Hillsborough County Clerk of Court: Case Search & Dockets

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Hillsborough County, Florida Court Records Guide

Hillsborough County Clerk of Court: Case Search & Dockets

The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller maintains the public court-record system for Hillsborough County, Florida. If you need a case number, docket, court date, traffic citation, civil lawsuit, criminal case, family case, probate record, foreclosure filing, or certified court document, the official starting point is usually HOVER.

HOVER means Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records. It allows public users, registered users, attorneys, and self-represented litigants to search many court indexes, progress dockets, and non-confidential document images, subject to Florida court-access rules.

Open HOVER Case Search Court Date Lookup Locations & Google Map

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Confirm current case access, hours, fees, court-date details, and service availability on the official Hillsborough Clerk website before filing, paying, ordering, or visiting.

Quick Facts: Hillsborough County Case Search and Dockets

Official office Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller.
Current Clerk Victor D. Crist, Clerk of Court & Comptroller for Hillsborough County, Florida.
Main phone 813-276-8100.
Main court-record portal HOVER: Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records.
Main courthouse Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
Search by Case number, uniform case number, citation number, party/business name, date range, court type, case type, or court hearing lookup.
Best for dockets Use HOVER to review case progress dockets, case status, parties, filed date, case type, and available document images.
Not always public Sealed, confidential, juvenile, family, probate, mental-health, and restricted records may have limited public access.
Fast answer: use HOVER for Hillsborough County court case search and docket lookup. Use the separate Official Records search for deeds, plats, mortgages, notices of commencement, marriage certificates, and recorded property documents.

Hillsborough County Docket Search: What You Can See

A court docket is the running activity history of a case. In HOVER, a docket may show filing dates, case events, hearings, orders, payments, case status, parties, attorneys, document entries, and available images.

Docket entries are useful for checking whether a case is open or closed, whether a hearing was scheduled, whether a judgment was entered, whether a traffic option was selected, or whether a document was filed.

Case progress docket Shows the timeline of filings and court activity in the case.
Case status Helps identify whether the case is open, reopened, closed, pending, disposed, or still active.
Document images Some non-confidential images can be viewed online; others may require login, redaction review, or a copy request.
Case summary reports HOVER may provide case-summary report options, but summary screens are not the same as certified records.

Official HOVER FAQHOVER FAQs, Text Messages, eCertify, and General Information

After opening this link:

  1. Open the “Frequently Asked Questions” area to understand who can use HOVER.
  2. Review the access differences for attorneys, self-represented litigants, registered users, and anonymous users.
  3. Use the copy-document section if you need documents that are not imaged or viewable online.
  4. Read the paper-file instructions if HOVER shows that paper court records exist.
  5. Use the eCertify section only when you need an electronically certified court record.
Docket accuracy note: a docket is helpful for research, but it is not legal advice and may not be enough for official proof. If an agency, court, employer, title company, or licensing office asks for proof, request a certified copy from the Clerk.

Hillsborough County Court Date and Hearing Lookup

HOVER includes a Court Hearing Lookup for certain upcoming hearings. The official lookup screen searches hearings located in Hillsborough County, Florida, and is focused on traffic, criminal, and injunction case types within the next 30 days.

Court-date information can change. Always confirm hearing time, location, courtroom, and judge information close to the hearing date, especially if you received a notice, email, text reminder, or attorney update.

Official hearing lookupHillsborough County Court Date Lookup

After opening this link:

  1. Enter the defendant’s last name in the required field.
  2. Enter the first initial or first name information requested by the lookup page.
  3. Run the search and review the court date listing if results appear.
  4. Check the hearing date, hearing location, case number, hearing description, and judicial officer.
  5. Remember that the search is for hearings within the next 30 days and may be limited to traffic, criminal, or injunction matters.
Do not miss court: if you are unsure about a court date, call the Clerk at 813-276-8100 or contact your attorney. A missing or confusing online result should not be treated as permission to skip court.

Copies, Certified Court Documents, eCertify, and Paper Case Files

Many Hillsborough County court documents can be viewed or printed from HOVER when they are available to your access role. Non-certified copies may be viewable at no charge online, but certified copies require an official certification process.

The Clerk offers electronic certification for many court records and official records through eCertify. If the document is not imaged or available for viewing, you can use the Clerk’s copy-request process and wait for the Clerk’s cost calculation.

Official copy requestRequest Copies of Hillsborough County Court Documents

After opening this link:

  1. Search HOVER first if you only need to view or print a non-certified copy.
  2. If the document is not imaged or available for viewing, complete the request form on the Clerk page.
  3. Enter your name, phone, email, mailing address, case number, case style, document names, and filing dates when known.
  4. Choose your preferred contact method so the Clerk can tell you the cost.
  5. Review the Florida public-records email notice before submitting your email address.

Electronic certified recordsOrder Electronic Certified Court Documents

After opening this link:

  1. Search for the case or official record first through HOVER or the official records index.
  2. Click the Certify icon for the document you want electronically certified.
  3. Review the Clerk fee, statutory certification fee, per-page fee, vendor fee, and payment-processor fee before paying.
  4. Complete payment and check your email for the certified document download link.
  5. Use the validation instructions if another agency needs to confirm that the eCertified PDF is authentic.

Paper filesPreorder Hillsborough County Paper Case Files

After opening this link:

  1. Search the case in HOVER first.
  2. Open the case details and look for an indication that paper court records exist.
  3. Use the order-file option if HOVER allows paper-file ordering.
  4. Wait for notification that the paper file is ready to view at the selected location.
  5. Note that paper case files may be held for a limited time after they arrive for viewing.

Hillsborough County Clerk of Court Google Map, Offices, Hours, and Phone

The main court-service location for many Hillsborough County case-search and docket-related tasks is the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. The Clerk also lists the Pat Collier Frank Courthouse, Plant City Courthouse, and Brandon Regional Service Center for different services.

Edgecomb Courthouse

Address: 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602

Phone: 813-276-8100

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

Common services: customer service, court records, civil, criminal, family, probate, guardianship, traffic, child support, juvenile, mental health, restraining orders, review files, and jury services.

Open Edgecomb Courthouse in Google Maps

Edgecomb Courthouse

800 E. Twiggs Street
Tampa, FL 33602

Phone: 813-276-8100

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

Room 101 is listed as the Customer Service Center. Room 201 is listed for Jury. Room 205 is listed for Restraining Orders and Mental Health.

Pat Collier Frank Courthouse

419 Pierce Street, Room 140
Tampa, FL 33602

Phone: 813-276-8100

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

Commonly listed for marriage licenses, passports, recording, home solicitation permits, and tax deed services. Passport walk-ins may end earlier than general hours.

Plant City Courthouse

301 North Michigan Ave., Room 1071
Plant City, FL 33563

Phone: 813-276-8100

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

Listed for civil, criminal, family, probate, guardianship, traffic, marriage, passports, recording, and restraining-order services.

Brandon Regional Service Center

311 Pauls Drive, Suite 110
Brandon, FL 33511

Phone: 813-276-8100

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Listed for many civil, criminal, family, probate, guardianship, traffic, marriage, passport, and recording services.

Official locationsHillsborough Clerk Service Options, Locations, Hours, and Maps

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the service you need, such as civil court, criminal courts, family courts, probate, traffic, review files, marriage licenses, passports, recording, or restraining orders.
  2. Check which location offers that exact service before driving there.
  3. Use ClerkExpress if the page offers “Get In Line Now” for your service.
  4. Use the appointment option if the service recommends scheduling ahead.
  5. Check the holiday schedule and any service notices before visiting.

Which Hillsborough County Case Types Can You Search?

HOVER is useful for many court categories, but the level of access can vary. Some records are public, some are redacted, and some require a registered role or party access. Confidential or sealed records may not be viewable online.

Circuit civil Higher-value civil lawsuits, foreclosure matters, complex civil filings, and related dockets.
County civil Lower-value civil claims, small claims, landlord-tenant matters, and eviction-related case activity.
Criminal Circuit criminal, county criminal, cash bond, sealing and expungement, and criminal docket activity.
Traffic Citations, traffic payments, court hearing requests, proof of compliance, and traffic school options.
Family law Divorce, family case records, child support, and related dockets, with access limits for sensitive records.
Probate and guardianship Estate, guardianship, trust, and probate records that may include restricted or redacted information.

Official court servicesHillsborough County Clerk Court Services

After opening this link:

  1. Select the court area that matches your case: civil, criminal, traffic, family, probate, guardianship, juvenile, appeals, or restraining orders.
  2. Read the Clerk’s department page before filing or paying.
  3. Use HOVER for the case record and docket, but use the court-service page for division-specific instructions.
  4. If you are filing without an attorney, use the Clerk’s pro se and self-help resources carefully.

Traffic Ticket Lookup, Proof of Compliance, Court Hearing Requests, and Docket Events

For Hillsborough County traffic citations, HOVER can help you look up ticket information, review available options, pay eligible tickets, elect traffic school when allowed, submit proof of compliance, or request a court hearing.

Traffic deadlines matter. The Clerk’s traffic information explains that some choices must be made within specific calendar-day windows from the citation date. Paying without reading the options can affect points, hearing rights, and school-election choices.

Official trafficHillsborough County Traffic Department

After opening this link:

  1. Use the traffic page to confirm whether your citation belongs with the Clerk.
  2. Open HOVER from the traffic page to look up the citation.
  3. Review your available options before paying: pay fine, elect traffic school, submit proof of compliance, plead no contest, or request a hearing.
  4. Check deadlines before selecting an option.
  5. Save any receipt, proof upload confirmation, hearing request confirmation, or school-certificate submission proof.

Official ticket infoHillsborough County Traffic Tickets

After opening this link:

  1. Find the section that matches your ticket option.
  2. Check whether the ticket allows school election, compliance proof, payment, no-contest plea, or court hearing request.
  3. Review the Clerk’s timing rules before submitting anything.
  4. Use your citation number exactly as printed on the ticket when searching or paying.

Hillsborough Court Records vs Official Records: Do Not Use the Wrong Search

Hillsborough County Clerk systems separate court cases from recorded official documents. A person’s name may appear in both systems, but a lawsuit docket and a recorded deed are different record types.

Use HOVER Court Records for

  • Civil, criminal, traffic, family, probate, guardianship, juvenile, and injunction cases.
  • Case numbers, citation numbers, case dockets, parties, filed dates, and hearing lookup.
  • Court-record copies, electronically certified court documents, and paper case file review.
  • Traffic ticket payment options, compliance uploads, and hearing requests when available.

Use Official Records Search for

  • Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, notices of commencement, and recorded instruments.
  • Marriage certificates and certain recorded official documents.
  • Recording reports, public data files, recording subscriptions, and property fraud alerts.
  • Official-record certified documents through the Clerk’s official records system.

Official records searchHillsborough County Official Records Search

After opening this link:

  1. Use this search only when your record is a recorded document, not a court case docket.
  2. Search by party name, document type, instrument details, or recording date if available.
  3. Use variations of names, initials, business names, and spelling when searching older records.
  4. Return to HOVER if you need a lawsuit, traffic case, criminal case, divorce docket, probate case, or court document.

Hillsborough Clerk Fees for Court Records, Certified Copies, and eCertify

Court-record fees can depend on the service, document type, number of pages, certification, postage, vendor processing, and whether the request requires staff work. Always verify the current fee directly on the Clerk’s official fees page before paying.

$1.00/page Common statutory copy amount for many court-record copy pages.
$2.00/document Common statutory certification amount for certifying copies of court records.
$6.00/vendor eCertify vendor fee listed for each electronically certified document.
3.5% Payment processor fee listed for eCertify credit-card processing.
$42.00 Listed fee for sealing any court file or expungement of any record, with copies and certification additional.
$86.00 Listed cost including certified copy of marriage license.

Official feesHillsborough Clerk Fees and Fines

After opening this link:

  1. Select the fee category that matches your task, such as court records, traffic, civil, criminal, family, probate, recording, marriage, or certified copies.
  2. Check whether the fee is per page, per document, per filing, per search, or per service.
  3. Add postage, certification, vendor, or card-processing fees if they apply.
  4. For large copy requests, wait for the Clerk’s cost calculation before sending payment.

Confidential, Sealed, Expunged, Family, Juvenile, and Probate Records

HOVER does not make every court record public. Florida court-access rules, the Access Security Matrix, court orders, confidentiality laws, sealing, expungement, juvenile rules, family-law privacy rules, probate restrictions, victim protections, and redaction requirements can limit what a public user sees.

If you believe confidential information is visible in a court record, the Clerk’s confidential-record page explains that you may need to use the proper confidentiality process. The Clerk does not provide every legal motion form, and legal advice may be needed.

Official privacy guidanceConfidential Information in Hillsborough Court Records

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Clerk’s explanation of confidential information in court records.
  2. Review whether your issue fits Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 or 2.423.
  3. Use the proper form or legal process when a document needs confidentiality review.
  4. Do not upload sensitive details to a public docket unless the rule, form, or court order requires it.
  5. Ask a qualified attorney or public law library for help if you are unsure how to protect confidential information.
Legal-use notice: this page is an independent informational guide. It is not the official Clerk website, not legal advice, and not a consumer reporting agency. Do not use this guide or linked search results for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, insurance eligibility, or any Fair Credit Reporting Act purpose.

Before You Search: Practical Hillsborough Case Lookup Checklist

Use this checklist before you search, call, request copies, or visit the Clerk. It helps reduce wrong results, missed dockets, and duplicate records requests.

Case number Best for direct docket lookup and certified-copy requests.
Citation number Best for traffic tickets and citation-based cases.
Party or business name Use spelling variations, initials, maiden names, and business suffixes.
Case type Know whether it is civil, criminal, traffic, family, probate, juvenile, or injunction.
Document needed Identify the exact item: judgment, disposition, order, docket sheet, complaint, petition, or certificate.
Copy type Say whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, electronically certified copy, or paper-file review.

Official Hillsborough Clerk Links Used in This Guide

Use these official resources for current case-search access, court-date lookup, copies, certified records, paper files, traffic tickets, office locations, fees, and privacy rules.

Hillsborough County Clerk Official Website HOVER Court Records Search HOVER Case Search Screen Court Date Lookup HOVER FAQ and General Information Request Copies of Court Documents eCertify Court and Official Records Preorder Paper Case Files Service Options and Locations Court Services Traffic Department Official Records Search

Hillsborough County Clerk of Court Case Search FAQs

1. What is the official Hillsborough County Clerk of Court case search?

The official case-search system is HOVER, which stands for Hillsborough Online Viewing of Electronic Records. It is used to search court indexes, progress dockets, case information, court dates, and available non-confidential document images.

2. How do I search a Hillsborough County court docket?

Open HOVER, choose a search method such as case number, citation number, party/business name, date range, court type, or case type, then open the matching case and review the progress docket and events/documents tab when available.

3. Can I search Hillsborough County court dates online?

Yes. HOVER has a Court Date Lookup that focuses on hearings located in Hillsborough County for traffic, criminal, and injunction case types within the next 30 days. Always verify the hearing details close to the court date.

4. What information do I need for a Hillsborough case lookup?

The best information is a case number or citation number. You can also search by party or business name, date range, court type, case type, or hearing details if you do not have the case number.

5. Why can’t I see a Hillsborough court document in HOVER?

The document may not be imaged, may be in a paper file, may require a registered access role, or may be confidential, sealed, redacted, juvenile, family, probate, mental-health, or otherwise restricted by court rule or court order.

6. Can I print Hillsborough County court documents online?

Many non-certified court documents can be viewed and printed from HOVER when they are available to your access role. Certified copies require eCertify or another official Clerk certification process.

7. How do I get certified Hillsborough County court records?

Search the record in HOVER and use eCertify if the document is available for electronic certification. If it is not available online, use the Clerk’s court-document copy request process and wait for the cost calculation.

8. Where is the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court located?

The main court-service location is the Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. The Clerk also lists service locations at 419 Pierce Street in Tampa, 301 North Michigan Avenue in Plant City, and 311 Pauls Drive in Brandon.

9. Are Hillsborough deeds and mortgages found in HOVER?

No. HOVER is for court records. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, notices of commencement, marriage certificates, and other recorded documents should usually be searched in the Hillsborough County Official Records system.

10. Is this page the official Hillsborough County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent informational guide. For official case searches, dockets, court dates, certified records, fees, locations, and legal notices, use the official Hillsborough Clerk links provided in this article.

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