Union County court docket records are public files you can check online or at the Lake Butler courthouse in Florida. The Clerk of the Circuit Court stores every entry for cases filed in the county.
This page shows how to search the docket by case number, name, date, or attorney. It covers civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate dockets. You will also see office hours, the clerk’s phone number, the physical address, and clear steps for using the official Florida courts portal.
What a Union County Court Docket Shows
A court docket is a running list of every action in a case. Each time a party files a paper, a judge signs an order, or a hearing takes place, the clerk adds a new line. The docket shows the case number, the names of parties and lawyers, the case type, and a history of steps taken.
Union County sits in north-central Florida. It belongs to the 8th Judicial Circuit. The same circuit also covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, and Levy counties. The Lake Butler courthouse is the only court building in Union County. It handles every case type, from felony criminal charges to small civil disputes.
Florida law treats docket records as public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to see and copy these files. The clerk must allow access during normal business hours. Many docket records are also posted on statewide online systems for free.
Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court Office
The Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the docket system for Union County. The office files new cases, tracks hearing dates, stores case papers, and logs every docket entry. Staff members can help you pull files, answer basic questions, and make copies of court papers.
The clerk also handles official records such as deeds, marriage licenses, and liens. These official records sometimes connect to court cases. The clerk’s office is on the first floor of the Union County Courthouse in Lake Butler.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Address | 55 W. Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054 |
| Phone | (386) 496-3711 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | unionclerk.com |
How to Search the Union County Court Docket Online
You can search docket records without leaving your home. Florida runs a statewide portal called MyFloridaCourt E-Filing Access. The portal covers all 67 counties, including Union County. More than 770,000 users have accounts, and the system processes over 30 million filings each year.
Searching for case status and docket entries is free. You do not need an account to view basic docket lines. You only need a login to file new papers or see restricted records.
- Open the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com.
- Pick “Search Public Records” from the main menu.
- Type Union County in the jurisdiction box.
- Enter a case number, party name, attorney bar number, or filing date.
- Press Search. The screen will show matching cases.
- Click a case number to view the full docket entry list.
The portal lets you sort results by case type, filing date, or party name. Each result row shows the case number, the parties listed, the next hearing date, and the case status. Clicking the case number opens a full docket sheet with every entry from the first filing to the present day.
If you want appellate records, the Florida Supreme Court runs a separate portal called ACIS. ACIS stands for Appellate Court Information System. You can search docket entries for the Supreme Court and all five District Courts of Appeal there. ACIS does not require a user account for basic searches.
Search the Union County Court Docket by Case Number
A case number is the fastest way to pull one file. The number follows a fixed format. It starts with a two-letter case type code, the year, a court code, and a sequence number. For example, a 2024 civil case might read “CA-2024-0042.”
To search by case number, open the E-Filing Portal, pick Union County from the jurisdiction list, and type the full number in the case number field. The portal returns the exact match. You can also call the clerk at (386) 496-3711 and give the number to a staff member for a quick lookup.
Search the Union County Court Docket by Name
You can search by the name of any party on a case. The party can be a plaintiff, a defendant, a petitioner, a respondent, or a third party. The name search works best when you know the full legal name and can spell it correctly.
Type the last name first, then the first name. The portal will show a list of cases linked to that person. Each row shows the case number, the case type, and the filing year. Click a row to see the full docket.
If the name is common, the search may return many results. You can narrow the list by adding a middle initial, a date of birth, or an address. The clerk can also run a name search for you at the front counter during business hours.
Search the Union County Court Docket by Date
Date searches help when you only know when a hearing took place or when a paper was filed. The portal has a date range field for every case type. You can pick a start date, an end date, and the case category. The system then shows every case with a docket entry in that range.
This method works well for the daily docket and the weekly docket. The clerk posts a daily docket for each working day. The daily docket shows every hearing, motion, and order scheduled for that date. The weekly docket rolls up seven days of court business into one printable list.
Search the Union County Court Docket by Attorney
You can search by attorney bar number or attorney name. The bar number is a unique ID the Florida Bar assigns to every licensed lawyer. Type the bar number in the attorney field to see every case that lawyer has filed in Union County.
The attorney search helps people who want to follow one lawyer’s cases. It also helps when a party needs to know who represented the other side. Each result shows the case number, the case style, and the current case status.
Types of Court Dockets in Union County
Union County hears cases at two court levels. The circuit court level handles felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, and civil cases over $50,000. The county court level handles traffic offenses, misdemeanors, small claims up to $8,000, and civil disputes up to $50,000. Each level keeps its own docket.
Civil Court Docket
The civil docket covers lawsuits between private parties. It includes contract disputes, property claims, personal injury cases, and debt collection. Civil case numbers in Union County start with “CA” for circuit civil and “CC” for county civil. The docket lists every complaint, answer, motion, order, and judgment filed in the case.
Criminal Court Docket
The criminal docket covers felony and misdemeanor charges. Felonies appear on the circuit court docket. Misdemeanors appear on the county court docket. The docket shows arrests, initial appearances, arraignments, plea filings, motions, trial dates, and sentencing orders. Case numbers for felonies start with “CF,” and misdemeanors start with “MM.”
Traffic Court Docket
The traffic docket covers traffic citations, driving under suspension, and DUI cases that do not rise to the felony level. Most traffic cases appear on the county court docket. The docket lists the citation number, the alleged violation, the plea, and the final ruling.
Family Court Docket
The family docket covers divorce, custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and domestic violence cases. Family case numbers often start with “DR” for dissolution of marriage, “MM” for miscellaneous family, or “DV” for domestic violence. Many family records are restricted under Florida Rule 2.420 and require a special login to view images.
Probate Court Docket
The probate docket covers wills, estates, guardianships, and trusts. The clerk logs every petition, order, and accounting in the file. Probate case numbers in Union County start with “PR” for probate or “GA” for guardianship. Like family records, many probate images need special access under Rule 2.420.
Union County Daily Docket and Weekly Court Calendar
The daily docket is the list of every hearing, motion, and trial scheduled for one day. The clerk posts the daily docket each morning at the courthouse and on the clerk’s website. The list shows the case number, the time, the courtroom, the judge, and the type of hearing.
The weekly docket covers seven days of court business. It rolls up the daily dockets into one printable list. Lawyers, parties, and the public use the weekly docket to plan ahead. You can request a copy of the weekly docket from the clerk’s office or view it on the official website.
The court calendar runs Monday through Friday, except for state holidays. State court holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The clerk does not post a daily docket on those days.
Reading Union County Court Docket Entries
Each docket entry follows a fixed format. The entry shows the entry date, the document title, the name of the filer, and a short note from the clerk. A typical entry reads “06/15/2026 — Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel — Filed by Attorney Smith.”
Entry codes in Union County follow the Florida Supreme Court standard. Each code stands for a specific action. “MOT” means motion. “ORD” means order. “JUDG” means judgment. “HRG” means hearing. “DISP” means disposed. The clerk codes every entry so the public can scan the docket quickly.
You can click each entry to see the actual document image. Some images cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk can run a printout of the full docket for a flat fee. You can also print single pages at the front counter for ten to twenty-five cents per page.
Florida Public Records Law and Union County Dockets
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes governs public records. The law says every state, county, and municipal record is open for personal inspection and copying. Court docket records fall under this rule. The clerk must provide access during normal business hours.
The Florida Supreme Court’s Administrative Order AOSC24-65 sets the rules for electronic access. The order lists 15 user roles. Each role has a different access level. Members of the public can see case numbers, party names, and basic docket entries without registering. Lawyers, judges, and clerk staff have deeper access tied to their roles.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 covers confidential records. The rule lists categories that the clerk must keep sealed or restricted. Sealed, expunged, and confidential files are not visible to the public. Family, juvenile, and probate images in Union County require a registered account or an in-person visit under this rule.
Restricted and Sealed Records in Union County
Some Union County docket records are not public. The clerk seals records in adoption cases, juvenile delinquency cases, and certain paternity matters. Mental health commitment records are also restricted. Expunged criminal records disappear from public view once the court grants the petition.
Domestic violence injunction files may be sealed at the request of the petitioner. The clerk keeps the docket number open but hides the documents. Some financial records in probate cases are sealed to protect minors or disabled adults.
To check if a record is sealed, search the case on the E-Filing Portal. If the portal hides the documents, the file is restricted. You can then call the clerk at (386) 496-3711 to ask about the seal. Only a party to the case, a lawyer of record, or a judge can ask the court to lift the seal.
Union County Court Docket Archive and Older Records
The clerk keeps docket records for many years. Older paper files sit in the clerk’s storage room. Microfilm copies go back to the founding of the county in 1921. Newer records from 1985 forward are in the digital system.
To see an archived file, contact the clerk at least three business days before your visit. Staff need time to pull the box from storage. You can also hire a local title search company to pull older records for a flat fee.
Destroyed or lost records are rare. When records are destroyed, the clerk posts a notice on the website. The clerk works with the Florida Department of State to recover lost data from backup tapes. Court orders can also recreate missing docket entries on a case-by-case basis.
Visiting the Union County Courthouse
The Union County Courthouse stands at 55 West Main Street in Lake Butler. The building is on the corner of Main Street and First Street, across from the Union County School Board office. Public parking sits behind the building on First Street. Visitors must pass through a security checkpoint at the front door.
Bring a valid photo ID to clear security. Phones, cameras, and recording devices may be restricted in the courtroom. The clerk’s office sits on the first floor. The courtrooms are on the second floor. A small elevator serves visitors who cannot climb the stairs.
You can pay for copies and filing fees with cash, check, money order, or credit card. The clerk charges a small convenience fee for credit card payments. Most records requests take less than ten minutes to fill. Older files may take up to one business day.
Common Court Docket Terms
- Case Number: The unique ID the clerk assigns to each case. The number stays the same from filing to final judgment.
- Petition: The first paper filed in a case. The petition states the relief the party wants from the court.
- Motion: A written request asking the judge to take a specific action in a pending case.
- Order: A written ruling signed by a judge. Orders can be procedural, substantive, or final.
- Hearing: A court session where the parties argue a motion or try a case. The docket shows the time and the courtroom.
- Disposition: The final outcome of a case. The docket marks the case “Disposed” when the court enters a final judgment.
- Arraignment: The first court appearance for a criminal defendant. The defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
- Subpoena: A court order that compels a witness to appear at a hearing or to produce documents.
Contact Details and Office Hours
Union County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Address: 55 W. Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054
Phone: (386) 496-3711
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern
Website: unionclerk.com
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: myflcourtaccess.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check the Union County court docket for today’s hearings?
Open the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com and pick Union County as the jurisdiction. Type today’s date in the hearing date field and press Search. The system returns a list of every hearing scheduled for that day. You can also call the clerk’s office at (386) 496-3711 to ask for a copy of the daily docket. The clerk can read the docket over the phone or email a copy. The daily docket shows the case number, the case type, the time, the courtroom, and the assigned judge. The list updates each morning at 8:00 AM Eastern.
Can I search the Union County court docket by case number for free?
Yes. Searching for a case by number is free on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. You do not need a user account to see basic docket entries. You only pay when you want to print or download document images. Each page costs a small fee. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. You can also view the docket for free at the clerk’s office during business hours. The clerk charges a fee only when you want a paper printout or a certified copy.
What is the difference between the circuit docket and the county docket in Union County?
The circuit docket covers cases filed in circuit court. Circuit court handles felonies, family law, probate, guardianship, and civil cases over $50,000. The county docket covers cases filed in county court. County court handles traffic offenses, misdemeanors, small claims up to $8,000, and civil disputes up to $50,000. Both dockets are stored in the same clerk’s office. The case number tells you which level heard the case. Numbers starting with “CF,” “DR,” “PR,” or “CA” sit in circuit court. Numbers starting with “MM,” “TC,” or “CC” sit in county court.
Are Union County probate records public?
Basic docket entries for probate cases are public. You can see the case number, the names of the personal representative, the date of the petition, and the final order. Document images are restricted under Florida Rule 2.420. You must register on the E-Filing Portal with a verified user role to see those images. You can also visit the clerk’s office in person to view probate records at the public terminal. Sensitive financial records in a probate file may be sealed by court order. You need a court order to view sealed probate records.
How do I find a criminal case docket in Union County?
Use the E-Filing Portal and pick Union County. Type the defendant name, the case number, or the citation number in the search box. Filter by case type “Criminal.” The portal returns a list of matching cases. Click a case number to see the docket entries, including arrests, arraignments, plea filings, motions, and sentencing orders. Felony cases start with “CF.” Misdemeanor cases start with “MM.” Traffic criminal cases start with “TC.” Expunged or sealed criminal records will not appear in the search results.
Can I get a certified copy of a docket entry from Union County?
Yes. Visit the clerk’s office at 55 W. Main Street, Room 103, Lake Butler, FL 32054. Bring a photo ID and the case number. Pay the certified copy fee at the front counter. The clerk prints the docket entry on certified paper with a raised seal. You can also mail a written request to the clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check for the fee, and the case number. The clerk mails the certified copy within five business days. The fee schedule is posted on the clerk’s website at unionclerk.com.
What should I do if the Union County docket shows a sealed case?
Sealed cases are not visible to the public. You cannot see the docket entries or the documents. If you are a party to the case, you can file a motion to view the file. A judge reviews the motion and decides whether to lift the seal. If you are a lawyer of record, the clerk can give you access after you show a Florida Bar number. If you are a third party, you must ask the court for permission. The court holds a hearing before granting access to a sealed file.