Court records of Putnam County, Florida, are available through several channels. PutnamFLCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, the state's official court resources, the office of the county court clerk, and public terminals in the courthouse in Palatka provide access to case registers, hearing calendars, and court documents.
Putnam Court System & Jurisdictions
Two levels of state courts serve Putnam County — and each handles fundamentally different categories of cases.
Circuit Court
Putnam is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Circuit Court in Palatka handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil claims over $50,000
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony
- Probate cases — the process of distributing an estate
- Juvenile cases
- Appeals from County Court
County Court
This court operates as a court of limited jurisdiction. It handles traffic violations, minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), and civil claims up to $50,000, including small claims cases up to $8,000.
Federal cases involving the county are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. State appellate cases can be tracked through the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS).
The courthouse is located at:
Putnam Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or during the week, contact the county court clerk's office at (386) 326-7600. The clerk can provide the exact time and room for a specific case.
Several ways to check the schedule:
- Call the clerk's office — provide the case number or party name, and you will be informed of the date and time of the next hearing.
- Visit the courthouse in person — daily calendars are usually posted near the courtrooms.
- Official county website — the Putnam County website publishes calendars for commissioners' meetings and some court bodies.
- Florida Courts Portal — the statewide court website provides access to appellate cases and may contain links to local resources.
If you are interested in the status of an inmate scheduled to appear in court, use the Putnam County Sheriff's JAIL View system — it indicates the return date to court.
How to Get a Copy of a Putnam Court Document
The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains all county court documents. There are two types of copies — and the difference between them is significant.
Certified vs. Non-Certified Copies
- Non-certified copy — a regular printout for review. Suitable if you just need to view the content.
- Certified copy — has the official seal of the clerk and confirms the authenticity of the document. Required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or employers.
How to Obtain a Copy
- In person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By mail — send a written request with case details and a check or money order to:
- Online — some documents may be available through the clerk's electronic systems. Check the availability of online access by calling the office.
Certain categories of records have restricted access under Florida law. Juvenile cases, some family cases, and sealed records are usually not available to the public.
To obtain a dissolution of marriage certificate, contact the Florida Department of Health — this agency issues such documents at the state level.
Putnam Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Florida are established according to Section 28.24 of the Florida Statutes (Florida Statutes § 28.24). Below are the approximate rates applied by the clerk's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $2.00 (per document, in addition to copy costs) |
| Registry search (per name, per year) | $2.00 |
| Copy of court order (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document notarization | Depends on document type |
Payment is accepted at the clerk's office in cash, check, or money order. Confirm whether credit and debit cards are accepted directly at the office — rules may change.
Some records are available for free viewing on public terminals in the courthouse, but there is a fee for producing paper copies. If you need a large number of documents, inquire about the total amount in advance — this will help avoid unnecessary trips. For mail requests, include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage.