Seminole County family court records cover every legal file tied to marriage, divorce, children, and family safety cases in central Florida. These records are held by the Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
Anyone can look up case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and final orders through official channels. This resource covers the record types, the agencies that store them, the search methods that work in 2026, and the rules that decide who can see what.
What Seminole County Family Court Records Cover
Family court records in Seminole County include any file a judge has acted on in a family law case. The Clerk of Court stores and indexes every paper filed in those cases. Each case type has its own record set with its own access rules.
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage Files
Divorce files are the most common family court record. They start with the petition that one spouse files to end the marriage. They also include financial affidavits, marital settlement agreements, parenting plans when minor children live in the home, and the final judgment of dissolution. People often need these records to remarry, settle property claims, or enforce support orders years later.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Files
Custody files hold the court’s decisions on where a child lives and how parents divide time. Records include parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, decision-making orders, and any later modification judgments. These files matter when a parent relocates, changes jobs, or seeks a change in the current schedule.
Child Support Order Files
Child support files contain the worksheets used to calculate the payment, the income documents filed by each parent, the order signed by the judge, and any later motions to modify. The Florida Department of Revenue also keeps a separate payment history, which the court file does not replace.
Paternity Case Files
Paternity cases decide who the legal father of a child is. Records show the petition, the genetic test results, the final order, and any support or custody orders that follow. These files are often needed for benefits, inheritance, or custody actions later in the child’s life.
Adoption Case Files
Adoption files are sealed in most cases under Florida law. The Clerk of Court stores the file, but only a court order can open it. Adopted adults often work through an attorney or a court petition to access their original birth records.
Domestic Violence Injunction Files
Domestic violence files hold petitions for protection, temporary injunctions, and final injunctions. The Clerk stores these records, but some information is redacted to protect the petitioner. Anyone with a valid reason can request a copy.
The 18th Judicial Circuit and Family Court Authority
Seminole County is one of two counties in the 18th Judicial Circuit. The circuit covers Seminole and Brevard. Family law cases in this circuit are heard by circuit judges who sit in Sanford, Casselberry, or other county courthouses as scheduled.
Circuit Court Jurisdiction Over Family Cases
The circuit court has full authority over divorce, custody, support, paternity, adoption, and injunction cases. Judges issue final orders that bind both parties. The Clerk of Court supports the judge by filing every paper, recording every order, and serving as the official record keeper for every case filed in the circuit.
Sanford Main Courthouse Location
The main family court location is the Seminole County Courthouse at 91 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773. Most family hearings are held here. The building opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors must pass through security screening at the entrance.
Casselberry Branch Services
The Casselberry branch of the Clerk of Court offers limited family court services. Residents can file certain documents, pay fees, and ask basic questions at this location. The branch is helpful for people who live in the southern part of the county and do not want to drive to Sanford.
How to Search Seminole County Family Court Records
There are three main ways to search family court records in Seminole County. Each method works for a different type of request. Most people start online and visit the Clerk in person only when they need certified copies or full file images.
Online Search Through the Clerk Portal
The Seminole County Clerk of Court website at seminoleclerk.org links to the official case search tool. The search page lets you look up a case by name, case number, or filing date. Results show the case type, parties, current status, scheduled hearings, and a list of filed documents. The basic case detail page is free to view.
My Florida Court Access Statewide Portal
My Florida Court Access at myflcourtaccess.com is the statewide case search system. It covers Seminole County cases along with every other Florida county. Use this portal when you need to track a case across counties or confirm a judgment from another Florida court. The site shows the same case detail data the county portal shows.
In-Person Search at the Clerk’s Office
Visit the Clerk of Court at 91 Eslinger Way, Sanford, to search the file room. Public access computers are available for self-service searches. Clerks at the public counter can run name searches if you provide a date of birth or address. Bring a valid photo ID for security clearance at the door.
Phone and Mail Requests
Call the Clerk at (407) 665-4330 for general questions about record searches. Staff can confirm whether a case exists and explain what you need to request a copy. Mail requests are accepted for plain copies. You must include a self-addressed stamped envelope, the case number, and a check or money order for the fee.
Records Held by the Seminole County Clerk Website
The Seminole County Clerk website is the official online home for all court records in the county. The site links to case search, e-filing, public records, fee schedules, and forms.
Official Homepage and Search Access
The homepage at seminoleclerk.org gives visitors direct access to the case search system. From the homepage, you can click on Case Search, enter a name or case number, and see the full case detail screen within seconds.
E-Filing Portal for New Filings
The Clerk also operates an e-filing portal for new cases and post-judgment motions. Filers create an account, select the case type, upload the PDF, and pay the filing fee online. The portal confirms receipt and assigns a file date within minutes.
Fees, Copies, and Certified Documents
The Clerk charges set fees for copies and certified records. Fees must be paid before records are released. Accepted payment methods vary by location.
Standard Copy Fees
Plain paper copies of family court documents cost a set fee per page under Florida law. The fee applies to every page copied, including cover sheets. The Clerk updates the fee schedule each year and posts it on the website.
Certified Copy Requirements
Certified copies carry the Clerk’s seal and are accepted by other courts, government agencies, and foreign consulates. Each certified copy costs more than a plain copy. You must show a valid photo ID to receive a certified copy of a family court record.
Payment Methods Accepted
The Clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards at the public counter. Online payments through the e-filing portal are processed by credit card or electronic check. Mail requests require a check or money order payable to the Seminole County Clerk of Court.
Sealed Records, Expungement, and Privacy Rules
Florida law protects certain family court records from public view. Sealed records stay in the file but are not shown in online searches. Expunged records are destroyed by court order.
Adoption Record Sealing
Adoption case files are sealed at the time of the final adoption order. The Clerk does not release the file without a court order. Adopted adults seeking their original birth record must follow the Florida Department of Health process.
Juvenile Dependency Records
Dependency cases involving abused or neglected children are sealed under Florida law. Only the parents, attorneys, and authorized agencies can see the full file. Some docket entries may appear in the public case search without sensitive details.
Domestic Violence Address Confidentiality
Petitioners in active domestic violence cases may enroll in the state Address Confidentiality Program. The Clerk removes the home address from public records once the program confirms enrollment. This rule protects survivors from being located through public court files.
Official Contact Details for the Seminole County Clerk
The main office for family court records is in Sanford. Use the contact details below to call, visit, or write the Clerk of Court for any family law record request.
| Contact Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller |
| Clerk | Grant Maloy |
| Address | 91 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773 |
| Phone | (407) 665-4330 |
| Website | https://www.seminoleclerk.org/ |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Branch | Casselberry Branch, Seminole County Clerk of Court |
| Statewide Portal | https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/ |
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common requests the Clerk receives about family court records in Seminole County. Each answer points to the exact office, form, or fee that applies in 2026. Use this section to check the rule on your specific situation before you visit the courthouse or pay a fee.
How long does the Clerk keep old family court files?
The Clerk of Court keeps family court files on paper, on microfilm, and in the digital case management system. Files from the 1960s and earlier often exist only on microfilm reels stored in the records vault. Files from the 1970s through the 1990s were scanned into the digital system during a multi-year digitization project. Files from 2000 onward exist in both paper and digital form. Online searches through the Clerk portal and My Florida Court Access return results for any case that has been indexed in the digital system. Very old cases that have not been digitized require a manual request to the records unit. The records staff will pull the microfilm, locate the file, and copy the documents you need for the standard per-page fee. If the file has been moved off-site to the state archive, allow extra processing time. Older files may also require a manual search fee for the time the staff spends locating the records. Records for adoption, paternity, and divorce are all kept for the full retention period set by Florida law.
Can I look up a family court case for free?
Yes. The online case search on seminoleclerk.org and My Florida Court Access at myflcourtaccess.com are both free. You can see party names, case status, hearing dates, and the docket list at no cost. The fee starts only when you request a printed copy or a certified copy of a document. The Clerk charges a per-page fee for plain copies and a higher fee for certified copies that carry the official seal. Phone requests are also free for basic questions about whether a case exists. In-person searches at the public counter are free, but you must bring a photo ID. If you need a clerk to run a manual name search across multiple years, a small search fee may apply. Most people can complete a basic record lookup without paying any fee at all.
What is the difference between sealed and expunged files?
A sealed record stays in the Clerk’s file but is hidden from public searches. A judge must order the file sealed. An expunged record is destroyed by court order. Family court cases are rarely expunged. Sealing is more common in adoption, juvenile dependency, and certain domestic violence cases. To unseal a record, a formal motion and a court order are required. The party asking to unseal a record must show a legal reason, such as a new court case or a need to enforce a prior order. Adopted adults seeking their original birth certificate must use the Florida Department of Health process, not the Clerk’s office. Expungement in family court is limited and is handled on a case-by-case basis. Speak with a lawyer if you need to seal or unseal a file.
Can I get out-of-state family court records here?
No. The Seminole County Clerk only holds records for cases filed in Seminole County. For records filed in another Florida county, use the county clerk where the case was filed. For federal cases, use PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. For another state, contact that state’s court or its vital records office. The Clerk’s office cannot request records on your behalf from another state. Out-of-state subpoenas for records held in Florida must be issued through a Florida court. If you need a Seminole County record sent to another state, the Clerk can prepare a certified copy for use in that state’s court. The certified copy fee and the apostille fee (if needed) apply to that request. Always check with the receiving state on the format and seal requirements they accept.
Do I need a lawyer to request a family court record?
No lawyer is required for a basic record request. The public counter staff can help with name searches and copy requests. A lawyer is helpful when a file is sealed, when you need to petition the court to unseal a record, or when the record is needed as evidence in another case. The Clerk’s office provides self-help forms for common requests like certified copies and name changes. You can file the forms yourself at the public counter or by mail. For more complex filings such as motions to seal, motions to modify, or appeals, a lawyer is strongly advised. The Seminole County Law Library, located near the courthouse, also has public computers and reference materials to help you prepare your own request. Family Court Self-Help Programs offer free assistance for low-income residents who need help with basic family law forms.
How do I find old divorce records from the 1980s or earlier?
Start with the Seminole County Clerk’s records unit. Files from the 1980s may be on microfilm. Provide both spouses’ full names and the year of divorce. The Clerk can pull the microfilm and make copies for the standard per-page fee. If the file has been archived off-site, allow extra processing time. The statewide portal may also show older cases if they have been indexed. The My Florida Court Access portal can search by party name across all Florida counties. If the divorce was granted in another Florida county, contact that county’s clerk. Records from before 1970 may only be on microfilm, and the Clerk may need extra time to locate them. Always call ahead to confirm the file location and any fees before visiting the records vault.
Are child support payment records in the court file?
No. The family court file contains the support order and any later motions, but it does not show payment history. The Florida Department of Revenue keeps the payment history for state cases. For private cases, the Clerk or the support recipient keeps the payment log. Request payment history from the agency that handles the support order. In Seminole County, the local Child Support Enforcement office can provide payment records for cases they administer. For federal cases, the Office of Child Support Enforcement keeps the history. Court files only show the support amount ordered, the worksheet used to calculate it, and any motions to modify the amount. To get a complete picture of what was ordered and what was paid, you need both the court file and the payment history from the right agency.