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Polk County, Florida Court Records

Polk County court records, put simply, are the contents of a court file (Rule 2.420, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration). They include information on different case types, whether civil or criminal, and are available in various formats, including paper, recordings, and digital files. Court records provide details about a case, along with the documents filed during the proceedings.

Court records in Polk County are stored and maintained as independent documents. However, in some circumstances, they may be included in other public documents. For example, Florida criminal history records show court dispositions associated with a reported arrest. Likewise, property records often feature abstracts of court judgments.

Like most public records, court records serve varying purposes, including personal and legal interests.

Are Polk County Court Records Public?

Yes. According to Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, progress dockets, case details, transcripts, documentary exhibits, electronic records, videotapes, recordings of dispositions, and similar records or documents created during the course of a court proceeding are considered open for public inspection.

However, certain access limitations apply. These limitations may be automatic, as with records expressly made confidential by law, or may result from a court rule or order. Additionally, the method used to access a court record may determine which records are subject to restrictions. For example, limited electronic access is often imposed for family court records, and sensitive documents/information protected by law, medical records, court-sealed documents, and expunged case records are entirely confidential.

What Information is Available in Polk County Court Records?

The information retrievable from Polk County court records can be categorized into case summaries, case progress dockets, and filed documents (such as arrest affidavits, summonses, and responses). Specific details include

  • Case summaries, such as case number, case type, and case disposition
  • Docket information, such as date, action, pages, and sequence view
  • Party information, such as the party type (defendant or plaintiff), party name, attorney, and judge
  • Hearing schedules, including the assigned courtroom
  • Financial information (fees and payments)

Polk County Court Records Search

Polk County court records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office, which provides access as follows:

  • Online Access: Online court records are available to the public under the Florida Supreme Court's Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records. The Clerk's online case management systems provide public access to criminal and civil case dockets, court dates, party information, filed documents, and other related information. Each system offers search parameters to streamline searches. For instance, users may search by case number, party name, filing date, or court type.

In addition to viewing court records using the Clerk's case search tools, individuals may request certified copies of records through the Public Information and Electronic Records (PIER).

  • In-Person Access: Individuals who prefer direct access to hard copies of court records or who want to pick up plain or certified copies of requested records may go down to the local courthouse where the case was handled. Inquirers generally need to provide the name of a party involved in the case, a case number, or a filing date. The more information provided, the easier it will be to locate the record.
  • Mail Requests:The Clerk of the Circuit Court also accepts written requests for court records sent by mail or email. A mail request should include the details of the record sought, a return address, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the applicable fee, if the inquirer knows the cost of reproducing and mailing the requested records. Mail requests should be sent to

Records Custodian

P.O. Box 9000, Drawer CC-18

Bartow, FL 33831-9000

Email requests should be sent to records@polkclerkfl.gov.

Fees for Court Records in Polk County

Per Florida Statute § 28.24, the clerk of court may charge a fee for services rendered manually or electronically. Inquirers can review a list of fees that may be incurred when requesting a Polk court record. Some fees include

  • $5 for examining, comparing, verifying, or certifying appellate proceedings
  • $2 for certifying copies of records
  • $42 for 16-millimeter microfilm and $60 for 35-millimeter microfilm copies
  • $7 for exemplified certificates
  • $2 for each year searched

Polk County Courthouse Locations

The court system serving Polk County—the 10th Judicial Circuit—also serves Hardee and Highlands counties. It consists of a circuit court and a county court for each county. The circuit court is a court of general trial jurisdiction that hears both criminal and civil cases. It is divided into civil, criminal, juvenile, family, and probate divisions. The county court, on the other hand, has a more limited jurisdiction and handles less complex matters, such as misdemeanors, civil cases, and traffic violations. Case proceedings in Polk County are heard at the following courthouse locations:

Polk County Courthouse (Main Courthouse)

255 North Broadway Avenue

Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: (863) 534-4000

Polk County Courthouse – Northeast

200 Government Center Boulevard

Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Phone: (863) 534-4000

Polk County Courthouse – Lakeland

Polk County Government Center

930 East Parker Street

Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: (863) 534-4000

Criminal Records Access in Polk County

Three agencies handle criminal records inquiries for Polk County:

Inquirers can contact the agency that maintains the records they seek, as each agency has a different procedure for accessing its criminal records.

For criminal case records, inquirers can use the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's online case search tools, make an in-person inquiry, or submit a mail request. Records may be inspected at no cost, depending on the search method used, the type of record sought, and the scope of the research. However, obtaining a plain or certified copy incurs a fee.

Polk County Probate Records

A probate proceeding in Polk County is a legal process through which a deceased person's (decedent's) assets are distributed to their heirs/beneficiaries. The records created during this process are known as Polk County probate records. Probate court cases may also involve guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental health matters.

Polk County Family Court Records

Polk County family law cases fall under the jurisdiction of the 10th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division. This division handles cases involving divorce, paternity, alimony, name changes, child support, child visitation, and other family law cases.

Family records may be accessed through the Clerk's civil records portal, in person, or by mail request. However, the level of access depends on the method used to obtain the records. Generally, online access is more limited than in-person access.

Certain Polk County family records are not available for public inspection, including records containing information about minors, financial statements, and medical reports. Requests for copies of publicly available records or certified copies may be submitted to the Family Division or the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's Office. Copies are available for a nominal fee.

Federal Court Records in Polk County

Federal cases arising from Polk County are handled by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida under its Tampa Division. The data compiled and documents filed during proceedings in this court become part of the federal court records.

Federal court records can be obtained through PACER, an online case search system provided by the federal courts. Users can access dockets and case information through this platform, but registration is required. Access may also be subject to applicable usage fees.

Alternatively, inquirers may forward a written request to the clerk of the court that handled the case or drive to the courthouse to make an in-person inquiry. Requests for copies of case records or other documents are subject to applicable fees.