Town N Country City family court records are official files held by the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. Town N Country is an unincorporated community.
It does not have its own city government or city clerk. All family law cases filed by residents go to the county courthouse in Tampa. The 13th Judicial Circuit Court handles every family matter in this area. Divorce, custody, support, paternity, and adoption cases all end up in the same county system. Knowing where to look saves time and avoids wrong phone calls.
Where Town N Country Family Court Records Are Kept
Every family court record for Town N Country sits in one main office. The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court owns and manages these files. The clerk is an elected county officer. Her name is Cindy Stuart. Her office runs all court record duties for the entire 13th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Hillsborough County. It also includes parts of Polk and Pasco counties for some matters, but family cases stay in Hillsborough for Town N Country residents.
Why the County Handles All Records
Town N Country is not a city. It is a census-designated place in unincorporated Hillsborough County. No city hall exists there. No city clerk exists there. State law gives county clerks the job of keeping court records. The Florida Constitution sets this rule. So every divorce decree, custody order, and support judgment in Town N Country lives in the county archive. Anyone who lived in Town N Country for a family case will see their file at the county level.
Hillsborough County Clerk Office Details
The main clerk office sits at 800 East Twiggs Street in Tampa, Florida. The zip code is 33602. The phone number is (813) 276-8100. The official website is hillsclerk.com. The office stays open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Visitors can park in the nearby county garage. Bring a photo ID to enter the building.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller |
| Clerk | Cindy Stuart |
| Street Address | 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 |
| Main Phone | (813) 276-8100 |
| Website | www.hillsclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Online Search for Family Court Records
Most Town N Country family court records are open to look up online. The clerk runs a free search tool on the county website. This tool lets you search by party name. You can also search by case number. A second statewide search tool covers all Florida counties. The statewide tool is helpful if you do not know the county of filing. Both systems run day and night.
Hillsborough Clerk Case Search Portal
The Hillsborough Clerk Case Search sits at hillsclerk.com. Click on the Court Records tab. Pick Family or Domestic Relations from the case type list. Type a full legal name into the party name box. You can also paste a case number. The system pulls docket entries, hearing dates, and party names. Many images of filed documents show up too. Some images are free. Some cost a small fee per page.
Florida Statewide Court Records Access
The Florida Supreme Court runs a statewide site at myflcourtaccess.com. This site covers every circuit in Florida. Search by name or case number. Filter by case type. The statewide tool works for family cases too. It pulls data from each county clerk. The Hillsborough records show up the same way. Use this tool when you need to see if a case moved counties or to confirm a judgment from another area.
What You Can See Online vs. In Person
Online records show basic docket data. You see the case number. You see the names of the parties. You see the judge. You see hearing dates. You see the type of order. Some documents attach as viewable PDFs. Older paper-only files do not show full images. To see those, you need to visit the clerk office. You can also pay for a clerk copy. Certified copies for court use always require a trip to the office or a mail request.
Types of Family Court Cases Filed
Town N Country residents file many kinds of family cases. The clerk groups them by case type. Each case type has its own file list. Public lookup covers most of these files. Some files stay sealed by court order. Here are the main case types you can pull up.
Divorce and Dissolution Cases
Divorce cases form the largest share of family filings. A divorce case starts with a petition. The petition names the spouses. It lists the grounds. It asks the court to end the marriage. The clerk files the petition and assigns a case number. Later filings include financial affidavits, parenting plans, and settlement agreements. The final judgment of dissolution ends the marriage. All of these papers stay in the file. You can search by spouse name or by case number.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing
Child custody cases are part of divorce files or stand-alone petitions. The court issues a parenting plan. The plan shows time-sharing schedules. It lists decision-making duties. It names the primary residence for school. It may include a relocation clause. Custody cases also cover modifications. A parent can ask to change an order. The clerk files every motion and response. All are public unless a judge seals them.
Child Support and Paternity
Child support cases use the Florida child support guidelines. The Department of Revenue often files these on behalf of a parent. The clerk files the petition. The court orders payments. Income information stays in the file. Paternity cases decide who the legal father is. The clerk files DNA test results. The court issues a final order of paternity. These orders link to support orders.
Adoption and Guardianship
Adoption cases end with a final adoption decree. The clerk files the petition. The home study goes in the file. The final hearing creates a new birth record. Guardianship cases appoint a legal guardian for a minor or an adult. The guardian files annual reports with the clerk. Some adoption files stay sealed. The court seals them to protect privacy. Most guardianship files are open to view.
How to Request Certified Court Records
You may need a certified copy of a court order. A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp. Banks, schools, and other courts ask for certified copies. You can get one at the clerk office. You can also order one by mail. Online orders for certified copies exist for some case types. The clerk charges a fee per page and per certification.
In-Person Request at the Clerk Office
Visit the main clerk office at 800 East Twiggs Street. Go to the public records counter on the first floor. Tell the clerk the case number or party name. Show your photo ID. Pay the fee. The clerk prints the certified copy on the spot. The wait time is short for simple lookups. Older files may take longer to pull from the archive.
Request by Mail or Online
You can mail a written request to the clerk office. Include the case number or full party names. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a check or money order for the fee. The clerk mails the certified copy back. Some case types support online certified copy orders through the clerk website. The fee is the same. The mail option works for people who do not live near Tampa.
Fees for Certified Copies
Florida law sets the fees for certified copies. The standard fee is one dollar per page for a regular copy. The certification fee is two dollars per document. Some documents cost more. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most debit or credit cards at the counter. Mail orders need a check or money order. Always call the clerk to confirm the current fee before sending payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular copy per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy per document | $2.00 |
| Federal document certification | $5.00 |
| Search fee per name per year | $2.00 |
E-Filing New Family Court Cases
Florida courts require electronic filing in most cases. The statewide e-filing portal runs through the clerk office. Lawyers must use the portal. Self-represented parties can also use it. The portal accepts new petitions, motions, and responses. It also accepts exhibits and proposed orders. The portal confirms each filing with a time stamp.
Who Must Use the E-Filing System
Attorneys who are members of the Florida Bar must e-file all family court papers. Self-represented parties may e-file or file paper. Filing paper is still an option for people without a lawyer. Many self-represented filers pick e-filing because it saves a trip to Tampa. The portal works on any computer with internet access.
Steps to File Documents Online
Create a free account at the Florida E-Filing Portal. Pick Hillsborough County as the court. Pick Family or Domestic Relations as the case type. Enter the case number if you have one. Upload your PDF files. Pay the filing fee by card. The portal sends you a confirmation email. The clerk reviews the filing and accepts or rejects it. You see the status in your account dashboard.
- Register at the Florida E-Filing Portal website.
- Pick Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
- Pick Family case type.
- Enter case number or mark as new case.
- Upload each PDF in the right slot.
- Pay the filing fee by debit or credit card.
- Wait for clerk review and confirmation email.
Court Locations Near Town N Country
Town N Country sits in the western part of Hillsborough County. It is close to Tampa International Airport. The drive to the main courthouse in downtown Tampa takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Traffic gets heavy during morning and evening rush hours. Plan the trip with extra time. The clerk also runs branch offices in other parts of the county.
Edgecomb Courthouse Location
The Edgecomb Courthouse is at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. This is the same building as the main clerk office. Family court hearings happen in this building. Some family hearings happen in the courthouse annex on the same block. Check your hearing notice for the exact room number. The Edgecomb Courthouse handles most family law dockets for the 13th Circuit.
Driving Directions and Parking
From Town N Country, take the Veterans Expressway south. Merge onto Interstate 275 east. Take the Downtown East exit. Follow the signs to the courthouse. Public parking garages sit on Pierce Street and on Ashley Drive. Street meters also work. Bring cash or a credit card for the meters. The walk from the garage to the clerk counter takes about five minutes.
Branch Clerk Offices in the County
The clerk runs branch offices in Plant City and in Ruskin. The Plant City office sits at 301 North Michigan Avenue. The Ruskin office sits at 105 South Gandy Street. These branches accept some family filings. They cannot pull every old file. The main Tampa office holds the full archive. Call ahead to confirm the right office for the file you need.
Privacy Rules and Sealed Records
Florida law protects some family court information. Personal data stays out of public view. Sealed records are off limits to the public. The clerk follows state rules to keep these files private. Even online search tools hide sealed entries from the results.
Records Open to the Public
Docket sheets stay public. Hearing dates stay public. Final judgments stay public. Party names stay public. Most motions and responses stay public. The clerk may redact Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names from online views. Paper copies at the counter may also have these redactions.
Records Automatically Sealed
Adoption records are sealed after the final decree. Paternity cases for minors may be sealed. Domestic violence injunction files may be sealed to protect the victim. Mental health records filed as evidence stay sealed. Judges can seal other files for good cause. A sealed file means no public lookup and no copies without a court order.
Hillsborough County Clerk Contact Details
The clerk office is the main contact for all Town N Country family court records. The office answers phone questions on weekdays. The website has live chat during business hours. The mailing address works for written requests. Use the right channel based on what you need.
Phone, Hours, and Website
Call (813) 276-8100 for the main clerk office. Press the menu option for court records. A clerk worker will answer. Office hours run Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The website at hillsclerk.com stays open 24 hours a day. Use the website for lookups, fee info, and forms. The website has a search form and a help section.
Map and Address
The main clerk office sits at 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. The building is the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. Visitors can use the map below to plan the route from Town N Country.
Phone: (813) 276-8100
Website: www.hillsclerk.com
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Address: 800 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Frequently Asked Questions
People who search for Town N Country City family court records often have the same set of questions. These answers cover the most common ones. Each answer points to the right office, the right tool, or the right rule. Use these as a quick reference before you call the clerk or visit in person.
Can I look up Town N Country family court records for free?
Yes. The Hillsborough Clerk Case Search at hillsclerk.com lets you search family cases at no cost. You can see the docket, the parties, the judge, and the hearing dates. Some document images are also free to view. Certified copies always carry a fee. Regular paper copies of older files may also carry a small fee at the counter.
Do I need a case number to search?
No. You can search by full legal name. Use the last name of either party. You can also use a partial name. The system returns matching cases. Pick the right one from the list. The case number speeds up the lookup when you have it. Either method works for family cases in Town N Country.
What family cases stay sealed in Town N Country?
Adoption records stay sealed after the final decree. Paternity cases involving minors may be sealed. Domestic violence injunction files may be sealed to protect the victim. Mental health records filed as evidence stay sealed. A judge can seal other files for good cause shown. Sealed files do not show in the public search and cannot be copied without a court order.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
Counter requests take about 15 to 30 minutes for files in the active archive. Older files pulled from storage may take one to three business days. Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days. Online certified copy orders take one to two business days. The clerk can give a closer estimate when you call with the case number.
Can a self-represented person e-file in Town N Country?
Yes. Self-represented people can use the Florida E-Filing Portal. You create a free account, pick Hillsborough County, and pick the family case type. You upload your PDFs and pay the fee. The clerk reviews the filing. You get a confirmation email. Paper filing is still an option, but e-filing saves a trip to Tampa.
Does Town N Country have its own family court?
No. Town N Country is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County. It does not have its own city court. All family cases go to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsborough County. The main courthouse sits in downtown Tampa. The same judge and clerk handle cases from every part of the county, including Town N Country.
What if the case I need is from many years ago?
Older cases sit in the clerk archive. The online search still works for most files from the last 30 years. Files older than that may not be online. You can call the clerk at (813) 276-8100. The clerk staff will check the archive. You may need to visit the office in person to see the paper file. Some very old files may have been destroyed under the state retention schedule.