Leon County FL Clerk of Court: Records & Services
The Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is the official office for Tallahassee-area court records, official records, traffic citations, copy requests, eCertify, marriage records, passports, probate, civil filings, criminal filings, jury service, property sales, and several county finance functions. This guide helps you choose the right Clerk service without bouncing between old links, court databases, Official Records, and request forms.
Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Verify case access, images, certified-copy options, fees, traffic deadlines, branch hours and confidential-record rules on the official Leon County Clerk website before relying on a record.
What the Leon County Clerk of Court Handles
The Leon County Clerk & Comptroller serves both the court system and several county record functions. That means users often mix up court cases, Official Records, marriage records, traffic citations, property-related documents, county finance records and public-records requests. The first step is not searching harder; it is choosing the correct search route.
Civil, criminal, traffic and other electronic case information that is not confidential or exempt from public access.
Deeds, mortgages, liens, notices of commencement, satisfactions, declarations of domicile, domestic partnership records and marriage records.
Traffic tickets, court-ordered payments, criminal fines and payment plans, depending on case type and status.
Some family, guardianship, probate, juvenile, dependency, mental health and criminal cases require registered or verified role access.
How to Search Leon County Court Records
The Clerk’s public court database lets users search court records by name, case number, or ticket number. The search form includes record type filters, court type filters, date fields, wildcard choices, and case-type restrictions for selected civil court searches.
- Open the official search page. Use the Clerk’s Search Court Records page.
- Disable popup blockers if the page does not work. The Clerk’s search page warns that popup blockers may interfere with the system.
- Choose the record type. Select Civil/CT or Criminal/CF/MM depending on the record you are trying to find.
- Select the search method. Use Name, Case Number, or Ticket Number. Case number or ticket number is usually more accurate than a broad name search.
- Enter the right identifier. For a name search, use last name, first name, date of birth or company name when available. For ticket searches, use the ticket number printed on the citation.
- Add optional search fields carefully. Begin date, end date and court-type filters can reduce wrong matches. Change one filter at a time so you know what helped.
- Open a likely case and read the progress docket. Check case number, case type, party names, filing date, docket entries and any available images.
- Use “Request Document” only after checking the docket entry. Some entries have no images, and older cases may have limited or no scanned images.
- Use Secure Web or records request when public search is not enough. Protected case access may require role verification under Florida court-record access rules.
What public users can often do
- Search available civil, criminal and traffic case information.
- View progress docket entries where the case is public.
- Print or download certain available public case images for supported case types.
- Use eCertify when the record image is available and eligible.
What may not show publicly
- Confidential and exempt cases or documents.
- Some older cases that were not scanned.
- Records destroyed under retention schedules.
- Protected family, guardianship, probate, juvenile, dependency, Baker Act or Marchman Act materials without verified access.
How to Get Copies or Certified Records from Leon County Clerk
If a document image is available from the public case docket, you may be able to view, print or download it through self-service. If you need a certified copy, use eCertify where offered. If there is no image, the Clerk may review the request, redact records as needed, advise charges, and provide documents by email or pickup after payment.
| Copy route | Best for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Public court-record self-service | Available public images in Circuit Civil, County Civil, Small Claims, Traffic, Criminal Traffic, Misdemeanor and Felony cases. | Search the case, open the docket, view available images, print or download if the system allows. |
| Request Document checkbox | Docket entries where you need a specific document reviewed and provided. | Select “Request Document” beside a progress docket entry when viewing the case. |
| Viewable on Request / VOR | Traffic or citation records where the official page instructs users to select VOR for an electronic image by email. | Search by citation number, case number or name and follow the VOR instruction when available. |
| Secure Web | Registered access and sensitive case categories when images are available and the user has appropriate access. | Complete the Secure Web registration process and identity/role requirements where applicable. |
| Submit & Track Records Request | Older probate, offsite files, microfilm, CD, ledgers, index cards or broad records research. | Use the Clerk’s records request system with as much detail as possible. |
| eCertify | Certified electronic copies of eligible Court Records and Official Records. | Open the record image and select the eCertify purchase option when available. |
Common records fees listed by the Clerk
| Service | Listed fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Searching records | $2.00 per year searched | Provide a narrow year range when possible. |
| Standard court/public record copy, not larger than 14″ × 8.5″ | $1.00 per page | Applies to many standard copied pages. |
| Larger than 14″ × 8.5″ | $5.00 per page | Relevant for larger documents or oversized copies. |
| Copies not by photographic process | $6.00 per page | Use only when the Clerk must reproduce records another way. |
| Certification | $2.00 per document | Certification is separate from ordinary viewing or printing. |
| Verifying documents presented for certification | $3.50 per page | Applies when the document was not prepared by the Clerk. |
| Exemplified certificate | $7.00 | Used when stronger authentication is needed. |
Leon County Official Records: Deeds, Liens, Mortgages, Marriage Records and Recording
The Clerk’s Official Records Division records and provides access to many public instruments. This is the route for recorded property and public-record documents, not ordinary court-case docket lookup.
Common recorded documents
- Deeds and quit claim deeds.
- Mortgages and satisfactions of mortgage.
- Assignments, agreements and leases.
- Notices of commencement.
- Claims of lien and cancellations of lien.
- Declarations of domicile.
- Military discharge removal/redaction requests.
- Domestic partnership registrations.
- Marriage-license and marriage-record services.
What the division also handles
- Recording public records.
- Assisting with public records searches.
- Issuing marriage licenses.
- Performing marriage ceremonies.
- Processing U.S. passport applications.
- Accepting Leon County domestic partnership registrations.
- Open the Official Records page. Start from the Clerk’s Official Records section rather than the court case search.
- Choose County Records, State Records, Marriage Records, Foreclosures or Tax Deeds. Use the specific search path for the record type.
- Search by party name, document type, instrument details or date where available. Recorded instruments may use grantor/grantee names or other indexing fields.
- Open the document image if available. Review the image before ordering copies or certification.
- Use eCertify when certification is offered. Some Official Records can be electronically certified through the Clerk’s eCertify function.
- Use the Official Records contact path for recording and viewing questions. Recording and viewing have separate Clerk phone numbers.
Leon County Traffic Citations: Search, Pay and Request Images
The Traffic Division handles civil traffic infractions and ordinance violations, while criminal traffic charges are processed through Criminal Customer Assistance. Citations can be paid online, in person, by mail or by phone when eligible.
Paying a citation
- Payment must be received within 30 days of the offense date to be timely.
- Online payment requires the name or citation number listed on the citation.
- Online payments accept major cards and digital wallet options listed by the Clerk.
- Online convenience fees may apply, including e-check and card/other online payment fees.
- Citations are normally received between 24 hours and 5 days from the issue date.
Do not treat every ticket as payable
- Criminal traffic charges may require a court appearance.
- Paying a civil infraction generally satisfies the case but may be treated as a conviction with points assessed as applicable.
- If you cannot locate a citation, call or visit the Clerk rather than missing a deadline.
- Some matters referred to collections may add statutory collection charges.
| Payment or traffic task | Official route | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Pay eligible citation online | Traffic page payment link or Clerk online payment route. | Citation number or name on the ticket, payment method and printer if you want a receipt. |
| Pay in person | 1276 Metropolitan Blvd., Suite/Room 101 or Leon County Courthouse, 301 S. Monroe Street, Suite 100. | Citation, identification, payment and proof of compliance if applicable. |
| Pay by mail | Leon County Clerk & Comptroller, ATTN: Traffic Payments/Citations, 1276 Metropolitan Blvd., #101, Tallahassee, FL 32312. | Do not mail cash; include correct citation details. |
| Request traffic record image | Search by citation number, case number or name and select VOR where available. | Citation number, case number or exact name. |
| Traffic questions | Traffic Division: (850) 606-4100. | Ticket number, case number, offense date and your deadline. |
Leon County Clerk Services: What to Use for Each Task
The Clerk’s divisions cover more than court-record search. Use the table below to avoid sending a records request to the wrong division or visiting the wrong counter.
| Need | Correct Clerk area | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Civil lawsuit, foreclosure, county civil, small claims or eviction | Circuit Civil / County Civil & Small Claims | Search court records, then use civil forms, filing guidance or copy request as needed. |
| Felony, misdemeanor or criminal traffic case | Circuit & County Criminal | Search the court database; use Criminal Customer Assistance for fines, seal/expunge and court-file questions. |
| Traffic ticket, infraction or ordinance violation | Traffic Division | Search/pay by citation or case number; call Traffic if the citation is not located. |
| Divorce, name change, paternity, child support or family case | Family Law | Use Family Law forms and case search; some access may be restricted by rule. |
| Estate, will, guardianship or probate matter | Probate / Guardianship | Use Probate forms and request records if older or not online. |
| Marriage license, marriage records, ceremony or passport | Official Records, Marriage & Passports | Use Official Records or the marriage/passport division pages; passport services are at 1276 Metropolitan Blvd. |
| Self-help forms or low-cost legal guidance | Self Help Center / Low Bono Center | Check eligibility; services are limited to specific family, residential landlord/tenant and small-claims matters. |
| Jury service | Jury Administration / eResponse | Use the jury summons instructions or eResponse portal. |
| Board minutes, VAB, tax deeds, finance or county finance records | Clerk to the Board / Finance | Use the relevant Clerk division or Finance contact rather than the court case search. |
Leon County Clerk Office Locations
The Clerk lists three primary office locations. Confirm the current division, room and hours before visiting, especially for records, passports, finance, traffic or court-specific help.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Listed office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General administration phone: (850) 606-4000.
Open mapTallahassee, FL 32312
Used for Official Records, marriage, passports, traffic payments and several customer-service tasks. Official Records recording phone: (850) 606-4030; Traffic phone: (850) 606-4100.
Open mapTallahassee, FL 32301
Listed by the Clerk as a location for certain government, finance or Clerk-to-the-Board related services.
Open map| Division or service | Phone / contact listed by Clerk | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | (850) 606-4000 | You need general Clerk direction or are not sure which division handles your request. |
| Circuit Civil | (850) 606-4170 | Circuit civil, foreclosure or related civil case questions. |
| County Civil / Small Claims / Evictions | (850) 606-4110 | Small claims, county civil or eviction records and services. |
| Family Law | (850) 606-4150 | Family case filings, copies or forms. |
| Felony | (850) 606-4070 | Felony criminal case records or customer assistance. |
| Misdemeanor | (850) 606-4130 | Misdemeanor or criminal customer-assistance questions. |
| Official Records recording | (850) 606-4030 | Recording deeds, liens, notices or other Official Records instruments. |
| Official Records viewing | (850) 606-4050 | Viewing recorded Official Records. |
| Marriage & Passports | (850) 606-4060 | Marriage license, ceremony or passport acceptance questions. |
| Probate, Wills & Estates | (850) 606-4180 | Probate, wills, estates, guardianship-adjacent or related court records. |
| Traffic citations and payments | (850) 606-4100 | Traffic tickets, citation payment, missing citation or traffic records. |
No Leon County Record Found? Try This Recovery Path
“No result” does not always mean the record does not exist. In Leon County, it can mean the search is too broad, the wrong database was used, the case is confidential, the record is older, the image is not scanned, the file is offsite, the citation has not been received yet, or the record belongs in Official Records rather than Court Records.
| Problem | Likely reason | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Name search returns too many records | The search is too broad or a common name appears across multiple case types. | Add court type, date range, date of birth, company name, case type, ticket number or exact case number. |
| Case number search fails | Wrong format, wrong court type, typo or incomplete number. | Copy the case number exactly from the citation, notice, docket sheet or filing. |
| Traffic citation not visible | Citation may not yet have been submitted or processed. | Allow the usual receipt window, then call Traffic at (850) 606-4100 before missing a deadline. |
| Docket entry has no image | Not every progress docket entry has an associated image, and older cases may not have scanned images. | Use Request Document or Submit & Track Records Request; expect possible statutory per-page charges. |
| Older probate or historical record is missing | The record may be offsite, on microfilm, CD, ledger or index card. | Use the records request system or historic probate lookup when applicable. |
| Family, guardianship, probate, juvenile or mental health record is restricted | Public access may be limited under Florida court-record access rules or protected-case rules. | Use Secure Web or contact the Clerk about role verification if you are an authorized party. |
| Deed, lien, mortgage or marriage record missing from court search | Those are Official Records, not ordinary case records. | Use the Official Records or Marriage Records search route. |
| Public record request seems large or expensive | Extensive use of staff time or technology resources may trigger associated costs. | Narrow the request with exact years, names, case numbers and document titles before submitting. |
Leon County Court Record and Clerk-Service Terms
Dockets and Clerk pages can feel technical because they are built around court workflow. Use these plain-language definitions before relying on a search result.
Official Leon County Clerk Records and Services Links
These links are included because they help complete a real records or Clerk-service task. Use official Clerk pages before relying on third-party directories or scraped public-record sites.
Leon County Clerk of Court Records & Services FAQs
1. Where do I search Leon County court records online?
Use the Leon County Clerk’s official Search Court Records page. You can search by name, case number or ticket number and narrow by court type, date range and other available fields.
2. Are Leon County court records free to view online?
Many available public court records can be viewed, printed or downloaded through the Clerk’s online systems when images are available. Certified copies, scanned paper copies, extensive searches and some request types may involve fees.
3. What case types can public users self-serve for online images?
The Clerk states that public self-service is available for certain public record types when images are available for Circuit Civil, County Civil, Small Claims, Traffic, Criminal Traffic, Misdemeanor and Felony cases.
4. Why can’t I see every document in a Leon County court case?
Not all docket entries have images, older cases may have limited or no scanned images, some records may have been destroyed under retention rules, and confidential or exempt records are not available for ordinary public access.
5. How do I get a certified copy from Leon County Clerk?
Search the court record or Official Record first. If the image is available and eligible, use eCertify. If not, use the records request process or contact the Clerk with the case number, party name, document title and requested certification type.
6. What is the difference between Court Records and Official Records?
Court Records are case records from civil, criminal, traffic, family, probate and related court matters. Official Records are recorded public instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, notices of commencement, satisfactions, declarations of domicile, marriage records and domestic partnership records.
7. Where can I pay a Leon County traffic citation?
Eligible citations may be paid online, in person at the Northeast Branch or courthouse, by mail, or by phone through the Clerk’s Traffic Division. Payment must be received within 30 days of the offense date to be considered timely for civil infractions.
8. What should I do if my Leon County traffic citation is not found online?
Citations are normally received between 24 hours and 5 days from the issue date. If you still cannot locate the citation, contact or visit the Clerk’s Traffic Division before the deadline.
9. Where is the main Leon County Clerk office?
The main Leon County Courthouse location is 301 S. Monroe Street, #100, Tallahassee, FL 32301. The Clerk also lists the Northeast Branch/Metro 8 at 1276 Metropolitan Blvd., Room #101, and the Government Annex Building at 315 S. Calhoun Street, 7th Floor.
10. What information should I have before requesting a record?
Have the case number or ticket number, full party name or company name, court type, document title, filing year or date range, and whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, eCertified copy, exemplification or broad records search.