Manatee County Clerk of Court: Records, Case Access & Court Services

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Manatee County, Florida Clerk Guide

Manatee County Clerk of Court: Records, Case Access & Court Services

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is the official local office for Manatee County court records, case access, public records, Official Records, court copies, certified copies, marriage licenses, passports, recording, Board Records, and many court-related services in Bradenton, Florida.

For most searches, start with the Clerk’s Public Records Hub. It connects users to Court Records, Official Records, Board Records, Plat Records, Animal Cases, and Property Alerts. Court records and Official Records are different, so choosing the right search saves time and avoids wrong results.

Open Public Records Hub Public Access & Research Open Google Map

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Always confirm current hours, fees, closures, record access rules, and system notices on the official Clerk website before visiting, filing, ordering records, or paying a case balance.

Quick Facts: Manatee County Clerk Records and Case Access

Official office name Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller.
Current Clerk Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Esq., Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
Clerk office address 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Mailing address P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206.
Main phone 941-749-1800.
Business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Public Access phone 941-741-4040 for Public Access and Research.
Judicial Center 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205, for many court operations.
Fast rule: use Court Records for small claims, traffic infractions, civil cases, criminal cases, and court-file access. Use Official Records for deeds, judgments, marriage licenses, mortgages, liens, plats, and recorded instruments.

Start Here: Manatee County Public Records Hub

The Manatee County Clerk’s Public Records Hub is the main access point for multiple record searches. The hub currently links to Official Records, Court Records, Board Records, Plat Records, Animal Cases, and Property Alerts.

An account is not required for basic public-record searching. However, registration may be necessary to view documents in probate and domestic relations case types. Registered accounts may become a matter of public record, so read the Clerk’s account notice carefully before creating one.

Official search hubManatee County Clerk Public Records Hub

Use this official hub for Manatee County Court Records, Official Records, Board Records, Plat Records, Animal Cases, and Property Alerts.

After opening this link:

  1. Choose Court Records if you are looking for a court case, citation, traffic case, civil case, small claim, or criminal case.
  2. Choose Official Records if you need deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, marriage-license recordings, or other recorded documents.
  3. Choose Plat Records if you need subdivision plats or map records.
  4. Choose Board Records if you need Board of County Commissioners minutes, agendas, ordinances, resolutions, or contracts.
  5. Choose Property Alerts if you want email alerts when documents affecting a property name or legal description are recorded.
  6. Read the Terms and Conditions before relying on a search result for legal, title, court, or financial decisions.
Important access note: the online system is a helpful search tool, but it is not always the complete official record. Some records are confidential, restricted, sealed, expunged, delayed, viewable only on request, or available only at the Clerk’s office.

Request Copies, Certified Copies, and Records Research

The Public Access and Research department assists citizens with access to both court records and Official Records held by the Clerk & Comptroller. It is located on the main floor of the Manatee County Historic Courthouse.

If a document is available online and you only need a simple reference copy, you may be able to print it directly. If you need a certified copy, an exemplified/authenticated copy, a record search, or an image that is not available online, contact Public Access and Research.

Official departmentPublic Access and Research

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Court Records and Official Records sections to confirm which type of record you need.
  2. Use the linked Public Records Hub search first if you can search online.
  3. For documents with a lock icon, follow the prompt to enter your email address and request review.
  4. For copies or certified copies, use the “Request copies” link or contact Public Access and Research.
  5. Call 941-741-4040 if you need help with copies, records research, or a document that is not viewable online.

Copy requestSubmit a Court/Official Record Copy Request

After opening this link:

  1. Use the Court/Official Record Request Form only if you are asking for copies of court records or Official Records.
  2. Use the separate Public Record Request Form only for documents or information not filed in a court case and not recorded in Official Records.
  3. Include the case number, document number, book/page, party name, or recording information if known.
  4. Do not send unnecessary Social Security numbers, bank information, account numbers, or payment-card information through a general request field.
  5. Track your request status using the request number and security key if the system gives you one.
Public Access phone 941-741-4040.
Physical address 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Mailing address Attn: Public Access and Research, P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206.
Supervisor listed Yelitza Ramirez, Supervisor, Public Access and Research.
E-certified court records: the Clerk has announced that certified copies of court records may be ordered electronically. If a document is not available to order online, contact the Public Access & Research Division with your case number at clerkscopycenter@manateeclerk.com or 941-741-4040.

Manatee County Clerk Google Map, Address, Phone, and Office Hours

The Clerk & Comptroller’s office is located in the Manatee County Historic Courthouse in downtown Bradenton. The Manatee County Judicial Center is nearby and handles many court operations, while the Historic Courthouse is the physical home of the Clerk’s Office.

Manatee County Historic Courthouse

Clerk office address: 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205

Phone: 941-749-1800

Business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 25400, Bradenton, FL 34206

Google Map: Use the map below or open the courthouse directly in Google Maps for driving directions, parking planning, and mobile navigation.

Open Clerk Office in Google Maps

Official courthouse infoManatee County Historic Courthouse

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm that the Historic Courthouse is the correct location for Clerk office services.
  2. Use the listed address, 1115 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205, for navigation.
  3. Use the court website’s courthouse links if you need judicial-center information instead of Clerk office information.
  4. Check the Clerk website for current business hours before visiting.

Manatee County Court Locations: Clerk Office vs Judicial Center

Manatee County has both the Historic Courthouse and the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton. Many Clerk public-access, recording, and administrative services are tied to the Historic Courthouse, while the Judicial Center is the main modern court facility.

Manatee County Historic Courthouse

Address: 1115 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Best for: Clerk & Comptroller office, Public Access and Research, Official Records help, copy requests, marriage license department, and many public-record questions.

Local detail: the Historic Courthouse was built in 1912 and now serves as the office for the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller.

Manatee County Judicial Center

Address: 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Phone: 941-749-3600

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Best for: courtrooms, hearings, court appearances, and judicial-center business.

Official court locationManatee County Judicial Center

After opening this link:

  1. Use this page if you need courtroom, hearing, or judicial-center information.
  2. Confirm the Judicial Center address: 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205.
  3. Review parking details before arriving; the court notes free two-hour street parking nearby and public parking garages downtown.
  4. Check the 12th Judicial Circuit site for judge, courtroom, and hearing information.

Manatee County Court Records vs Official Records

Court records are documents and docket information connected to court cases. Official Records are recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, marriage licenses, tax-related recordings, and other documents recorded by the County Recorder function of the Clerk & Comptroller.

The Public Records Hub terms explain that the Official Records and Plat Records index runs from January 1, 1978 to the present, and document images are provided for many documents recorded since May 15, 1981 where Florida law allows display.

Use Court Records for

  • Civil, criminal, traffic, small claims, and court-file searches.
  • Case number, citation number, party name, business name, or case-type lookup.
  • Court dockets, court events, case filings, and eligible document images.
  • Certified court copies and court records research.
  • Viewable-on-request documents that need manual review before release.

Use Official Records for

  • Deeds, mortgages, liens, and real-property recordings.
  • Marriage-license recordings and recorded judgments.
  • Notices of lis pendens, tax liens, releases, and other recorded instruments.
  • Plat Records and historical recording searches.
  • Property Alerts for recorded-document monitoring.

Official Records searchSearch Manatee County Official Records

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Official Records disclaimer and terms before searching.
  2. Search by name, document number, book/page, recording date, legal description, or other available criteria.
  3. Open the matching index result and compare names, dates, instrument details, and document type.
  4. Print a plain copy if the online image is available and an uncertified copy is enough.
  5. Contact Public Access and Research if you need a certified copy or a record that is not viewable online.

Property alertsManatee County Property Alerts

After opening this link:

  1. Use the Property Alerts service only as a monitoring tool; it does not prevent fraud by itself.
  2. Register with an email address you can monitor regularly.
  3. Enter the correct property, legal description, or party-name information as the system allows.
  4. If you receive an unexpected alert, review the recorded document and contact law enforcement or a qualified attorney if fraud is suspected.

Manatee County Court and Clerk Services

The Clerk & Comptroller supports Manatee County’s court system by processing, filing, recording, and maintaining the integrity of court records. The office also serves as County Recorder, Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, County Comptroller, Treasurer, and Auditor.

For everyday users, the most common needs are court record searches, copy requests, traffic payment questions, marriage licenses, passport applications, child support, violence protection assistance, appeals, Board Records, tax deeds, and Official Records.

Court records Search court cases, dockets, citations, case types, and eligible document images.
Public Access and Research Get help with copies, certified records, court files, Official Records, and Public Records Hub use.
Traffic Submit traffic school certificates at traffic@manateeclerk.com and review traffic case records online.
Criminal cases Search Manatee County criminal case records and review eligible docket information.
Appeals The Appeals Department manages county and circuit court appeals; many appeals must be filed within 30 days.
Violence protection The Clerk provides information for domestic, repeat, dating, sexual violence, and stalking injunctions.
Board Records Search meeting minutes, agendas, ordinances, resolutions, zoning ordinances, contracts, and Value Adjustment Board records.
Tax deeds Search tax deed case files by case number, parcel ID, or property address when using the Clerk’s tax-deed resources.

Official departmentsManatee County Clerk Department Contact List

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the department that matches your task: Public Access, Recording, Marriage License, Passports, Appeals, Criminal, Traffic, Tax Deeds, Board Records, or Finance.
  2. Use the department phone, email, mailing address, and physical address shown on the official page.
  3. Read the department instructions before submitting a form or payment.
  4. For court-date or courtroom questions, also check the 12th Judicial Circuit court website.

Official court site12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

After opening this link:

  1. Use the court website for courthouse locations, judges, judicial assignments, self-help resources, hearing information, and court administration.
  2. Choose Manatee County if the site asks for the county or courthouse.
  3. Use the Clerk’s Public Records Hub for case-record searches and copies.
  4. Do not confuse judicial information with Clerk records; the court and Clerk are related but separate functions.

Marriage Licenses, Marriage Copies, Ceremonies, and Passports

In Florida, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the issuing agent for marriage licenses. Manatee County applicants should review the Clerk’s marriage-license page before visiting because Florida residency, premarital-course status, age, identification, and prior-marriage details can affect the application.

The Clerk also processes passport applications. Passport rules can change through the U.S. Department of State, so use the Clerk page for local process and use official .gov passport sites for renewal and federal passport rules.

Marriage license without course $86.00 listed by the Clerk for a marriage-license application when no course is taken.
Marriage license with course $61.00 listed by the Clerk when the qualifying premarital course is completed.
Clerk ceremony $30.00 listed for performing a ceremony at the Clerk’s Office.
Marriage license phone 941-741-4022.
Marriage license address 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Identification Valid government photo ID showing date of birth is required for marriage-license applicants.

Marriage licenseManatee County Marriage License

After opening this link:

  1. Review who can apply and whether both applicants must be present.
  2. Prepare valid government photo identification showing date of birth.
  3. If either applicant was previously married, prepare the day, month, and year the previous marriage ended.
  4. Check whether a premarital preparation course reduces the fee and waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.
  5. Use the marriage-license application link on the official page before visiting, if available.
  6. Confirm the listed fees for license application, ceremony, amended license, duplicate license, or wedding package.

Passport servicesManatee County Clerk Passport Services

After opening this link:

  1. Review whether your need is a first passport, minor passport, replacement, renewal, or name-change passport issue.
  2. Prepare proof of citizenship, valid identification, passport photo, application form, and payment.
  3. Use only official .gov websites for online passport renewal or federal passport status information.
  4. Confirm local appointment, walk-in, fee, and payment instructions on the Clerk’s current passport page.

Manatee County Clerk Copy, Search, and Certification Fees

Fees can change, and some requests include multiple charges. Use these common Clerk-posted amounts as a planning guide, then confirm the current department fee listing before paying or mailing a request.

$1.00 Document copy fee for 8½” x 11” pages, per page.
$2.00 Certification fee, per certification.
$2.00 Record search fee per year searched when the case number is not provided.
$7.00 Certificate of Clerk fee.
$7.00 Certificate of Court fee for exemplified/authenticated copies.
$5.00 Document copy fee for 18” x 24” pages, per page.
$86.00 Marriage license application when no premarital course is taken.
$61.00 Marriage license application when the qualifying premarital course is taken.
$30.00 Clerk’s Office marriage ceremony.
$4.00 Duplicate marriage license before the license has been recorded.

Official feesPublic Access Frequently Asked Questions and Fees

After opening this link:

  1. Review the copy-cost section before ordering court or Official Records copies.
  2. Add copy fees, certification fees, search fees, and certificate fees if your request requires all of them.
  3. Remember that documents are sanitized or redacted for confidential information before public release.
  4. Call Public Access and Research at 941-741-4040 if the total cost is unclear.

Confidential Records, Redactions, and Online Access Limits

Florida law and court orders limit public online access to some records. The Clerk’s site explains three broad access categories: public viewable records, records viewable on request after manual review, and confidential records that are not available for public viewing.

Some family law cases, probate cases, military discharges, death certificates, sealed records, expunged records, and restricted records may not be available online. Redacted information may appear as a black line or blackout because sensitive information has been removed from the public copy.

Do not file sensitive information unnecessarily: Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425 requires minimizing sensitive information in court filings. Do not include full Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, PINs, full dates of birth, or minor children’s full names unless a rule or court order requires it.

Removal requestRequest Removal of Private Information

After opening this link:

  1. Scroll to the sensitive-information and removal notice.
  2. Download the Clerk’s Request for Removal of Private Information form if your protected number appears in a court document.
  3. Identify the document, page, and information that should be removed or redacted.
  4. Submit the request in writing by an approved delivery method listed by the Clerk.
  5. Do not use a removal request to attempt to change the legal outcome of a case; it is for protected information or eligible internet-image removal.

Background Checks, Sheriff Records, and FDLE Searches

The Clerk’s Public Access FAQ states that the Clerk’s Office does not provide statewide criminal background checks. The Clerk can assist with Manatee County records only. Countywide criminal background checks are handled through the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and statewide criminal history information is handled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Manatee County Sheriff Records Section 600 301 Boulevard West, Suite 202, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Sheriff records hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; closed weekends and holidays.
Statewide background checks Use FDLE Criminal History Services for statewide Florida criminal history searches.
Nationwide background checks Use FBI CJIS Division resources for national record-request instructions.

Statewide sourceFDLE Florida Criminal History Checks

After opening this link:

  1. Use FDLE for statewide Florida criminal history searches instead of relying only on a county case search.
  2. Read the search options, fees, and limitations before ordering.
  3. Compare FDLE results with Manatee County court records if you need court dispositions or certified local documents.
  4. For sealed or expunged matters, review FDLE and court rules carefully before using or sharing records.

Official Manatee County Clerk Links Used in This Guide

Use these official links for the most current Manatee County Clerk records access, case search, copy requests, fees, court locations, maps, marriage license, passport, and public-record instructions.

Manatee County Clerk Official Website Public Records Hub Search Court Records Search Official Records Search Plat Records Public Access and Research Public Records Requests Public Access FAQ and Fees Marriage License Passports Manatee County Judicial Center 12th Judicial Circuit Court

Independent Guide, Accuracy, and Legal Use Notice

This page is an independent informational guide. It is not the official Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller website, not a court, not a law firm, and not a consumer reporting agency.

Do not use this page or any linked public-record search for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance eligibility, or any Fair Credit Reporting Act purpose. Always confirm case status, record accuracy, fees, court dates, confidentiality limits, and legal use directly with the Clerk, the court, FDLE, or a qualified attorney.

Florida email public-record notice: email addresses sent to public agencies may become public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, contact the agency by phone or in writing instead of email.

Manatee County Clerk of Court FAQs

1. What is the official Manatee County Clerk court-record search?

The official search starts at the Manatee County Clerk Public Records Hub. Choose Court Records to search by person or business name, case number, citation number, or case type.

2. Where is the Manatee County Clerk of Court located?

The Clerk & Comptroller’s office is located at 1115 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205, inside the Manatee County Historic Courthouse.

3. What is the Manatee County Clerk phone number?

The main Clerk phone number is 941-749-1800. For Public Access and Research, including copies and records questions, call 941-741-4040.

4. What are the Manatee County Clerk business hours?

The Clerk lists business hours as Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Always confirm current hours and holiday closures before visiting.

5. Can I search Manatee County court records by name?

Yes. The Clerk states that court records can be searched by person or business name, case number, citation number, or case type through the official court-record search.

6. Why does a Manatee County court document show a lock icon?

A lock icon means the document may be viewable on request. Click the lock icon and enter your email address so the Clerk can review the document before release.

7. How much does a Manatee County court-record copy cost?

Common posted fees include $1.00 per 8½” x 11” page, $2.00 per certification, $2.00 per year searched if the case number is not provided, and $7.00 for a Certificate of Clerk.

8. Are Manatee County deeds and marriage-license recordings court records?

No. Deeds, judgments, marriage licenses, mortgages, liens, and many recorded instruments are Official Records. Use the Official Records search, not the Court Records search.

9. Does the Manatee County Clerk provide statewide background checks?

No. The Clerk can assist with Manatee County records only. Countywide background checks are handled through the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and statewide checks are handled by FDLE.

10. Is this the official Manatee County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent guide. For official court records, Official Records, fees, maps, forms, copies, marriage licenses, passports, and public-record requests, use the official Clerk links in this article.

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