Hillsborough County civil court records are public court files that show every civil lawsuit filed in Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, and the rest of the county. These files list case numbers, party names, filing dates, hearing dates, motions, and the final judgment.
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court stores the paper files and runs the online search tools. Anyone can look at these records for free, search by name, or search by case number. This page covers how to search online, what each case type means, and how to get certified copies of the records you need.
What These Records Cover
Civil court records in Hillsborough County are files from lawsuits where one person or business asks the court to order another person or business to pay money, return property, or stop a certain action. These cases are different from criminal cases, which deal with crimes and punishments. They are also separate from family court files, even though the same clerk’s office keeps those files. Civil records cover a wide range of money and property disputes filed in the 13th Judicial Circuit.
Types of Civil Cases Filed
The clerk accepts many kinds of civil cases each year. The most common types include breach of contract, personal injury claims, property disputes, debt collection, car accidents, product liability, insurance disputes, and professional malpractice. Business lawsuits, partnership disputes, and shareholder claims are also part of the civil docket. Civil protection orders and repeat violence injunctions appear in the same search system, even though they involve safety issues. Each case is filed in either Circuit Court or County Court based on the dollar amount at stake.
Two Court Levels in the County
Hillsborough County has two trial court levels for civil cases. The Circuit Court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is more than $30,000. It also handles cases with no fixed dollar amount, like requests for an injunction or a declaratory judgment. The County Court handles civil cases with claims of $30,000 or less. Small claims cases with claims of $8,000 or less are a smaller subset of County Court. The two levels use separate dockets but appear in the same public search tool on the clerk’s website.
The Office That Keeps the Records
Every civil court record in Hillsborough County passes through the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The clerk is a county officer elected by voters. The clerk’s office is the official record keeper for all court cases filed in the county. The same office also handles marriage licenses, official records like deeds and liens, traffic payments, and jury service. The clerk cannot give legal advice but can show you how to find a case and request copies.
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court
Victor D. Crist serves as the Clerk of Court for Hillsborough County. The office runs the public search tools on the clerk’s website, processes new filings, issues certified copies, and runs the e-filing portal for attorneys. The clerk’s office also works with the chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit to assign cases to the right civil division. The clerk’s office processes thousands of civil filings each year and stores millions of pages of court records going back many decades.
Office Location, Phone, and Hours
The main clerk’s office sits in the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. You can visit the office during business hours to search paper files, request certified copies, file new cases, and ask questions about existing cases. Self-represented filers can use the public computers on site to run their own searches.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court |
| Address | 800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Phone | (813) 276-8100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | hillsclerk.com |
How to Search Records Online for Free
The clerk runs two main public search tools. One lives on the Hillsborough County clerk’s website and shows all case types filed in the county. The other is the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which links to all 67 county clerks. Both tools are free to use and do not need an account for basic searches. You can run a search from any phone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
Clerk’s Official Records Search
The Hillsborough clerk’s website has a public search page for court records at hillsclerk.com. From the home page, click Court Records Search and pick the case type you want. You can search Circuit Civil, County Civil, Small Claims, Family, Probate, Criminal, and Traffic cases. The search box accepts a full name, a last name, or a case number. Results show the case number, filing date, case style, party names, and the assigned judge. Clicking a case opens the docket sheet, which lists every document filed in the case with the filing date and the filed-by party.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal sits at myflcourtaccess.com. It connects to the same data for Hillsborough County, so a search there returns the same cases. Attorneys use the portal to file new civil cases and serve documents on other parties. Public users can register for a free account to search files, view e-filed documents, and download copies. The portal is open 24 hours a day, even when the courthouse is closed. E-filed documents show up in the public view within a few minutes of filing in most cases.
Searching by Name
To run a name search, type the last name in the search box on the clerk’s website. You can add a first name or middle initial to narrow the results. The system returns cases where the person is a plaintiff, defendant, or another party. Each result shows the case number, case type, and the date the case was filed. Name searches work for people and for businesses. For businesses, type the company name as it appears on the court documents, including any punctuation or business suffix like “LLC” or “Inc.”
Searching by Case Number
A case number search returns a single case if you know the full number. Case numbers in Florida follow a set pattern. The prefix tells you the case type, the year shows when the case was filed, and the sequence number counts the case in that type for that year. For example, case number 24-CA-001234 means a Circuit Civil case filed in 2024. If you only have a partial number, the search tool still tries to match it, but the results may include other cases with similar numbers.
Records by Case Type
Each case type has its own docket, and each docket has its own search filter on the clerk’s website. Picking the right case type keeps your search clean and helps you skip cases that do not matter. The most common civil case types for the public are small claims, landlord-tenant, and civil judgments. Knowing what each type covers helps you pick the right filter and read the docket sheet once you find a case.
Small Claims Records
Small claims cases cover money disputes where the claim is $8,000 or less. Common small claims topics include unpaid loans, security deposit disputes, damaged property, minor car accidents, and small contract breaches. The clerk’s website lists these cases under the County Civil section. Small claims hearings happen at the same courthouse, and the same search tool returns the case files. Anyone can file a small claims case without a lawyer, and the forms are available in the DIY Florida tool and on the clerk’s website.
Eviction and Landlord-Tenant Records
Eviction cases are a type of County Civil case. They appear in the public search results when a landlord files a complaint to remove a tenant. The case docket lists the property address, the monthly rent, the amount claimed, and the court date. Tenant defenses and counterclaims also appear in the same file. Landlords often use the court’s order as proof of a judgment, and a tenant facing eviction can look up the case to see the filings, the hearing date, and the judgment. Public eviction records also include the writ of possession and the date the sheriff removed the tenant, when applicable.
Civil Judgment and Lien Records
A civil judgment is the court’s final ruling in a civil case. The judgment lists who owes what to whom, the dollar amount, the interest rate, and the date of entry. The clerk enters the judgment into the public court record, and a certified copy of the judgment can be used to place a lien on real property. Recorded civil judgments also appear in the Official Records section of the clerk’s website, under the records category for judgments and liens. A judgment lien can affect a property sale for years, so buyers and title searchers look up civil judgments as part of a title search.
How to Get Certified Copies
Viewing a case online is free. Getting a certified copy costs a fee. A certified copy carries the clerk’s raised seal and signature, and courts, banks, and other agencies accept it as proof of the contents. A plain printed copy of an online docket is useful for personal use, but it cannot be used in court or for legal filings. You can request a certified copy in person, by mail, or online through the clerk’s certified records ordering system.
Visit the Clerk in Person
Bring your photo ID to the clerk’s office at 800 E Twiggs St in Tampa. Tell the clerk staff the case number, the document you need, and how many certified copies you want. The clerk pulls the file, makes the copies, applies the seal, and returns the certified copies to you at the counter. Most requests are filled the same day. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the counter.
Mail and Online Copy Requests
You can mail a written request to the clerk’s office for a certified copy. The request must include the case number, the case style, the document you need, the number of copies, your return address, and a check or money order for the fee. Some documents can also be ordered online through the clerk’s certified records ordering page. Online orders are paid by credit card, and the copies are mailed to you in a few business days. The clerk also offers electronic certified copies for some document types, which arrive by email as a PDF with the clerk’s digital seal.
Copy Fees and Payment
Fees for certified copies in Florida are set by state law. The standard fee for a certified copy is $1 per page, plus a $2 certification charge per document. Additional service fees may apply for online orders, mail handling, or rush processing. The clerk posts the current fee schedule on its website, and the staff at the counter confirm the total before taking payment. Payment methods vary by request type. Online orders take credit cards. Mail requests take checks or money orders. In-person requests take cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Public, Sealed, and Confidential Records
Most civil court records in Hillsborough County are open to the public. Florida law gives the public a right to view and copy court files. The clerk’s website and the E-Filing Portal are both public search tools, and no login is needed for basic searches. Some records, though, are sealed by a judge’s order or kept confidential by state law. The clerk’s office follows the rules in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 when deciding what to show to the public.
Records Open to Anyone
Civil lawsuits filed in Hillsborough County, the docket entries, motions, orders, and final judgments are all public. Civil protection orders, repeat violence injunctions, and dating violence injunctions are also public. Civil traffic infractions and small claims judgments are public. Even a person’s name, address, and date of birth can appear in a public file, so anyone thinking about filing a civil case should know the court records are open to view by the other side, by reporters, and by people who run background checks. The clerk does not need a reason to share a public file, and the request can come from a stranger.
Files That Stay Private
Some files are sealed by court order, and the clerk cannot show them to the public. Adoption records, certain juvenile records, and mental health commitment records are sealed by law. Trade secrets, medical records, and Social Security numbers filed in civil cases can be redacted under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. A judge can seal an entire file or just one document in the file, and the clerk’s office can tell you whether a given case or document is sealed. Sealed records cannot be viewed by the public, by phone, online, or in person. The clerk will not confirm or deny the existence of a sealed file in most cases.
Common Search Problems and Fixes
Most public searches go smoothly, but a few issues come up over and over. Spelling of names, common last names, old case files, and sealed files can all affect your search. The clerk’s office staff can help with most problems if you call or visit in person. Knowing the most common search issues saves time and helps you get the records you need on the first try.
When a Case Does Not Show Up
If a case you know exists does not appear in your search, check the spelling of the name and the case number. Common last names like Smith, Garcia, or Patel return too many results, and the case you want may be buried in the list. Try adding a first name or a middle initial. Check the case type filter. A Circuit Civil case will not show up if the search is set to County Civil. Old cases filed before 1990 may not be online, and you may need to call the clerk’s office to ask for a manual search of the paper files.
Older Records Not Online
The clerk’s online tools cover most cases filed in the last several decades. Files from the 1980s and earlier may sit only in the paper archives, and the clerk’s office stores those archives at a separate records center. To request a search of older paper records, contact the clerk’s office by phone or in person. The clerk can pull the file for a research fee, and you can view the file at the counter or pay for copies. Some old files have been scanned and are available online through the clerk’s archived records system, but not every file is scanned.
Too Many Results for One Name
Common last names return hundreds of results. To narrow the results, add a first name, a middle name, or a date of birth. You can also narrow by case type, by year, or by party role. If the person has a common name and you only know the last name, you may need to scroll through the results page by page. The clerk’s office cannot help you pick out the right person from a list of results, but the staff can show you the search filters and help you set them up on the public computer at the counter.
Free Help for People Without a Lawyer
Many people who search civil court records do not have a lawyer. The 13th Judicial Circuit and the clerk’s office both run free resources to help self-represented filers. Local legal aid groups also help people who cannot afford a lawyer with civil cases like eviction defense, small claims defense, and family matters. These services are free for people who qualify, and intake is done by phone or in person.
Court Self-Help Center in Tampa
The 13th Judicial Circuit runs a self-help center at the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa. The center helps people who do not have a lawyer navigate civil filings, family filings, and small claims. Staff explain the forms, the filing steps, and the hearing process. The center does not give legal advice and does not represent you in court, but the staff can point you to the right form and walk you through how to fill it out. The center is open during regular court hours, and no appointment is needed for most questions.
DIY Florida Forms Tool
DIY Florida is a free tool inside the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. It walks you through a set of questions and fills out the court forms for you based on your answers. The tool covers more than 20 form types, including small claims complaints, eviction responses, name changes, and simple divorces. You file the completed form through the E-Filing Portal to the Hillsborough County clerk. Standard filing fees apply. The tool is a good fit for people who can read the questions on their own and who do not need a lawyer to review their case.
Local Legal Aid Groups
Bay Area Legal Services is the main legal aid group for Hillsborough County. The group helps low-income residents with civil cases like eviction defense, public benefits, family law, and consumer issues. Gulf Coast Legal Services and the University of Tampa law school clinic also help with some civil cases. The clerk’s office can give you a current list of legal aid groups and clinic phone numbers. Most groups ask for proof of income and a short intake interview before taking a case.
Hillsborough Clerk Contact and Address
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court is the main point of contact for civil court records in the county. You can call the clerk’s office, visit the office in person, or use the tools on the clerk’s website. The clerk’s website is the fastest way to run a search, and the office in Tampa is the right place to go for certified copies and old paper files. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, and the office is closed on weekends and on court holidays. The clerk’s website lists holiday closures on its home page.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court |
| Street Address | 800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Main Phone | (813) 276-8100 |
| Website | hillsclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Court Records Search | hillsclerk.com (public search page) |
| State E-Filing Portal | myflcourtaccess.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have the same questions about civil court records in Hillsborough County. The answers below cover the most common search, copy, and access questions. These answers reflect the rules in place at the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court as of 2026. Rules and fees can change, so always check the clerk’s website for the latest updates before you file a request or pay a fee.
How Far Back Do Online Records Go?
Most online civil records on the Hillsborough clerk’s website go back to the late 1980s or early 1990s. The clerk’s office scanned thousands of older files over the years, and the online search tool now covers most cases filed since then. Records from the 1970s and 1980s may sit only in the paper archives, and a search of those files costs an extra research fee. The clerk’s office is working to add more older files to the online system, but the project is not finished. For the most complete search of older files, call the clerk’s office in advance and ask the staff to pull the paper file before you visit.
Can I View Records for Free?
Yes. Searching the public case docket on the clerk’s website and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is free. Viewing the docket entries, the case style, the party names, and the hearing dates is free. Printing or saving a copy of what you see on your screen is also free. Certified copies and certified judgments cost a fee under Florida law. If you need a copy of the official court file to use in court, at a bank, or in another legal setting, you need to pay for a certified copy through the clerk’s office.
What if I Only Know One Party’s Name?
Name searches work well in Hillsborough County. Run the search by last name on the clerk’s website, add a first name or middle initial if you have it, and look through the results. Each result shows the case number, the case type, the date filed, and the party names on both sides of the case. If the same person appears as a plaintiff in one case and a defendant in another, both cases will show up in the search. The clerk’s office cannot tell you which person on the list is the one you want, but the staff can help you set up a more narrow search on the public computer at the counter.
Are Eviction Records Public in Hillsborough County?
Yes. Eviction cases are a type of County Civil case, and the public can view the docket online. The docket shows the property address, the monthly rent, the amount claimed, the court date, and the judgment. The writ of possession, the date the sheriff removed the tenant, and any post-judgment motions also appear in the public file. Eviction records can affect a tenant’s rental history for years, and landlords often check public eviction records before approving a new rental application. Tenants facing eviction can look up the case to see what the landlord filed and to track the court date.
How Do I Get a Judgment Lien Removed?
To remove a judgment lien, you must pay the judgment in full and file a Satisfaction of Judgment with the clerk. The form is available on the clerk’s website and from the Florida Courts forms page. After the clerk records the Satisfaction, the lien drops off the public record. If the judgment was already paid but the lien is still showing up, contact the judgment creditor and ask for a Satisfaction. If the creditor will not sign the Satisfaction, you can ask the court to order the creditor to sign. The clerk’s office cannot remove a lien without a filed Satisfaction or a court order.
Can I Search Records From Other Counties in the Same Portal?
Yes. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com links to all 67 county clerks in Florida. You can search civil cases in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Manatee counties from the same portal. Each county’s data lives in its own section, and the search results show the county at the top of each entry. The statewide portal is the best tool if you need to check whether a person or business has civil cases in more than one county. The portal also lets you file new civil cases in any Florida county through a single login.