Gadsden County civil court records cover every civil lawsuit filed in the county since the courts started keeping digital files. The Clerk of Court in Quincy stores these records and lets the public view, copy, and search them.
Anyone can look up a civil case by name, case number, or party. This page shows exactly how to search these records, what fees apply, and which court handles each type of civil case in Gadsden County.
What Are Civil Court Records in Gadsden County
Civil court records are the paper and digital files the court keeps for civil lawsuits. A civil lawsuit is a case where one person or business sues another person or business. These cases do not involve criminal charges. They cover contract problems, property fights, debt claims, personal injury, and family money matters. The court writes down every filing, hearing, and order in the case file. Anyone can ask to see the file.
In Gadsden County, these files live at the courthouse in Quincy. The Clerk of Court office keeps them safe and gives copies to people who ask. The office stores files for small claims, regular civil cases, family law, probate, and appeals. Most files from the last 30 years are on computers. Older files sit in paper boxes in the courthouse basement. Staff can pull both kinds for the public.
Types of Civil Cases on File
The clerk keeps records for many kinds of civil cases. Each type has its own court form and process. Knowing the type helps you pick the right search tool when you need to look up a file.
- Contract disputes between people or businesses
- Personal injury claims from car crashes or slips
- Property line and land ownership fights
- Debt collection lawsuits
- Landlord and tenant eviction cases
- Small claims under $8,000
- Family law matters like divorce and child support
- Probate and estate cases after someone dies
- Civil restraining orders and injunctions
Office of the Gadsden County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court is the main keeper of all civil court records in Gadsden County. The current Clerk is Kenyatta Brown. The office runs the filing process, stores every document, and gives copies to the public. The clerk also runs jury duty, traffic tickets, marriage licenses, deeds, and liens. For civil records, the office is the only place to ask for certified copies and old paper files.
Location and Hours
The clerk’s office sits inside the Gadsden County Courthouse. The street address is 10 East Jefferson Street, Quincy, Florida 32351. The building sits in downtown Quincy near the town square. Public parking is free around the courthouse. The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays.
Phone and Website Contact
You can call the clerk’s office at (850) 875-8601. Staff answer questions about case status, filing fees, and how to get copies. For written questions, the office uses the contact form on the website. The clerk’s official website is gadsdenclerk.com. The site has search links, forms, and court calendars for civil, criminal, and family cases.
| Office Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Kenyatta Brown |
| Street Address | 10 East Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351 |
| Main Phone | (850) 875-8601 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | gadsdenclerk.com |
How to Look Up Civil Court Records
You can search Gadsden County civil court records in three ways. You can search online through the clerk’s portal, you can use the statewide E-Filing Portal, or you can visit the courthouse in person. Each way has its own steps and costs. The online search works best for recent cases. The in-person visit works best for old paper files that are not yet on computer.
Online Search Through the Clerk Portal
The Gadsden County clerk runs a public search portal on its website. The portal lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. You do not need an account to search. You can view the docket sheet, which lists every filing and hearing date. The portal shows civil, criminal, traffic, and family cases. The records are free to view, but copies cost money.
To search online, go to gadsdenclerk.com and click the public records link. Type the last name of a party or a case number in the search box. The portal shows matching cases. Click a case to see the full docket. You can print or save the docket page. For documents filed under seal, the portal shows a notice instead of the file.
Statewide E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal connects to all 67 county clerks. The portal lets you file new civil cases and search existing ones. The website is myflcourtaccess.com. You need a free account to file new cases. You do not need an account to search existing records. The portal works 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
To search through the E-Filing Portal, click the public search link on the home page. Pick Gadsden County from the drop-down menu. Type a name or case number in the search box. The portal shows matching cases across all case types. You can see the filing date, party names, and case status. The portal accepts credit card payments for filing fees on new cases.
In-Person Search at the Courthouse
You can visit the clerk’s office in Quincy to search records on public terminals. The terminals show the same data as the online portal. Staff can help you pull old paper files that are not online. You can ask for printed copies at the counter. You can ask for certified copies with the court seal for use in other legal matters.
Bring a photo ID when you visit the courthouse. Tell the clerk staff the name of the party or the case number. Staff will look up the case on a computer. For paper files from before 1995, staff will pull the box from storage. You can view the file at the counter. You can pay for copies with cash, check, or card at the window.
Mail and Email Requests
You can ask for copies by mail. Send a letter with the case number, the documents you need, and a check for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mail. The clerk mails copies within 5 business days of getting your letter. Email requests work for simple status checks only. The clerk will not send certified copies by email for security reasons.
Civil Court Structure in Gadsden County
Gadsden County sits inside Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers six counties: Gadsden, Franklin, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla. The main office of the circuit sits in Tallahassee. Civil cases in Gadsden County go to one of two courts based on the dollar amount in the claim.
Circuit Court Civil Cases
The Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. This court also hears family law cases, probate matters, and guardianship filings. Examples of Circuit Court civil cases include large contract disputes, real estate lawsuits, and serious personal injury claims. The Circuit Court judge sits in the main courthouse in Quincy for civil matters filed in Gadsden County.
County Court Civil Cases
The County Court handles civil cases with claims up to $30,000. Small claims cases with claims up to $8,000 also go through County Court. Landlord and tenant eviction cases go through County Court. County Court handles simple contract and debt collection cases. The County Court judge sits at the same courthouse but on a separate docket from Circuit Court.
| Court Level | Case Types | Claim Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Contract suits, real estate, personal injury, family law, probate | Over $30,000 |
| County Court | Civil suits, small claims, evictions, landlord-tenant | Up to $30,000 |
| Small Claims | Money claims under $8,000 | Up to $8,000 |
Fees for Copies and Certified Records
The clerk charges a small fee for copies of court records. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee per document. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and card payments at the counter. The E-Filing Portal accepts card payments for online orders. There is no fee to view records on a public terminal or through the online portal.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy per page | $2.00 |
| Certification fee per document | $2.00 |
| Online docket view | Free |
| Public terminal search | Free |
| Mail copy request | Copy fees plus postage |
Confidential Records and Redaction Rules
Florida law protects some private facts in civil court files. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers cannot appear in public files. Anyone can ask the clerk to remove these numbers from old documents. The clerk does not charge a fee for this redaction work.
How to Request Redaction
To ask for redaction, file a Request to Remove Confidential Data form with the clerk. The form lists the case name, case number, document title, and page number. The clerk pulls the document and blacks out the private data. The clerk keeps the original safe and posts a clean version online. The process takes 5 to 10 business days from the time the clerk gets your form.
Flagging Private Facts in Filings
People who file new civil cases must use a special notice form to flag private facts. The form is required under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. The form tells the clerk which facts to keep private. The clerk uses the form to block the data from public searches. The form is free on the Florida Courts website and at the clerk’s office.
Sealed Case Files
Some civil files are sealed by a judge. A judge can seal a file to protect a trade secret, a minor child, or a victim’s safety. Sealed files do not appear in the online portal. The clerk will not show sealed files at the counter without a court order. You can ask the judge to unseal a file by filing a written motion and serving all parties.
Self-Help Tools for People Without Lawyers
People who want to file or answer a civil case alone can use free tools. The Florida Courts runs a self-help website with forms and instructions. The site covers small claims, evictions, family law, and other common civil cases. The clerk’s office in Gadsden County can point you to the right form but cannot give legal advice under state law.
Florida Courts Self-Help Center
The Florida Courts Self-Help Center sits on the main Florida Courts website. The center has form packets for each case type. Each packet tells you what forms to file, what to leave blank, and where to file the papers. The packets also list the filing fees and the steps for service on the other party. The site is free and open 24 hours a day.
DIY Florida Forms Tool
DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. The tool asks you simple questions about your case. Based on your answers, the tool fills out the right court forms for you. You can save the forms, print them, or file them online through the portal. More than 20 form types are available. The tool works for small claims, evictions, and family cases filed in Gadsden County.
Legal Aid and Local Help
Florida Legal Services and local legal aid groups help low-income people with civil cases in Gadsden County. These groups can sometimes take your case for free or at a low cost. They also help with paperwork and court hearings. You can call the clerk’s office at (850) 875-8601 for a list of local legal aid groups serving the Quincy area.
Florida Public Records Law for Civil Files
Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all government records are open to the public. This law covers civil court files in Gadsden County. You do not need to be a party in the case to ask for a file. The clerk must give you the file in a reasonable time under the statute.
Limits on Public Access
Some records are not open to the public. Section 119.0714 of Florida law lists the private facts that the clerk must keep sealed. These facts include social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers. Sealed case files are off limits. Adoption files and juvenile records are closed by state law and not available at any counter.
How to File a Public Records Request
You can file a public records request at the clerk’s office in person, by mail, or by email. The request must describe the records you want. The clerk has 10 business days to respond. The clerk may charge a copy fee for large requests. The clerk cannot charge a fee for the time it takes to look up records in the system.
Cities That File Civil Cases Here
Gadsden County has several towns and small cities. All civil cases from these places go to the same courthouse in Quincy. No city in the county runs its own court system for civil matters. People in any community in the county file their cases at the main clerk’s office on East Jefferson Street.
- Quincy (county seat)
- Midway
- Chattahoochee
- Havana
- Greensboro
- Gretna
Nearby Counties in the 2nd Circuit
Five other counties sit in the 2nd Judicial Circuit with Gadsden County. Each county runs its own clerk’s office and court system. You must file your civil case in the county where the event happened or where the defendant lives. Filing in the wrong county can lead to a dismissed case and lost filing fees.
- Franklin County
- Jefferson County
- Leon County (Tallahassee)
- Liberty County
- Wakulla County
Contact Details and Courthouse Location
The Gadsden County Clerk of Court sits in the heart of Quincy. The courthouse is easy to reach by car or bus. Free public parking is available around the building on Jefferson Street and Madison Street. People with court business should arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time so staff can help with their files.
Official website: gadsdenclerk.com Main phone: (850) 875-8601 Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Street address: 10 East Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351
The courthouse sits on the square in downtown Quincy. From Highway 90, turn south on Madison Street. Go two blocks and turn left on Jefferson Street. The courthouse sits on the right side of the street. Look for the American flag and the stone columns at the front door of the building.
Common Questions About Civil Records
This section answers questions people ask most about civil court records in Gadsden County. The answers come straight from Florida law and the clerk’s office rules. If you have a special case, call the clerk at (850) 875-8601 for help. The clerk staff can point you to the right forms and the right fees.
How do I search by party name?
Go to the Gadsden County clerk’s website at gadsdenclerk.com. Click the public records search link. Type the last name of the party in the search box. You can add a first name to narrow the search. The portal shows every civil case where that name appears as a plaintiff or defendant. You can click a case to see the docket sheet. The docket lists every filing and hearing date for the case. The search is free and works 24 hours a day.
Can I view case files for free?
Yes. You can view the docket sheet and case status for free on the clerk’s website. You can also view files on public terminals at the courthouse for free. The clerk charges a fee only when you want a printed copy or a certified copy. The fee is $1.00 per page for plain copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies. The certification fee is $2.00 per document.
What is the difference between sealed and confidential?
A sealed file is closed to the public by a judge’s order. The clerk does not show sealed files to anyone without a court order. A confidential file has private facts that the clerk must hide from public view. The clerk removes social security numbers, bank numbers, and credit card numbers from public files. The rest of the file stays open to anyone who asks. You must file a motion to unseal a sealed file.
How long does the clerk keep civil case files?
The clerk keeps civil case files forever in some form. Paper files from before 1995 sit in storage boxes at the courthouse. Digital files from 1995 forward stay on the clerk’s computer system. Older files can be pulled for the public with a 24-hour notice. Very old files from the early 1900s sit on microfilm at the state archives in Tallahassee. You can view the microfilm at the Florida State Library.
Can I file a new civil case online?
Yes. You can file a new civil case through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. You need a free account to file new papers. The portal accepts complaints, motions, and other court papers. You pay the filing fee by credit card on the site. The portal sends your papers to the Gadsden County clerk for processing. The clerk stamps the file and adds it to the docket.
What if I cannot find a case in the online search?
Some old cases may not show up in the online search. The records might sit in paper storage at the courthouse. Call the clerk’s office at (850) 875-8601 for help. Staff can look up old paper files by name and case number. You may need to visit the courthouse to view old files in person. Bring a photo ID with you when you come to the office.
Are eviction records public in Gadsden County?
Yes. Eviction filings are public records. The case name, filing date, and judgment show up in the online search. The full court file is open at the clerk’s office. Sensitive facts like bank numbers are removed by the clerk. Sealed eviction files are closed to the public. Tenants and landlords can both view the case file under Florida public records law.