat and hosts the main courthouse. Many families file cases here each year. You can search for records online or in person. The system helps you locate documents for legal matters or personal reference. Staff stand ready to assist with your search.

St. Johns County Clerk of Court Office

The St. Johns County Clerk of Court handles all family court records for this historic region, with Brandon J. Patty serving as the current Clerk. The main office is located at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine, a modern facility that holds records for the 7th Judicial Circuit while serving one of Florida's most historically significant counties. Staff members assist with record searches each weekday, providing personalized guidance to help you find specific case files among thousands of family law matters processed annually. The office maintains standard operating hours, opening at eight in the morning and closing at five in the afternoon, Monday through Friday.

Phone support is available at (904) 819-3600 for general questions about records, search procedures, and document availability. When you contact the office, staff can explain the search process in detail, advise on what identification you'll need to bring, and clarify which records require proof of identity versus those that remain open to the public under Florida's Sunshine Laws. The clerk's website offers comprehensive online search tools that enable you to look up cases from home, searching by name or case number to view basic case details. For certified copies needed for legal proceedings, visit the office with a valid photo ID and allow time for security screening at the courthouse entrance.

St. Johns County Family Court Records Available

St. Johns County maintains a comprehensive collection of family court records, with each category serving distinct legal needs and requiring specific access procedures. Understanding these various record types helps you locate the appropriate documents efficiently while respecting privacy protections and legal requirements. The main types include dissolution of marriage proceedings that document divorces from petition through final judgment, child custody cases that establish parenting plans and support obligations, domestic violence injunctions that protect victims through court-ordered restraining orders, paternity actions that legally establish fatherhood, and adoption records that are typically sealed to protect the privacy of all parties involved in these sensitive proceedings.

Dissolution of marriage records contain detailed documentation of divorce proceedings, including the original petition, financial affidavits, marital settlement agreements outlining property division, and final judgments that establish the legal termination of marriage. Child custody records detail court-approved parenting plans that specify time-sharing schedules, decision-making authority regarding education and healthcare, and child support calculations based on Florida's statutory guidelines. Domestic violence injunction records document petitions for protection, temporary restraining orders, permanent injunctions, and related court hearings, though access to these may be restricted for safety and privacy reasons. Paternity cases establish legal fatherhood through genetic testing and court orders, often resulting in child support obligations and parental rights. Each record type follows different access rules, with some being public records available to anyone while others require court orders to view, and the clerk follows Florida statutes strictly when releasing sensitive family information.

How to Search St. Johns County Family Records

Searching for family court records in St. Johns County offers two main paths, each providing distinct advantages depending on your specific research needs and timeline constraints. Online tools work exceptionally well for preliminary research and quick checks, allowing you to verify case existence, review basic information, and determine whether in-person visits are necessary. In-person visits to the clerk's office provide comprehensive document access, including certified copies that meet legal requirements for court proceedings, and offer the invaluable benefit of staff assistance when dealing with complex searches, incomplete information, or historical records that may not be fully digitized.

The My Florida Court Access portal covers St. Johns County as part of this comprehensive statewide judicial information system. This portal enables you to search case information by entering a name or case number, with results displaying case status, party names, scheduled hearings, and final judgments. While some documents are viewable directly through the portal, others require an in-person visit to the clerk's office for security and privacy verification. The basic search function is free to use, making it an accessible starting point for most research needs before committing to an office visit.

For comprehensive in-person searches, visit the clerk's office on Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine with proper identification and any case details you've gathered. Staff members can search by party name, case number, or date range, though extensive searches involving multiple records may require additional processing time. The office provides public access computers where you can conduct independent searches, and knowledgeable staff remain available to assist with difficult searches or unusual circumstances. For optimal results, gather as much information as possible before beginning your search, including full legal names of parties involved, approximate date ranges when the case was active, and case numbers if available. The clerk's website at stjohnsclerk.org provides additional search tips and guidance.

7th Judicial Circuit Details

St. Johns County belongs to Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit, a judicial district encompassing four counties that work together under unified circuit administration. Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties join St. Johns in this circuit, creating a coordinated judicial system that handles all family law matters consistently across county boundaries. Circuit judges preside over family cases, holding comprehensive authority over divorces, custody disputes, domestic violence injunctions, and related proceedings. These judges issue binding orders that affect families throughout the circuit, ensuring that legal standards remain uniform regardless of which county processes the case.

The 7th Judicial Circuit website provides extensive resources for families navigating the court system, including complete listings of active judges with their biographical information and assignments, detailed courthouse locations across all four counties, and step-by-step filing procedures for various family case types. You can find downloadable forms, instructional guides, administrative orders governing court operations, and local rules that supplement statewide procedures. The circuit office works closely with each county clerk to maintain proper records and ensure efficient case processing. Family court hearings typically occur at the St. Augustine courthouse at 4010 Lewis Speedway, though some proceedings may be scheduled at other circuit locations depending on judicial availability and case type. Always verify hearing details through your court notices.

Online Tools for St. Johns County Records

Modern technology has significantly simplified the process of finding St. Johns County family court records, with multiple online platforms now available to serve this essential public need. Each digital tool offers different features and capabilities, and combining these resources often produces the most comprehensive research results. Beginning with official sources ensures accuracy while avoiding potential misinformation from unofficial websites. The integration of local clerk resources with statewide judicial databases provides multiple pathways to locate the specific records you need.

The St. Johns County Clerk website serves as your primary resource, linking directly to case search systems, providing downloadable forms and fee schedules, and offering complete contact information for all offices. The clerk updates case information regularly, ensuring online records reflect recent filings quickly and accurately. Statewide systems complement these local tools, with My Florida Court Access covering all Florida counties and enabling you to track cases across county lines. This proves especially valuable for multi-county searches or when involved parties have cases in multiple jurisdictions. The basic search functions are free for case information, though full document copies often require an in-person office visit for security verification.

St. Johns County Clerk Website Images

The St. Johns County Clerk of Court provides convenient online access to their homepage and resources, offering residents an intuitive interface for navigating family court records.

The website offers comprehensive tools for searching family court cases and accessing public records information, making it easier for residents to locate the documents they need.

The clerk provides detailed court services information specifically for family law matters.

This section helps residents understand the available services for family court cases and navigate the court system more effectively.

The 7th Judicial Circuit page displays important court information for the entire circuit.

This resource connects residents with circuit-wide court services and judicial information across all four circuit counties.

The court records section offers direct access to case search tools.

Users can search for family court cases and view case details through this portal, streamlining the record-finding process.

The e-filing portal allows online submission of court documents.

This system enables attorneys and pro se litigants to file family court documents electronically, reducing the need for in-person visits.