Tallahassee city family court records are public files held by the Leon County Clerk of Courts under the Florida 2nd Judicial Circuit. The clerk stores every divorce, custody, support, paternity, adoption, and name change case filed by Tallahassee residents.
You can view basic case data online through official portals, and you can order certified copies in person or by mail. Florida law makes most family case files open to the public while keeping a few categories sealed for safety and privacy.
Leon County Clerk of Courts and Family Records
The Leon County Clerk of Courts acts as the official record keeper for every family law case filed in Tallahassee. The clerk receives petitions, enters judgments, stores dockets, and issues certified copies of court orders. Because Tallahassee serves as the county seat of Leon County, all family filings go through this single office.
Clerk Office Location and Contact
The main Leon County Courthouse stands at 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. The Records Management Bureau operates from 3333 West Pensacola Street, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32304, and handles bulk record requests and archived files. You can call the Records Management Bureau at (850) 606-3317 for questions about older files, certified copy fees, and off-site storage.
Office Hours and Access Window
The clerk’s office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on weekends and on official state and federal holidays. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing if you need same-day certified copies of family records.
Clerk Authority Over Family Files
Florida law gives the clerk of court full custody of court files once a judge signs an order. The clerk indexes every case by party name, case number, and filing date. The clerk also collects filing fees, records judgments, and forwards certified copies to other courts across the country.
Types of Family Court Records Filed in Tallahassee
The Leon County Clerk stores every type of family law case filed under Florida statutes. Each case type lives in its own docket series and carries a unique case number prefix that helps you locate the right file.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce cases make up the largest share of family filings in Leon County. These records contain the petition for dissolution of marriage, financial affidavits, parenting plans for minor children, property settlement agreements, and the final judgment. Most divorce files stay public, but financial documents and social security numbers get redacted before public release.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Child custody cases include parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, and relocation petitions. These files often carry sensitive details about children, schools, and medical care. Public copies of custody orders show the basic time-sharing schedule but remove private medical and financial data.
Child Support and Paternity Records
Child support files include support orders, payment histories, income withholding orders, and contempt motions. Paternity cases contain DNA test results, acknowledgment of paternity forms, and support orders tied to the established father. Both record types stay open to the public through the clerk’s docket search.
Adoption and Name Change Records
Adoption records stay sealed under Florida law to protect every party involved. Name change files remain public and show the old name, new name, and the judge’s signature on the final order.
| Record Type | Public Access | Common Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce | Open with redactions | Petition, judgment, settlement |
| Child Custody | Open with redactions | Parenting plan, time-sharing order |
| Child Support | Open | Support order, payment history |
| Paternity | Open | DNA results, support order |
| Adoption | Sealed by court order | Final judgment, sealed file |
| Name Change | Open | Petition, final order |
Online Search Portals for Tallahassee Family Records
Three official online tools let you search Tallahassee family court records from home. Each portal covers a different slice of the public docket, so you may need to use more than one to find a specific case.
MyFloridaCourtAccess Portal
MyFloridaCourtAccess is the statewide portal that indexes most Florida family court cases. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal displays the case type, judge, hearing dates, and the list of filed documents. To view the actual document image, you must pay a small per-page fee through the portal.
Leon County Clerk Online Search
The Leon County clerk runs a local search tool through leoncountyfl.gov. This tool focuses on cases filed in Leon County and often shows more docket detail than the statewide portal. You can search by name, case number, or business date, and you can view a list of every hearing scheduled in the family division.
Florida E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal lets attorneys and self-represented filers submit new family cases and track filing status. The portal accepts petitions, motions, and supporting documents for divorce, custody, support, and paternity cases. You create a single statewide account, link it to Leon County, and upload files in PDF format.
Filing Fees and Court Costs in Leon County
Filing fees cover the cost of opening a new case or entering a motion in an existing case. Leon County follows the standard fee schedule set by the Florida Legislature, and fees change only when the state law changes. The clerk accepts cash, money order, and most major credit cards at the courthouse and online.
Here is a quick view of the most common family court costs in Leon County as of the most recent clerk fee schedule.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (divorce, no children) | $408 |
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (divorce, with minor children) | $409 |
| Petition for Paternity | $401 |
| Petition for Custody | $401 |
| Petition for Name Change (adult or minor) | $401 |
| Petition for Adoption (related) | $401 |
| Motion to Modify Support or Custody | $50 to $300 |
| Certified Copy (first page) | $7 |
| Certified Copy (each extra page) | $1 |
| Plain Copy (per page) | $1 |
| Service of Process by Sheriff | $40 plus mileage |
Fee Waiver and Reduced Cost Options
Florida courts allow low-income filers to skip the filing fee by submitting a petition to proceed as an indigent. The clerk reviews your income, public benefits, and household size. If the clerk approves the petition, you file your case without paying the standard fee. You can still owe copying and service costs later in the case.
Requesting Certified Copies of Family Records
Certified copies of family court records carry the clerk’s seal and carry the same weight as the original document. You need certified copies for name changes on government IDs, remarriage, immigration filings, and most out-of-state legal actions.
In-Person Copy Requests
Walk in to the Records Management Bureau at 3333 West Pensacola Street, Suite 100, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID, the case number if you have it, and the names of the parties on the case. The clerk pulls the file, makes the certified copy, and hands it to you the same day in most cases.
Mail and Online Copy Requests
You can also order copies by mail by sending a written request to the Leon County Clerk of Courts at 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Include the case number, party names, the documents you need, your contact details, and a check or money order for the exact fee. Online requests through MyFloridaCourtAccess let you pay by credit card and download most documents as PDF files right away.
Sealed and Restricted Family Court Records
Florida law protects a small set of family records from public view. Sealing happens automatically for certain case types and only by court order for others. Knowing the rules helps you avoid unnecessary delays when you file a public records request.
Adoption Record Confidentiality
Adoption files stay sealed forever unless a court orders them opened for a specific legal reason. Adult adoptees can request non-identifying medical background and a copy of the original birth certificate through a separate state process. The clerk cannot unseal adoption files without a written court order.
Domestic Violence Injunction Protections
Domestic violence injunction files may have the petitioner’s address and contact details redacted to protect victim safety. The petition, the order, and the hearing outcome stay public, but personal contact data stays hidden. Police, prosecutors, and the protected party can still see the unredacted file.
Legal Help and Self-Help Resources in Tallahassee
You do not need a lawyer to file a family case in Leon County, but family law still carries strict procedural rules. Several local programs help you fill out forms, understand court hearings, and follow the judge’s orders.
Family Self-Help Program
The 2nd Judicial Circuit runs a Family Self-Help Program that assists self-represented filers with divorce, custody, and support paperwork. Staff help you pick the right form, check your filing for errors, and explain what to expect at your hearing. The program does not give legal advice, but it points you to the right court forms and procedural rules.
Legal Aid for Low-Income Residents
Legal Services of North Florida covers Leon County and provides free legal help for low-income residents in family cases like divorce, custody, and domestic violence. The office screens applicants for income eligibility and assigns a lawyer or paralegal to qualified clients. The Tallahassee office also runs a domestic violence hotline that links victims to emergency injunction help.
Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Florida Bar runs a statewide Lawyer Referral Service that connects you with a vetted family law attorney in the Tallahassee area. You pay a small consultation fee for the first 30 minutes, and the lawyer explains your options and the next steps in your case. The service also lists certified family law specialists who carry extra credentials in complex custody and support cases.
Contact Details and Visiting Hours
Use the contact points below to reach the right Leon County office for family court records. Call ahead to confirm hours, fees, and document availability before you visit.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leon County Courthouse (Main) | 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301 | (850) 606-4000 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Records Management Bureau | 3333 West Pensacola Street, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32304 | (850) 606-3317 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Leon County Government Website | leoncountyfl.gov | ||
| Florida Courts (Statewide) | flcourts.gov | ||
| MyFloridaCourtAccess (Online Search) | myflcourtaccess.com | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers the most common questions Tallahassee residents ask about family court records. Each answer gives you a direct path to the right office, fee, or form. Use these answers as a quick reference before you call the clerk or start an online search.
How Do I Search Tallahassee Family Court Records by Name?
Go to myflcourtaccess.com and enter the full legal name of one party in the family case. Add a birth year or case filing year if you have it to narrow the results. The portal shows the case number, case type, judge, and hearing dates for every matching case filed in Leon County. You can also use the local search tool on leoncountyfl.gov for the same result set with extra Leon County docket detail.
Are Tallahassee Divorce Records Public?
Yes. Florida law makes divorce records public, but the clerk redacts sensitive data like social security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s contact details. You can view the petition, final judgment, and most supporting orders online or in person. Certified copies cost $7 for the first page and $1 for each extra page.
Can I View Child Custody Records Online?
You can view most child custody orders online through MyFloridaCourtAccess, but parenting plans, school records, and medical reports often stay sealed or redacted. To see a full unredacted custody file, you must request it in person at the clerk’s office and show a valid reason under Florida’s public records law.
How Long Does the Clerk Keep Family Court Records?
The Leon County Clerk keeps family court records permanently for most case types. Older paper files from before 1990 may sit in an off-site archive and take a few extra days to pull. You can request files from any decade, and the clerk will arrange retrieval at no extra cost beyond the standard copying fees.
What If I Cannot Afford the Filing Fee?
File a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent at the clerk’s office. The clerk reviews your income, public benefits, and household size, and may waive the filing fee. You still owe costs for certified copies, service of process, and any other out-of-pocket expenses tied to your case.
Can I Get Adoption Records in Tallahassee?
Adoption files stay sealed in Florida. Adult adoptees can request a non-identifying medical history and apply for an original birth certificate through the Florida Department of Health. The clerk cannot release the adoption court file without a written court order from a Leon County judge.
How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Family Court Order?
Visit the Records Management Bureau at 3333 West Pensacola Street, Suite 100, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID, the case number, and payment of $7 for the first page and $1 for each extra page. You can also mail a written request to the main courthouse at 301 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301, with a check for the exact fee.