Search Hamilton County Probate Court Records

Hamilton County probate court records are filed with the Clerk of Court in Jasper, Florida, serving estates, wills, and guardianship matters under the 3rd Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to search those records, what probate types apply, where to get forms, and how to reach the clerk's office with questions.

Hamilton County Clerk of Court

The Hamilton County Clerk of Court is located in Jasper, the county seat. The clerk's office handles all probate filings, keeps the official record of every estate and guardianship case, and issues certified copies of probate documents when requested. This office is your first stop for any probate matter in the county.

Hamilton County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which covers Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor counties. The circuit court website at jud3.flcourts.org has local rules, judge assignments, and administrative orders that apply to probate cases filed in Jasper. Check it before filing anything.

The statewide clerk directory at flclerks.com helps confirm current contact details for the Hamilton County clerk and all 67 Florida county clerks.

The find-a-clerk page above is the quickest way to verify clerk contact info for Hamilton County and neighboring counties in the 3rd Circuit.

The Florida Courts website provides statewide guidance, self-help resources, and links to court records portals used across all 67 counties including Hamilton.

How to Search Hamilton County Probate Records

Hamilton County probate records are public under Florida law. You have several ways to access them.

In person: Go to Room 106, 207 NE 1st Street, Jasper. Give the clerk the decedent's name and, if you have it, the case number or year the estate was opened. Staff can pull the file and make copies. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. Know which you need before you visit.

By phone: Call (386) 792-1288 to check on a specific case, confirm whether probate was opened, or ask about the current fee schedule. Staff can give you basic case info. They cannot give legal advice or tell you how to handle your case.

Online: Hamilton County is small, and online case search may be limited. Visit the Florida Courts website to check for statewide access tools. The Florida Courts eCaseView system continues to expand and may include Hamilton County. It is worth checking before making the drive to Jasper.

Mail: Send a written request with the decedent's name, case number if known, your return address, and a check or money order for estimated fees. Call ahead to get the current fee schedule so you send the right amount.

Florida's probate rules come from two key statutes. Chapter 733 covers formal administration. Chapter 735 covers summary administration and disposition without administration. These determine what kind of case was filed and what documents you can expect to find in the file.

Types of Probate in Hamilton County

Florida law sets out three probate tracks. The right one depends on the estate's value and how long the decedent has been gone.

Formal Administration

Formal administration is required when the gross estate is worth more than $75,000, not counting exempt property like the homestead, certain vehicles, and household items. The court appoints a personal representative who must inventory assets, notify creditors, resolve claims, and file a final accounting before the estate closes. This process takes time. Six months is a minimum in most cases, and complex estates can take much longer. Chapter 733 lays out every step. An attorney is required in most formal administration cases in Florida.

Summary Administration

If the non-exempt estate value is $75,000 or less, or the decedent has been dead for two years or more, the family can use summary administration. There is no personal representative. The court issues a single order distributing assets to beneficiaries. The process is faster and less costly. Chapter 735 controls this track. Known creditors must still receive notice before the order is entered.

Disposition Without Administration

This is available when the only assets are exempt property or personal property worth $6,000 or less with no real estate involved. It is used most often to reimburse whoever paid the decedent's final expenses. The clerk can handle this without a full court hearing in some cases. It is the fastest and cheapest option when it applies.

What Hamilton County Probate Records Contain

A Hamilton County probate file is a public court record. Most documents in the file can be viewed and copied by anyone. Here is what you are likely to find.

The petition to open the estate is the first document filed. It states the decedent's name, date of death, known heirs, and the nature of the assets. If there is a will, the original is filed with the court and becomes part of the record. The court issues an order admitting the will to probate once it is found valid.

Later documents include the inventory of assets, creditor claims, objections to claims, accountings, and ultimately the order closing the estate. In guardianship cases, the file also contains the petition for guardianship, the examining committee's reports, annual guardianship plans, and any orders about the ward's care or finances.

Letters of administration and letters of guardianship are formal court documents that authorize the personal representative or guardian to act. Banks, brokerages, and other institutions will not release assets without them. You can get certified copies from the clerk for a fee.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Hamilton County is a rural county. Local attorneys who focus on probate may be limited, but the 3rd Circuit and Florida's statewide resources can help.

The Florida Courts Self-Help Center provides free forms and step-by-step instructions for summary administration, disposition without administration, and guardianship matters. These are the same forms used in Hamilton County.

For formal administration, especially when the estate includes real property, debts, or disputed heirs, working with a licensed Florida probate attorney is strongly recommended. The Florida Bar can provide referrals. The 3rd Circuit's court website may also list local legal aid contacts and pro bono resources serving Hamilton County residents.

If you are not sure whether probate is needed at all, that is worth a phone call to the clerk or a brief consult with an attorney. Some assets pass outside of probate through beneficiary designations, joint ownership, or trusts. Understanding what the decedent owned and how it was titled is the first step.

Key Florida Probate Statutes

Two chapters of Florida law control probate procedure in Hamilton County. Chapter 733 is the Florida Probate Code. It covers everything from who can serve as personal representative to how creditors must be paid and when the estate can finally close. Chapter 735 is shorter and focuses on the two simplified procedures: summary administration and disposition without administration. Reading the relevant chapter before you file will help you understand what the court expects and what deadlines apply to your case.

Cities in Hamilton County

Hamilton County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. The main communities are Jasper (the county seat), Jennings, and White Springs. All probate matters for these communities are handled at the Hamilton County Clerk of Court in Jasper.

Nearby Counties

Hamilton County sits in north-central Florida, bordered by several 3rd Circuit counties and others. If an estate has property in more than one county, ancillary filings may be needed in neighboring courts.