St. Johns County Records Search

St. Johns County public records are held by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in St. Augustine, and under Florida law any person may inspect or copy them on request without giving a reason. This page covers how to access court filings, official recorded documents, and government records maintained by St. Johns County offices, including online search options, applicable fees, and where to turn when you need help.

Florida Public Records Law in St. Johns County

Florida's public records statute is found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It says that records made or received by any public agency are open to inspection and copying. Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution reinforces this as a fundamental right. St. Johns County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, generates a high volume of public records across courts, the property appraiser, the sheriff, and county government. All of these fall under Chapter 119.

The law does not require you to say your name. It does not require you to explain the purpose of your request. Agencies must respond promptly and cannot ask for justification before they start looking for the record. The burden is on the agency to identify a specific exemption under Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes if they want to withhold anything. Common exemptions cover active criminal investigations, victim identities, certain personnel details, and sealed court records. If you believe a denial was improper, the Florida Attorney General provides free mediation at (850) 245-0140.

St. Johns County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit, shared with Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia counties. Court records for cases filed in St. Johns County are maintained separately by the St. Johns County Clerk, not by the other counties in the circuit.

St. Johns County Clerk and Comptroller Office

Brandon J. Patty serves as the Clerk and Comptroller for St. Johns County. His office at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine is the central custodian for court records filed in the 7th Judicial Circuit's St. Johns County division and for official recorded instruments covering property transactions and other matters recorded in the county. It is the primary source for court case information and real estate records in St. Johns County.

The Clerk's office is open on weekdays during regular business hours. Staff at the main St. Augustine location can help you find the right division or direct you to specific online tools. The office handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic court records. It also records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments for property in St. Johns County.

The image below comes from the St. Johns County Clerk and Comptroller's official website.

The Clerk's site shown above is the starting point for online access to court records, official records, and other services provided by the St. Johns County Clerk and Comptroller's office.

Searching St. Johns County Court Records Online

The St. Johns County Clerk's website at stjohnsclerk.com provides online access to court records and official recorded documents. Court records can be searched by party name or case number. You can pull up case status, hearing dates, and in many cases scanned documents without having to make a formal written request or visit the courthouse in person.

Official records, including deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgage documents, liens, and easements, are also searchable through the Clerk's online system. St. Johns County has seen rapid growth in recent years, and the volume of recorded real estate instruments reflects that. Many records going back a number of years are available in digital form through the portal. Title researchers and real estate professionals use these tools regularly.

Older records that have not been digitized require an in-person visit or a written request. Call the Clerk's office at (904) 819-3600 before heading in to confirm whether the record you need is available online or requires a different approach. The staff can usually tell you quickly what format the record is in and how to get it.

Copy Fees for St. Johns County Records

Florida law sets standard fees that apply across all county clerk offices. In St. Johns County, copies cost $0.15 per one-sided page for standard size documents. Certified copies carry a fee of $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification statement. Research time beyond the first 30 free minutes may be billed at a reasonable hourly rate.

Documents available in the online system can often be downloaded as PDFs at no charge. This is the easiest and cheapest way to get a copy of a public court filing or official record when you do not need a certified version. For certified copies needed in legal or financial transactions, submit a written request to the Clerk's office in person or by mail, along with payment.

Check the Clerk's website for the most current fee schedule and accepted payment methods before submitting a request. The office at (904) 819-3600 can also confirm fee estimates for larger requests before you commit to payment.

Other Public Records in St. Johns County

The Clerk's court and official records are the largest source of public documents in the county, but they are not the only one. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office handles incident reports and arrest records. The Property Appraiser maintains assessment and ownership data that is generally available online through the county's website. The Supervisor of Elections keeps voter registration information. Municipal records from St. Augustine and other incorporated areas are also subject to Chapter 119 and can be requested from those offices directly.

For a statewide criminal history check, use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Their database covers all 67 Florida counties and is the best option when you want more than just St. Johns County records. The myfloridacounty.com portal also allows you to search official records across multiple counties in one place. The Florida Clerks directory has contact information for every county clerk in the state.

Residents who need legal help can contact Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, which serves St. Johns County residents depending on location and income. The Florida Free and Accessible Futures foundation can also point residents toward local legal resources.

Cities in St. Johns County

St. Johns County includes St. Augustine and several growing communities, but none of the incorporated cities in the county currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site. For records tied to a specific city in the county, contact the St. Johns County Clerk and Comptroller directly.

Nearby Counties

St. Johns County shares borders with four other Florida counties. Each maintains its own clerk and records system.