Clay County Traffic Ticket Records are public court documents filed with the Clay County Clerk of Courts in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Every traffic citation written inside Clay County gets logged into this system, no matter which law officer issued it.
The Clay County Sheriff, the Florida Highway Patrol, and city police departments in Orange Park, Middleburg, and Fleming Island all send their tickets to the same clerk. You can look up your case online, pay your fine, elect traffic school, or request a court hearing through the Clay County records system. This page explains exactly how to do each step in plain language.
Clay County Clerk of Courts and Traffic Ticket Records
The Clay County Clerk of Courts runs the official traffic ticket records system for the whole county. This office sits at 825 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs and processes every civil traffic citation filed in Clay County. The clerk stores court documents, case numbers, payment history, and final outcomes for each ticket. Staff there can pull up your case using your name, date of birth, or citation number. They also keep the court calendar for drivers who want to fight their ticket.
Who Files Traffic Tickets in Clay County
Clay County traffic ticket records include citations written by several agencies. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office writes tickets outside city limits. The Florida Highway Patrol writes tickets on state roads and highways. Local police in Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, and Keystone Heights write tickets inside their town limits. All of these agencies send their tickets to the same Clay County Clerk office. So the agency name on your citation does not matter. The county name is what counts.
Clay County Judicial Circuit
Clay County sits inside the 4th Judicial Circuit, along with Duval and Nassau counties. The circuit court system means some forms and procedures stay the same across these three counties. But each county has its own clerk office with its own records. A ticket issued in Clay County stays in Clay County records, even if you live in Jacksonville or St. Augustine. Always check the county name printed at the top of your citation before searching.
| Contact Method | Clay County Clerk Details |
|---|---|
| Office Address | 825 N. Orange Ave., P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 |
| Phone Number | 904-269-6302 |
| Official Website | clayclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Judicial Circuit | 4th Judicial Circuit (Duval, Clay, Nassau) |
| County Seat | Green Cove Springs, Florida |
How to Search Clay County Traffic Ticket Records
You have three ways to search Clay County traffic ticket records. The fastest is the online portal. The second way is by phone through the clerk’s office. The third way is walking into the office in person. Each method gives you the same case data, including the citation number, the charge, the fine amount, and the court date if one was set. Below are the steps for each option.
Clay County Online Traffic Ticket Search
The Clay County Clerk runs a free public records search on its website at clayclerk.com. Go to the Public Records section and choose Court Records Search. You can search by citation number, name, or case number. Type the information into the search box and press enter. The system pulls up every traffic ticket case linked to that search term. Each result shows the ticket number, the violation code, the issue date, and the current status. Status types include pending, paid, dismissed, and adjudicated.
Clay County Traffic Ticket Number Search
If you have your citation number, the ticket number search is the fastest option. Your citation number is printed near the top of the paper ticket the officer gave you. It usually starts with letters followed by numbers, like A1234567. Type that number into the Clay County court records search tool. One search returns one exact case. This avoids confusion when two people share a name.
Clay County Traffic Citation Search by Name
You can also search Clay County traffic citation records using your full legal name. Type your last name first, then your first name. Add your date of birth if the system asks for it. The records portal shows every traffic case filed under your name, current and past. If you share a name with someone else, the date of birth field narrows the results. Court dates, fine amounts, and disposition records all show up in the results page.
Phone and In-Person Lookups
Call the Clay County Clerk at 904-269-6302 during office hours if you cannot use the online portal. Have your citation number ready. Staff will look up your case and read you the status, balance owed, and any upcoming court dates. You can also walk into the clerk’s office at 825 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs. Public computer terminals sit in the lobby for self-service searches. Staff at the front desk can help you use them.
Clay County Traffic Citation Records Database
The Clay County traffic citation records database holds every traffic case filed in the county since the 1990s. Older paper records from before 1990 stay in the county archives. The database is updated daily. New citations appear within 24 hours of being filed. Payment updates and court rulings appear the same day they happen. The database is the official source for any Clay County traffic ticket case search.
What Data the Database Holds
Each record in the Clay County traffic ticket records database contains the same core fields. The citation number links the case to the paper ticket. The defendant name shows who received the ticket. The violation code and description explain the charge. The issue date, court date, and disposition date track the timeline. The fine amount and balance owed show what you still need to pay. The disposition field shows the final outcome: paid, dismissed, adjudicated, or converted to traffic school.
Clay County Traffic Ticket Disposition Records
The disposition field on a Clay County traffic ticket record tells you the final outcome of the case. “Paid in Full” means you paid the fine and the case is closed. “Dismissed” means the court threw out the ticket. “Adjudication Withheld” means the court found you guilty but did not add points to your license. “Traffic School” means you completed a driver improvement course and the case is sealed. Each status affects your driving record differently.
Paying a Clay County Traffic Ticket
You have 30 days from the issue date to pay a Clay County traffic ticket or pick another option. This deadline comes from Florida Statute 318.14 and the clerk enforces it strictly. Pay on time and your case closes cleanly. Miss the deadline and a $16 late fee gets added. Wait longer and the clerk reports you to FLHSMV, which leads to license suspension. Pick one of three options within 30 days: pay the fine, pay the fine and elect traffic school, or request a court hearing to contest the ticket.
Online Payment Through PayFLClerk
The fastest way to pay a Clay County traffic ticket is online through PayFLClerk.com. Select Clay County from the drop-down menu. Enter your citation number. Choose payment with credit or debit card. The system charges a small convenience fee for card payments. Once you finish, you get a confirmation number by email. Save that number as proof of payment. The clerk records your payment the same day.
Pay by Mail
Mail your payment to P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Write your citation number on the check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail. The clerk must receive your payment within 30 days of the issue date, not within 30 days of when you mail it. Mail it at least 7 days early to make sure it arrives on time. If your check bounces, the clerk adds extra fees and may refer the case for collection.
Pay in Person
Visit the Clay County Clerk’s office at 825 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs to pay in person. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and card payments at the counter. Walk in, give the clerk your citation number, and pay the balance. You get a printed receipt before you leave. In-person payment posts to your record the same day.
Clay County Traffic School Election
Paying your fine and electing traffic school is the most popular choice for Clay County drivers who want to keep points off their license. The fine drops by 18% when you add the traffic school option. You must finish an approved Basic Driver Improvement course and file the certificate with the Clay County Clerk within 90 days of paying. If the certificate arrives on time, no points go on your record. Your insurance rates also stay clean.
Approved Traffic School Providers
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles keeps the full list of approved traffic schools. The list lives at the FLHSMV website under Driver Improvement Schools. You can take the course online or in a classroom. Most online courses cost between $20 and $50 and take 4 to 6 hours to finish. Make sure the school you pick is on the FLHSMV approved list, or the Clay County Clerk will not accept your certificate.
Traffic School Eligibility Rules
Not every Clay County driver can elect traffic school. You can use this option five times in your lifetime, but not more than once in any 12-month period. CDL holders cannot elect traffic school. Drivers caught going 30 mph or more over the speed limit cannot use it. Drivers who already have a criminal traffic citation on their record usually cannot use it either. Check your eligibility before you pay the fine and elect the course, because the 18% discount only applies once.
Filing the Traffic School Certificate
Some traffic schools file your completion certificate with the Clay County Clerk for you. Most online schools do this automatically. Call the clerk at 904-269-6302 to confirm they got the certificate. If your school does not file for you, you must mail the certificate to P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 before the 90-day deadline. Late certificates mean points go on your record and extra fees get added.
Clay County Traffic Ticket Fines and Court Costs
Clay County traffic ticket fines match the Florida statewide schedule. The base fine is set by law and does not change from county to county. Court costs and local surcharges get added on top of the base fine. The total you owe is higher than the base fine on your citation. Below is the current fine schedule for common moving violations in Clay County.
| Violation Type | Base Fine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 6 to 9 mph over | $25 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| Speeding 10 to 14 mph over | $100 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| Speeding 15 to 19 mph over | $150 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| Speeding 20 to 29 mph over | $175 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| Speeding 30 mph or more over | $250 | Mandatory court appearance required |
| Moving violation (non-speeding) | $60 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| Non-moving violation | $30 | Plus court costs and surcharges |
| School zone violation | Double the base fine | When children are present |
| Construction zone violation | Double the base fine | When workers are present |
| Late payment fee | $16 | Added after 30-day deadline |
Contesting a Clay County Traffic Ticket
You can fight a Clay County traffic ticket by requesting a court hearing within 30 days of the issue date. The hearing goes in front of a county judge in the Clay County Courthouse. You have the right to plead not guilty, present evidence, and question the officer who wrote the ticket. If you win, the ticket gets dismissed and you owe nothing. If you lose, the judge can add court costs and your fine can grow up to $500 for most violations, or $1,000 for school zone and construction zone offenses under Florida Statute 318.18.
How to Request a Court Hearing
Request a court hearing through the Clay County Clerk’s office. Mark the box on your citation that says you want to contest the ticket, then mail it back to P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 within 30 days. You can also file the request in person at the clerk’s office. The clerk sets a court date and mails you a notice. Most Clay County traffic hearings happen within 60 to 90 days of the request.
What Happens at the Hearing
At the hearing, the judge reads the charge. The officer who wrote the ticket explains what happened. You get to ask the officer questions and present your own evidence. You can bring witnesses, photos, or dashcam video. After both sides speak, the judge decides. The judge can dismiss the ticket, find you guilty, or find you guilty but withhold adjudication. Adjudication withheld means you still owe the fine, but no points go on your license.
Should You Hire a Traffic Attorney
For minor tickets like speeding 10 mph over, most Clay County drivers handle the case on their own. For serious tickets like speeding 30 over, reckless driving, or DUI, hiring a traffic attorney makes sense. A local attorney who works Clay County court regularly knows the judges and prosecutors. Many traffic attorneys offer free consultations and charge a flat fee for a single hearing. The fee often pays for itself if the attorney gets the ticket reduced or dismissed.
Clay County License Suspension for Unpaid Tickets
If you ignore a Clay County traffic ticket for too long, your license gets suspended. The process starts when the clerk reports you to FLHSMV after you fail to pay or respond within 30 days. FLHSMV mails a notice to your address on file. The suspension kicks in 20 days after the notice mailing date. Once suspended, the status stays on your FLHSMV record for seven years. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest.
How to Check Your License Status
Check your license status anytime through the MyDMV Portal at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov. Log in with your driver license number or use the guest lookup. The portal shows your current license status, any open suspensions, and the reason for each suspension. It also shows your Clay County traffic ticket balance and the steps needed to clear it. You can also call the Clay County Clerk at 904-269-6302 to ask about suspensions linked to unpaid tickets.
How to Reinstate a Suspended License
Pay off the full Clay County traffic ticket balance first. Then pay a $60 reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. The Clay County Clerk sends a compliance certificate to FLHSMV after your balance hits zero. FLHSMV then lifts the suspension. The whole process usually takes 3 to 5 business days. You can also pay the reinstatement fee online through the MyDMV Portal to speed things up. Always carry proof of payment until you see the suspension status change in the system.
Clay County Traffic Court Records and Filings
Clay County traffic court records include every document filed in a traffic case, not just the citation itself. These documents include the original ticket, the court notice, motions filed by either side, the hearing transcript, and the final judgment. The clerk’s office stores these records and makes them available to the public. Anyone can request copies of Clay County traffic ticket court documents, though copying fees apply.
How to Get Copies of Court Documents
Request copies of Clay County traffic ticket court documents in person at the clerk’s office or by mail. Send a written request that lists the case number, the documents you want, and your contact information. Include a check for the copying fee, which is $1 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. The clerk mails the copies to you within 5 to 10 business days. Online requests are also available through the clerk’s public records portal.
Electronic Traffic Ticket Records
Florida uses an electronic traffic ticket system called e-Citation. Officers write the ticket on a handheld device, and the data uploads directly to the court system. This means Clay County traffic ticket records appear in the database faster than they used to. The system also reduces errors caused by bad handwriting. The paper copy the officer prints at the stop is just a copy for you. The official record is the electronic one stored by the Clay County Clerk.
Clay County Traffic Violation Case Lookup by Number
Every Clay County traffic citation has a unique case number. This number is the fastest way to look up a case in the records system. You can find the case number on the paper ticket, on any notice you got in the mail, or on a receipt from a previous payment. The case number format is usually two letters followed by a series of numbers, like TR-2024-001234. Use the number to pull up the full case file in the public records portal.
What the Case Number Tells You
The first two letters of a Clay County traffic case number tell you the case type. “TR” means a regular traffic infraction. “TC” means a criminal traffic charge, like reckless driving or driving on a suspended license. “CT” means a civil traffic case already in court. The numbers after the letters include the year the case was filed and a sequence number. The full case number stays with the file forever, even after the case closes.
Clay County Public Traffic Ticket Records and Privacy
Clay County public traffic ticket records are open to anyone who wants to look at them. Florida law makes traffic cases part of the public record, except for cases that get sealed or expunged. Traffic school cases with adjudication withheld stay on the public record but may be removed from some background check reports. Dismissed cases also stay visible in the court file, but they show a final disposition of dismissed rather than guilty.
Who Can See Your Clay County Traffic Ticket
Insurance companies, employers, landlords, and licensing agencies can all pull your Clay County traffic ticket history through background check services. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also runs a full driving record report for a small fee. Order your own driving record once a year to check what others can see. Request a correction from the Clay County Clerk if you spot errors on the record.
Clay County Traffic Ticket Status Updates
Clay County traffic ticket status updates happen automatically as your case moves through the system. The status changes from “Open” to “Paid” when you pay the fine. It changes to “Traffic School” when you elect the course. It changes to “Court Pending” when you request a hearing. It changes to “Closed” when the case reaches a final outcome. Each status update shows up in the public records portal the same day it happens.
Checking Status During Business Hours
Call the Clay County Clerk at 904-269-6302 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays to check your case status. Staff can tell you the balance owed, any upcoming court dates, and whether your traffic school certificate was received. The phone line gets busy on Mondays and right after holidays, so call midweek if you can. Have your citation number ready before you call.
Clay County Cities Where Tickets Are Issued
Clay County traffic ticket records include cases from every city and community in the county. The clerk’s office in Green Cove Springs handles them all. Below is a list of the main communities and the agencies that issue tickets in each one.
| City or Community | Issuing Agency | Where the Case Is Filed |
|---|---|---|
| Green Cove Springs | Green Cove Springs Police Department | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
| Orange Park | Orange Park Police Department | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
| Middleburg | Clay County Sheriff’s Office | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
| Fleming Island | Clay County Sheriff’s Office | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
| Keystone Heights | Keystone Heights Police Department | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
| Penney Farms | Clay County Sheriff’s Office | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
| State Roads and Highways | Florida Highway Patrol | Clay County Clerk, Green Cove Springs |
Nearby Counties and Ticket Records
Clay County borders several other Florida counties. A ticket issued just across the county line belongs to a different clerk’s office. Always check the county name printed on the citation before searching for records. Below are the counties that border Clay County and the clerk offices that handle their traffic ticket records.
- Duval County: Tickets issued in Jacksonville go through the Duval County Clerk of Courts.
- St. Johns County: Tickets issued in St. Augustine and surrounding areas go through the St. Johns County Clerk of Courts.
- Putnam County: Tickets issued in Palatka and surrounding areas go through the Putnam County Clerk of Courts.
- Bradford County: Tickets issued in Starke and surrounding areas go through the Bradford County Clerk of Courts.
- Alachua County: Tickets issued in Gainesville and surrounding areas go through the Alachua County Clerk of Courts.
Clay County Clerk of Courts Contact and Location
The Clay County Clerk of Courts handles every traffic ticket record filed in the county. The main office sits in Green Cove Springs, just south of Jacksonville. You can visit the office in person, call the phone line, or use the online portal for help with traffic ticket records, payments, and court documents.
Office Address: 825 N. Orange Ave., P.O. Box 698, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Phone Number: 904-269-6302. Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Official Website: clayclerk.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clay County Traffic Ticket Records
Below are the most common questions drivers ask about Clay County traffic ticket records. Each answer gives you the facts you need in plain language. Use this section to check the details on fines, deadlines, traffic school, license suspension, and court records before you take action on your Clay County citation.
How long do I have to pay a Clay County traffic ticket?
You have 30 calendar days from the issue date printed on your Clay County traffic ticket to pay the fine or pick another option. This deadline comes from Florida Statute 318.14 and the Clay County Clerk enforces it strictly. If you miss the 30-day deadline, a $16 late fee gets added to your balance. The clerk then reports you to FLHSMV, which sends you a suspension notice. Pay on time to avoid the extra fees and the risk of losing your license.
Can I look up my Clay County traffic ticket online?
Yes. The Clay County Clerk runs a free public records search at clayclerk.com. Go to the Public Records section, pick Court Records Search, and enter your citation number, name, or case number. The portal shows your ticket details, the balance owed, the court date if one was set, and the final disposition. You can also pay your fine through the portal using PayFLClerk.com. The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What happens if I ignore a Clay County traffic ticket?
The Clay County Clerk reports ignored tickets to FLHSMV after the 30-day deadline passes. FLHSMV mails a suspension notice to your address on file. The suspension takes effect 20 days after the notice mailing date. Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. The suspension stays on your record for seven years. To lift the suspension, pay the full ticket balance plus a $60 reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense that can lead to arrest.
How many times can I take traffic school for a Clay County ticket?
You can elect traffic school five times in your lifetime under Florida law. You can only use it once in any 12-month period. CDL holders and drivers caught going 30 mph or more over the speed limit cannot use traffic school. Drivers with certain criminal traffic convictions on their record also cannot use it. Each time you elect traffic school for a Clay County ticket, the fine drops by 18% and no points go on your license as long as you finish the course and file the certificate within 90 days.
Can I get a copy of my Clay County traffic court records?
Yes. The Clay County Clerk’s office keeps every document filed in your traffic case, including the citation, the court notice, motions, and the final judgment. Request copies in person at the clerk’s office, by mail, or online through the public records portal. Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost more. Most requests are processed within 5 to 10 business days. The clerk charges a small fee for online records requests as well.
Do dismissed Clay County traffic tickets stay on my record?
Dismissed Clay County traffic tickets stay in the court file, but the disposition shows “Dismissed” rather than “Guilty.” Most background check services do not report dismissed tickets the same way they report convictions. Insurance companies usually do not raise your rates for dismissed tickets. You can still see the case in the public records portal, but the final status makes it clear the case did not result in a conviction or points on your license.
Is there a fee to search Clay County traffic ticket records?
No. Searching Clay County traffic ticket records through the clerk’s online portal is free. You can look up cases, view disposition records, and check court dates without paying anything. Fees only apply when you request certified copies of court documents, want printed copies mailed to you, or pull your full driving record from FLHSMV. The convenience fee for paying your ticket online with a credit or debit card is separate from the search fee and is charged by the payment processor, not the clerk.