Court records in Escambia County, Florida can be searched through several channels. EscambiaCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also access records through the Escambia County Clerk's online public records portal, by visiting the Clerk of the Circuit Court office in person, or by using public access terminals at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola.
Escambia Court System & Jurisdictions
Escambia County is part of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also serves Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. Several courts operate within the county, each handling different case types.
Circuit Court
The Escambia County Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil disputes involving amounts over $50,000
- Family law matters — dissolution of marriage, custody, adoption, domestic violence injunctions
- Probate and guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency cases
- Appeals from County Court
County Court
Escambia County Court handles cases with more limited scope:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil claims of $50,000 or less (including small claims up to $8,000)
- Traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses
- County and municipal ordinance violations
Small claims cases are a subdivision of county court civil matters. If you are unsure whether your case belongs in circuit or county court, the Escambia County Clerk's office can direct you to the correct division.
Federal Courts
Federal cases involving Escambia County are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division. Federal bankruptcy cases are handled by the Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Court in Pensacola.
Escambia Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Finding scheduled hearings in Escambia County depends on which court system your case is in.
State Courts (Circuit and County Court)
Court calendars for circuit and county court divisions are generally available through the Clerk of the Circuit Court. To check today's, tomorrow's, or this week's scheduled hearings:
- Visit the Escambia County Clerk's website and look for court calendar or docket search tools under the court records section.
- You can also call the Clerk's office at 850-595-4310 to ask about specific hearing dates.
- The Florida Courts website provides a statewide court location finder and links to docket search tools for each circuit.
Individual division calendars (criminal, civil, family, etc.) may be posted by the presiding judge's office. Check with the judicial assistant for the assigned division if you need a specific judge's calendar.
Federal Courts
For federal case calendars in the Pensacola Division, use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). A PACER account is required, and per-page fees apply for document access.
How to Get a Copy of a Escambia Court Document
The Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the custodian of state court records. You can obtain copies in several ways.
Online
Search for case information and documents through the Clerk's online public records portal. Some documents are viewable at no charge; certified copies and certain restricted records require additional steps.
In Person
Visit the Clerk's office at the courthouse:
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Bring the case number or the full names of the parties involved. Staff can look up cases and provide copies at the counter.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of the parties
- Type of document requested
- Whether you need a certified or uncertified copy
- A check or money order for the applicable fees (payable to the Escambia County Clerk of Court)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions suitable for personal reference.
- Certified copies bear the Clerk's official seal and signature, confirming authenticity. These are typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, or filing with another court or agency.
Restricted Records
Certain records are confidential under Florida law, including:
- Sealed or expunged criminal records (see FDLE's seal and expunge process)
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Adoption records
- Mental health and substance abuse records filed under specific statutes
If a record has been sealed by court order, it will not appear in public search results.
Escambia Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Escambia County are set by Florida statute (primarily Chapter 28, Florida Statutes) and may be updated by administrative order. The table below reflects standard statutory fees. Contact the Clerk's office to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Search fee (per name, per year searched) | $2.00 |
| Copy of a recorded instrument (first page) | $1.00 |
| Copy of a recorded instrument (each additional page) | $1.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $2.00 (in addition to copy fees) |
| Duplicate certified copy of a document already on file | $1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification |
Payment Methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards are generally accepted at the Clerk's office.
- By mail: Check or money order payable to the Escambia County Clerk of Court.
- Online: Some online services may accept electronic payment. Check the Clerk's website for available options.
Other Record Sources and Their Fees
- Criminal history checks: Statewide criminal history records can be requested through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). FDLE charges its own processing fee.
- Sheriff's Office records: Offense reports, arrest reports, and incident reports can be requested from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office Public Records Unit at 850-436-9501.
- Federal court records: PACER charges $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document. Users with quarterly charges under $30 are not billed.
Fees are subject to change. Always verify the current fee schedule with the issuing office before submitting a request.