The office of the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller acts as the central administrative backbone for local governance, legal proceedings, and public archives. If you need to search property deeds, file court documents, or request public files, you interact directly with this office. Under Florida law, the Clerk serves a multifaceted role that combines judicial administration, county financial oversight, and public record stewardship.
Operating across several regional facilities—including the main public service center in St. Augustine as well as annexes in Julington Creek and Ponte Vedra Beach—the Clerk manages millions of documents. Understanding how this office functions helps residents navigate property transactions, legal filings, and public information requests without unnecessary delays.
Core Responsibilities of the Clerk's Office
The responsibilities of the Clerk span three major branches: judicial support, county financial management, and official record-keeping. Each division operates under strict statutory guidelines to ensure local government transparency and accountability.
Judicial and Court Administration
The Clerk acts as the official clerk and custodian of all court files for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases in St. Johns County.
- Case Management: Processing new lawsuits, issuing summonses, recording court filings, and maintaining accurate dockets.
- Jury Management: Summoning prospective jurors, managing juror check-ins, and coordinating juror compensation for local trials.
- Fine and Fee Collection: Collecting court-ordered fines, child support payments, and traffic ticket fees, then distributing funds to the appropriate state and local agencies.
County Comptroller and Financial Services
Beyond courtrooms, the Clerk serves as the County Comptroller and accountant for the local government.
- Auditing and Financial Reporting: Reviewing all county expenditures, maintaining financial ledgers, and publishing annual financial reports.
- Board Minutes: Attending meetings of the Board of County Commissioners, keeping official records of their decisions, and indexing county ordinances.
Managing Official Records and Property Documents
The Recording Division handles real estate transactions and public documents that establish property ownership and legal agreements in St. Johns County. Every warranty deed, mortgage, lien, and satisfaction must pass through this division to enter the public record.
Property owners and title researchers can search historical and contemporary records online or use public access terminals at the office locations. When submitting documents for recording, certain legal standards apply:
- Preparation Statement: Deeds and mortgages must display a "Prepared by" statement on the top left corner of the first page.
- Signatures and Notarization: Instruments require clear grantor and grantee names, legal property descriptions, witness signatures, and proper notarization.
- Documentary Stamps: The office collects state documentary stamp taxes and recording fees based on the consideration amount or document type.
For routine filings, title companies and frequent submitters utilize approved e-recording vendors such as Simplifile or CSC to securely transmit deeds and liens online.
Public Records Requests and Data Privacy
Transparency drives public administration, and the St. Johns County Clerk Official Site provides clear paths for requesting public documents under Florida's broad public records laws. However, privacy protections exist to safeguard sensitive personal details.
While most court files and property recordings are open to inspection, certain information—such as Social Security numbers, bank details, and specific victim identities—remains exempt. Residents can submit formal public records requests online via the Clerk's portal or request the redaction of exempt personal information from non-judicial public files using specific administrative forms.
For comprehensive information regarding voter registration, polling places, and election administration, residents should consult the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections office, which operates independently to manage election infrastructure and ballot security.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for property deeds in St. Johns County?
You can search official records online through the Clerk's official website portal or visit public access terminals at the Lewis Speedway office in St. Augustine. Digital indices cover modern records, while older archival files are accessible on-site.
Can I file a lawsuit or court document online?
Yes, the Clerk provides electronic filing portals for attorneys and pro se litigants to submit court documents securely without visiting an office in person.
What are the standard fees for copying public records?
Standard photocopies of court and public records generally cost $1.00 per page, while Board of County Commissioner records cost $0.15 per page. Certifying a document incurs an additional fee.
Where is the main Clerk's office located?
The main Public Service Center is located at 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084, with branch offices available in Julington Creek and Ponte Vedra Beach.
