The Clerk of the Circuit Court is an Elected Constitutional Officer & Independent Custodian of the Court Record
Family
Service Areas
Florida Rules of Civil Procedure
Family law matters fall under the umbrella of Civil Court.
This Clerk of the Circuit Court department maintains records and performs case processing for all cases where damages sought exceed $15,000 and all domestic relations (i.e. divorce, child support, domestic violence), mortgage foreclosures, lien foreclosures and negligence actions.
The Circuit Court for Civil is divided into two divisions: Civil and Family (See the Probate page for more Circuit Civil information).
The Family Division of the Circuit Court hears family actions, which include dissolution of marriage, name change, paternity, domestic violence and adoption. The Unified Family Court also handles certain adoption cases and Domestic Violence cases when a Juvenile Dependency action is pending.
On the Florida Courts website, you can:
The Civil Division of Circuit Court hears civil action which include mortgage foreclosure, contracts, medical malpractice, negligence and wrongful acts, dealing with money matters in excess of $15,000. Circuit Civil actions seek private remedies of enforcement of personal rights based on contracts and agreements dealing with money amounts of $15,000 or more.
The County Court also hears Simplified Dissolution of Marriage cases, even though they are filed as a Circuit family action.
Child Support/Alimony Inquiry available here.
Civil & Family fees are available here.
Clerk's 24-hour Automated Child Support Information Line (727) 464-4845
The local Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office will be responsible for:
A copy of the payment history can be obtained in the Circuit Civil Court Records area of the Clerk's Office. Child support related forms approved by the Florida Bar are also available for purchase. Some are available online from the Florida Courts website. All written requests for information are processed in the Circuit Civil Court Records area of the Clerk's Office and requests should be forwarded to the Support Section, Room 170, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL, 33756.
Service charges established by Florida Statutes may be applicable to requested information.
If you have a change in name or address or any other personal information which may affect your child support payments or the child support record, you are responsible for notifying the Clerk's Office. Your changes should be put in writing, signed and mailed with proof of the name change to:
The Clerk of the Circuit Court Circuit Civil Court Records Support Section, Room 170 315 Court Street Clearwater, FL 33756
The Clerk's Self Help Center offers affordable legal services and limited attorney consultations to self-represented litigants (i.e. those people who do not plan to have an attorney represent them in court).
Direct Deposit of Child Support/Alimony Payments
PLEASE NOTE: Florida Law now requires any payment(s) made to the State Disbursement Unit be disbursed electronically. If you are not currently receiving your payments electronically, you will need to file a direct deposit form so funds can be deposited in your checking or savings account.
PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
Please fill out and print the Payment Options Form and submit it with a VOIDED check (for a checking account) or a DEPOSIT SLIP (for a savings account) to:
Clerk of the Circuit Court Civil Court Records ATTN: Support Section 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756
Direct deposit will begin after receipt of your completed payment option form. Any payments received between the receipt of your payment option form and the start of the direct deposit will be mailed to you.
Please remember, if you have a change in name or address or any other personal information which may affect your child support payments or the child support record, you are responsible for notifying the Clerk's Office. Your changes should be put in writing, signed and mailed with proof of the name change to:
Should you have any questions about this service, please contact the Clerk's Customer Information Center at (727) 464-7000.
Child Support is defined as money paid from one parent to the other for the benefit of their dependent or minor child(ren). (Family Law Rules, Florida Rules of Court 2000) In Florida, the amount of child support is governed by the guidelines established by Florida Statutes. The Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, available from the State Court's website or in the Clerk's Office as part of a pro se package of forms, will show you and the Court how your information fits with Florida's child support law. The worksheet is based on monthly paychecks and bills. To convert hourly or weekly payments to monthly, follow the FORMULA shown. The child support guidelines establish the basic child support obligation for parents whose combined net income is between $7,800 and $120,000 annually. If the parents' combined income is more than $120,000 annually, a formula is provided for the Court to establish support beyond the guideline amount. If the combined parents' income is below $7,800, the Court determines the child support on a case-by-case basis. Child Support Guidelines are Based on: The child support guidelines dollar amount is based on the number of children and the combined income of the parents. The child support obligation is divided between the parents in direct proportion to their income or earning capacity. The parent with whom the child lives most of the time (the "custodial" parent) is paid the established support by the other ("non-custodial") parent. The Court, at its discretion, may increase or decrease the guidelines dollar amount by up to 5% (five percent). The child support guidelines dollar amount may be increased or decreased by more than 5% (five percent) if the Court agrees with written reasons given for the change.
Child Support is defined as money paid from one parent to the other for the benefit of their dependent or minor child(ren). (Family Law Rules, Florida Rules of Court 2000) In Florida, the amount of child support is governed by the guidelines established by Florida Statutes.
The Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, available from the State Court's website or in the Clerk's Office as part of a pro se package of forms, will show you and the Court how your information fits with Florida's child support law. The worksheet is based on monthly paychecks and bills. To convert hourly or weekly payments to monthly, follow the FORMULA shown.
The child support guidelines establish the basic child support obligation for parents whose combined net income is between $7,800 and $120,000 annually. If the parents' combined income is more than $120,000 annually, a formula is provided for the Court to establish support beyond the guideline amount. If the combined parents' income is below $7,800, the Court determines the child support on a case-by-case basis.
Child Support Guidelines are Based on:
The child support guidelines dollar amount is based on the number of children and the combined income of the parents. The child support obligation is divided between the parents in direct proportion to their income or earning capacity. The parent with whom the child lives most of the time (the "custodial" parent) is paid the established support by the other ("non-custodial") parent.
The Court, at its discretion, may increase or decrease the guidelines dollar amount by up to 5% (five percent). The child support guidelines dollar amount may be increased or decreased by more than 5% (five percent) if the Court agrees with written reasons given for the change.
Yes, child support can be modified by the Court if there is a substantial change in the circumstances of the family. If there is a change of 15% (fifteen percent) or $50.00 (fifty dollars), whichever is greater, in the child support guidelines, that may be reason for modifying child support.
After the Court has decided the dollar amount of the child support to be paid, a decision will be made by the Court as to whether payments should be made directly to you or collected and disbursed to you through the State of Florida Disbursement Unit (FLSDU). The Court will also order how the child support payments are to be made - through an Income Withholding Order (IWO) or direct to you. According to Florida Statute 61.13, if the parties elect not to require that support payments be made through the depository, any party may subsequently file an affidavit with the depository alleging a default in payment of child support and stating that the party wishes to require that payments be made through the depository. The party shall provide copies of the affidavit to the court and to each other party. Fifteen days after receipt of the affidavit, the depository shall notify both parties that future payments shall be paid through the depository.
After the Court has decided the dollar amount of the child support to be paid, a decision will be made by the Court as to whether payments should be made directly to you or collected and disbursed to you through the State of Florida Disbursement Unit (FLSDU). The Court will also order how the child support payments are to be made - through an Income Withholding Order (IWO) or direct to you.
According to Florida Statute 61.13, if the parties elect not to require that support payments be made through the depository, any party may subsequently file an affidavit with the depository alleging a default in payment of child support and stating that the party wishes to require that payments be made through the depository. The party shall provide copies of the affidavit to the court and to each other party. Fifteen days after receipt of the affidavit, the depository shall notify both parties that future payments shall be paid through the depository.
The Clerk of the Court can enforce Child Support in the following ways: Notice of Delinquency resulting in Judgment by Operation of Law: Fifteen (15) days after a case becomes delinquent according to a site other than the Clerk's websiteS.61.14(6)(a)1, the Clerk sends the Obligor (also referred to as "payor" or "respondent") a notice of delinquency to the address of record. The Obligor has fifteen (15) days to make payment in full or file a motion to contest. Payment in full must include fees listed on notice. Motion to Contest. Upon receipt of a motion to contest the Clerk will schedule a hearing and send out notices for the hearing date and time to the Obligor and Obligee (also referred to as "payee" or "petitioner"). After the hearing an order is issued concerning delinquency. If payment or Motion is not received within the fifteen (15) days, a Judgment by Operation of Law is filed. This will cause the support records to accrue interest on arrears balances. Interest is established at the rate for that year by the Florida Department of Financial Services (Office of the Chief Financial Officer of Florida). Driver's License Suspension for Child Support Only and Non-IV-D Cases (only for cases not enforced by the Department of Revenue Child Support). Upon written request from the Obligee the Clerk will verify delinquency on account and send a Notice of Intent to Suspend to the Obligor. Notice is sent by regular mail that is posted to the Obligor's last address of record with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as provided under a site other than the Clerk's website S.61.13016FS and a site other than the Clerk's website S.322.245. The Obligor may do one of the following: Motion/Petition to Contest the suspension. Upon receipt of the motion and a $32.00 fee, the Clerk will schedule a hearing and send notice of the hearing date and time to both parties. Enter into a written agreement with the Obligee and provide the signed, written agreement to the Clerk for filing. or Make the payment of delinquency in full to the Clerk of Court
Notice of Delinquency resulting in Judgment by Operation of Law: Fifteen (15) days after a case becomes delinquent according to a site other than the Clerk's websiteS.61.14(6)(a)1, the Clerk sends the Obligor (also referred to as "payor" or "respondent") a notice of delinquency to the address of record. The Obligor has fifteen (15) days to make payment in full or file a motion to contest.
Driver's License Suspension for Child Support Only and Non-IV-D Cases (only for cases not enforced by the Department of Revenue Child Support).
When motion/unsigned order is received by Clerk the documents will be forwarded to the judge assigned to your case for review.
You can satisfy a Judgment by Operation of Law by: Request a Lien Payoff from the Clerk (Current cost as of May 2007 is $25.00 plus a self-addressed envelope for return.) The Clerk will audit the account and prepare a payoff statement, which will be valid for thirty (30) days. Please allow 7 to 10 days for processing. Upon receipt of payment the Clerk will prepare a Satisfaction. A court order instructing the Clerk to issue a Satisfaction. Fees for processing are still due. For private cases only, not being enforced by the Department of Revenue, the Obligee may request a partial release for a certain legal description from the Clerk. Upon receipt of the request, a partial release is prepared and recorded. Fees are required for processing.
You can satisfy a Judgment by Operation of Law by:
The State of Florida Disbursement Unit (FLSDU) was established by the Title IV-D agency to provide one central address for the collection and disbursement of child support payments in cases enforced by the Department of Revenue pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. Support orders initially issued in Florida after January 1, 1994, in which the obligor's child support is being paid through an Income Withholding Order (IWO) are also collected and disbursed by the FLSDU. The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County has contracted with the FLSDU to process all court ordered child support and alimony payments.
Child Support Payments Have to Be Paid Through the FLSDU at:
State of Florida Disbursement Unit P.O. Box 8500 Tallahassee, FL 32314-8500 1(877) 769-0251
The payment to the State of Florida Disbursement Unit should include:
The FLSDU Will Send out the Child Support Payment.
The FLSDU is required to disburse child support payments within 48 hours of receipt. If the Court has ordered child support payments to be paid through the FLSDU directly to you, you may wish to expedite receipt of the payment through the use of DIRECT DEPOSIT.
To Find out if the Child Support Payment has been Received or Sent out by the FLSDU:
Click here to view your most recent payment or you may call toll-free 1(877) 769-0251, 24 hours-a-day to find out if a payment has been received or disbursed by the FLSDU. You will be required to enter your Social Security Number and case number. If you are a payor, the voice response unit provides information on the last payment received. If you are a payee, the voice response unit provides information on the last payment issued to you. Be sure to have the case number when calling this number.
40 Hours = regular fulltime work week 52 weeks = one year 12 months = one year 7 days = one week wages = gross income, the money paid to a person before taxes, benefits or debts are taken out
Hourly wage x hours per week x weeks per year ÷ width="10" /> 12 = monthly wage
Daily wage x days per week x weeks per year ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Weekly wage x weeks per year ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Bi-weekly wage x 26 ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Semi-monthly wage x 24 ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Bi-monthly wage x 6 ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Quarterly wage x 4 ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Semi-annual wage x 2 ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Annual wage ÷ 12 = monthly wage
Divorce is a legal action filed by a married person or persons to end the marital relationship. In addition to restoring the parties to single status, the Court can issue orders for: spousal support; custody, visitation and child support for the minor children of the marriage; and the division any shared property assets and debts.
In the State of Florida, there are two methods for filing divorce.
PLEASE NOTE: Deputy Clerks CANNOT give you advice on your rights and obligations. Divorce can be a complicated area of the law. If you have any questions or concerns, you should consider contacting an attorney.
You are NOT required to retain an attorney to file a Divorce; however you may desire to consult with an attorney if you or your spouse have any questions concerning the use of the Family Law forms or your legal rights prior to filing for a Simplified or General Divorce.
If you have any further questions you may contact one of the offices below, or one of the Self Help Centers.
Divorce petitions and other related paperwork, may be filed and additional information is available at any of the following Clerk's Office locations. Please Note: For faster and more efficient service all paperwork being mailed should be sent to the Civil Court Records address.
For more information call (727) 464-7000
Civil Court Records 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756 North County Branch 29582 U.S. 19 North Clearwater, FL 33761 St.. Petersburg Branch 545 First Avenue North, Room 101 St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Persons with disablilities requiring reasonable accommodations to use the services provided should call (727) 464-4062 (TDD or Voice). Please call 24 hours prior to coming to the courthouse.
*The current fees may be determined by calling (727) 464-7000 or by referring to the current Fee Schedule available online or in any one of the Clerk's office locations.
Also known as "Simplified Dissolution of Marriage"
A Simplified Divorce is a simple, inexpensive means of ending a marriage for those couples who meet certain eligibility requirements (listed below). If you do not qualify for a Simplified Divorce, you may wish to consult an attorney about the requirements for filing a General Divorce .
In order to file for a Simplified Divorce:
Form for filing a simplified divorce are available from the Clerk's Office and the Clerk’s Self Help Centers for a fee or may be obtained for free at the Florida Courts website, http://www.flcourts.org/.
Notary services are available at the Clerk's Office for a fee*.
You may obtain copies of documents you are filing at the Clerk’s Office for a fee*.
The filing fees for Simplified Divorce are set by Florida Statute and Pinellas County Ordinances, and are subject to change. The filing fee is due at the time of filing your Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage at the Clerk’s Office.
A hearing to finalize your Simplified Divorce will be scheduled at the earliest possible date dependent upon the court's schedule. The hearing will be scheduled by a Deputy Clerk upon the filing of the paperwork and requires the in-person consent of both parties. The hearing must be at least twenty-one (21) days from the date the paperwork is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Both you and your spouse are required to attend the hearing; if one of you is not present, your case will be subject to dismissal and you will have lost your filing fee. There are no refunds of fees.
If you wish to withdraw your petition you and your spouse may file a Motion to Dismiss the Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. Both parties are required to come into the Clerk's Office and both must sign the Motion. You may file such a motion by completing a generic motion form and submitting it to the Clerk’s Office. Please note, you will not recover your filing fees or any court costs once your case has been filed if your case is dismissed.
Also known as "Dissolution of Marriage With Children" or "Dissolution of Marriage With No Minor Children"
Forms and instructions for filing a General Divorce are available from the Clerk's Office and the Clerk’s Self Help Centers for a fee. These forms, Dissolution of Marriage with Minor Children or Dissolution of Marriage with no Minor Children, can be found on the Florida Courts website.
Before filing your forms with the Clerk's Office you should:
You may have your forms notarized and obtain copies of documents at the Clerk's office for a fee. The filing fees for a General Divorce are set by Florida Statute and Pinellas County Ordinances, and are subject to change. The filing fee is due at the time of filing your "Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" at the Clerk’s Office.
Service of Family Law Summons along with copies of the papers you are filing upon the respondent will be required. To have the summons served, you will need to contract with a Private Process Server.
The respondent may waive the service requirement by filing an Answer and Waiver of Service notarized and specifically stating that they are waiving the required twenty (20) day waiting period.
If the respondent lives outside Pinellas County, you are responsible for contacting the Sheriff or a Private Process Server in that area to obtain proper service in that jurisdiction. After you have contacted the Sheriff or Private Process Server to determine the correct fee, you must provide the Clerk’s office with the appropriate fee for service and an envelope with required postage for mailing to have the documents forwarded.
Answering the Petition
Once Served the respondent will have twenty (20) calendar days to respond in writing to your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
If the respondent files the necessary responding paperwork the case will then proceed as either a contested matter or an uncontested matter.
The action is considered contested if the parties are unable to agree on some or all issues and the unresolved issues must be resolved by the Court. The action is considered uncontested if the parties are able to cooperate and agree on all issues outside of Court and the matter can proceed to its conclusion by submitting the necessary signed paperwork for the Court's signature.
Forms for Answering (there is a fee for Counter petition):
If you are unable to locate the respondent to have them personally served you will be required to have them served by constructive service (also referred to as service by publication). The service will be published in the newspaper of your choice for a period of thirty (30) calendar days and you will be billed for the publication. Constructive service forms and instructions are available on the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s website.
If the respondent does NOT file and answer within the required waiting period of 20 calendar days from the date of service, you may file a Motion for Default and Default form. You may then complete your divorce proceedings without the participation of the Respondent.
Once a default is entered or the Respondent files their answer, you may schedule your hearing by contacting the Family Law Division at (727) 582-7200. The hearing will be scheduled on the earliest possible date dependent upon the court's schedule. You will be required to fill out and file a Notice of Hearing form upon contacting the Family Law Division and must provide the original to the Clerk’s Office and a copy to the Respondent.
An Injunction for Protection is a Civil Court Order (often referred to as a "restraining order" and herein referred to as "Injunction") that places restrictions on an individual (referred to as the Respondent) who has allegedly committed acts or (in some cases) made threats of violence against another individual (referred to as the Petitioner). An Injunction is requested by the Petitioner who files a "Petition" with the Court asking for protection from the Respondent.
An Injunction may include provisions that: restrain the Respondent from further acts of violence; order the Respondent to leave a shared dwelling; prevent the Respondent from coming to your home, school or place of employment; and/or award temporary custody of minor children.
An Injunction should not be used as a tool to manipulate the Respondent or the Judicial System, gain access to property, or to settle issues of child custody or spousal support, but rather to protect you against a genuine and well-founded fear of continued violence or abuse.
Violence is defined by Florida Statute 784.046(1)(a) as "any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death, by a person against another person."
Violence does not include all offensive behavior. Trespassing, criminal mischief, threats, tampering with a witness and harassing phone calls are all criminal offenses which should be reported to law enforcement, but may not necessarily, alone, qualify for the issuance of an Injunction.
Filing for protection is free. There is no fee to file a Petition and the Sheriff's Office also serves (hand delivers) certified copies of the Judge's order to the Respondent without charge. A petition must be filed in the county where you currently or temporarily reside, where the Respondent resides or where the violence occurred.
Important: Because of the complexities of the forms that are required in order to seek a Restraining Order, it could take up to 45 minutes to complete all requirements. Since all paperwork must be submitted to the Court for review by 4:00 p.m., it is necessary for petitioners to submit completed paperwork to the Clerk's office no later than 3:40 p.m. to ensure same day review by the Court. Paperwork filed on business days after 4:00 p.m. will be provided to the Court for review the following day.
A petition is filed by an individual against an individual. A Petition may not be filed by or against a group of individuals or an entity (such as a business).
If you are a minor (under age 18) one of your parents or your legal guardian must file the Petition on your behalf.
If you are filling against a minor you must provide the first and last name of the minor child against whom you are filing, as well as the first and last name of that minor's parent or legal guardian.
Effective July 1, 2019, all information contained in a petition for injunction against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, or cyberstalking will be confidential and sealed from public view until the respondent has been served.
If you do not want the respondent to know where you are living: write "Confidential" anywhere your address is requested in the Petition and related forms. You should then fill out a Petitioner's Request for Confidential Filing of Address form. This form will not be subject to public disclosure.
You must provide the respondent's first and last name.
The following is NOT necessary to file an Injunction but will help the Sheriff's Office serve the certified copies of the Judge's order:
If the Respondent lives outside of the State of Florida, you will need to contact the Sheriff of the county that he or she lives in to obtain information about having Court papers "served". Provide this information and any relevant fees to the Clerk's Office where you filed your Petition by completing an Out-of-State Service Information Sheet
A Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic/Stalking/Repeat/Sexual/Dating Violence, as well as all related or post-judgment paperwork, may be filed or additional information obtained, at any of the following locations between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding County holidays.
Please Note: Injunction for Protection Forms need to be filed in person or via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
For more information call (727) 464-7000.
Civil Court Records 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756 Pinellas County Justice Center 14250 49th Street North Clearwater, FL 33762 St. Petersburg Branch 545 First Avenue North, Room 154 St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Civil Court Records 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756
Pinellas County Justice Center 14250 49th Street North Clearwater, FL 33762
St. Petersburg Branch 545 First Avenue North, Room 154 St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Florida law separates injunctions for protection into five categories: Domestic, Stalking, Repeat, Sexual and Dating. When determining the type of Injunction for which you need to file it is very important that you read over all of the requirements for each type before selecting one; choosing the incorrect type may cause your Petition to be denied by the Judge.
Want to save time and get automated filing assistance? The Pinellas County Clerk is pleased to offer a new service, TurboCourt, which makes the task of filling out forms easier to understand and offers a convenient method to prepare forms, petitions and other court documents for the following case types: Domestic Violence Injunctions, Dissolutions of Marriage with Children, Dissolutions of Marriage without Children and Delinquent Tenants/Evictions. Read more on this new service.
Review our Injunction Filing Checklist to know which forms are needed for each injunction type.
Dating Violence is violence or stalking that has occurred, or that the Petitioner has reasonable cause to believe they are in imminent danger of becoming a victim of, between individuals who (1) have been in a dating relationship within the past 6 months (2) have had an expectation of affection or sexual involvement and (3) have been involved over time and on a continuous basis, excluding individuals who have only engaged in ordinary fraternization in a business or social context.
Domestic Violence is defined as violence or stalking that has occurred, or that the Petitioner has reasonable cause to believe they are in imminent danger of becoming the victim of, between individuals who are spouses, former spouses, or persons related by blood or marriage who are residing or have resided together as a family, or individuals who are residing together or have resided together as if family, or individuals who have a child in common.
Repeat Violence is two acts of violence or stalking on two separate occasions, one of which must have been within the past 6 months committed by a person against another person. These types of Injunctions are usually appropriate for neighbor-against-neighbor, coworker-against-coworker, or other types of relationships that are of a non-domestic or non-dating nature.
Any one of the following criteria must be met: (1) You must have reported the incident to law enforcement and be cooperating in any criminal proceedings or (2) The Respondent must have been sentenced to prison and the term expired or is due to expire within 90 days, and any one incident of the following: (1) sexual battery (2) a lewd or lascivious act, committed upon or in the presence of a person younger than 16 (3) luring or enticing a child (4) sexual performance by a child or (5) any other forcible felony wherein a sexual act is committed or attempted.
Stalking Violence is defined by someone who is purposely following or harassing you repeatedly over a period of time for no legitimate purpose, causing you emotional stress. If in doing so, he/she threatens your life or threatens to harm you, with the intent to cause you reasonable fear for your safety, then the act becomes aggravated.
Additional forms are available at one of the Pinellas County Clerk's Office locations, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding County holidays. You may get the forms in person when you go to file a petition, or you may print them out from this page.
It will be taken to a judge for review. The Judge may make one of three decisions:
In the first two instances, a hearing will be scheduled (within seven (7) to fifteen (15) calendar days of your Petition filing date) that you will be required to attend. The Respondent will be served (hand delivered) notice of the hearing and certified copies of both the Judge's order and your Petition.
You will need to return to the Clerk's Office where you file your Petition, on the day that you file your Petition, between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to receive paperwork explaining the Judge's decision.
If a hearing is scheduled, the Judge at the hearing will determine whether or not to grant you a Final Judgment based on testimony from you, the Respondent and any eye-witnesses. If the Judge grants you a Final Judgment, it may be in effect for an indefinite period of time or may expire on a specific date.
If your petition is denied but new information about additional acts of violence or stalking arises, you may ask the Judge to review your original Petition and these new acts by filing a Supplemental Affidavit in Support of Petition for Injunction for Protection (F.L. Form 12.980(g)).
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger
Your abuser may monitor your internet use. If you have reason to believe your computer is not secure, you may wish to use a computer your abuser does not access. If your abuser has access to your computer, follow steps to delete your browsing history.
Local Shelters, available 24/7:
CASA (St. Petersburg) (727) 895-4912 / TTY (727) 828-1269 The Haven of RCS (Clearwater) (727) 442-4128 / TTY (727) 223-4946
Important Telephone Numbers:
Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline (Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, FCADV) (800) 799-SAFE (7233) / TTY (800) 787-3224 National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 500-1119 / TTY 800-621-4202 Clerk’s Abuse Hotline (727) 464-4933
Helpful Resources:
Notice of the Right of Any Affected Party to Request the Addition of Information to a Publicly Available Internet Website
Any affected person has a right to request that a county recorder or clerk of the court add information to a publicly available Internet website if that information involves the identity of a respondent against whom a final judgment for an injunction for the protection of a minor under s. 741.30, s. 784.046, or s. 784.0485 is entered, unless the respondent is a minor.
The request must be in writing and contain the case number. To make a request contact the clerk’s office by mail or in person at Civil Court Records, 315 Court Street, Rm 170, Clearwater, Florida or by email at DomViol-Clw@co.pinellas.fl.us . Note: Your request may also be dropped off at the Clerk’s St. Petersburg Branch office 545 First Ave North St. Petersburg or the Clerk’s North County Branch office 29582 U.S. 19 North Clearwater, Fl 33761 and your request will be forwarded Civil Court Records in Clearwater for processing.
It typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete the petition, plus an additional 10-15 minutes for the clerk to process the paperwork.
A valid ID is helpful but not required. You must provide the first and last name of the respondent and bring copies of any photos, text messages, emails, etc. that you want to attach to the petition.
Our office closes to the public at 4:30 p.m. but the cutoff time to get the paperwork to the judge for review and decision the same day is 4:00 p.m. We highly recommend that you come in no later than 3:00 p.m. to complete the paperwork, give the clerk time to review and process the paperwork and then get it to the judge in a timely manner.
After the clerk processes your petition, the petition is then taken to the judge for review. The judge will make his or her decision based upon your petition and written narrative of the events that have transpired.
You will receive a decision from the judge the same day that you file your petition. However, the decision most likely will not be made immediately and you may have to return to the office to pick up your paperwork later that day.
Yes, if the injunction is granted copies are sent to the Sheriff to serve on the respondent that day.
As Clerk’s employees, we cannot give legal advice. All we can do is help explain what the forms are asking of you. You can ask a friend or family member to assist you. Also, if you need assistance filling out the forms or you need someone to translate them, there are advocates at The Haven who can help but you must make an appointment. The outreach number is 727-441-2029.
This process is used when an individual or a family wants to ask the court to change their name. If a name change is to be done because of a dissolution of marriage or an adoption, the name change can be done as part of that case if a final judgment has not been entered. See Florida Statute 68.07 for legal authority for Name Change.
All name change petitions, except where a former name is being restored, must include a copy of the petitioner's electronic fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency or FDLE approved private vendor.
Requirements for Filing:
Other forms may be required depending on type of name change
The vendor should be contacted by phone to determine if they are participating in the Name Change electronic fingerprinting process, what fees are required, office hours, location, etc.
Pinellas Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) must be provided to fingerprinting vendor when fingerprints are sent electronically. If not provided, FDLE will not return Criminal History Records Check to the Pinellas Clerk of the Court.
Pinellas ORI - FL924030Z
Family Law Form 12.982 can be used to request the court change a name. The form(s) must be completed and filed at the Clerk's Office, in the county where the person requesting the change lives. There are several versions of this form depending on whether the individual is an adult or minor child, or whether the change is for minor children or a family.
Form packets can be downloaded for free or purchased from the Clerk's office at the following locations:
The Self Help Centers located in Clearwater and St. Petersburg:
Clearwater Self Help Center 315 Court Street, Room 114 Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: (727) 464-5150 / Fax: (727) 453-3423 North County Branch Self Help Center 29582 U.S. 19 North Clearwater, FL 33761 Phone: (727) 464-5150 / Fax: (727) 453-3423 Open Tuesdays only St. Petersburg Self Help Center 545 First Avenue N. Room 103 St Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: (727) 582-7941 / Fax: (727) 582-7945
Clearwater Self Help Center 315 Court Street, Room 114 Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: (727) 464-5150 / Fax: (727) 453-3423
North County Branch Self Help Center 29582 U.S. 19 North Clearwater, FL 33761 Phone: (727) 464-5150 / Fax: (727) 453-3423 Open Tuesdays only
St. Petersburg Self Help Center 545 First Avenue N. Room 103 St Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: (727) 582-7941 / Fax: (727) 582-7945
Pinellas County Clerk of Court Offices:
Civil Court Records 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 464-7000 North County Branch 29582 U.S. 19 North Clearwater, FL 33761 (727) 464-7000 St. Petersburg Branch 545 First Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 464-7000
Civil Court Records 315 Court Street, Room 170 Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 464-7000
North County Branch 29582 U.S. 19 North Clearwater, FL 33761 (727) 464-7000
St. Petersburg Branch 545 First Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 464-7000
Persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations to use the services provided should call (727) 464-4062 (TDD or Voice). Call 24 hours prior to coming to the courthouse.
To amend the birth certificate with Department of Health/Vital Statistics, a fee payable to Vital Statistics is required and an amendment form must be forwarded to the Department of Health after the out-of-state order is domesticated. See Instructions for Amending a Birth Certificate and Application for Amendment to Florida Birth Record
