Putnam County Probate Court Records cover every will filing, estate case, and guardianship petition processed by the Circuit Court in the 7th Judicial Circuit. The Putnam County Clerk of Court, Tim Smith, keeps these records at the Palatka courthouse and gives public access to most case files online, by mail, or in person.
This page covers how to look up records, what types of cases are filed here, the exact fees you will pay, where to find related Florida death records, and how to get legal help in Putnam County.
Overview of Putnam County Probate Court
Putnam County sits in northeast Florida along the St. Johns River. The county seat is Palatka, where every probate case in the county is filed and reviewed. Probate cases deal with the legal transfer of property after someone dies, the care of a minor’s inheritance, or the protection of an adult who cannot make decisions alone. The 7th Judicial Circuit also covers Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia counties, but each county runs its own clerk office and probate docket.
What Putnam County Probate Court Handles
The probate court in Putnam County handles five main case types. The first is formal administration, which deals with large or complex estates. The second is summary administration, a faster option for smaller estates or older cases. The third is disposition without administration, the simplest path for very small estates. The fourth is ancillary administration, which covers property in Florida owned by a person who lived in another state. The fifth is guardianship, which protects minors and incapacitated adults.
The 7th Judicial Circuit
Putnam County belongs to the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit’s main office is in Daytona Beach, but every Putnam County probate case stays in Putnam County. A judge assigned to the probate division hears cases at the Palatka courthouse. This setup keeps local cases local and lets residents handle filings close to home.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County has a population near 74,500 people. The summary administration limit stands at $75,000. Estates with no administration needed can close after two years from the date of death. The county seat, Palatka, hosts the only full-service probate filing location in the county.
Putnam County Clerk of Court Details
Tim Smith serves as the elected Clerk of Court for Putnam County. His office handles every probate filing that passes through the 7th Circuit’s probate division. The office also keeps the official record of wills, petitions, and court orders. Staff at the clerk’s office can confirm whether a probate case exists, list the documents on file, and help you submit a copy request. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms.
Clerk Office Contact and Location
The Putnam County Clerk of Court is located at 410 St Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177. The main phone line is (386) 329-0361. The official website is www.putnam-fl.com/clerk. You can visit the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Florida Courts runs a statewide clerk directory that lists current phone numbers and mailing addresses for every county clerk in Florida.
| Office Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Tim Smith |
| Address | 410 St Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177 |
| Phone | (386) 329-0361 |
| Website | www.putnam-fl.com/clerk |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Office Hours and Services
The clerk’s office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM on regular business days. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Services include filing new probate cases, recording wills for safekeeping, issuing certified copies of court orders, and providing public access terminals for record searches. Staff also accept mail requests and process payments by check, money order, or cash in person.
How to Search Probate Court Records
You can search Putnam County probate court records three ways. The first way is the online portal on the clerk’s website. The second way is the public terminals at the Palatka courthouse. The third way is a written request by mail. Each method works for most case types, though older records sometimes need a manual search through physical files or microfilm.
Online Records Search
The Putnam County Clerk runs an online case search through its website. You can look up a case by the decedent’s name, the case number, or the personal representative’s name. The portal shows filed documents, case status, and scheduled hearings. Inventories and accountings stay confidential under Florida law and do not appear in the public portal. Use the statewide clerk directory at floridacourts.gov to confirm the current link before you start your search.
In-Person Records Search
Visit the courthouse at 410 St Johns Ave in Palatka during business hours. Public terminals let you view electronic records for free. Paper copies cost a set fee per page. Bring the decedent’s full legal name and the year of death to help staff find the right file. Plan to bring a photo ID because the clerk’s office verifies your identity before pulling case files.
Mail and Phone Requests
Mail requests go to the Putnam County Clerk of Court at 410 St Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177. Your letter should include the decedent’s name, the case number if you have it, a clear list of the documents you need, and a check for the estimated fee. Make the check payable to the Clerk of Court. Call (386) 329-0361 before mailing to confirm the current fee schedule and avoid payment errors.
Historical Records Access
Older probate records sit on microfilm or in physical storage at the courthouse. The clerk’s office can tell you which years are available in digital form and which require a manual search. For very old estates, the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee holds historical records that local offices no longer keep. The Putnam County Public Library and the Palatka Historical Society also hold some local probate and obituary records useful for genealogy research.
Types of Probate Cases in Putnam County
Florida law lists several probate paths. The right one depends on the estate’s value, how long the person has been dead, and what assets need to be transferred. Putnam County probate court handles all of these case types at the Palatka courthouse.
Formal Administration
Formal administration is the standard probate process for estates over $75,000 or any estate that needs a court-appointed personal representative. The personal representative collects assets, notifies creditors, pays debts, and distributes what remains to the heirs. Formal administration cases in Putnam County go before the circuit court’s probate judge and stay open until the court issues a final discharge order.
Summary Administration
Summary administration works for two types of estates. The first type is an estate worth $75,000 or less. The second type is any estate where the decedent has been dead for two or more years, no matter the value. No personal representative gets appointed. The court issues a summary administration order that transfers specific assets directly to the named beneficiaries. This path costs less and finishes faster than formal administration.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration is the simplest path. It applies only when the estate has no real property, the only assets are personal items, and the total value is under $6,000 after funeral and medical costs. The court issues a short letter that authorizes the transfer of assets. No full case opens. This option skips most paperwork and works well for small estates with limited assets.
Ancillary Administration
Ancillary administration applies when a person who lived in another state dies owning real property in Putnam County. Even if a full probate runs in the decedent’s home state, Florida requires a separate local case to transfer the Florida property. This case type shows up often in areas where out-of-state residents own vacation homes, hunting land, or investment parcels near the St. Johns River.
Guardianship Cases
Guardianship cases protect two groups. The first group is adults who cannot manage their own affairs because of an illness, injury, or disability. The second group is minors who have inherited significant assets. A court-appointed guardian handles the person’s property or personal decisions, depending on the type of guardianship the court grants. Putnam County probate court reviews these cases every year to make sure the guardian acts in the protected person’s best interest.
Probate Filing Fees in Putnam County
Putnam County probate filing fees follow the statewide schedule set by Florida law. The clerk collects these fees at the time of filing. Most fees are non-refundable once the case opens. Certified copies and exemplified copies cost extra beyond the base filing fee.
Standard Filing Fees
The base filing fees cover the cost of opening a new case. Formal administration costs $400. Summary administration costs $235. Disposition without administration costs $85. Ancillary administration costs $400. These fees cover the clerk’s basic services and do not include certified copies, recording fees, or attorney fees.
Copy and Certification Fees
Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Exemplified copies cost $7.00 each. Recording fees run $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. These fees cover the clerk’s time to copy, certify, and record documents in the official case file. Always call the clerk’s office before paying to confirm the current fee schedule.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formal Administration Opening | $400.00 |
| Summary Administration | $235.00 |
| Disposition Without Administration | $85.00 |
| Ancillary Administration | $400.00 |
| Certified Copy (per page) | $1.00 + $2.00 cert fee |
| Exemplified Copy | $7.00 |
| Recording Fee | $10.00 first page, $8.50 each add’l |
Attorney and Personal Representative Fees
Probate attorney fees in Florida follow a percentage set by state law. The fee scale depends on the estate’s value and the services provided. Personal representative fees follow a similar scale. Both fees need court approval in formal administration cases. Families sometimes handle summary administration without an attorney, though legal help still makes sense when the estate involves disputes, business interests, or out-of-state property.
The Probate Process Step by Step
Opening a probate case in Putnam County follows the same steps required by Florida law statewide. The timeline depends on the case type, the size of the estate, and whether any disputes arise. Here is a general overview of how the process works for formal administration.
Filing the Will
If the decedent left a will, someone must file it with the Putnam County Clerk of Court within 10 days of learning about the death. This rule comes from Florida Statutes section 732.901. The will does not need to go through probate right away, but it must be filed for safekeeping. Anyone who holds a will and fails to file it can face personal liability to anyone who suffers a loss because of the delay.
Opening the Estate
Once the family is ready to act, the petitioner files a Petition for Administration with the Putnam County Clerk. The petition asks the court to admit the will to probate, appoint a personal representative, and issue Letters of Administration. The letters serve as the legal proof that the personal representative has authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Notifying Creditors
After the court issues letters, the personal representative must notify known and unknown creditors. This step includes publishing a notice of administration in a local newspaper for two straight weeks and mailing notice to any creditor the representative knows about. Creditors have three months from the first publication date, or 30 days from the date of mailing, to file a claim. The later of the two dates controls.
Inventory and Asset Management
The personal representative prepares an inventory of every estate asset and files it with the court. Florida law requires the inventory to show the fair market value of each asset as of the date of death. Valid creditor claims get paid from estate funds. The personal representative also handles tax filings, sells property if needed, and manages investments until the court approves distribution.
Distribution and Case Closure
After all debts, taxes, and expenses are settled, the personal representative distributes the remaining assets to the people named in the will or to the legal heirs under Florida’s intestacy laws. A final accounting and a petition for discharge close the case. The court reviews the petition, signs the discharge order, and the personal representative’s authority ends.
Florida Death Records and Probate Connection
Probate cases almost always need a certified copy of the decedent’s Florida death certificate. The death certificate acts as legal proof of death and starts the timeline for creditor claims, title transfers, and account closures. The Putnam County Clerk of Court often asks for a certified copy of the death certificate when you open a probate case or transfer real property through the court.
Florida Death Certificates
Florida death certificates are official records filed with the Florida Department of Health. Each certificate lists the decedent’s full legal name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and burial details. Certified copies come from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, the county health department in the county where the death occurred, or an approved third-party vendor.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics runs the state’s central records office for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The bureau holds Florida death records from 1917 to the present. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the bureau’s office in Jacksonville. The bureau charges a set fee for each certified copy and accepts checks, money orders, and most major credit cards.
Order Florida Death Certificate Online
You can order a Florida death certificate online through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics website or through approved vendors. Online orders ship within a few business days and arrive by mail. You will need the decedent’s full legal name, date of death, and the county where the death occurred. Online ordering works well for people who live out of state or who need the document quickly.
County Health Department Records
Each Florida county health department holds death records for deaths that took place in that county. The Putnam County Health Department serves Putnam County residents and can issue certified copies of death certificates filed in the county. You can visit the local health department in person or order by mail. County health department copies are useful when the death happened in the same county where you live.
Florida Genealogy Death Records
Florida genealogy death records cover deaths from the state’s early settlement days to the present. Older records sit at the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. The State Archives holds county-level death records from before 1917, when the state began keeping statewide death records. Genealogy researchers can visit the archives in person or send a written request for older records.
Florida Statewide Death Index
The Florida Statewide Death Index is a searchable database of death records from 1917 to the present. The index lists the decedent’s name, year of death, county of death, and certificate number. You can use the index to confirm that a death record exists before ordering a certified copy. The index is free to search and helps researchers locate records across all 67 Florida counties.
Florida Probate Court Records by County
Florida has 67 counties, each with its own probate court and clerk of court. The process is the same statewide, but the fees, file numbers, and office locations differ from county to county. The following list covers the largest Florida counties and where to start your search.
Miami-Dade County Death Records
Miami-Dade County death records go through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. The county records office is in downtown Miami. You can search the Miami-Dade clerk’s online portal or visit the office in person. Death certificates for deaths in Miami-Dade also come from the Miami-Dade County Health Department.
Hillsborough County Death Records
Hillsborough County death records are filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court in Tampa. The clerk runs an online case search that includes probate filings. The Hillsborough County Health Department also issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in the county.
Orange County Florida Death Records
Orange County Florida death records cover deaths in the Orlando area. The Orange County Clerk of Courts in Orlando keeps the probate records. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds the death certificates. You can search the Orange County clerk’s website or visit the office at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando.
Duval County Death Records
Duval County death records are kept by the Duval County Clerk of Court in Jacksonville. The clerk’s office runs the Duval County Probate Court. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, which sits in Jacksonville, also issues death certificates for deaths across the state. Jacksonville residents can visit the bureau in person for same-day service on some records.
Broward County Death Records
Broward County death records go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk’s online portal includes a probate case search. The Broward County Health Department issues certified death certificates for deaths in the county. The Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Palm Beach County Death Records
Palm Beach County death records are held by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach. The clerk runs an online records search and accepts in-person requests at the main courthouse. The Palm Beach County Health Department issues certified death certificates for deaths that took place in the county.
Pinellas County Death Records
Pinellas County death records are filed with the Pinellas County Clerk of Court in Clearwater. The clerk runs the Pinellas County Probate Court. Death certificates for deaths in Pinellas County come from the Pinellas County Health Department or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Legal Help in Putnam County
Legal help for probate matters in Putnam County comes from private attorneys, legal aid groups, and the Florida court self-help center. Most probate attorneys offer a free or low-cost first meeting, which helps you decide if you need full legal help or can handle the case on your own.
Local Attorney Referrals
The Putnam County Bar Association can refer you to local attorneys who handle probate and estate work. The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service is another starting point. Look for an attorney who focuses on probate, estate planning, and elder law. Ask about the attorney’s fee structure before signing any agreement.
Legal Aid Services
Three Rivers Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents in Putnam County. Probate matters, especially those involving a surviving spouse or minor children, may qualify for assistance. You can reach Three Rivers Legal Services at (352) 372-0519. The group serves a large multi-county area in North Florida, including Putnam County.
Self-Help Resources
The Florida Courts Self-Help Center at flcourts.gov has downloadable probate forms and plain-language guides. These resources work best for summary administration cases. For formal administration or any case with disputes, full legal representation is strongly recommended. The self-help center cannot give legal advice but can show you how to fill out standard forms.
Florida Death Certificate Costs and Application
Florida death certificate costs and application rules are set by the Florida Department of Health. The cost of a certified copy is set by state law and stays the same across all approved issuers. Knowing the cost and the right application method helps you avoid delays and extra fees.
Florida Death Certificate Replacement
Florida death certificate replacement is the process of ordering a new certified copy when the original is lost, damaged, or stolen. You can order a replacement through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, the county health department, or an approved third-party vendor. You will need to show your relationship to the decedent and provide a valid photo ID.
Florida Death Certificate Application Form
The Florida death certificate application form asks for the decedent’s full legal name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and the applicant’s contact details. You can download the form from the Florida Department of Health website or pick one up at any county health department. Mail the completed form with the correct fee to the address listed on the form.
Florida Death Certificate Request by Mail
A Florida death certificate request by mail goes to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Include the completed application form, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for the correct fee. Mail requests typically take two to four weeks to arrive. Rush service is available for an extra fee.
Contact Information and Location
The Putnam County Clerk of Court is the official record keeper for all probate cases filed in Putnam County. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closes on state and federal holidays. You can reach the office by phone, by mail, or in person at the Palatka courthouse. The clerk’s website has the latest fee schedule, downloadable forms, and the online case search portal.
Official Website: www.putnam-fl.com/clerk
Phone: (386) 329-0361
Address: 410 St Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177
Visiting Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are clear answers to the questions people ask most about Putnam County probate court records, the clerk’s office, and how to get death certificates in Florida. Each answer gives the exact steps, fees, and contacts you need to move forward without wasting time or money. Use this section as a quick reference before you call the clerk’s office, file a petition, or order a death certificate.
How much does it cost to open a probate case in Putnam County?
Formal administration costs $400 to open. Summary administration costs $235. Disposition without administration costs $85. Ancillary administration costs $400. These fees cover the clerk’s basic services and do not include certified copies, recording fees, or attorney fees. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Recording fees run $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. Call (386) 329-0361 to confirm the current fee schedule before you file.
Can I search Putnam County probate records online for free?
Yes. The Putnam County Clerk runs a free online case search through its website at www.putnam-fl.com/clerk. You can look up a case by the decedent’s name, the case number, or the personal representative’s name. The portal shows filed documents, case status, and scheduled hearings. Inventories and accountings stay confidential under Florida law and do not appear in the public search. For older records not in the digital system, you will need to visit the courthouse or send a mail request.
Where do I get a certified copy of a Florida death certificate?
You can order a certified copy of a Florida death certificate from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, the county health department in the county where the death occurred, or an approved third-party vendor. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds records from 1917 to the present. You can order online, by mail, or in person at the bureau’s office in Jacksonville. Each certified copy costs a set fee set by Florida law.
What is the difference between summary and formal administration in Florida?
Summary administration is for estates worth $75,000 or less, or any estate where the decedent has been dead for two or more years. No personal representative gets appointed, and the court issues a summary order that transfers assets directly to the beneficiaries. Formal administration is the standard process for larger or more complex estates. A personal representative gets appointed, creditors must be notified, and the case stays open until the court issues a final discharge order.
How long do I have to file a will after someone dies in Florida?
Florida law requires anyone who has a decedent’s will to file it with the clerk of court within 10 days of learning about the death. The will does not need to go through probate right away, but it must be filed for safekeeping. The rule comes from Florida Statutes section 732.901. Anyone who holds a will and fails to file it on time can face personal liability to anyone who suffers a loss because of the delay.
Can I get Putnam County probate records by mail?
Yes. Send a written request to the Putnam County Clerk of Court at 410 St Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177. Your letter should include the decedent’s name, the case number if you have it, a clear list of the documents you need, and a check for the estimated fee made payable to the Clerk of Court. Call (386) 329-0361 before mailing to confirm the current fee schedule. Mail requests usually take a few business days to process.
Do I need a lawyer to file probate in Putnam County?
You do not need a lawyer for summary administration or disposition without administration, but legal help still makes sense when the estate involves disputes, business interests, or out-of-state property. Formal administration is more complex and almost always needs a lawyer. The Florida Courts Self-Help Center at flcourts.gov has downloadable forms for simple cases. The Putnam County Bar Association and the Florida Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a local probate attorney.