This Department handles traffic and misdemeanor cases for the City of Lakeland, working closely with the Police Department for the City of Lakeland. Traffic cases include criminal charges and civil infractions. Upon receiving traffic citations and complaint affidavits, a file is created and maintained and court proceedings are held. A wide range of customer service is provided for the people in Polk County. All files in the Criminal Division are public record.
Circuit Civil & County Civil:
This Department files small claim actions of $5,000 or less, general civil cases up to $15,000 and tenant evictions. Small Claims Court is held at each location. Circuit Civil, new suits and pleadings are also processed at these offices, however, court proceedings on these cases are held in Bartow. Marriage applications are accepted and marriage ceremonies are performed. Passport applications are accepted through our office for processing.
Documents for Polk County Official Records are accepted and can be recorded. All files in the Civil Division are public record.
The Lakeland Branch of the Clerks Office is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 6:00 p.m. During the extended hours, walk-in customers will be able to:
- Pay Court Fines
- Pay Citations
- Apply for Marriage License
- Process Passport Applications
- File Tenant Evictions
- File Small Claims
- File Circuit Civil Cases
Due to limited staffing during these evening hours, telephones will not be answered in order to devote full time to walk-in customers