DeSoto County Court Records

Per Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, DeSoto County court records are official documents that detail the judicial process of cases heard in the county’s courts. These records encompass dockets, electronic records, videotapes, transcripts, and documentary exhibits filed or generated during a legal proceeding.

In DeSoto County, Florida, court records help provide historical documentation of legal proceedings, offer transparency in the judicial process, and set legal precedents for future cases. A typical Desoto County court record will contain information regarding the case (whether civil or criminal), the parties involved, the judicial officers, documents filed, and final judgments and sentences (if applicable).

Are Court Records Public in DeSoto County?

Yes, DeSoto County court records can be considered public according to the provisions of Florida Statutes § 286.011. This statute grants the public access to most governmental records, including court records, unless explicitly exempted by law.

Per Florida Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 2.420(c), the following court record information may be exempt from public disclosure:

• Records pertaining to adoption records
• Sealed records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Mental health records
• Juvenile delinquency proceedings
• Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card details
• Arrest and search warrant affidavits before execution
• Court memoranda or drafts prepared by judges or judicial staff

DeSoto County Court Records Search

Interested members of the public may conduct a DeSoto County court records search by:

• Querying the office of the Desoto County court clerk in person or via mail
• Using the online case information platforms provided by record custodians at the county or state level
• Utilizing third-party aggregate sites

DeSoto County Courts

The addresses and contact information of the courthouses in DeSoto County are as follows:

DeSoto County Circuit Court
115 East Oak Street,
Room 101,
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4876
Fax: (863) 993-4669

County Court of DeSoto County
115 East Oak Street,
Room 101,
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4876
Fax: (863) 993-4669

DeSoto County Criminal and Civil Records

Under Florida’s Sunshine Laws, as outlined in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, most criminal records in DeSoto County are publicly accessible. These records often include arrest information, investigative reports, and case files generated by local law enforcement agencies. DeSoto County's primary repository for local arrest and certain criminal history records is the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).

Interested parties may request a local arrest check or background check from the DCSO. Under §119.07(4), Florida Statutes, certain fees may apply for copying and reproducing these records. Typically, charges start at 15 cents per page for standard copies; however, fees may vary based on the nature and volume of the records requested.

To streamline a request, individuals should provide:

• The full name of the subject of the record
• The subject’s date of birth
• Any additional identifying information, such as aliases or known case numbers

Inquirers may visit or send a written request to the Records Division of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office at:

DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4700

The DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller maintains Desoto County criminal and civil court records per Florida Statutes §§28.001 et seq. These records may pertain to small claims, contract disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and personal injury lawsuits. To obtain a court record, visit the DeSoto County Clerk’s Official Website or send a request to:

DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court
115 East Oak Street,
Room 101
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4876

DeSoto County Marriage Records

Marriage records in DeSoto County are public records under Florida’s Sunshine Laws and are maintained by the County Clerk of the Circuit Court. While these records are generally open to the public, certified copies may be restricted to the parties named on the certificate or other qualified individuals, as permitted under §382.025, Florida Statutes.

When requesting a marriage record, provide the full names of both spouses and the marriage date if available.

DeSoto County Divorce Records

Divorce records are considered part of family law court proceedings and are maintained by the DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Under Florida law, these records are public, and interested parties may request them unless sealed by the court.

Requesters may opt for the online court records search provided by the DeSoto County Clerk and filter results by “Family/Domestic Relations” to locate divorce files by party name or case number. Alternatively, they can send a written request to the office of the clerk of courts.

DeSoto County Birth and Death Records

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in DeSoto County and the DOH’s Bureau of Vital Statistics maintain state-level birth and death records, following the guidelines in Chapter 382, Florida Statutes. Birth certificates younger than 125 years old and death certificates, including cause of death, are confidential. Only eligible individuals (such as the registrant, parent, legal guardian, or legally authorized representative) may request certified copies. Death certificates without cause of death are considered public records. Relevant forms, such as the Application for a Florida Birth Record (DH726) or Application for a Death Record (DH727), are available on the DOH website. Fees are established by §382.0255, Florida Statutes.

DeSoto County Health Department
34 S Baldwin Avenue
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4601

For older or statewide records, submit requests to:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Email: VitalStats@FLHealth.gov

DeSoto County Probate Court Records

DeSoto County probate court records detail proceedings related to the administration of a decedent’s estate, guardianships, or conservatorships. In DeSoto County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains these records pursuant to Florida Probate Rules and Chapters 731-735, Florida Statutes. Inquirers may obtain probate case information via the Clerk’s online records portal or make in-person requests to:

DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court
115 East Oak Street, Room 101
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4876

DeSoto County Property Records

Property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and other encumbrances, are maintained by the DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The DeSoto County Property Appraiser holds assessment and valuation records, while the Tax Collector manages tax-related information. These records are public under Chapters 119 and 695, Florida Statutes. Consequently, inquirers may address their property record requests to any of the following depending on the record of interest:

DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court
115 East Oak Street,
Room 101
Arcadia, FL 34266

DeSoto County Property Appraiser
201 East Oak Street,
Suite 102
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4866

DeSoto County Tax Collector
201 East Oak Street,
Suite 101
Arcadia, FL 34266
Phone: (863) 993-4846

DeSoto County Court Records Online

Aside from official county websites, third-party platforms like Floridacourtrecords.us offer access to various Florida court records, including those from DeSoto County. Although these sites can be convenient, they are not affiliated with government entities, and the data they provide may be incomplete or outdated. Thus, inquirers are advised to verify third-party information through official county or state channels.