Wakulla County family court records hold the legal paperwork for every family law case filed in Crawfordville, the county seat. These records cover divorces, child custody fights, child support orders, paternity actions, adoption cases, and domestic violence injunctions.
The Wakulla County Clerk of Court and Comptroller serves as the official record keeper for all family law files. Residents, attorneys, and outside parties can review these records through the clerk office, the state portal, or in person at the courthouse. This page explains how to look up case files, what each record type contains, who can see sealed files, and what fees apply for certified copies.
Wakulla County Clerk of Court and Family Records Office
The Wakulla County Clerk of Court and Comptroller runs the office that stores every family court record in the county. Greg James holds the title of Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller. The office is open five days a week and serves walk-in customers, phone callers, and email requests. Staff members help visitors search for case files, request certified copies, and file new family law paperwork.
Office Location and Contact
The clerk office sits at 3056 Crawfordville Highway in Crawfordville, Florida, with the ZIP code 32327. The building is on the same campus as the Wakulla County Courthouse. Visitors can reach the office by phone at 850-926-0905 for court record questions. The general reception line is 850-926-0300, and the email address is receptionist@wakullaclerk.com. Staff answer phone and email messages during regular business hours on weekdays.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Greg James, CFCC |
| Street Address | 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327 |
| Court Records Phone | 850-926-0905 |
| Reception Phone | 850-926-0300 |
| receptionist@wakullaclerk.com | |
| Website | wakullaclerk.org |
Office Hours and Visitor Rules
The clerk office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Visitors must pass through a security screening at the courthouse entrance before reaching the clerk counters. A valid photo ID is required for any person who wants to view sealed files or request certified copies. Public access computers are available inside the office for self-service case searches.
Clerk Website and Online Portal
The clerk office runs a public website at wakullaclerk.org. The site links to the official records search, the e-filing portal, payment pages, and printable forms. The official records search opens a separate database that lists civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases for Wakulla County. The e-filing portal allows attorneys and self-represented filers to submit new family law paperwork to the clerk 24 hours a day. The site also lists current office announcements and fee schedules.
Types of Family Court Records in Wakulla County
Family court records fall into five main categories under Florida law. Each category covers a different area of family life and carries its own access rules. The clerk stores all five types, but some files are sealed by court order and cannot be opened without a judge permission.
Dissolution of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records cover every divorce filed in Wakulla County. A complete file includes the original petition, the answer or response, financial affidavits, marital settlement agreements, parenting plans for minor children, and the final judgment of dissolution. Most of these files are open to the public. A person can review the case summary, hearing schedule, and final judgment through the state portal or at the clerk counter. Sealed financial documents may require a written request and a court order before the clerk will release them.
Child Custody and Support Records
Child custody and support records include time-sharing schedules, parenting plans, and child support orders. The clerk stores the original petitions, the order establishing parenting plan, the order on child support, and any later modifications. These records are public in most cases. However, income records, child support worksheets, and medical information may be sealed by the judge. Wakulla County uses the Florida child support guidelines to set the amount, and the worksheet stays inside the court file.
Domestic Violence Injunction Records
Domestic violence injunction records cover petitions for protection, temporary injunctions, and final injunctions. The clerk stores the petition, the sworn statement, the temporary order, and the final order after a full hearing. Florida law restricts public access to the address and contact details of the petitioner. The case number, hearing date, and final order are public. A person named in an injunction can request a copy of the order to confirm the terms and any expiration date.
Paternity Case Records
Paternity case records cover actions that establish legal fatherhood. The file includes the petition to determine paternity, the DNA test results, the final order, and any related child support order. Paternity files become public after the court enters the final order. A mother, father, or adult child named in the case can request a certified copy of the order to update government records, school forms, or insurance documents.
Adoption Records
Adoption records are sealed by Florida law at the moment the court issues the final adoption order. The original birth certificate, the adoption petition, the home study, the consent forms, and the final decree are all kept under seal. The clerk holds the sealed file and only releases the information to the adopted adult, the adoptive parents, or a court order. Adult adoptees may request non-identifying background data through the Department of Children and Families.
How to Search Family Court Records
Wakulla County offers three ways to look up family court records: online, in person, and by phone or email. Each method works best for a different need. Online search works for quick case checks, in-person visits work for certified copies, and phone or email works for simple case status questions.
Online Search Through My Florida Court Access
The My Florida Court Access portal, known as the FLA Courts site, covers Wakulla County. The basic case search is free and open to anyone with an internet connection. Users enter a full name, a case number, or a party type to begin. The system shows case status, party names, hearing dates, and the final judgment. Some documents are viewable as PDF files, while others require an in-person visit. The portal covers family, civil, criminal, probate, and traffic cases statewide.
In-Person Search at the Clerk Office
An in-person visit to the clerk counter gives the most complete access. Staff can pull the full case jacket, show physical documents, and run searches that the online portal cannot handle. Visitors should bring a full name, date of birth, and the case number if they have one. Public access computers are free to use. Staff will not give legal advice, but they can show how to read a court file and explain common terms.
Phone and Email Record Requests
Phone and email requests work for simple questions about case status, hearing dates, and document availability. Callers should dial 850-926-0905 during office hours. Email requests go to receptionist@wakullaclerk.com. The clerk will not release sealed records over the phone or by email. Mail requests for certified copies require a signed letter, a copy of the requester photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee.
2nd Judicial Circuit Court Family Division
Wakulla County sits inside the 2nd Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit covers six counties and runs a unified family court system. Family law judges hear divorce, custody, support, paternity, and adoption cases. The chief judge assigns cases to the family division based on filing date and case type.
Counties in the Circuit
The 2nd Judicial Circuit covers Wakulla, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Liberty counties. Each county has its own clerk office, but the family law rules and forms stay the same across the circuit. A divorce filed in Wakulla follows the same Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure as a divorce filed in Leon County. The shared system makes it easier for attorneys to practice in multiple counties.
Judge Assignment and Case Management
The chief judge assigns each new family case to a circuit judge in the family division. The same judge usually handles every hearing from filing to final judgment. Reasonable efforts are made to keep the same judge through post-judgment motions as well. The clerk lists the assigned judge on the case docket, and the online portal shows the judge name under the case details section. Visitors can ask the clerk counter for a list of active family division judges.
Filing Family Court Documents
New family court paperwork can be filed in person, by mail, or through the e-filing portal. The clerk accepts petitions, motions, responses, and supporting documents for divorce, custody, support, paternity, and adoption cases. Self-represented filers can file most family forms without an attorney. The clerk office provides form packets for common actions like simplified dissolution, name change, and paternity acknowledgment.
Electronic Filing Through the Clerk Portal
The Wakulla clerk office runs an e-filing portal that connects to the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Authority. Attorneys must register for an e-filer account. Self-represented parties can use the e-filing portal as guest users. The portal accepts new cases, motions, and proposed orders. Filers upload a PDF, pay the filing fee by credit card or e-check, and receive an email confirmation when the clerk accepts the filing. E-filed documents carry the same legal weight as paper filings.
Forms Used in Wakulla Family Court
Family court forms come from the Florida Supreme Court approved form set. Common forms include the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the Financial Affidavit, the Parenting Plan, the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act affidavit. The clerk office prints paper copies of these forms at the counter. The Florida Courts website also hosts a full library of fillable PDF forms that work in any web browser.
Filing Fees and Payment Methods
Filing fees for family cases in Wakulla County follow the statewide fee schedule set by the Florida Legislature. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit and debit cards. A convenience fee applies to card payments. Fee waivers are available for low-income filers who submit a signed application and financial documents. The clerk will not process a filing without full payment or an approved fee waiver.
Certified Copies and Document Requests
Certified copies of family court records carry the clerk seal and the signature of the deputy clerk. Banks, employers, government agencies, and other courts often require a certified copy rather than a printout. The clerk can issue a certified copy of any open record. Sealed records require a court order before the clerk will issue a certified copy to anyone other than the named party.
Cost of Certified Copies
The fee schedule for certified copies follows Florida statute. The standard rate applies to most family court documents. Additional pages carry a smaller per-page fee. The clerk will list the total cost on the receipt and the requester can pay at the same counter. The clerk can also mail a certified copy to a verified address for an extra postage and handling fee.
Required Identification
The clerk requires a valid photo ID for any person who wants a certified copy of a family court record. Acceptable forms of ID include a Florida driver license, a state-issued identification card, a United States passport, a military ID, or a permanent resident card. The clerk will photocopy the ID and attach it to the request. A requester acting on behalf of another party must bring a signed authorization letter along with their own ID and a copy of the party ID.
Mail Requests for Records
Mail requests work for certified copies of open records. The requester sends a signed letter that lists the case name, the case number, the document type, the delivery address, and a daytime phone number. The letter must include a photocopy of the requester photo ID and a check or money order for the total amount. The clerk mails the certified copy by regular United States Postal Service mail. Tracking and expedited shipping are not part of the standard mail service.
Privacy Rules and Sealed Records
Florida law protects certain family court records from public view. Sealed records cover adoption files, sensitive medical data, financial details, and the personal information of domestic violence petitioners. The judge can also seal a file on a case-by-case basis. The clerk follows the court order exactly and only releases sealed files to the parties named in the case or to a person with a written court order.
Adoption Record Sealing
Adoption records stay sealed after the court issues the final adoption order. The clerk stores the original file in a secure section of the office. Adult adoptees, adoptive parents, and the birth parents named in a court order can request a copy of specific documents. Otherwise, the only way to open an adoption file is to file a motion in circuit court and obtain a judge order that lists the records to be released.
Domestic Violence Record Restrictions
Florida law shields the home address, work address, and contact details of a domestic violence petitioner. The clerk removes this data from any public copy of the injunction. The case number, hearing date, final order, and the existence of the injunction stay public. A person named in an injunction can review the full order at the clerk counter to confirm the terms and the expiration date.
Expungement Versus Sealing
Expungement and sealing are two different legal actions. Expungement destroys a record so that the clerk no longer holds a copy. Sealing keeps the record in the clerk office but blocks public access. Family court records are usually sealed rather than expunged. The court will only order expungement in narrow cases that meet the Florida statute requirements. The clerk cannot expunge or seal a record without a signed court order.
Self-Help Resources for Family Law
People who file family court cases without an attorney can use the self-help resources of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The circuit runs a family law self-help program that provides forms, instructions, and limited one-on-one guidance. The clerk office also keeps printed packets for common actions. Legal aid groups offer free help to low-income residents who qualify under the program guidelines.
Family Law Self-Help Forms
The 2nd Judicial Circuit publishes family law self-help forms and instructions on its website. The packets cover simplified dissolution, name change, uncontested divorce, paternity, and child support modification. Each packet lists every form the filer needs, the filing fee, and the steps to follow. The clerk counter can print any packet on request during office hours.
Legal Aid and Pro Se Help
Legal aid programs serve low-income residents in the Big Bend region. The programs offer free help with divorce, custody, and protection order paperwork. The clerk office can provide a list of approved legal aid providers. Local law libraries also carry self-help books and form guides. Volunteer attorney programs host free legal clinics in Crawfordville and the surrounding counties on a scheduled basis.
Contact Details, Office Hours, and Location
Below is the full contact sheet for the Wakulla County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, the office that holds every family court record in the county. Save this section for your next phone call, email, or in-person visit. The office sits on Crawfordville Highway, the main road that runs through the county seat, and is easy to reach from any part of Wakulla County.
- Office Name: Wakulla County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
- Clerk: Greg James, CFCC
- Street Address: 3056 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville, FL 32327
- Court Records Phone: 850-926-0905
- Reception Phone: 850-926-0300
- Email: receptionist@wakullaclerk.com
- Official Website: wakullaclerk.org
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Statewide Portal: My Florida Court Access at myflcourtaccess.com
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions cover the most common family court record searches in Wakulla County. Each answer draws on the clerk office rules, Florida statute, and the policies of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. Read through the list before you visit the office or start an online search so you know what to expect and what you need to bring.
Can anyone view Wakulla County divorce records?
Yes. Dissolution of marriage records in Wakulla County are public under Florida law. The case number, party names, hearing schedule, and final judgment are open to anyone who runs a search. The original financial affidavits and the marital settlement agreement may be sealed by the judge in sensitive cases. A member of the public can view the case summary for free through My Florida Court Access, and the clerk counter can show the full case file for a small copy fee. Certified copies require a photo ID and a payment based on the clerk fee schedule.
How do I find a child custody order in Wakulla County?
Child custody orders are stored in the family case file at the Wakulla clerk office. The file includes the petition, the parenting plan, the time-sharing schedule, and the final order. Search the case by party name or case number through My Florida Court Access. The portal shows the order date, the assigned judge, and a PDF of the order when the clerk has uploaded it. If the PDF is not online, visit the clerk counter at 3056 Crawfordville Highway and ask staff to pull the physical file. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it.
Are domestic violence injunctions public in Wakulla County?
The existence of a domestic violence injunction, the case number, and the final order are public. The clerk removes the home address, work address, and contact details of the petitioner from the public copy. A person named in the injunction can ask the clerk for a full certified copy of the order. A third party cannot see the sealed personal data without a written court order. The hearing calendar is public, and the clerk posts the date and time of every injunction hearing on the daily docket.
How do I get a certified copy of a paternity order?
Visit the Wakulla County Clerk of Court at 3056 Crawfordville Highway in Crawfordville. Bring a valid photo ID, the case number, and the full name of the parties. The clerk will search the file, locate the paternity order, and prepare a certified copy with the clerk seal. The fee follows the statewide rate for certified documents. Payment can be cash, check, money order, or credit and debit card. Mail requests are accepted with a signed letter, a copy of the photo ID, and a check or money order for the total amount.
Can sealed adoption records ever be opened?
Yes, but only through a court order. The clerk holds the adoption file under seal after the final adoption order. The adult adoptee, the adoptive parents, or a birth parent named in the case can file a motion in circuit court to open the file. The judge reviews the motion and decides which records, if any, the clerk will release. Adult adoptees can also request non-identifying background data from the Florida Department of Children and Families without opening the court file.
What is the difference between sealing and expungement in family court?
Sealing keeps the record in the clerk office but blocks public view. Expungement destroys the record so that the clerk no longer holds a copy. Family court files are usually sealed rather than expunged. The judge can only order expungement when the case meets the narrow requirements of Florida statute. The clerk cannot seal or expunge a family record without a signed court order that names the file and the action. A person who wants either action should file a written motion in the case and serve every party.
How much does it cost to file a divorce in Wakulla County?
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage follows the statewide fee schedule set by the Florida Legislature. The fee is paid at the time of filing and is nonrefundable. A person who cannot pay the fee can file a sworn application to waive the cost, called an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. The clerk reviews the application and either grants or denies the waiver. The filing fee covers the clerk record keeping and the court summons. Additional charges apply for service of process and certified copies.