Pasco County Probate Court Records include every will, estate filing, and guardianship case processed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. These records sit in two courthouse locations and show the full life of a case from petition to final discharge.
Anyone can look at most of them for free, and certified copies cost a small fee. This page covers where to look, what each case type means, what fees to expect, and how the local process runs from start to finish.
How the Probate Court System Works in Pasco County
Pasco County sits in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida, sharing circuit judges and rules with Pinellas County. The Clerk of the Circuit Court, Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, runs the day-to-day record keeping for every probate matter. Probate covers four main case types in Florida, and each one creates a separate file in the clerk’s system. The court does not post actual document images online for most probate cases, but case captions, party names, docket entries, and event dates stay open to the public.
Court Authority Over Estate Files
A Pasco County probate judge must sign off on every formal estate opening, every summary administration order, and every guardianship appointment. That makes the clerk’s office the legal keeper of the original file. The clerk assigns case numbers, stamps filings, stores the paper file, and runs the docket. Anyone needing proof of what was filed must work through that office.
Public Access Rules in Florida
Florida law treats most probate filings as public records. A few sensitive items stay sealed, such as mental health evaluations in guardianship cases and certain financial account numbers. Wills become public once they are filed with the court, even if no full probate follows. Death certificates attached to a petition stay viewable by anyone who walks in with a photo ID.
Searching Records Online Through the Clerk Portal
The Pasco Clerk runs a public case search at pascoclerk.com. No login or fee is required for basic name and case number lookups. The portal shows the case style, judge, filing date, and a list of docket entries with dates and short descriptions.
Searching by Name
Type the last name of the deceased or the estate into the name field. The system accepts partial matches. Results return every case linked to that person, including probate, civil, and criminal matters. Filter the result list by case type or division to narrow the list down to probate files only.
Searching by Case Number
Pasco County case numbers follow a standard format that starts with the year, then the sequence code, then a four-digit number. A typical probate case might read 2024-CP-001234. Enter the full string for a direct match. The portal shows the full docket from the first filing to the closing order.
What the Portal Shows and Hides
The portal lists every docket entry, party name, attorney of record, and hearing date. It does not show scanned document images for most probate cases under Florida records rules. To read the actual petition, will, or order, visit the clerk’s office in person or order a copy by mail.
Types of Probate Cases Filed in Pasco County
Florida recognizes four probate pathways. Pasco County handles all four, and the type filed depends on estate size, time since death, and where the deceased lived.
Formal Administration
Formal administration is the full court-supervised process for estates worth more than $75,000. A personal representative gets appointed, creditors receive legal notice, and the court reviews inventories and accountings. Most formal administration cases in Pasco County run six to nine months when no one contests the will.
Summary Administration
Summary administration works for smaller estates of $75,000 or less and for any estate where the person died more than two years ago. No personal representative gets appointed. The court issues a single order that directs asset distribution. These cases close in one to three months.
Disposition Without Administration
This narrow path covers estates with no real property, only funeral or final medical bills, and personal property worth $6,000 or less. A short petition to the clerk handles the whole matter. Many small Pasco estates use this path when the only goal is passing a car or a bank account to a survivor.
Ancillary Administration
Ancillary administration applies when a non-Florida resident owns property in Pasco County at death. The main probate runs in the home state, and the Pasco case handles only local real estate and accounts. This keeps the local property tied to a Florida court order.
Pasco County Courthouse Locations and Contact Details
Two clerk offices handle probate filings and record requests in Pasco County. The main courthouse sits in Dade City, the county seat. The west branch operates out of the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey.
Dade City Main Courthouse
The Dade City office processes all new probate filings, accepts wills for safekeeping, and stores original estate files. The address is 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Dade City, FL 33523. The clerk phone line is (352) 521-4408. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
New Port Richey West Branch
The New Port Richey branch serves residents in western and coastal Pasco County. The address is 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654. The branch handles record lookups, certified copy requests, and some filings. The same office hours apply Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Official Website and Phone Numbers
The official website is pascoclerk.com. The main clerk phone is (352) 521-4408. The statewide Florida Courts clerk directory at flcourts.gov lists current contact details as a backup reference.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dade City Main | 38053 Live Oak Ave, Dade City, FL 33523 | (352) 521-4408 | Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM |
| New Port Richey West | 8731 Citizens Dr, New Port Richey, FL 34654 | (352) 521-4408 | Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM |
Filing Fees and Certified Copy Charges
Fees follow the statewide schedule set by the Florida Legislature. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards. Bring exact change for small fees when paying in person.
Standard Filing Fees
Formal administration costs $400 for estates up to $1,000 in value, with tiered increases that top out at $1,500 for large estates. Summary administration costs a flat $235. Disposition without administration also costs $235. These fees cover the court filing only and do not include attorney fees, publication costs, or certified copies.
Certified Copy Charges
Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee per document. Letters of Administration, which banks and title companies require, cost the same per certified set. Order enough sets at the start. Reordering later means paying the same fees again.
Publication and Other Costs
Notice to creditors must run in a Pasco County newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Publication runs $100 to $200 depending on the paper. Service of process on heirs or beneficiaries costs extra if a process server is needed.
The Probate Process From Start to Finish
Every Pasco probate case follows a set order of steps. Some steps apply only to formal administration, and others apply to all four case types. Knowing the order helps families plan and avoid delays.
Filing the Will and Petition
Florida Statute 732.901 requires the person holding a will to deposit it with the clerk within 10 days of learning of the death. This rule applies even when no full probate is planned. The petition to open the estate comes next and asks the court to admit the will and appoint a personal representative.
Appointing the Personal Representative
A judge reviews the petition and signs an order admitting the will and naming the personal representative. The clerk then issues Letters of Administration. These letters prove the representative’s authority to banks, brokers, and title companies.
Notice to Creditors
The personal representative publishes a creditor notice in a local newspaper for two weeks. Creditors then have 90 days from the first publication date to file claims. Late claims face rejection in most cases.
Closing the Estate
After creditor deadlines pass, the representative pays valid claims, files a final accounting, and distributes remaining assets. The judge signs a discharge order that formally closes the case. The clerk marks the file closed in the docket.
Requesting Records In Person or By Mail
Two main ways exist to get copies of Pasco County probate records. Both require some form of identification and a small fee for certified copies.
In-Person Visits
Visit either courthouse with a photo ID. Tell the clerk staff the case name or number, and they will pull the file. You can review the file in a designated area and request printed or certified copies on the spot. Plan for a short wait during lunch hours and on Mondays.
Mail Requests
Send a written request that lists the case name or number, the documents needed, and a daytime phone number. Include a check or money order payable to the Pasco County Clerk for the correct amount. Mail the request to the Dade City address. The clerk processes mail within five to ten business days.
Legal Help and Self-Service Options
Probate can run without an attorney for summary cases and small estates. Formal administration usually needs a lawyer. Several local and statewide resources help residents handle probate matters on their own or get legal help at low cost.
Florida Courts Self-Help Forms
The Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov offers fillable PDF forms for summary administration and disposition without administration. The forms include step-by-step instructions written in plain language. Formal administration forms exist too, but the court expects attorney involvement for most of those cases.
Local Legal Aid
Bay Area Legal Services handles probate matters for low-income Pasco County residents. The intake line is (813) 232-1343. The Pasco County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service connects residents with local probate attorneys, many of whom offer a free first meeting.
Florida Bar Referral Service
The Florida Bar runs a statewide lawyer referral service at (800) 342-8011. Callers get matched with probate attorneys licensed in Florida. The service charges a small referral fee that applies to the first consultation.
Florida Statutes Governing Pasco Probate
The Florida Probate Code covers Chapters 731 through 735 of the Florida Statutes. These chapters set the rules for wills, estate administration, and creditor claims. Reading the statute helps families and representatives understand their duties.
Chapter 732 Intestate Succession and Wills
Chapter 732 covers who inherits without a will and what makes a will valid in Florida. It also covers will deposits with the clerk, will contests, and the rules for self-proved wills. The full text sits on the Florida Legislature website at flsenate.gov.
Chapter 733 Probate Administration
Chapter 733 covers the full estate administration process. It lists the duties of the personal representative, the rights of beneficiaries, and the rules for selling estate property. The chapter sets deadlines for filing inventories and accountings.
Pasco County Probate Court Records sit with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The official website is pascoclerk.com. The main clerk phone is (352) 521-4408. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at both courthouse locations: 38053 Live Oak Avenue, Dade City, FL 33523, and 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasco Probate Records
These questions cover what most people ask the clerk’s office about probate files, will deposits, and case status. Answers draw on current Florida law and the local rules the Pasco clerk follows. The answers below apply to filings made in 2025 and 2026 and reflect the fee schedule in effect as of August 2026.
Are probate records public in Pasco County?
Yes. Most probate filings in Pasco County stay open to the public once a case is opened. The clerk’s online portal shows case captions, party names, docket entries, and hearing dates for free. The actual document images, such as the petition and will, need a visit to the clerk’s office or a mail request. A few sensitive items stay sealed, like mental health records in guardianship cases and certain account numbers. Florida public records law sets the rules for what stays open and what stays private.
How do I locate a will filed in Pasco County?
Search the clerk’s online portal at pascoclerk.com using the deceased’s name. A deposited will shows up in the case docket. Florida law requires anyone holding a will to file it with the clerk within 10 days of learning of the death, so most wills land in the system quickly. To read the actual will, visit the Dade City courthouse with a photo ID and ask staff to pull the file.
Can I view probate documents online?
Florida law does not require clerks to post actual probate document images to public websites. The Pasco portal shows the case style, docket entries, and party names for free. The underlying petition, will, inventory, and order sit in the paper file. You can review them in person or order certified copies by mail for a small fee. Some civil case types do post images, but most probate matters do not.
How long does probate take in Pasco County?
Uncontested formal administration cases take six to nine months from filing to discharge. The timeline includes the 90-day creditor window and the time to prepare the final accounting. Summary administration cases close in one to three months when the paperwork is correct at filing. Disputed cases, missing heirs, or unclear property titles push the timeline longer.
What if I cannot locate a probate case online?
Older cases may not show up in the online portal. The portal covers recent filings, and very old cases from before the system went online sit only in the paper archive. Call the clerk’s office at (352) 521-4408 for help locating older files. Staff can check the physical index books and pull archived files by hand for in-person review.
Do I need a lawyer to file probate in Pasco County?
Florida law requires an attorney for most formal administration cases. A personal representative who is the only beneficiary can file some formal paperwork without a lawyer. Summary administration and disposition without administration can run without a lawyer, though the rules still apply. Self-help forms at flcourts.gov cover the simpler paths and include instructions for each step.
How do I get Letters of Administration in Pasco?
The court issues Letters of Administration after the judge signs the order appointing the personal representative. The clerk prints the letters and the personal representative picks them up or orders them by mail. Banks, brokers, and title companies require original certified letters before releasing estate assets. Order several certified sets at once, since each set costs the same fee.