This page helps you find court records in Polk County, Florida and understand which official Polk County Clerk tool fits your case type. It covers where to search, what records are available online, and when you may need to contact the clerk.
Polk County Clerk court records are split between separate portals for civil matters and for criminal and traffic matters. For older records, restricted access, certified copies, or missing results, the Clerk’s records and customer service channels are the next step.
Polk County court record portals
Use the court record portal that matches the case type you need. Civil records and criminal or traffic records are handled through different Polk County Clerk pages.
- For civil court records, use search Polk Civil Records.
- For criminal and traffic court records, use search criminal and traffic records.
- Open the case record to review the docket, case status, court dates, filings, charges, and payment details when available.
The Polk County Clerk states that criminal records include felony, misdemeanor, traffic, municipal ordinance, and county ordinance cases. Civil records include small claims, evictions, divorce, foreclosures, probate, wills, estates, custody, domestic relations, and more.
What you can view online
The records portals provide access to the case docket, filed documents, court dates, fines, party information, and other case details. In the criminal and traffic portal, users can search anonymously without a registered account.
Registered access may provide more information depending on the user’s role. The Clerk notes that access levels follow Florida Supreme Court standards for electronic court records.
Important: The online portals are provided for general information and are not the official record for legal action. The official records are provided at the Polk County courthouse.
Access limits and missing documents
Some documents are not available for immediate online viewing. The Clerk says some filings must be requested and reviewed before release, and some case types or documents are not public.
In Polk Records Online, case images may be available directly, may require manual review, or may not be available because of case age or retention guidelines. Public users may also see less information than registered users.
Document processing can take up to three business days. If a document requires additional clerk review, allow up to two more business days. If you cannot find a case, try broader search terms, partial names, or more court types before contacting the Clerk.
Certified copies and records requests
If you need a certified copy or cannot locate the record online, use the Clerk’s records request channels. The Clerk offers a records request page for certified copies of public records and for public records requests.
You can request records or certified copies through the Clerk. The records request page also directs users to the Records Custodian for records that are not available online.
For certified copies of a document, the Help and FAQ states that you may need to submit your request in writing and pay the applicable fees.
Polk County court records contacts
Use these contacts when you need help with court records, certified copies, or records requests.
-
Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Phone: (863) 534-4000 -
Traffic & Court Payment Center
Phone: (863) 733-8045 -
Records department
Phone: (863) 534-4401 -
Records Custodian
Mail: P.O. Box 9000, Drawer CC-18, Bartow, FL 33831-9000
Email: records@polkclerkfl.gov
Phone: (863) 534-4000 - Polk County Courthouse 255 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830-3912
- Lakeland Government Center 930 E. Parker St., Lakeland, FL 33801-1929
- Northeast Government Center 200 Government Center Blvd., Haines City, FL 33844
Common questions
How do I search court records in Polk County, Florida?
Use the Polk County Clerk’s court record portals. Civil cases are searched through Polk Civil Records, while criminal and traffic cases are searched through the Clerk’s criminal and traffic records page.
Do I need an account to search criminal or traffic court records?
No. The Clerk states that the criminal and traffic portal can be searched anonymously and does not require a registered account. Greater access may be available based on the user’s role.
Why can’t I see a document or image online?
Some documents require manual review before release, some records are confidential or restricted, and older cases may not have images available online. The Clerk also says document processing can take up to three business days, with up to two additional business days for some manual reviews.
What should I do if I cannot find a case?
Try changing your search terms first. The Clerk suggests using a last name with a partial first name or selecting more court types to broaden results. If you still cannot locate the case, call (863) 534-4000.
Can I get a certified copy of a Polk County court record?
Yes. You can use the Clerk’s records request process for certified copies, or contact the Records department at (863) 534-4401. The Clerk says a written request and applicable fees may be required.
Are the online court records official?
No. The Clerk says the online information is provided as a public service for general information only and should not be relied on as an official record. The official records are provided at the Polk County courthouse.