Alachua County Court Records Search: Clerk Portal, Case Lookup, Courthouse Routing, Copies & PACER
Use this guide to search alachua county court records through the correct official route. The Clerk’s Court Records Search, online document images, civil traffic citation index, court files department, Family / Civil Justice Center, Criminal Courthouse, Florida appellate ACIS, and federal PACER records are separate tools.
Public-Court-Records.us is independent. This website is not the Alachua County Clerk of the Court, the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Florida Courts, ACIS, PACER, a court clerk, a government agency, a law firm or a Consumer Reporting Agency. This guide provides general public court-record access information only.
A matching name is not proof of identity. Several people can share the same name. A complaint, petition, charge, citation, arrest, indictment, lawsuit, warrant, injunction or traffic ticket does not prove guilt, liability or final outcome. Always verify the case number, court, case type, filing date, party role, docket activity and disposition with the official custodian.
Alachua County court records start with the Clerk, but the right route depends on case type
The Alachua County Clerk of the Court maintains the official records for local court cases. The Clerk offers online access to the index of court records on file, but online access is limited by Florida Supreme Court access rules, case type, document date, confidentiality rules, and what has been imaged. If a record is not available online, use the Court Files department, the correct clerk division, or a public-record request route.
Alachua County is in Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit.
The Clerk lists the oldest available case as filed July 23, 1928.
Online civil and civil traffic document availability begins in September 2001.
Online criminal document availability begins in December 2005.
Alachua County court-record route finder
Select the kind of record you need. This tool runs in your browser and does not ask for a person’s name, case number, birth date, Social Security number, address, citation number, driver-license number or any private information.
Use the Clerk’s Court Records page, then open the Court Records and Document Images Access page. Enter the captcha, search by case number when possible, and verify party role and disposition before relying on a name match.
How the Alachua County Clerk Court Records Search works
The Clerk’s Court Records page provides Internet access to the index of Alachua County court records on file in the Clerk’s Office. The direct Court Records and Document Images Access page says it provides the latest documents on file, but certain cases, such as adoptions, are non-public and cannot be viewed. Online access is limited to what Florida access rules allow for release.
- Use the official Clerk Court Records page before entering the search site.
- Expect a captcha screen before using the online search.
- Search by case number when possible.
- Use party-name search only after checking spelling variations and party role.
- Remember that the online index is not every confidential, sealed, exempt or restricted document.
- Use the Court Files phone line for official copy or file questions.
- Oldest available case listed by the Clerk: July 23, 1928.
- Civil Traffic online document availability starts September 2001.
- Civil online document availability starts September 2001.
- Criminal online document availability starts December 2005.
- Probate, guardianship, trusts and wills are now CP cases.
- Small Claims, landlord/tenant and county court are now CC cases.
Start from the Alachua County Clerk website, then use the direct Court Records and Document Images Access link.
The search page requires entering the displayed text before access. Do not use scraping, automated downloads or bypass tools.
For older instructions, Alachua materials note that some searches may require omitting the “01” prefix because it is already hard-coded in that search field.
For name searches, compare case number, case type, filing date, party role, judge or division, docket entries and final disposition.
A case may be indexed even when an image is not available, restricted, confidential, older, or viewable only after clerk review.
Use Court Files, the appropriate division, or the Clerk’s public-record request route for copies, certification, redaction questions or unavailable records.
Which Alachua County court-record route should you use?
Use the record type first, then choose the correct Clerk department, courthouse, online search route or outside court system.
| Need | Correct official route | Important search note |
|---|---|---|
| General court case lookup | Alachua County Clerk Court Records Search | Use case number when possible. Search results must be verified against case type, party role, docket sequence and disposition. |
| Civil action, foreclosure, landlord/tenant or small claims | Family / Civil Justice Center and Clerk Civil department | Civil and small-claims document availability begins September 2001 online. Small claims, landlord/tenant and county court are now CC cases. |
| Felony case | Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse and Clerk Felony department | A charge, arrest, warrant or docket entry is not a conviction. Verify plea, adjudication, sentencing and final disposition. |
| Misdemeanor or criminal traffic case | Criminal Courthouse and Clerk Misdemeanor / Criminal Traffic department | The contact directory lists misdemeanor and criminal traffic at 352-337-6250. |
| Civil traffic citation lookup or payment | Civil Traffic Citation Index, Pay Ticket page, or Traffic Citations department | Civil traffic citations have a 30-day compliance window; late payments can incur an additional $23 late fee. |
| Divorce, family law, child support or domestic violence | Family / Civil Justice Center and Clerk Family Law / Child Support / Domestic Violence route | Family and domestic-violence records can include confidential or protected information and may be limited online. |
| Probate, guardianship, trust, will or mental health | Family / Civil Justice Center and Clerk Probate / Guardianship / Mental Health route | The Clerk notes probate, guardianship, trusts and wills are now CP cases. Sensitive probate, guardianship and mental-health records may be restricted. |
| Juvenile case | Family / Civil Justice Center / authorized access only | Juvenile records may be confidential or restricted. Do not attempt to bypass access limits. |
| Plain copy, certified copy or exemplified record | Clerk Court Files or appropriate Clerk division | Published fee schedule lists copies at $1 per page, certified copies at $2 per instrument or document, and authentication or exemplification at $7. |
| State appeal | Alachua Clerk Appeals, Florida ACIS, and Florida First District Court of Appeal | Trial-court case numbers and appellate case numbers may differ. ACIS is for Florida appellate dockets and available documents. |
| Federal civil, criminal or bankruptcy case | PACER and Northern District of Florida federal or bankruptcy court | Federal cases are not Alachua County Clerk records. Alachua belongs to the Gainesville Division for Northern District federal and bankruptcy routing. |
How to request Alachua County court records, copies and certified copies
A search result, docket screen, captcha-page result or unofficial image is not always a certified court record. Use the Clerk’s Court Files department or the correct division when you need a plain copy, certified copy, exemplified record, court file review, official disposition or redaction help.
- Case number or UCN, if known.
- Party names or case caption.
- Case type, such as CA, CC, CF, MM, CT, TR, DR, CP, GA, IN or AP.
- Approximate filing year.
- Exact document needed, such as final judgment, order, disposition, decree, sentence, probate order, letters, satisfaction or notice.
- Whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, exemplified/authenticated copy, transcript, audio record or redaction review.
- Switchboard: 352-374-3636
- Court Files: 352-338-3215
- Civil: 352-374-3618
- Family Law: 352-374-3618
- Felony: 352-374-3681
- Misdemeanor / Criminal Traffic: 352-337-6250
- Probate: 352-374-3682
- Juvenile: 352-337-6273
- Traffic Citations: 352-374-3609
- Appeals: 352-374-3684
Alachua County copy-fee planning estimator
This estimator uses the published fee schedule pattern: $1 per regular page, $2 additional certification per instrument/document, $7 authentication/exemplification, and $2 per year per name for searches. It is only a planning aid; the Clerk controls the actual amount.
Use the Court Records Search to identify the correct case number, case type and docket sequence.
Use the docket to locate the judgment, order, sentence, decree, dismissal, probate order, satisfaction or other document needed.
Use Court Files for general file-copy questions or the division line for case-type-specific help.
Ask whether your request is charged per page, per document, per year/name search, by certification, by exemplification or by special-service time.
Do not remove seals, certification pages, covers, staples or clerk markings if the document must be used officially.
Official Alachua County court-record links and what to do after opening each one
These links are included with practical “after opening” instructions so this page is more useful than a basic directory or fake search box.
Use this as the official local starting point for Clerk services.
- Confirm you are on alachuacounty.us or alachuaclerk.org.
- Choose Court Records Search, Court Case Payments, Court Costs Inquiry, Fees, Contact Us or the correct case-type page.
- Use the department phone directory for copy, record or payment questions.
- Do not ask the Clerk for legal advice.
- Use the court records search only for official lookup, not FCRA screening.
Use this to review access notes before entering the search system.
- Read the disclaimer and availability dates.
- Note that adoption and confidential records are not public.
- Review document availability start dates before searching old files.
- Use case-type migration notes such as CP and CC.
- Open the direct Court Records Search from this page.
Use this direct search page for available case index and document images.
- Enter the captcha text shown on the page.
- Search by case number when possible.
- Use name search only with careful identity verification.
- Review docket entries before ordering copies.
- Contact Court Files at 352-338-3215 for official records and copy questions.
Use this if you cannot locate a desired record online or need records held by the Clerk.
- Search the online court records first when possible.
- Prepare the case number, party name and document details.
- Use osr@alachuaclerk.org if the page directs you there for Clerk-held records.
- Ask about fees before submitting a broad request.
- Use phone or writing if you do not want your email address released under Florida public-records law.
Use this to choose the correct Clerk department.
- Use Civil or Family Law for civil and family case questions.
- Use Felony, Misdemeanor or Criminal Traffic for criminal records.
- Use Probate, Juvenile or Court Files for those record types.
- Use Appeals for appellate record routing questions.
- Use Recording & Official Records for deeds and recorded documents, not full court case files.
Use this to avoid visiting the wrong Gainesville courthouse.
- Use 220 South Main Street for felony, criminal traffic, misdemeanor and civil traffic payment matters.
- Use 201 East University Avenue for family, civil, juvenile, probate, domestic violence, mental health, small claims, landlord tenant, tax deed and marriage license matters.
- Check hours before visiting.
- Use the correct entrance notes.
- Call 352-374-3636 if unsure which building applies.
Use this for civil traffic citation index lookup.
- Read the disclaimer that the online index is not the official complete index.
- Allow processing time for new transactions.
- Search citation records using the page’s instructions.
- Contact 352-374-3609 for traffic citation questions.
- Use payment pages only if you understand your options and deadlines.
Use this before paying, electing school, entering a plea or requesting a hearing.
- Read the 30-day compliance requirement.
- Choose the correct option: pay, traffic school, no-contest/guilty no hearing, or not guilty with hearing.
- Remember paying may assess points or waive contest rights depending on the option.
- Do not use the automated payment system for citations the page excludes.
- Save proof of payment or election.
Use this for courtesy reminders about criminal court events.
- Register for text or email reminders if eligible.
- Use the UCN format exactly as instructed.
- Remember e-Notify may take up to three business days to update after a change.
- Do not treat e-Notify as official notice.
- Verify uncertain dates or locations with the Clerk.
Use this for Alachua small-claims information and forms.
- Check whether the demand or property value is within the $8,000 small-claims limit.
- Read the “Information Before You File” document.
- Use official Clerk forms or DIY Florida forms.
- Review service information before filing.
- Use the Court Records Search to follow the case after filing.
Use this for Florida Supreme Court and District Court of Appeal dockets and available documents.
- Use public search without registration for public records.
- Search by case, party, oral argument, document or publication where available.
- Choose the correct appellate court.
- Use the trial court case number as an originating-court clue when available.
- Contact the appropriate appellate clerk for official appellate-copy questions.
Use this for federal district court records and Gainesville courthouse information.
- Confirm the case is federal, not Alachua County state court.
- Use PACER for federal docket and document access.
- Check Gainesville courthouse contact details.
- Call the federal clerk for certified or restricted federal records.
- Do not search the local Clerk portal for federal court case files.
Alachua County court-record locations and contact points
Alachua County has a practical courthouse split. Civil and family-related records and events generally route to the Family / Civil Justice Center, while criminal and traffic-payment matters generally route to the Criminal Courthouse.
| Office or building | Address | Phone / record note |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua County Clerk of the Court | 201 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 | Switchboard: 352-374-3636; office hours listed as 8:15 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. |
| Family / Civil Justice Center | 201 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601 | Family law, civil actions, juvenile, probate, domestic violence, mental health, Baker Acts, mortgage foreclosure sales, small claims, landlord tenant, tax deed sales and marriage licenses. |
| Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse | 220 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 | Felony, criminal traffic, misdemeanor and payment of civil traffic citations. In-person traffic payments are listed for the 4th floor. |
| Court Files | Use Clerk office route | 352-338-3215; use for court file, copy and document questions. |
| Civil / Family Law | Family / Civil Justice Center | Civil: 352-374-3618; Family Law: 352-374-3618. |
| Criminal / Traffic departments | Criminal Courthouse route | Felony: 352-374-3681; Misdemeanor and Criminal Traffic: 352-337-6250; Traffic Citations: 352-374-3609. |
| Probate / Juvenile / Expungement | Use Clerk contact directory | Probate: 352-374-3682; Juvenile: 352-337-6273; Expungement: 352-337-6215. |
| Court Administration, Eighth Judicial Circuit | 201 East University Avenue, Room 417, Gainesville, FL 32601 | 352-374-3638; use for court administration, not clerk-held case copies. |
| U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida – Gainesville | United States Courthouse, 401 SE First Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601 | Federal Clerk main line: 352-380-2400; use PACER for federal case records. |
Why some Alachua County court records may be missing, restricted or redacted
Florida public access rules do not make every court document viewable online. The Clerk’s pages reference Florida Supreme Court electronic court-record access standards and Administrative Order limits. The Clerk also provides redaction and removal-request routes for certain information displayed on public websites.
- Wrong county or wrong Florida case system.
- Captcha not completed on the search page.
- Case number entered in the wrong format.
- Older case uses pre-1999 or legacy case-number style.
- Case type changed, such as CP for probate/guardianship or CC for small claims/landlord tenant/county court.
- Document is indexed but not imaged.
- New filing is not yet available online.
- Case is appellate or federal and belongs in ACIS or PACER.
- Adoption records.
- Juvenile records.
- Sealed or expunged records.
- Family-law records and protected party details.
- Probate, guardianship and mental-health records.
- Victim information and protected addresses.
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers.
- Documents made confidential by law, court rule or court order.
Traffic citations, court payments and e-Notify in Alachua County
Traffic citation lookup, civil traffic payments, criminal court reminders and court-cost payments are not the same thing as a complete case file. Use the correct page and verify deadlines before paying or requesting a hearing.
The Clerk offers internet access to the Civil Traffic Citation Index, but the disclaimer says the online index is not the official complete index. The complete index is available at the Clerk’s office.
The traffic citation page states a traffic citation is due by the compliance date within 30 days. Payments received after the compliance date can incur an additional $23 late fee.
e-Notify sends courtesy reminders for criminal court events, but the Clerk warns it is not the official record or official notice of a court event.
Alachua County case-type notes that prevent wrong-system searches
Family law, civil actions, small claims, landlord tenant, domestic violence, juvenile and probate-related court events are listed under the Family / Civil Justice Center route.
Felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic and civil traffic payment matters route through the Criminal Courthouse. Use the correct department line for the specific case type.
The Clerk’s small-claims page states small-claims rules apply to county-court civil actions where the demand or property value does not exceed $8,000, excluding costs, interest and attorney fees.
The Clerk’s probate materials define estate and guardianship terms, and the Court Records page notes probate, guardianship, trusts and wills are now CP cases.
The Clerk offers DIY Florida interactive forms for landlord tenant, small claims, domestic violence, simplified dissolution and domestic relations, with e-filing through the statewide portal.
The Clerk’s self-help page explains an appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision and states a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the lower court’s decision.
Alachua County appeals: Clerk Appeals, ACIS and Florida First District Court of Appeal
State appeals from Alachua County trial courts generally route through the Florida First District Court of Appeal. ACIS provides Florida Supreme Court and District Court of Appeal docket access and available case documents. The Alachua Clerk’s Appeals department can help with the trial-court record and appeal-processing questions.
Use this for Florida appellate dockets and available appellate documents.
- Search by case number, party, oral argument, document or publication.
- Choose the correct appellate court.
- Use the originating trial-court case number when available.
- Remember public users and registered users may have different document access.
- Contact the appellate clerk for official appellate-copy questions.
Use this for First District opinions, court information and appellate resources.
- Confirm the appeal belongs to the First District.
- Search ACIS for dockets and available documents.
- Use First DCA pages for opinions, court information and clerk guidance.
- Keep both trial-court and appellate case numbers.
- Use the Alachua Clerk Appeals department for lower-tribunal record issues.
Alachua County federal and bankruptcy records use PACER
Federal civil, criminal and bankruptcy records are not Alachua County Clerk records. Alachua County is in the Northern District of Florida. The federal district court lists Gainesville as serving Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Levy counties. The bankruptcy court’s Gainesville Division also serves Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Levy counties.
Use this for federal civil and criminal court information.
- Confirm the case is federal, not Alachua County state court.
- Use PACER for electronic federal docket and document access.
- Use the federal court’s location pages for Gainesville contact details.
- Contact the federal clerk for certified-copy or restricted-record questions.
Use this for federal Gainesville address, phone and courthouse details.
- Use United States Courthouse, 401 SE First Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601.
- Call the federal Clerk’s Office main line at 352-380-2400.
- Use PACER or court public access terminals where available.
- Do not call the state Clerk for federal docket copies.
Use this for bankruptcy division and access information.
- Confirm the bankruptcy case belongs to the Northern District of Florida.
- Use the Gainesville Division for Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette and Levy county routing.
- Use PACER for bankruptcy dockets and documents.
- Note that Gainesville is listed for court proceedings only, with no local bankruptcy staff.
- Use the bankruptcy court’s mailing and contact instructions before filing or requesting copies.
PACER pricing verified: September 2, 2026.
- Review the current $0.10 per-page fee.
- Check which single documents are capped at $3.
- Remember search results and non-case-specific reports may have no maximum fee.
- Note that quarterly bills of $30 or less are currently waived.
- Recheck the January 1, 2027 temporary fee increase before publishing old PACER prices.
Alachua County court records vs official records, traffic citations, jail, vital records and federal records
| Need | Correct source type | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Court case, docket, filing, order or judgment | Alachua County Clerk Court Records Search and Clerk Court Files | This is the local court-record route for circuit and county court case files. |
| Certified court document | Clerk Court Files or correct Clerk division | An online image or search result may not be a certified copy. |
| Deed, mortgage, lien, recorded instrument or official record | Official Records / County Recorder route | Recorded documents may relate to litigation, but they are not the full court case file. |
| Civil traffic citation lookup | Civil Traffic Citation Index and Traffic Citations department | Traffic citation status, payment and complete criminal/civil case records are not identical. |
| Current inmate custody or jail booking | Sheriff or jail public-information route | Jail custody is separate from court disposition. |
| Birth, death, marriage or vital record | Clerk marriage-license route or Florida vital-record route depending on record type | Vital records are not the same as court case dockets. |
| Federal civil, criminal or bankruptcy docket | PACER and federal court clerk | Federal cases are not stored in the Alachua County Clerk state-court portal. |
How to read an Alachua County court docket responsibly
A docket or case index is a chronological record of court activity. It is not a background report, jail booking, police report or proof that an allegation is true.
Plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, appellant, appellee, creditor, debtor, decedent, guardian, ward, protected party and respondent mean different things. A party role does not automatically mean wrongdoing.
Complaint, petition, summons, motion, notice, order, judgment, dismissal, hearing, plea, sentence, citation, warrant, injunction or payment entries should be read in sequence and verified with the actual document when needed.
Open, pending, disposed, dismissed, closed, appealed, sealed, expunged, confidential, VOR or restricted can describe procedure. It may not answer every question about guilt, liability, collection, appeal or satisfaction.
Use Alachua County court records responsibly
- Full name and spelling variations.
- Business legal name and suffix when relevant.
- Case number or UCN.
- Court and case type.
- Filing date and courthouse route.
- Party role.
- Judge, attorney, citation or docket information when relevant.
- Document availability and final disposition.
- Certified copy when an official record is required.
- Harass, threaten, shame or retaliate against anyone.
- Publish unnecessary personal information.
- Bypass adoption, juvenile, sealed, expunged, confidential, family, probate, mental-health or restricted records.
- Make FCRA-regulated employment, housing, tenant, credit or insurance decisions.
- Claim a person was convicted based only on an arrest, citation, charge or filing.
Frequently asked questions about Alachua County court records
How do I search Alachua County court records by name?
Use the official Alachua County Clerk Court Records Search and the online Court Records and Document Images Access page. If you search by name, compare the case number, case type, court, filing date, party role, docket activity and final disposition before relying on a match.
What is the official Alachua County court records portal?
The official local route is the Alachua County Clerk Court Records page, which links to the online Court Records and Document Images Access page at alachuaclerk.org. The system uses a captcha and provides access only to information authorized for online release.
Who keeps Alachua County court records?
The Alachua County Clerk of the Court maintains the official court records for Alachua County. The Eighth Judicial Circuit court site also states that the Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining the official records for the court.
How far back do Alachua County online court records go?
The Clerk states that the oldest available Alachua County case was filed on July 23, 1928. Online document availability starts in September 2001 for civil traffic, September 2001 for civil, and December 2005 for criminal records.
How do I get certified Alachua County court records?
Contact the Alachua County Clerk’s Court Files department or the relevant clerk division. The published copy-fee schedule lists regular copies at $1 per page, certified copies at an additional $2 per instrument or document, and authentication or exemplification at $7.
Are adoption, juvenile, family and probate records public online in Alachua County?
Not always. The Clerk states that adoption and other records made confidential by law are exempt from public disclosure. Florida online access rules also restrict certain family, juvenile, probate, sealed, confidential and protected information.
Where are Alachua County civil and criminal court matters handled?
The Family / Civil Justice Center at 201 East University Avenue handles family law, civil actions, juvenile, probate, domestic violence, mental health, Baker Acts, mortgage foreclosure sales, small claims, landlord tenant, tax deed sales and marriage licenses. The Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse at 220 South Main Street handles felony, criminal traffic, misdemeanor and civil traffic payment matters.
How do I search or pay an Alachua County traffic citation?
Use the Clerk’s Civil Traffic Citation Index or traffic payment page. The Clerk states that traffic citations are due within 30 days of receipt or issuance depending on the option, late payments can incur an additional $23 late fee, and paying a citation may waive the right to contest it.
Where do I search Alachua County appeals and federal records?
State appellate records use Florida ACIS and the Florida First District Court of Appeal. Federal civil and criminal records use PACER and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Bankruptcy records use PACER and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida, Gainesville Division.
Can I use this page for employment, tenant, credit or insurance screening?
No. Public-Court-Records.us is not a Consumer Reporting Agency, and this guide is not an FCRA screening product. Do not use this page to make employment, housing, tenant, credit, insurance or similar eligibility decisions.
Alachua County court-record publishing checklist
This guide was structured around official Alachua County Clerk pages, Court Records Search pages, courthouse information, department contacts, public-record request guidance, official records notices, filing and copy fee schedules, traffic citation pages, e-Notify guidance, small-claims and self-help pages, Eighth Judicial Circuit resources, Florida ACIS, First District Court of Appeal resources, Northern District of Florida federal resources, Northern District bankruptcy resources and PACER pricing. Before publishing or updating, re-check Court Records Search behavior, captcha access, document availability dates, case-type notes, contact numbers, courthouse hours, traffic deadlines, copy fees, appellate routing, federal division routing and PACER pricing.