Depending on your situation and the type of case in which you are involved, you may decide to hire an attorney or you may choose to take the DIY approach (do it yourself). Even if DIY is the route you decide to go, that doesn’t have to mean you are alone in the process. There are resources available.
People involved in court cases or court filings who are not represented by an attorney are often referred to as self-represented litigants. These litigants are also known as pro se litigants and are most often the parties involved in family court or civil related matters. The right of a party to a legal action to represent his or her own cause (self-help) has long been recognized in the United States.
The Clay County Courthouse in Green Cove Springs and our Orange Park Branch location are open to provide in-person services to the public Monday through Friday. You may choose to travel to one of these offices for assistance or you can instead take advantage of the many online services found on this website and others.
While Clerk’s Office personnel are not permitted to provide legal instruction or legal advice to citizens, we can provide information on resources available to self-represented litigants and guide citizens with helpful information to the extent allowed by law.
DIY (Do It Yourself) Resources
- Clay County Clerk’s Office Low Bono Program – Low cost in-person meetings or online/remote meetings available with licensed attorneys related to Family Law, Probate, and Domestic Violence cases.
- Clay County Clerk’s Office Recording Department DIY area – An area of the Recording Department Vault (main courthouse location) is dedicated to self-represented litigants who need access to a computer (Internet), access to online legal research resources (free), and assistance with making record requests; public use of the LexisNexis database here is free and available during normal courthouse business hours.
- Jacksonville Legal Aid (JALA) FLARE Program – Family Law Assistance at Reduced Expense; a program that provides moderate-income families with legal help at a reduced expense in Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties; Dissolution of Marriage, Paternity, and Supplemental actions to modify a Final Judgment qualify.
- JALA periodically hosts events at which citizens can seek legal advice. Such event notices are posted in this site’s Announcements section.
- State of Florida Family Courts Self-Help Website
- 24/7/365 online access to required forms here.
Additional Helpful Information
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.
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
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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
