Search Polk County Court Docket
Polk County court docket records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bartow. The 10th Judicial Circuit serves Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties in central Florida. You can search court docket entries for civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases online or at the courthouse. Polk County is one of the largest counties in Florida by land area, and the clerk's office handles a large number of filings each year. All court docket data is public record under Florida law. Whether you live in Lakeland, Winter Haven, or anywhere else in Polk County, you can access these records through the same clerk's office.
Polk County Quick Facts
Polk County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Polk County manages all court docket records for the area. The office files new cases, tracks docket entries, stores documents, and logs hearing dates. Staff at the Polk County Clerk's office can help you look up a case and get copies of court documents. The clerk also handles official records like deeds, liens, and marriage licenses.
Polk County is a large county with a population over 750,000. The 10th Judicial Circuit that covers Polk also serves Hardee and Highlands counties. The volume of cases filed here is high, so the clerk's office has invested in online tools to make searching easier for the public. You can find case info, docket entries, and filing details through the Polk County Clerk website. The site also has forms, fee info, and contact details for the courthouse in Bartow.
The Polk County Clerk website provides access to court docket search tools and other clerk services.
From this portal you can search cases, check fees, and find office hours for the Polk County Clerk.
| Office | Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 255 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830 |
| Phone | (863) 534-4000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | polkcountyclerk.net |
How to Look Up Polk County Court Dockets
Searching for court docket records in Polk County is straightforward. The clerk has online tools that let you search by name or case number. Public searches do not need an account. Results show case type, filing date, status, and docket entries. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court docket records are open to everyone. You do not have to explain why you want to see them.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal tracks docket entries for all 67 Florida counties, Polk included. The system serves over 770,000 users and processes more than 30 million documents per year. It is free to check case status and view docket information. For cases at the appellate level, the ACIS portal covers the Florida Supreme Court and all six District Courts of Appeal. You do not need to register for basic public docket searches on either system.
In-person searches work well if you need certified copies. Go to the clerk's office in Bartow with a case number or party name. Staff will pull up court docket records and can make copies right there. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Polk County has branch offices around the county that may also help with basic record requests, but the main courthouse in Bartow handles the most traffic.
Note: Some Polk County court docket records are restricted under Administrative Order AOSC24-65 and Rule 2.420.
Polk County Court Docket Access Rights
Court docket records in Polk County are public under Florida's strong open records laws. Chapter 119 says all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. The clerk has a duty to provide access. Automation of records cannot reduce this right. These rules apply to electronic and paper court docket files alike in Polk County.
The Florida Supreme Court's Administrative Order AOSC24-65 sets the rules for electronic access. It defines 15 user roles with varying levels of access. The general public can view case numbers, party names, and docket entries without signing up. Registered users see more. Attorneys of record get full access to their own case files. Sealed, expunged, and confidential records in Polk County are off limits to the public. Family law, juvenile, and probate images need registration or an in-person visit to view under the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420.
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website lists all 67 county clerks in the state. Each clerk is independently elected and carries out more than 1,000 statutory duties. The MyFloridaCounty portal covers official records searches across all counties, which may tie into Polk County court docket cases.
Court Resources for Polk County
The 10th Judicial Circuit covers Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. Circuit courts handle felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, and civil cases worth more than $50,000. County courts in Polk deal with traffic offenses, misdemeanors, small claims up to $8,000, and civil disputes up to $50,000. Both court levels generate docket entries that the Polk County Clerk maintains.
The Florida Courts website links to all 20 judicial circuits. Self-help resources are available for people handling their own cases in Polk County. The circuit courts page explains the structure. To file documents in Polk County, use the E-Filing Portal. The portal runs around the clock. For support, call (850) 577-4609 on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern.
Cities in Polk County
Polk County has many cities and communities. All court docket cases are filed at the Polk County Circuit Court regardless of which city the parties live in.
Other cities in Polk County include Winter Haven, Bartow, Haines City, Lake Wales, Auburndale, and Davenport. All court docket filings go through the Polk County Clerk in Bartow.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Polk County. Court docket records stay in the county where the case was originally filed. Make sure you search the right county.