Bradford County probate court records are official court files that hold every estate case, will deposit, and guardianship action filed in this small north Florida county. The Bradford County Clerk of Court keeps these records at the courthouse in Starke and makes them open to the public.
Anyone can look at most probate files for free, and copies of court papers can be ordered for a small fee. This page explains what these records contain, how to search them online, and how to get help when a case is complex.
Bradford County Clerk of Court Probate Records
The Bradford County Clerk of Court in Starke is the main office for all probate filings in the county. The Clerk stores the original case files, enters new filings into the public database, and issues certified copies of court orders. Probate cases in Bradford County move through this single clerk office, which makes the search process simple for residents and outside researchers alike.
Clerk Office Location and Contact Details
The clerk office sits at 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida 32091. Mail can be sent to P.O. Drawer B, Starke, FL 32091. The main phone line is (904) 966-6280. Staff can answer questions about office hours, search tools, copy fees, and the steps needed to open a new probate case.
| Contact Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Bradford County Clerk of Court |
| Street Address | 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Drawer B, Starke, FL 32091 |
| Phone Number | (904) 966-6280 |
| Website | www.bradfordclerk.com |
| Judicial Circuit | 8th Judicial Circuit |
Office Hours and Visiting Information
The clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The office closes on Florida state holidays. Visitors should bring a photo ID and know the decedent name or case number before arriving. Public computers at the courthouse can be used to search case records at no charge.
8th Judicial Circuit Coverage
Bradford County sits in the 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit also includes Alachua, Baker, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties. The chief judge and circuit court administrator oversee all probate judges for these six counties. Probate hearings for Bradford County cases are held at the Bradford County Courthouse in Starke.
Types of Probate Cases in Bradford County
Florida law sets clear rules for how an estate moves through probate. Bradford County courts handle every type of probate case allowed under state law. The right path depends on the size of the estate, the type of property owned, and how long ago the person died.
Formal Administration Cases
Formal Administration is the full probate process used for most estates. A personal representative is named by the court to gather assets, pay debts, notify creditors, and give the rest to the people named in the will or to legal heirs. Formal Administration is required when the gross estate value is more than $75,000 or when the person died less than two years ago and left real property in their name alone. Most formal cases in Bradford County take four to twelve months to close.
Summary Administration Cases
Summary Administration is a shorter path for smaller estates. It works when the estate value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent died more than two years ago. No personal representative is named. The person asking the court files a short petition, and the judge signs an order that divides the property. Summary cases in Bradford County often close in two to four months.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition Without Administration is the simplest path and is used when the estate has no real estate and only personal property. The total value of the assets must not exceed the cost of last illness and funeral bills, with a $6,000 cap under Florida law. The clerk issues a letter that lets the person who paid those bills collect the remaining assets. This option does not need a court hearing.
Guardianship Probate Records
Guardianship cases are also filed in the probate division. These records cover the appointment of a guardian for a minor child or an adult who can no longer manage their own affairs. The Bradford County Clerk stores all guardianship files alongside estate files. The same search tools used for estate cases also work for guardianship cases.
How to Search Bradford County Probate Records Online
The Bradford County Clerk runs a public online search system that lets anyone look up probate cases from any computer or phone. The system shows current case status, the names of the personal representative and the decedent, hearing dates, and a list of filed documents. Most users can complete a basic search in just a few minutes.
Bradford County Online Case Search System
The online search system is on the clerk website at www.bradfordclerk.com. Users click the Public Records link and then select Court Records. The search screen asks for a name, case number, or date range. Results show open and closed cases. Each result links to a docket page that lists every paper filed in the case.
Searching by Decedent Name
To search by name, type the last name of the person whose estate is on file. A first name can be added to narrow the results. The search returns any case where the name appears as the decedent. If the name is common, adding a birth year or year of death helps. A name search is the easiest way to start when no case number is known.
Searching by Case Number
Each probate case has a unique number that starts with the year, followed by a code for the case type. The code CP stands for Civil Probate, GA for Guardianship of an Adult, and GM for Guardianship of a Minor. A case number search returns only one result, which is the fastest way to reach a specific case file.
Bradford County Probate Case Number Lookup
If the case number is not known, the clerk staff can run a name search at the front desk. Visitors should bring the full legal name of the decedent and the year of death if possible. Staff will provide the case number, which can then be used to view the full docket online.
Understanding Case Number Format
Bradford County case numbers follow a clear format. The first two digits show the year. The next letter code shows the case type. The final digits are the sequence number. For example, case 2024-CP-000125 means a 2024 civil probate case that was the 125th probate filing that year. This format helps researchers group cases by year and type.
What Information Appears in Probate Records
Probate case files in Bradford County contain a full record of the estate from the day a case opens to the day it closes. The file shows the people involved, the property in the estate, the debts owed, and the way assets were divided. Most files are open for public view, but a few sensitive papers may be sealed by court order.
Estate Case Files and Filings
An estate case file holds the petition to open probate, the death certificate, the will if one exists, the letters of administration, the inventory of assets, the creditor claims, and the final accounting. Each paper is stamped with the date it was filed and the name of the person who filed it. These papers give a clear picture of how the estate was handled.
Will Deposit Records
A will deposit record is created when someone files a will with the clerk before any probate case opens. The clerk stamps the will, stores it in a safe place, and enters a record in the public index. The deposit record shows the name of the testator, the date filed, and the name of the person who brought in the will.
Petitions, Orders, and Decrees
Petitions are the requests filed with the court. Orders and decrees are the written decisions the judge signs in response. These papers show the court actions taken at each step of the case. They are useful for tracking the legal path of the estate and for confirming that all required steps were completed before the case closed.
Requesting Certified Probate Records
Some probate papers are needed for legal or financial reasons. A certified copy is a copy of a court paper that carries the clerk seal and the clerk signature. Banks, title companies, and other agencies ask for certified copies before they will transfer property or close accounts. Plain photocopies do not carry the same legal weight.
In-Person Record Requests
To get a certified copy in person, visit the clerk office during business hours. Bring a photo ID and the case number or decedent name. Tell the clerk which paper you need. Most requests are filled the same day. The clerk will collect the copy fee and hand over the certified document.
Mail and Phone Requests
Mail requests can be sent to the clerk mailing address. Include a written request, a copy of your ID, the case number, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Phone requests for simple lookups can be made, but certified copies must be paid for in advance. Mail requests usually take five to ten business days to arrive.
Copy Fees and Payment Methods
Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $2.00 fee per document under Florida law. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the clerk office. Mail orders must be paid by check or money order. Large requests may require a deposit before the work begins.
Historical and Archived Probate Documents
Many older probate files in Bradford County are stored offsite in a records archive. These files cover estate cases from earlier decades and can include paper files that predate the digital system. Access to these files may require extra time and a written request.
Pre-Digital Probate Records
Files filed before the late 1990s were kept only on paper. These files hold the original will, hand-written inventories, and old court orders. Some of these papers are fragile and must be handled with care. The clerk may need to pull them from a storage area, which can take a few business days.
Accessing Older Estate Files
To view an older file, call the clerk office in advance and ask for the records department. Provide the decedent name, the year of death, and the estate size if known. Staff will check the index and tell you whether the file is on site or in offsite storage. Offsite files usually arrive within three to five business days after a written request.
Florida Probate Laws That Apply in Bradford County
Bradford County probate cases follow the Florida Probate Code, which is a set of state laws that apply in every Florida county. These laws set the rules for wills, estate administration, and small estate procedures. The chapters below cover the parts of the code that most often come up in Bradford County cases.
Chapter 731 Florida Statutes
Chapter 731 holds the general probate rules used in every case. It defines key terms, sets the jurisdiction of the probate court, and explains how court papers are served. This chapter acts as the base layer that all other probate chapters build on. Judges and lawyers in Bradford County refer to Chapter 731 when a basic question about court procedure comes up.
Chapter 732 Florida Statutes
Chapter 732 covers wills and intestate succession. It explains what makes a will valid, how a will can be changed, and what happens when someone dies without a will. The intestate succession rules in this chapter set the order in which heirs inherit. Bradford County judges apply this chapter to decide who gets property when there is no will.
Chapter 733 Florida Statutes
Chapter 733 covers estate administration. It sets the duties of the personal representative, the rules for paying debts, and the way property is divided among beneficiaries. This chapter is the main reference for formal probate cases in Bradford County. Most formal administration cases in the county rely on Chapter 733 from start to finish.
Chapter 735 Florida Statutes
Chapter 735 covers small estates. It includes the rules for Summary Administration and Disposition Without Administration. This chapter is the most cited part of the probate code for smaller estates filed in Bradford County. It sets the dollar limits, the time limits, and the paperwork needed to close a small estate without a long court process.
Filing a Will in Bradford County
Florida law requires anyone who has a decedent will to file it with the clerk of the circuit court. This rule protects the will from being lost, hidden, or destroyed. Filing a will does not open a probate case. It only places the will in the public record so it can be found when needed.
Will Deposit Requirements
To file a will, bring the original will to the clerk office or mail it to the clerk. Include the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and your contact information. The clerk stamps the will and files it in the will deposit index. A receipt is given to the person who files the will, which can be useful for personal records.
Will Filing Fees
The fee for filing a will deposit in Bradford County is set under Florida law and is usually a small flat amount. A receipt for the filing can be issued for an extra fee. These fees cover the cost of storing the will and keeping the public index up to date. Call the clerk office for the exact current fee before filing.
Legal Help and Self-Resources
Many people in Bradford County handle simple probate cases on their own. For complex cases, legal help is often needed. Several statewide and local resources are open to the public and can guide residents through the probate process.
Florida Courts Self-Help Center
The Florida Courts Self-Help Center offers free forms and plain language instructions for people who want to handle probate without an attorney. The center covers Summary Administration, Disposition Without Administration, and basic guardianship filings. Bradford County residents can use the center online or by phone to download the right forms for their case.
Three Rivers Legal Services
Three Rivers Legal Services is a nonprofit legal aid group that serves Bradford County and other north Florida counties. The group helps low-income residents with civil legal matters, including simple probate cases. People who qualify based on income can get free legal advice and help with court paperwork.
Finding a Local Probate Attorney
For complex estates, contested wills, or large estates, a probate attorney is the best resource. The Florida Bar offers a lawyer referral service that can connect residents with probate attorneys in the 8th Judicial Circuit. Local attorneys know the Bradford County court procedures and can move cases through the system faster.
Bradford County Probate Court Contact Information
Anyone who needs to search probate records, file a will, or open a new probate case can reach the Bradford County Clerk of Court at the contact details below. The clerk office is the single point of entry for all probate filings in the county.
Official Website: www.bradfordclerk.com
Phone Number: (904) 966-6280
Office Address: 945 North Temple Avenue, Starke, FL 32091
Mailing Address: P.O. Drawer B, Starke, FL 32091
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common issues people have when looking for Bradford County probate court records. Each answer gives a direct response based on current Florida law and local clerk office practice. These answers are written for the general public and do not replace legal advice from a licensed attorney.
How do I find a probate case in Bradford County?
You can find a probate case in Bradford County by using the online case search on the clerk website at www.bradfordclerk.com. Enter the decedent name or case number to see the full docket. If the case predates the online system, call the clerk office at (904) 966-6280 and ask the records staff to look it up in the paper index. You can also visit the courthouse in person during business hours and use a public computer to run the search yourself.
Are Bradford County probate records open to the public?
Yes, most Bradford County probate records are open to the public under Florida law. Anyone can view the case docket, the inventory, and the final accounting. A few sensitive papers, such as sealed medical records or documents tied to a court protective order, are not open to the public. The clerk can tell you which papers are sealed when you make a request.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a probate record?
Standard copies of probate records in Bradford County cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $2.00 fee per document. The clerk office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card for in-person requests. Mail orders must be paid by check or money order. Call the clerk office before you order to confirm the total cost for your specific request.
Can I search Bradford County probate records by case number?
Yes, the Bradford County online case search system allows you to search by case number. Each probate case number starts with the year, followed by a case type code such as CP for Civil Probate or GA for Guardianship of an Adult. Entering the full case number returns one result, which is the fastest way to reach a specific case file.
What is the difference between Summary Administration and Formal Administration?
Summary Administration is a short court process for small estates worth $75,000 or less, or for any estate where the person died more than two years ago. No personal representative is named. Formal Administration is the full process for larger estates or for cases that involve real property. A personal representative is named by the court to manage the estate. The two paths are set by Florida law under Chapters 733 and 735 of the Florida Statutes.
How long does a probate case take in Bradford County?
Most Summary Administration cases in Bradford County close in two to four months. Most Formal Administration cases close in four to twelve months. Contested cases or cases with complex assets can take longer. The clerk office can give you a current status check on any open case by phone or in person.
Do I need a lawyer to open a probate case in Bradford County?
You do not need a lawyer to open a simple probate case in Bradford County. The Florida Courts Self-Help Center provides free forms and instructions for Summary Administration and Disposition Without Administration. For formal cases, contested wills, or large estates, a probate attorney is strongly recommended. The clerk staff cannot give legal advice but can point you to the right forms.