Find Probate Court Records in Nassau County

Nassau County probate court records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts in Yulee and cover formal estate administrations, summary administration petitions, will deposits, guardianship proceedings, and related matters for residents of this northeast Florida county. The 4th Judicial Circuit covers Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties, with probate cases from Nassau County falling under 4th Circuit jurisdiction. This page explains how to search existing probate records, what types of probate apply to different estates, how to contact the Nassau County Clerk, and where to find legal help in the area.

Nassau County Clerk of Courts - Probate Division

The Nassau County Clerk of Courts, located in Yulee, handles all probate filings for the county. Yulee serves as the county seat and is where the main courthouse is situated. If you are coming from Fernandina Beach or the barrier islands, plan for the drive to Yulee. A toll-free number is available for callers outside the immediate local area.

Most probate documents are public records. However, inventories and accountings filed in estates are confidential under Florida law. Florida law also prohibits the Clerk from placing an image or copy of a court file on a publicly available Internet Web site. This means some documents can only be obtained by visiting the clerk's office in person or submitting a formal copy request.

The Nassau County Clerk's website provides links to the online case search system, filing fee information, and general court division contacts. Check the site before visiting to confirm hours and any current changes to procedures.

The homepage lists all court divisions, including the probate and guardianship section, and provides direct links to the clerk's online records portal.

4th Judicial Circuit

The 4th Judicial Circuit covers Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties. Probate cases filed in Nassau County fall under this circuit's jurisdiction. The circuit court website at jud4.flcourts.org has judge information, local administrative orders, and procedural guidance for cases in all three counties.

Because the 4th Circuit covers three counties, resources are shared across a larger area than a single-county circuit. However, probate cases are still filed locally in Nassau County and heard by judges assigned to that county's docket. Local administrative orders from the 4th Circuit may set specific requirements for how probate petitions must be formatted, what attachments are required, and how hearings are scheduled in Nassau County cases.

Check the 4th Circuit site for any current administrative orders before filing. These orders carry the force of local court rules and can affect your case if you overlook them.

How to Search Nassau County Probate Records

The Nassau County Clerk of Courts provides an online case search tool accessible from the clerk's website. You can look up probate cases by the decedent's name, the personal representative's name, or a case number. Public case information typically includes filing dates, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries.

For documents not available through the online search, contact the clerk's office at (904) 548-4600 or use the toll-free number at 800-958-3496. Staff can confirm whether a specific case file is available for inspection and what it will cost for certified copies. Certified copies of letters of administration or court orders are commonly needed by banks, title companies, and other parties who must verify that an estate is being properly administered.

The Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers maintains a statewide Find-a-Clerk directory that lists contact information for all 67 Florida county clerk offices. This is useful if you need to track down records from multiple counties or are not sure which county handled a particular estate.

The directory at flclerks.com/page/findaclerk is a quick way to find contact details for Nassau County or any neighboring county clerk's office.

Types of Probate in Nassau County

Florida law provides three main probate processes. Which one applies to a given estate depends on the gross value of the assets and how long ago the decedent died. All three are filed with the Nassau County Clerk of Courts.

Formal Administration

Formal administration is required when the estate's gross value exceeds $75,000 and the person died less than two years ago. This is the standard, full probate process. A personal representative is appointed by the circuit court, creditors are formally notified, an inventory of assets is filed, and a final accounting must be submitted before the estate can close. Florida law typically requires attorney representation in formal administration cases. The process can take several months to well over a year depending on the estate's complexity and whether any disputes arise.

Summary Administration

Summary administration is available when the estate's total gross value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been dead for two or more years. The two-year rule is important and often overlooked. Once two years have passed since death, summary administration is available regardless of the estate's size, as long as there are no outstanding creditor claims. No personal representative is appointed. The interested parties file a petition and the court issues an order directing distribution. Summary administration can often be completed in weeks rather than months.

Disposition Without Administration

When an estate has only personal property worth $6,000 or less and no real estate, a family member may petition for disposition without administration. This is the simplest path. No formal court case is opened. The clerk's office can provide the correct form. This process is most commonly used to access a small bank account or collect a titled vehicle after someone dies with minimal assets.

The governing rules for all three processes are found in Florida Statutes Chapter 733, which covers the full scope of estate administration in Florida including personal representative duties, creditor claims, and distribution requirements.

Filing Fees and Costs

Nassau County follows the statewide probate filing fee schedule established by Florida law. Fees for formal administration are based on the estate's estimated gross value. Summary administration petitions have their own fee. Certified copies of court orders and letters of administration cost additional amounts per page. Call the clerk's office to confirm current fees before you file, since the fee schedule can change.

Other costs in a probate case include service of process fees, publication costs for notice to creditors (required in formal administration), and attorney fees. Attorney fees in formal administration cases are governed by Florida Statutes Section 733.6171, which sets a statutory schedule based on the estate's value. Parties can also agree to a different fee arrangement, but the statutory schedule sets a baseline.

Legal Resources for Nassau County Probate

The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov provides approved probate forms, self-help guides, and general information on the estate administration process in Florida. These forms are accepted statewide, including in Nassau County.

Three Rivers Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents in Nassau County and the surrounding region. Their services may include help with probate petitions for small estates. Contact their office to see if your situation qualifies for free assistance. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can also connect you with a local probate attorney if you need paid legal representation.

Nassau County is a growing community, and estates in the county increasingly involve real property, including residential and investment properties near Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island. Real property in an estate can complicate the process and often pushes cases into formal administration even when the estate is otherwise modest. An attorney can help you assess the situation before you file.

Cities in Nassau County

Nassau County includes Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard, and Bryceville, among other communities. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Fernandina Beach, at roughly 15,000 residents, is the largest incorporated city in the county. All probate filings from across Nassau County are made with the Clerk of Courts at 76347 Veteran's Way in Yulee.

Nearby Counties

Nassau County shares borders with Duval County to the south, Baker County to the west, and Clay County to the southwest. Each has its own clerk of courts and probate division within the 4th Judicial Circuit.