Access Sarasota County Court Docket
Sarasota County court docket records are kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sarasota. The 12th Judicial Circuit covers Sarasota, DeSoto, and Manatee counties on Florida's southwest coast. You can search court docket entries for civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases at the clerk's office or online. Sarasota County is a busy area with a large population that generates a high volume of court filings each year. The clerk tracks all docket data and makes it available to the public under Florida law. Whether you want to check a hearing date or look up an old case, the tools are in place to help.
Sarasota County Quick Facts
Sarasota County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sarasota County manages all court docket records for the area. This office files new cases, stores documents, tracks hearing dates, and logs docket entries from beginning to end. The clerk also handles official records such as deeds, liens, and marriage licenses. Staff can help you find case files and get copies of court documents.
Sarasota County shares the 12th Judicial Circuit with DeSoto and Manatee counties. The clerk's office in Sarasota is the main hub for court records, though branch offices may be available for some services. Online access to court docket records is available through the clerk's website, which saves you a trip to the courthouse. The Sarasota County Clerk website has case search tools, fee info, and contact details for all departments. It also connects you to the statewide E-Filing Portal for submitting court documents.
The Florida Courts website gives you an overview of how the state court system works, including the 12th Circuit that covers Sarasota County.
From this site you can reach circuit court info, forms, and resources that apply to Sarasota County court docket searches.
| Office | Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237 |
| Phone | (941) 861-7400 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | sarasotaclerk.com |
Search Sarasota County Court Docket Online
You can search court docket records in Sarasota County from home. The clerk's website offers tools for looking up cases by name or case number. Basic public searches are free. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court docket records are public. You can see them without explaining your reason.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal tracks docket entries across all 67 Florida counties, Sarasota included. More than 770,000 users rely on this system, which processes over 30 million filings per year. It is free to look up case status and docket info. For appellate records, the ACIS portal provides access to docket entries from the Florida Supreme Court and all six District Courts of Appeal. You do not need to sign up for public searches on either system.
To find a Sarasota County court docket, have one of these ready:
- Party name from the case
- Case number assigned by the clerk
- Date range of the filing
- Attorney name if known
If you need certified copies, visit the clerk's office in person. Certified copies cost more than plain ones but carry official weight for legal matters. The Sarasota County courthouse handles walk-in requests during regular hours.
Sarasota Court Docket Public Access
Florida law gives broad public access to court docket records in Sarasota County. Chapter 119 of the statutes states that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying. Providing access is a duty of the agency. Putting records online cannot reduce the public's right to view them. This covers all court docket files in Sarasota County, whether digital or paper.
Administrative Order AOSC24-65 from the Florida Supreme Court sets standards for electronic access to court records statewide. It defines 15 user roles with varying access levels. The general public can view case numbers, party names, and docket entries without registering. Attorneys of record get full access to their own cases. Sealed, expunged, and confidential records are off limits to the public under Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. Family, juvenile, and probate images in Sarasota County need registration or an in-person visit to view.
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website covers all 67 county clerks. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records across the state. These may tie to court docket cases in Sarasota County.
Note: Scam emails related to court cases have been reported across Florida, including in Sarasota County.
Sarasota County Court Docket Resources
The 12th Judicial Circuit covers Sarasota, DeSoto, and Manatee counties. Circuit courts hear felonies, family law, probate, and civil cases over $50,000. County courts handle traffic offenses, misdemeanors, small claims up to $8,000, and civil disputes up to $50,000. Both court levels create docket entries that the Sarasota County Clerk maintains.
The Florida Courts website has links to all 20 judicial circuits. Self-help resources are available for people representing themselves in Sarasota County court. The circuit courts page explains the structure. To file a document, use the E-Filing Portal. It runs all day, every day. For help, call (850) 577-4609 weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern.
Cities in Sarasota County
Sarasota County has multiple cities and communities. All court docket cases are filed at the Sarasota County Circuit Court no matter which city you live in.
Other communities in Sarasota County include Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, and Osprey. All court docket filings go through the Sarasota County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Sarasota County. Court docket records stay in the county where the case was filed. Verify the location before starting a search.