Courts

The Clerk and Comptroller offers various online service options to conduct court business anytime of the day or night, from anywhere in the world.

Please note that court filings are not accepted via email.

• Florida Courts e-Filing Portal
• Florida Courts Event Notification Service
• ClerkNet - Sarasota Court Records

The Sarasota Clerk and Comptroller accepts court case filings electronically through the Florida Courts e-Filing Portal. Both attorneys and self-represented (Pro Se) litigants can use this secure filing service.

There is no fee to register for this service. However, when fees are required by Florida Statute (for new cases or certain documents), the appropriate fee must be paid at the time the document or case is submitted for filing. First time users will need to register for an e-Filing Portal account.

• Watch this video demonstrating how to log on, register for an account, and reset your password.
  

• Review frequently asked questions and training videos about the e-Filing Portal.

e-Filing Requirement for Foreclosure: Pursuant to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Administrative Order AO 2012-3.1, which establishes standard procedures for residential and commercial mortgage foreclosure actions, all foreclosure case documents are required to be e-filed.

Electronic Signatures

Electronic signatures are permitted on documents e-filed by attorneys. Pursuant to Supreme Court Order AOSC 09-30, Section 7.1, the acceptable format of s/ or electronic signatures is as follows:

s/ John Doe
John Doe (email address)
Bar Number 12345
Attorney for (Plaintiff / Defendant)
XYZ Company
ABC Law Firm
123 South Street
Orlando, FL 32800
Telephone: (407) 123-4567

e-Notify is a free event notification service that offers email and text reminders of upcoming scheduled criminal court hearings for registered users. Watch a video demonstrating how to sign up and subscribe to court event hearings.

Note: The e-Notify service is not a substitute for formal notice of court events. Parties will continue to receive notification of court events from the Clerk and Comptroller by mail.

ClerkNet is a secure public records service that allows free, online access to a wide range of Sarasota County court records, including:

• Court case filings and images (excluding confidential and sealed filings)
  • Civil records from 2001 to present
  • Criminal records from 2003 to present
• Daily court event dockets

Registration is not required to anonymously search court records, access basic case information, and view images of documents (where permitted by law.) For older records or to request certified copies, contact the Clerk and Comptroller's Public Access department.

Register for ClerkNet

Users who register for a ClerkNet account benefit from access to a subscription Case Watch Service (see below for more information) and greater access to images, including court documents which may be viewable online upon request.

To register for ClerkNet access:

1. Click "New User Registration."
2. Select the user role that best fits your situation, and then continue to the registration form.
3. Complete the user registration form, and the click "Register."
4. Check your email for a PDF of the registration form.
5. Print the PDF registration form.
6. Sign the ClerkNet registration form in front of a Notary Public. (Note: Access requests for basic registered user access do not require notarization of the form).
7. Email your signed and notarization form to ClerkNet@SarasotaClerkandComptroller.com.

Once we have received your signed and notarized ClerkNet User Registration form, we will review your request for access. You will receive a confirmation email when your access has been granted.

Registered ClerkNet users can subscribe to receive email notification whenever a filing is added to a court case.

To subscribe:

1. Log into ClerkNet.
2. Locate the case you want to follow. You can search by case number or by name.
3. Click the subscribe button.

The Florida Courts e-Filing Authority is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of e-Filing Portal. Watch the videos below to learn more about how this digital solution has transformed access to the Florida Court system.

• Animated Explainer Video
• 10-Year Anniversary Video

Court Services
Monday - Friday
8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST
Holiday Schedule and Office Closures

Sarasota Main Office
Historic Courthouse
2000 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34237

Venice Full-Service Office
South County Courthouse
4004 S. Tamiami Trail, 2nd Floor
Venice, FL 34293

941-861-7400