Polk County, Florida court records are available through several channels. PolkCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through official state court system resources, directly at the Clerk of Court's office, or via public terminals in court buildings. Below is a practical guide for searching for dockets, hearing calendars, obtaining document copies, and paying fees.
Polk Court System & Jurisdictions
There are two levels of state general jurisdiction courts operating in Polk County. Both belong to the Sixth Judicial Circuit / Sixth District of the Florida court system.
Circuit Court
This is the higher jurisdiction court at the county level. It handles:
- Felonies — serious criminal offenses
- Civil claims over $50,000
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, alimony, adoption
- Probate and inheritance cases (probate — the judicial process of distributing property after death)
- Incapacity and guardianship cases
- Juvenile cases
Appeals from the County Court also go here.
County Court
This is where most residents first encounter the court system — traffic tickets, small claims, misdemeanors.
- Misdemeanors — less serious criminal offenses
- Civil cases up to $50,000
- Small claims — up to $8,000
- Traffic infractions and other ordinance violations
- Eviction cases
If a case is appealed at the state appellate court level, dockets and documents can be found through the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS).
Polk Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week is published through the Polk County Clerk of Circuit Court system. To find a specific session, you need to know at least one of the following:
- Case number
- Last name of a party or defendant
- Judge's name
Hearing calendars are usually updated daily. For appellate cases, the schedule is available on the Florida Courts portal. Information about specific hearing dates in Circuit Court or County Court can be clarified by calling the Clerk of Court's office.
If you are interested in the status of a detainee — for example, whether a first hearing date has been set — use the Jail Inquiry system of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. It displays basic information about inmates, including booking numbers.
How to Get a Copy of a Polk Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller of Polk County. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified — a regular copy for informational purposes, without an official seal
- Certified — with the clerk's seal and signature; required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration purposes
How to Order a Copy
- In person. Visit the Clerk of Court's office in the Bartow courthouse. You will need the case number or enough information to identify the document (party names, approximate filing date).
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document name, and type of copy (certified or uncertified). Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online. Some documents are available through the clerk's electronic system. Certified copies generally require in-person or mail requests.
Mailing address for the clerk:
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed, and expunged records are not issued without a court order. Information on the procedure for sealing and expunging criminal records can be found on the State Attorney's website for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Polk Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Florida are set by state statutes (specifically, Florida Statutes Chapter 28). Below are typical rates applied by the Polk County Clerk of Court's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search fee | $2.00 per name/year |
| Document copy (uncertified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy | $2.00 for certification + $1.00 for each additional page |
| Microfilm copy or electronic record duplicate | May vary; check with the clerk's office |
| Dissolution of marriage certificate | Issued by the clerk; standard certification fee applies for a certified copy |
Payment is accepted in person (cash, check, in some cases — bank card) or by mail (check or money order payable to Clerk of Circuit Court). Exact amounts may vary — before sending a request by mail, it is advisable to call the clerk's office at (863) 534-4000.
For public record requests related to other county government divisions (not court), you can use the Polk County Public Records Request portal. Sheriff records — police reports, arrests — are requested separately through the Sheriff's Office Records Unit in accordance with Florida Statute 119.