Escambia County Court Records
What Is Escambia County Court Records
Court records in Escambia County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records constitute a comprehensive archive of judicial activities maintained by various courts operating within Escambia County, Florida. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 119.011(3)(c)(1), court records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.
Court records are distinct from other public records such as:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Tax records
- Voting records
The following courts maintain records in Escambia County:
- Circuit Court (First Judicial Circuit)
- County Court
- Federal District Court (Northern District of Florida)
- Federal Bankruptcy Court
- Small Claims Court
- Probate Court
- Family Court
- Traffic Court
These judicial bodies generate and maintain records pertaining to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, family matters, probate cases, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The Florida First Judicial Circuit Court serves as the primary repository for most court records in Escambia County, with federal matters being handled by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
Are Court Records Public In Escambia County
Court records in Escambia County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law, commonly known as the "Sunshine Law," codified in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Additionally, Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution establishes the public's right to access government records, including judicial records.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Final dispositions
However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or subject to redaction under Florida Statutes § 119.071, including:
- Social security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Medical records
- Juvenile records
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Records sealed by court order
- Information related to victims of certain crimes
It is important to note that federal court records in Escambia County, maintained by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, are governed by federal access rules rather than state law. These records are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.
The Florida Supreme Court has established comprehensive rules regarding public access to court records in Administrative Order AOSC07-49, which implements the standards set forth in Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420.
How To Find Court Records in Escambia County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Escambia County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official custodian of court records for Escambia County.
To obtain court records in person:
- Visit the Escambia County Clerk of Court's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form, providing case number, party names, or other identifying information
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees ($1.00 per page for certified copies, $0.15 per page for uncertified copies)
Escambia County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
190 West Government Street
Pensacola, Florida 32502
850-595-4310
Escambia County Clerk of Court
For federal court records:
- Visit the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division
- Request assistance from the clerk's office staff
- Provide case information for record retrieval
- Pay applicable fees for copies
United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division
1 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-435-8440
Northern District of Florida
For bankruptcy records:
- Visit the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida
- Submit a records request to the clerk's office
- Provide case number or debtor information
- Pay required fees
United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida
100 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-444-4700
Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate court, including:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Approximate date of case filing
- Type of case
- Specific documents requested
- Contact information
- Payment for applicable fees
How To Look Up Court Records in Escambia County Online?
Escambia County offers several digital platforms for accessing court records electronically. These online resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person visits.
For Escambia County Circuit and County Court records:
- Visit the Escambia County Clerk's Official Records Search portal
- Create a user account (if required)
- Select search criteria (case number, party name, date range)
- Review search results and select desired records
- Pay applicable fees for document downloads or certified copies
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal provides registered users with access to electronically filed court documents. This system requires registration and may involve subscription fees for certain services.
For federal court records in Escambia County:
- Access the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)
- Create a PACER account
- Select the Northern District of Florida from the court selection menu
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, filing date)
- Pay applicable PACER fees ($0.10 per page, with a maximum of $3.00 per document)
The Florida Court Records Search provides a centralized portal for accessing records across multiple Florida counties, including Escambia. Users can search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Attorney
- Judge
- Filing date range
Criminal history records may be accessed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Criminal History Information portal, which requires registration and payment of statutory fees.
How To Search Escambia County Court Records for Free?
Florida law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in Florida Statutes § 119.07(4). While fees may apply for copies, electronic access, or certified documents, in-person inspection is available at no cost.
Free options for accessing Escambia County court records include:
-
In-person inspection at the Escambia County Courthouse during regular business hours:
- No fee for viewing public records
- Staff assistance available for locating records
- Self-service computer terminals provided for public use
-
Limited free online access through:
- Escambia County Clerk's Public Records Search (basic case information)
- Florida Supreme Court's Statewide Court Case Information (case status and scheduling)
-
Public access computers at the Escambia County Public Library:
- Available during library operating hours
- No fee for basic searches
- Printing fees may apply
Escambia County Public Library, Main Branch
239 North Spring Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-436-5060
Escambia County Public Library
- PACER fee exemptions:
- Federal court records are free if usage fees do not exceed $30 per quarter
- Fee waivers available for certain nonprofit organizations and researchers
Individuals seeking extensive records or requiring assistance may contact the Clerk of Courts office to discuss available options for reducing or waiving fees based on financial hardship.
What's Included in a Escambia County Court Record?
Escambia County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include:
For Civil Cases:
- Complaint or petition initiating the case
- Summons and proof of service
- Answers and counterclaims
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Discovery documents (if filed with the court)
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Transcripts of hearings and trials
- Orders and judgments
- Financial information (filing fees, judgments, payments)
- Appeals documentation (if applicable)
For Criminal Cases:
- Charging documents (information, indictment)
- Arrest warrant or probable cause affidavit
- Bail/bond information
- Plea agreements
- Pre-trial motions
- Evidence logs
- Witness lists
- Jury instructions
- Verdict forms
- Sentencing documents
- Probation reports (may be confidential)
- Appeal documents (if applicable)
For Family Law Cases:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Financial affidavits
- Parenting plans
- Child support worksheets
- Mediation agreements
- Final judgment
- Post-judgment modifications
For Probate Cases:
- Petition for administration
- Death certificate (restricted access)
- Will (if testate)
- Inventory of assets
- Claims against the estate
- Accounting reports
- Orders of distribution
- Final discharge
Case dockets serve as chronological indices of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a case. These dockets typically include:
- Case number and filing date
- Party names and attorney information
- Judge assignment
- Chronological listing of all documents filed
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Final disposition
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain sensitive information may be redacted or filed confidentially, including social security numbers, bank account information, and certain personal identifiers.
How Long Does Escambia County Keep Court Records?
Escambia County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 257.36. These schedules vary by record type and case classification.
General retention periods include:
For Circuit Court Records:
- Felony case files: 75 years after final disposition
- Capital felony cases: Permanent retention
- Civil litigation: 10 years after final judgment
- Domestic relations cases: 75 years after final judgment
- Probate cases: 10 years after closing
- Guardianship cases: 10 years after termination of guardianship
- Juvenile dependency: 7 years after child reaches majority
- Juvenile delinquency: 7 years after child reaches majority
For County Court Records:
- Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after final disposition
- Traffic cases: 5 years after final disposition
- Civil cases under $30,000: 5 years after final judgment
- Small claims: 5 years after final judgment
- Eviction proceedings: 5 years after final judgment
For Federal Court Records (Northern District of Florida):
- Civil cases: 20 years after final disposition
- Criminal cases: 20 years after final disposition
- Bankruptcy cases: 20 years after final disposition
Certain records are designated for permanent retention, including:
- Records of historical significance
- Capital felony cases
- Supreme Court opinions
- Property records
- Adoption records
The Florida Records Management Program oversees compliance with retention schedules. After the prescribed retention period, records may be destroyed in accordance with established procedures, transferred to archival storage, or digitized for long-term preservation.
Individuals seeking older records that may have exceeded retention periods should contact the Florida State Archives for assistance with historical court documentation.
Types of Courts In Escambia County
Escambia County's judicial system comprises several courts operating at different jurisdictional levels:
Escambia County Circuit Court (First Judicial Circuit)
190 West Government Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-4310
First Judicial Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Escambia County Court
190 West Government Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-4310
Escambia County Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division
1 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-435-8440
Northern District of Florida
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida
100 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-444-4700
Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
First District Court of Appeal
2000 Drayton Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-488-6151
First District Court of Appeal
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The judicial hierarchy in Florida proceeds from County Courts to Circuit Courts, then to District Courts of Appeal, and finally to the Florida Supreme Court. Federal cases follow a separate path through the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Escambia County Courts Hear?
Escambia County's courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters, with jurisdiction determined by case type, monetary value, and geographic boundaries.
Escambia County Circuit Court handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil disputes exceeding $30,000
- Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate and guardianship matters
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency
- Appeals from County Court decisions
- Tax deed applications
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Name changes
Escambia County Court addresses:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic infractions
- Civil disputes up to $30,000
- Small claims (up to $8,000)
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Ordinance violations
- Domestic violence injunctions
United States District Court, Northern District of Florida handles:
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Civil cases involving federal questions
- Civil cases between citizens of different states (diversity jurisdiction) exceeding $75,000
- Admiralty and maritime claims
- Patent, copyright, and trademark disputes
- Constitutional challenges
- Federal habeas corpus petitions
United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida processes:
- Chapter 7 liquidation cases
- Chapter 11 reorganization cases
- Chapter 12 family farmer reorganization cases
- Chapter 13 wage earner repayment plans
- Adversary proceedings related to bankruptcy matters
First District Court of Appeal reviews:
- Appeals from Circuit Court decisions in Escambia County
- Administrative agency appeals
- Original proceedings for extraordinary writs
Each court maintains its own records system, with the Clerk of the Circuit Court serving as the primary custodian for state court records in Escambia County.
How To Find a Court Docket In Escambia County
Court dockets in Escambia County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case. These valuable resources help track case progress and identify filed documents.
To access Escambia County court dockets:
-
Online Access:
- Visit the Escambia County Clerk's Court Records Search
- Select "Court Records" or "Docket Search"
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, date range)
- Review docket entries chronologically
- Note that some older dockets may not be available electronically
-
In-Person Access:
- Visit the Clerk's Office at the Escambia County Courthouse
- Request docket information from the public service counter
- Provide case number or party names
- Staff will assist with accessing physical or electronic docket records
-
Federal Court Dockets:
- Access the PACER system for federal court dockets
- Log in with PACER credentials
- Select "Query" or "Reports" to search for cases
- Choose "Docket Report" after locating the desired case
- Pay applicable PACER fees
-
Bankruptcy Court Dockets:
- Use PACER to access bankruptcy court dockets
- Select the Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court
- Search by debtor name, case number, or other identifiers
- Generate docket reports showing all filings and proceedings
-
Telephone Inquiries:
- Contact the Clerk's Office at 850-595-4310
- Provide case information to the clerk
- Request basic docket information (limited details available by phone)
Daily court calendars listing scheduled hearings are typically available on the First Judicial Circuit website. These calendars show upcoming court events by judge, division, or case type.
Which Courts in Escambia County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Florida's judicial system, "courts of record" maintain comprehensive documentation of proceedings, including verbatim transcripts, while "courts not of record" maintain only basic case information. This distinction is established in Florida Statutes § 34.01 and affects appeal procedures and record-keeping requirements.
Currently, all courts operating in Escambia County are courts of record, including:
- Circuit Court
- County Court
- Federal District Court
- Federal Bankruptcy Court
Historically, certain municipal courts in Florida operated as courts not of record, but these have been phased out through judicial reorganization. Prior to 1973, Justice of the Peace Courts and Municipal Courts functioned as non-record courts in Escambia County, but these were abolished through constitutional revision.
The significance of courts of record status includes:
- Requirement for verbatim recording of proceedings
- Appeals based on the record rather than de novo trials
- Stricter procedural and evidentiary rules
- Greater precedential value of decisions
- More comprehensive record retention requirements
Appeals from courts of record are typically limited to reviewing errors apparent in the existing record, while appeals from courts not of record (where they exist in other jurisdictions) often involve completely new trials.
All judicial proceedings in Escambia County currently generate official records that are maintained according to state and federal retention schedules.
Lookup Court Records in Escambia County
Florida Courts System - Escambia County
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
Florida Clerks of County Courts Directory
PACER Federal Court Records System
Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court - Pensacola Division