Manatee County, Florida Court Records
In Manatee County, Florida, court records are official records of court proceedings and judicial matters. Such records are important for ensuring transparency and fairness in court proceedings. Legal researchers and other interested parties may also use court records as references in other legal cases.
The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official record custodian for court records generated in the county’s circuit and county courts. The court clerk maintains and discloses court documents in line with the Florida Sunshine Law. This means interested parties can view and request court documents in the custody of the county clerk. Manatee County court records often include related public files, such as arrest logs, vital records, and federal case files.
Are Manatee County Court Records Public?
Under the Florida Sunshine Laws, most information in court records is accessible to the public. For example, interested parties can view or obtain copies of public court records, including the names of the parties, case identifiers, court transcripts, and judgments. The Manatee County Circuit Clerk is also legally required to disclose court records upon receiving public requests.
Nevertheless, the circuit clerk may refuse unauthorized access to confidential or sensitive information in court records. Confidential court records typically include information whose disclosure may violate a person’s right to privacy and safety. Examples of confidential records include sealed or expunged court records, personal financial documents, mental health documents, and adoption records.
What Information is Available in Manatee County Court Records?
Manatee County court records typically reveal the following data:
- Names of parties involved, including the defendant, plaintiff, attorneys, and court judges.
- Case parties’ personal details, such as physical features, occupation, and address.
- Docket entries and case summaries.
- Court judgments and dispositions.
- Case transcript.
- Filed documents.
Court records may include specific information depending on the case type or other unique circumstances. For example, criminal case records may contain pleas, motions, exhibits, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. On the other hand, you might only find summons, complaints, and settlements in civil court files.
Note: Manatee County court records may include information not accessible to the public. Such information is disclosed only to eligible parties, such as case parties and their legal representatives.
Manatee County Court Records Search
Record seekers may conduct searches for court records using any of these options:
Online Access: The Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains an online search portal for cases heard in the county’s courts. Interested parties may view records on the platform by using these steps:
- Visit the court clerk’s official website.
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Select any of these search options:
- Search by person’s name.
- Search by business name.
- Search by citation number.
- Search by case number
- Search by case/filing type.
- Search by New Cases Filed Today.
- Fill out the required information and click on "View" to generate relevant search results.
The clerk of the circuit court also maintains an online request form for court records. Inquirers must register and complete the required information on the online form. Upon receiving the form, the clerk may process the request and forward the requested files to the inquirer’s mail or email address.
In-Person Access: Inquirers can request court records in person at the Office of the Circuit Clerk and Comptroller in Manatee County. The clerk receives and attends to in-person requests between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at this address:
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Attn: Custodian of Public Records
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34205
Phone: (941) 749-1800.
In addition, the court clerk will charge fees for searching and copying out requested court documents. Inquirers can pay the required fees by credit/debit card, cash, or money order.
Mail and Phone Requests: There are no clear guidelines on
sending a mail-based request for court records in Manatee County.
Nevertheless, inquirers may first contact the court clerk to determine if they
can use the option. If the clerk approves the mail-in request, inquirers must
send it to this address:
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Attn: Custodian of Public Records
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34205.
The mail request may include the following:
- A written request form that includes case party names, document identifiers, and contact information of the requester.
- A valid ID, if requesting confidential or sensitive court documents.
-
The required fees in the form of accepted payment options.
Record
Fees for Court Records in Manatee County
Per Florida Statute Chapter 28, record custodians may release copies of court records upon receipt of payment. The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller charges fees for searching, copying, and certifying court records. Inquirers are typically required to pay $1 per page for copied court documents and $2 per certification.
The court clerk also charges a $2 search fee for each year searched. This fee only applies if you do not provide sufficient information about the record.
Note: Record seekers may qualify for fee waivers under the Civil Indigent Status. This status allows the court to waive specific court costs, including record request fees. With that being said, inquirers must contact the court clerk’s office to determine if they qualify for the waiver or other available ones.
Manatee County Courthouse Locations
Manatee County’s trial court system consists of the circuit and county courts. You may find the courts at these physical locations:
Manatee County Circuit Court
Manatee County Historical Courthouse
1115 Manatee Avenue West
PO Box 25400
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 749-1800
County Court of Manatee County
Manatee County Historical Courthouse
1115 Manatee Avenue West
PO Box 25400
Bradenton, FL 34206
Phone: (941) 749-1800
These courts have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over criminal, civil, probate, and family relations cases. For example, the circuit court has sole jurisdiction over probate, juvenile, mental health, and domestic relations case types.
Criminal Records Access in Manatee County
In Manatee County, all criminal history checks are handled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Interested parties can conduct searches for criminal records on the agency’s search database. The instant search database allows you to search and receive instant access to criminal history information. However, the certified search database allows inquirers to search for and receive certified copies of records by mail.
Note that criminal history checks are not the same as criminal court records. These documents differ in terms of content and custodial agency. Case in point: criminal history checks include a summary of an individual’s criminal convictions, arrests, and incarcerations. In contrast, criminal court records contain comprehensive information on case proceedings, filed documents, and incarceration.
You may find local case records via the circuit court clerk. The court clerk allows online searches or in-person inquiries for court records. Inquirers may use the in-person request option to obtain physical copies of court documents.
Manatee County Probate Records
Manatee County probate records contain information on probate-related activities within the circuit court. Probate-related activities may include the administration of a deceased’s estate, the appointment of guardians, and name changes.
In Manatee County, probate court records are generally confidential because they contain sensitive information such as wills, deeds, financial statements, and insurance policies. Thus, the circuit court clerk may redact such information from the public. Only eligible parties, such as will executors, beneficiaries, and legal representatives, can view confidential information in probate court records.
Manatee County probate court records are under the purview of the Circuit Court Clerk and Comptroller’s Office. To obtain probate case records, inquirers may use the court clerk’s online search portal or online request form. The clerk also accepts in-person inquiries for probate records. Inquirers can access the records in person by visiting the circuit court clerk’s office at:
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Attn: Custodian of Public Records
1115 Manatee Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34205.
Manatee County Family Court Records
Manatee County family court records reveal information about family law cases and judicial actions. These records may contain information on cases such as divorce, child custody, adoption, and child support.
You can find and obtain copies of family court records by using an online search portal provided by the circuit court clerk’s office. Inquirers must input relevant search data to view records on the portal.
Alternatively, you may request the record by completing an online request form. The clerk will process the request and forward it to the provided mail or email address. Inquirers are also able to access certified and confidential probate records via in-person requests to the circuit court clerk’s office. The court clerk may attend to record requests between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Federal Court Records in Manatee County
Manatee County federal cases are heard at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The court hears cases involving bankruptcy, drug trafficking, immigration, and patent/copyright matters.
To look up federal court records in Manatee County, record seekers may conduct searches via the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) platform. Record seekers must register and provide relevant data to view records on the platform. Alternatively, you can request federal case records in person from the district court at any of these addresses:
Fort Myers
2110 First Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Phone: (239) 461-2000
Jacksonville
300 North Hogan Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: (904) 549-1900
Ocala
207 Northwest Second Street
Ocala, Florida 34475
Phone: (352) 369-4860
Orlando
401 West Central Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: (407) 835-4200
Tampa
801 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: (813) 301-5400
