Court Records – Frequently Asked Questions

No. Most records from 2003 to present, as well as some prior to 2003 can be viewed online, once reviewed for confidentiality. However, more than 50 million paper records dating back to 1887, are not yet available online. 

Most older records can be scanned and made available upon request. Requests can be made in the following ways:

• By Email:
  Complete a Request for Access to Court Record Form (PDF), and email it to [email protected].
• By Mail:
  Complete a Request for Access to Court Record Form (PDF) and mail it to Lake County Clerk of Courts, Attn: Court Data & Records, P.O. Box 7800, Tavares, FL 32778-7800.
• In Person:
  Visit the Central Intake Section, located in the Lake County Courthouse, 550 W. Main St., East Wing, First Floor, Tavares.

Accessibility of all court records is generally based on the case type, the content of the document to be viewed, and the relationship of the person making the request to the case.

If you wish to search Lake County court records anonymously, you can do so on the Clerk’s website.  Once you accept the terms, click the “Case Search” icon at the top of that next screen. You will then be taken to a search screen, which allows you to enter information concerning the court records you wish to view.

In order to have greater access to cases, you may wish to become a registered user. This requires a username and password, which will be issued after you complete a registration agreement.

For a more complete explanation on using the online court records search, you may wish to consult the Online Court Records Search User Guide (PDF).

Accessibility of court records is generally based on the case type, the content of the document to be viewed, and the relationship of the person making the request to the case.

An anonymous user of the system will have the least access, while attorneys of record and parties to cases will have the most access, the most common difference being the ability of parties and attorneys of record to see otherwise confidential information.

Initially, it will generally be necessary for members of the public with regular access rights to submit a request to view a particular case or image.  This request alerts our office of a need to review the case or image for confidential information prior to its release.  This review will be conducted as quickly as possible. If an email address is included with the request, the person(s) requesting the review will be notified by email when the document is available for viewing. If an email is not included with the request, you will need to check back periodically to see if the image is available.

When you determine a document you wish to view, click the “View on Request” link, which looks like a lock icon on the left side of the docket number. If the image is not currently available, a pop-up window will prompt you to request the document and enter your email information if you wish to be notified when the image is available.  You are not required to provide this information, but if you do not you must check from time to time to determine if the image(s) have been made available.

Generally, record requests are processed and the record is made available within 24-36 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

For questions concerning the status of a request, please contact:

• Circuit Civil – (352) 742-4148
• County Civil – (352) 742-4145
• Circuit Criminal-Felony – (352) 742-4126
• County Criminal-Misdemeanor – (352) 742-4128
• Domestic Relations / Child Support – (352) 742-4140
• Injunctions/Domestic Violence – (352) 742-4319
• Probate/Guardianship – (352) 742-4122
• Small Claims – (352) 742-4145
• Traffic – (352) 742-4133

Once our office has processed the document (normally within 2-3 business days), you should be able to view the document if you are otherwise allowed to do so.

The availability and the content of cases and document images is governed by the role of the person wanting to see the image, the nature of the image, and the information contained therein.  An anonymous user of the system will have the least access, while attorneys of record and parties to cases will have greater access, with the most common difference being the ability of parties and attorneys of record to see otherwise confidential information.

Initially, it will generally be necessary for members of the public with regular access rights to submit a request to view a particular case or image, known as “View on Request.”  This request alerts our office of a need to review the case or image for confidential information prior to its release.  This review will be conducted as quickly as possible. If an email address is included with the request, the person(s) requesting the review will be notified when the document is available for viewing. If an email is not included with the request you will need to check back periodically to see if the image is available.

The Clerk has no authority to refuse to accept any document presented for filing with the court, even if that document contains confidential information. It is the responsibility of the filer to minimize the filing of confidential or sensitive information in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425 and to notify the Clerk of any confidential information contained within a document being filed, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420.

Confidential information contained within a court file may only be viewed by those persons with the authority to do so as prescribed by the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and if the viewing is via the internet, in accordance with Administrative Orders of the Florida Supreme Court.

You must submit a completed registration agreement in order to become a registered user. If you are seeking access to records as a party to the case,  an attorney of record, or an officer, owner, or employee of a business entity named as a party with authority to view such court records, the form must be notarized. Complete and submit the registration agreement and email it to [email protected].

Once confirmed as a registered user, you start your search by clicking on the “Login” icon at the top right of the court records search page. You will then enter your username and password in the appropriate fields.

Once you login, click the “Case Search” icon at the top left of the next screen. You will then be taken to a screen which allows you to enter information concerning the court records you wish to view.

Once you search a case, the status of the case will display in the returned results. To view more information, open the case by clicking the case number. For criminal cases, click on the “Charges” tab to view the disposition date.

Basic information concerning the balance due on a case is located under the “Fees” tab in the Court Records Search portal after you click to open the case. The Clerk’s Office does not track the restitution balance.

NOTE: The balance listed may not reflect the total amount due on your case. Balances for criminal cases are not given over the telephone; therefore, you must submit your request for a Payoff Statement in writing. A nominal fee is charged for the preparation of a Payment Statement. Contact Circuit Criminal at (352) 742-4126 or County Criminal at (352) 742-4128.

If you are on probation, please contact your probation office for the current restitution balance.

Our search engine is compatible with the most popular web browsers, and is accessible on devices that have internet access. For the best viewing experience, maximize your browser window. Please see the Court Record Search User Guide for more information.

Our online court records search is compatible with most up-to-date mobile devices.

The Clerk’s Office provides publicly-available computers to view court records. Persons viewing court records using these computers are considered registered users for the purpose of viewing records.