Lake County, Florida court records are available for search through several channels. LakeCourt.org allows you to find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online tools of the court clerk, directly at the Clerk of the Circuit Court office, and through public terminals installed in the Lake County courthouse.
Lake Court System & Jurisdictions
In Florida, the court system is built on two levels: circuit courts and county courts. Both operate in Lake County, and each is responsible for its set of cases.
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil claims over $50,000, family cases (divorce, custody, alimony), probate and guardianship cases, as well as juvenile cases. The appellate district for Lake County is the Fifth District Court of Appeal of Florida; decisions can be tracked through the state appellate case system.
County Court handles smaller categories: misdemeanors, traffic violations, civil claims up to $50,000, eviction cases, and small claims (up to $8,000). This is where most residents first encounter the court system — through a speeding ticket or a minor dispute with a landlord.
Federal cases concerning Lake County are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Federal case documents are available through the PACER system.
Records of both state court levels are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Lake County.
Lake Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the court clerk's online records portal. This resource allows you to search by case number or party name and view scheduled court events.
Some tips for searching:
- For a name search, the last name of the defendant or plaintiff is sufficient.
- Results include the date, time, courtroom, and type of hearing.
- Before first use, the system requires acceptance of the court records access agreement.
The federal court calendar is published separately on the Middle District of Florida's website.
How to Get a Copy of a Lake Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in Lake County in three ways.
Online
Through the clerk's public records portal, many documents can be found and viewed for free. As of October 2023, documents are stored in PDF/A format. To obtain a certified copy, a separate request is usually required.
In Person
Visit the court clerk's office:
Public terminals are available on-site for self-searching. Staff can help locate the required case and issue a copy — regular or certified.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's address, specifying:
- The full name of the party or case number.
- The type of document (e.g., court order, decree, transcript).
- Whether a certified copy is needed.
- A return address and a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
The difference between a regular and a certified copy is significant. A regular copy is suitable for review. A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and can be used as an official document — for example, for submission to another court or government agency.
Some records are restricted in access. Juvenile cases, certain family cases, and sealed documents are not issued without a court order. Public records requests can also be submitted through the county public records portal.
Lake Court Records Fees & Payment
Fee amounts are set by Florida Statutes (Chapter 28) and the clerk's administrative orders. Below are the main rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of document | $2.00 per document |
| Database search (per name, per year) | $2.00 per name per year |
| Copy of document from Official Records (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of Official Record | $2.00 |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to "Lake County Clerk of Court." Confirm the possibility of card payment directly at the office or on the clerk's website — conditions may differ for online and in-person requests.
If you need a divorce document for official purposes, a certified copy of the certificate can also be ordered through the Florida Department of Health — this is a separate procedure with its own fees.