The Bradford County Court Docket is the official list of every case, hearing, motion, and order filed in Bradford County, Florida. It is kept by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Starke, which serves as the main record-keeper for the 8th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can look up a case by name, case number, or date using the clerk’s office or the Florida statewide court portal. This system is open to the public under Florida law, and it covers civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims matters.
What the Bradford County Court Docket Includes
A court docket is a running list of events in a case. In Bradford County, the docket shows when a case was filed, who is involved, what the charges or claims are, and when the next hearing is set. Each entry has a date, a description, and the name of the judge or clerk action tied to it. The docket acts as the timeline of the case from start to finish.
For civil cases, the docket tracks complaints, answers, motions, and judgments. For criminal cases, it tracks charges, arraignments, plea deals, and sentencing. For family cases, it tracks petitions, service of process, and final orders. For probate cases, it tracks wills, inventories, and estate closures. Every filing added to a case in Bradford County appears on the docket the same day it is processed.
Bradford County Clerk of Court and Docket Management
The Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages all court docket records for the county. The office sits at 945 N. Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. The clerk files every paper submitted to the court, assigns case numbers, and posts the docket entries online. The clerk also keeps the original court files, which the public can view on request.
The clerk’s role is set by the Florida Constitution and state statute. The clerk must accept filings, keep accurate records, and make those records open for public view. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clerk staff can help walk-in visitors search for a case, make copies, or pull certified documents. The phone number for the clerk is (904) 966-6280.
| Office | Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 945 N. Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone | (904) 966-6280 |
| Website | bradfordclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
How to Search the Bradford County Court Docket Online
The fastest way to search the Bradford County court docket is online. The clerk’s website at bradfordclerk.com offers a public case search tool. You can enter a party name, case number, or filing date to pull up the docket. The search returns a list of matching cases with the full docket sheet, hearing dates, and filing history.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com is another search tool. This statewide system tracks every document filed in Florida courts, including Bradford County. The portal has over 770,000 registered users and processes more than 30 million filings each year. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney bar number.
For appellate court docket records, the ACIS portal at acis.flcourts.gov covers all Florida appellate courts. No login is needed for basic public searches. You can look up Bradford County cases that were appealed to a higher court and view the appellate docket entries.
For related recorded documents like deeds and liens tied to court cases, the MyFloridaCounty portal at myfloridacounty.com covers all 67 counties. This is helpful when a civil case involves real property in Bradford County.
Searching by Case Number
Searching by case number gives the most exact results. Bradford County case numbers follow a standard Florida format. Civil cases start with a year, a county code, a case type code, and a sequence number. For example, a 2024 civil case might look like 04-2024-CA-000123. Enter the full number with dashes in the search field to pull up the docket.
Searching by Name
Searching by name works for both plaintiffs and defendants. Enter the last name first, then the first name. If the name is common, narrow the search by adding a birth year or middle initial. The docket will show all cases tied to that person, both active and closed.
Searching by Date
Searching by date lets you see what was filed on a specific day. Pick a date range and the system returns every case with a docket entry in that window. This is useful for tracking recent filings or checking if a new case has been added to the docket.
Bradford County Civil Court Docket
The Bradford County civil court docket covers disputes between people, businesses, or government bodies. These cases include contract claims, property disputes, personal injury, foreclosure, and debt collection. Civil cases in Bradford County are filed in either county court or circuit court, depending on the dollar amount and the type of claim.
County court handles civil cases where the amount in dispute is $50,000 or less. Circuit court handles civil cases above $50,000, plus matters like injunctions, declaratory judgments, and complex business disputes. The docket shows each step in the case, from the initial complaint to the final judgment.
You can look up a Bradford County civil docket entry to check the status of a pending case, see if a motion was filed, or read the court order on a ruling. Attorneys, parties, and the public all use the civil docket to stay current on the case. The civil docket also shows if a case was settled, dismissed, or sent to trial.
Bradford County Criminal Court Docket
The Bradford County criminal court docket lists every criminal case filed in the county. It includes the defendant’s name, the charges, the arresting agency, the court division, and the next hearing date. The criminal docket is updated each time a new document is filed in the case, including arraignments, motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders.
Felonies are handled in circuit court. Misdemeanors are handled in county court. The docket shows which court has the case and which judge is assigned. For each hearing, the docket shows the date, time, and type of proceeding, such as arraignment, pretrial conference, status hearing, or trial.
People often search the criminal docket to check a court date, see if a warrant has been issued, or confirm that a case was resolved. The clerk’s office can also tell you the conditions of release, bond amount, and any active protection orders tied to the case.
Bradford County Family and Probate Court Docket
The Bradford County family court docket covers divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence cases. Family court dockets are kept in the circuit court because these cases often involve ongoing court orders. The docket shows service of process, mediation dates, hearing results, and final judgments.
Some family court records are not public. Adoption files, juvenile dependency records, and sealed paternity actions are kept confidential under Florida law. The public docket still shows the case number and basic timeline for these cases, but the documents themselves are not open for view.
The Bradford County probate court docket covers wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health proceedings. Probate cases are filed in circuit court. The docket shows the filing of the will, appointment of the personal representative, inventory of assets, claims against the estate, and final discharge. Guardianship cases show the ward’s name, the guardian appointed, and the review dates set by the court.
Bradford County Traffic and County Court Docket
The Bradford County traffic court docket covers moving violations, DUI charges, and criminal traffic offenses. Most traffic tickets are handled in county court, though a DUI can be charged as a felony and moved to circuit court. The traffic docket shows the citation number, the violation, the fine, and the court date.
People often search the traffic docket to pay a ticket, contest a citation, or check if they missed a court date. Failure to appear on a traffic case can lead to a license suspension or a bench warrant. The docket will show any failure to appear entries, along with the new court date set by the judge.
County court also handles small claims cases, which are civil disputes involving $8,000 or less. The small claims docket shows the parties, the amount in dispute, the hearing date, and the judgment. Small claims hearings are usually short, and the docket entry often shows the outcome within days.
Public Access Rules and Confidentiality
All Bradford County court docket records are open to the public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law says that all state, county, and municipal records must be open for inspection and copying. You do not need to give a reason to view a court docket, and the clerk must respond to your request without delay.
Some records are sealed by law. Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration lists records that are automatically confidential. These include juvenile cases, adoption files, mental health records, substance abuse treatment files, and certain victim information. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers are redacted from public court documents before they are posted online.
Under Administrative Order AOSC24-65, electronic access to court records is sorted by user roles. The general public falls under User Role 7. This role allows viewing of case numbers, party names, attorney names, and docket entries. Sensitive data, like financial account numbers and personal identifiers, is hidden from public view.
If a court docket record was wrongly sealed, you can file a motion to unseal it under Rule 2.420. The court will review the request and decide whether the record should be made public. In some cases, only part of the record is unsealed, with sensitive details kept private.
Bradford County Docket Fees and Records Requests
Searching the Bradford County court docket is free. The clerk’s online search tool does not charge a fee. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also offers free public search access for basic lookups. You only pay when you need copies or certified copies of the actual documents.
Standard copies of court documents cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. A certified copy of a court order or judgment is often required for legal filings, real estate transactions, or name changes. The clerk can provide the certified copy on the same day in most cases, though some older records may need to be pulled from archive storage.
Bulk record requests can be sent to the clerk’s office in writing. The clerk will provide a cost estimate before processing the request. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards. Online payments are available through the clerk’s website for certain records.
Bradford County Courthouse and Case Information
All Bradford County court cases are handled at the Bradford County Courthouse in Starke. The courthouse sits in the same complex as the clerk’s office at 945 N. Temple Avenue. Court sessions run Monday through Friday during business hours. The clerk’s office accepts filings from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bradford County sits in the 8th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Alachua, Baker, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. Cases filed in Bradford County stay in Bradford County, but appeals move up to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach. The appellate docket for these cases is available on the ACIS portal.
The county seat is Starke. Other towns in the county, including Hampton, Lawtey, and Brooker, also use the same courthouse and clerk’s office. The population of Bradford County is roughly 28,000, making it one of the smaller counties in North Central Florida. This means the clerk’s office usually has shorter wait times than larger counties in the circuit.
Contact for Bradford County Court Docket Inquiries
Bradford County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 945 N. Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091. Phone: (904) 966-6280. Website: bradfordclerk.com. Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Common Bradford County Court Docket Questions
People often ask how to find a court date, check if a case was filed, or get a copy of a court order. The clerk’s office can answer all of these questions by phone, in person, or through the online search tool. If you are not a party to the case, the clerk can still help you look up basic docket entries, but some documents may be sealed.
Another common question is how long it takes for a new case to show up on the docket. Most filings appear on the docket the same day they are processed. E-filed documents may appear within hours. Paper filings dropped off at the clerk’s office are usually entered by the end of the business day.
Some people ask if they can remove a case from the public docket. Expungement and sealing are handled through the court, not the clerk’s office. A judge must sign an order to seal or expunge a record. The clerk then updates the docket to reflect the new status.
FAQ
How do I look up a Bradford County court docket by name?
You can search the Bradford County court docket by name using the clerk’s online case search tool at bradfordclerk.com. Enter the last name first, followed by the first name. If the name is common, add a middle initial or birth year to narrow the search. The system returns a list of all cases tied to that person, including civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. You can click on each case to see the full docket sheet, hearing dates, and filings. You can also search the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com for the same records.
Can I see Bradford County criminal docket records online?
Yes, Bradford County criminal docket records are available online through the clerk’s website and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. You can search by defendant name, case number, or charge type. The docket shows the charges, court division, judge assigned, and the next hearing date. Some sensitive details, like victim information and Social Security numbers, are redacted from public view. Sealed criminal records are not shown in public search results, even if the case number is known.
Are Bradford County family court docket records public?
Most family court docket records in Bradford County are public, but the documents themselves may be restricted. Adoption records, juvenile dependency files, and sealed paternity cases are kept confidential under Florida law. Divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases have public dockets that show the case number, parties, and hearing dates. The actual financial affidavits, parenting plans, and other sensitive filings may be sealed by the judge.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a Bradford County court docket document?
Standard copies of Bradford County court docket documents cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page for the certification, plus the per-page copy fee. Some documents, like a certified copy of a marriage license or a final judgment, have set fees listed on the clerk’s fee schedule. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards.
What is the difference between the Bradford County circuit court docket and the county court docket?
The Bradford County circuit court docket covers felonies, family law, probate, guardianships, and civil cases over $50,000. The county court docket covers misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and civil cases up to $50,000. Both dockets are kept by the same clerk’s office and are searchable through the same online tools. The case number format is the only visual difference between the two on the docket sheet.
Can I search the Bradford County court docket by date?
Yes, you can search the Bradford County court docket by date using the clerk’s online search tool. Pick a start date and end date, and the system returns every case with a docket entry in that window. This is useful for finding recent filings, tracking hearing schedules, or checking if a new motion was entered in an active case. The date search covers all case types, including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic.
How do I get a court date reminder from the Bradford County docket?
The Bradford County clerk’s office does not send automatic court date reminders. You can check the docket online any time to see your next hearing date. Many attorneys and self-represented parties set their own calendar alerts based on the docket entries. You can also call the clerk’s office at (904) 966-6280 to confirm the next court date in a case.