Our courthouse and Orange Park Branch location are open to provide services to the public. You may choose to come to our offices for in-person service or you can instead take advantage of our many online services.
A self-represented litigant is a person (party) who advocates on his or her own behalf before a court, rather than being represented by an attorney. These litigants are also known as pro se litigants and are most often involved in family court or civil related matters. The right of a party to a legal action to represent his or her own cause has long been recognized in the United States.
While Clerk’s Office personnel are not permitted to provide legal instruction or advice to citizens, our office can provide information on the resources available to a self-represented litigant.
For example, we facilitate access to low cost legal assistance through our Low Bono Program. If your are completing forms for a Family Law case or related to Probate, you may want to consider meeting with a Low Bono attorney to review your documents and for additional guidance. You’ll find more information on our Low Bono Program page.
Redaction of Private Information in Your Documents and Filings
The Florida Supreme Court sets the rules governing the redaction of private information in certain court records. Please make sure you are informed and following the protocols. Click on the following links to learn more about Redaction of Private Information and to view Required Confidentiality Forms.
Remote Court Appearances
As a self-represented litigant, in some rare circumstances, you may be directed by your assigned judge’s judicial assistant to attend a court appearance via the Zoom (app / website). If so, you’ll receive directions regarding date, time and log-in link directly from the judicial assistant.
You can also prepare ahead by reviewing this content: Online Services – Instructions & Links
How to File Forms for Your Case
Upon completion of any form, you will need to print and then submit the form to our office by mail or by bringing it to the Clerk of Court’s Civil Department in the Clay County Courthouse in Green Cove Springs. You may also submit the form via the eFiling portal.
For instructions on electronically submitting completed forms, visit www.myflcourtaccess.com.
Various online forms are available by clicking the link below.
Self-Help Information
More Self-Help Information from the Florida Courts
The information found on this statewide Self-Help Center page is provided for citizens who choose to be self-represented litigants.
Free Law Library & LexisNexis Access
- The Clay County Clerk’s Office houses a Law Library located inside our first floor Recording Department at the main courthouse in Green Cove Springs. Public use of the law books and online resource (LexisNexis database) is free and available during normal courthouse business hours.
Administrative Orders from the Judiciary
A searchable index of administrative orders (AO) filed in the fourth judicial circuit is provided as a customer service by the Clerk of Courts and entries are maintained by Court Administration. The official administrative order repository is the county official record book and page on which the order was recorded. The 4th Judicial Circuit includes Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties.
Index of 4th Circuit Administrative Orders
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hope Card
A person who has been issued a final injunction for protection against domestic violence, stalking, repeat violence, sexual violence, dating violence, or abuse or exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult may apply for a free “Hope Card” with the Clerk of Court where the petition was originally filed. These cards are only available at the time of a Final Judgment entered by the Court or at any other time before the expiration of the order for protection. A Hope Card is valid for two (2) years after the date of issuance of the final order or the expiration of the injunction; whichever is earlier. A Hope Card may be renewed after the two year period IF the injunction is still in effect.
The following information will be automatically included on Hope Cards issued by our office:
- The respondent’s name and date of birth
- The name and date of birth of the petitioner or protected person
- Information regarding the issuing court, the case number
- The date the order of protection was issued
- The expiration date, if any, of the order of protection
- The telephone number for the statewide domestic violence hotline
- The date of issuance and the expiration date of the Hope Card
