Finding Your Way With The Hernando Clerk Of Court: A Community Guide

Esperanza Bins 03 Aug 2025

When you need official help in Hernando County, Florida, knowing where to turn for court services and public records is, well, pretty important. The Office of Doug Chorvat Jr., who is the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller for Hernando County, really serves as a central hub for many vital community needs. This office helps keep things running smoothly for residents, whether you're dealing with legal matters or just need to get official papers handled. It's a key part of how our local government works for everyone here, and that's a good thing.

The Hernando County Clerk of Court provides a wide array of services, from handling court documents to issuing marriage licenses, and even safeguarding property records. For many people, this office is their first stop for important life events or legal processes. You might be looking for information about court cases, or maybe you need to find a deed for a piece of land, and so the Clerk's office is there to help with all of that. They maintain a vast collection of public records, which is rather helpful for keeping things transparent in our community.

Knowing what services are available and how to access them can make a big difference, especially when you are trying to sort out legal paperwork or find public information. This guide will walk you through the many ways the Hernando Clerk of Court supports the community, covering everything from online resources to in-person assistance. It's truly about making these essential services approachable for everyone who lives or works in Hernando County, and that's what we want to talk about.

About the Clerk: Doug Chorvat Jr.
Understanding the Role of the Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Court Services Explained
Public Records and Documents
Other Vital Services
The Comptroller Role: County Finances
Getting in Touch and Visiting
Frequently Asked Questions

About the Clerk: Doug Chorvat Jr.

Doug Chorvat Jr. is the current Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller for Hernando County, Florida. He was chosen by the voters in November 2018 to take on this important role. Prior to that, Doug had already been working within the Clerk’s office for quite some time, having started there in April 2000. He first joined the information technology department, working in the service desk area, which really gave him a solid background in how the office operates from the inside. His long history within the office suggests a deep familiarity with its operations and the needs of the community, which is pretty reassuring for residents.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Name	Doug Chorvat Jr.
Office Held	Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, Hernando County, Florida
First Elected	November 2018
Started in Clerk's Office	April 2000
Initial Role	Service Desk, Information Technology Department
Key Responsibilities	Court services, public records, county finances, marriage licenses, passports, property fraud alerts.

Understanding the Role of the Clerk of Court & Comptroller

The Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller in Hernando County has a very broad set of duties, which are, in a way, central to the county's operations. The primary responsibility of the Clerk of Court is to receive, docket, index, certify, and preserve court orders, pleadings, and other legal documents that are filed with the court. This means they are the official record-keeper for all court proceedings, which is, you know, a big job. They make sure that these vital papers are kept safe and can be found when needed, which is pretty essential for justice to work.

Beyond the court duties, the Clerk also serves as the ex officio clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, the auditor, the recorder, and the custodian of all county funds. This dual role, as both Clerk of Court and Comptroller, means they have a hand in a lot of different areas. For instance, the finance department, which is part of the Clerk’s office, handles safeguarding all the assets of Hernando County. This ensures that the county’s money is managed responsibly, which is something everyone cares about, really.

Court Services Explained

The Hernando County Clerk of Court provides a wide range of court services to help people with various legal situations. These services cover different types of cases, ensuring that the court system can handle everything from minor disputes to serious legal matters. The circuit court, for example, handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases, so it's a very busy place. The county court also manages its own set of cases, making sure all legal issues get proper attention.

Small Claims Court for Everyday Issues

Small claims court is often called the "people’s court" because it's set up to be accessible for individuals who have smaller financial disputes. If someone owes you money, or if you feel you were wronged, and the amount is less than $8,000, you can file a case here. It's designed so that, in most cases, you do not need a lawyer, which can save people a lot of money and stress. However, if your case seems a bit more complex, it might be better to get help from an attorney, and the Clerk’s office can offer some general guidance on where to find assistance locating one, too.

Family Law Matters

Dealing with family legal issues can be very tough, and the Clerk’s office tries to make it a little easier by providing resources. Family court packets, along with various forms and checklists, are available from the Hernando County Clerk of Court’s family law division website. You can click to download these family law forms, which can be used for various proceedings. This helps people prepare their paperwork correctly, which is really helpful when emotions are running high.

Protecting Yourself: Injunctions for Protection

For people needing protection from violence, the Clerk’s office handles injunctions. An injunction for protection must include specific facts and circumstances, including dates, that show the court an immediate and present danger of violence exists. It also needs the respondent’s physical description, date of birth, and an address where they can be located. This information helps law enforcement officers find and identify the person, which is very important for safety.

Probate and Estates

The probate division of the Clerk’s office maintains files on probate estates, wills, and trusts. Probating an estate is the legal process in Florida law that determines the value of a deceased person’s property and how it will be given to their heirs. Probate is necessary whenever a person who has passed away leaves titled assets only in their name. A party then files a petition for this process, and the Clerk’s office keeps all the related records, so it's a very detailed process.

Traffic and Tickets

If you get a traffic ticket in Hernando County, you'll likely interact with the Clerk’s office. You can send your payment and any required affidavits, like if you are choosing traffic school, to their traffic department. They are located at Room 136, 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601. It’s pretty straightforward, but getting it right helps avoid further issues.

Foreclosure Sales

The Clerk’s office is responsible for conducting foreclosure sales, following Chapter 45 of Florida Statutes. These sales happen right outside Room 245 of the Hernando County Courthouse, at 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, at 11:00 AM ET every Tuesday and Thursday, unless it's a legal holiday. They also provide a list of all foreclosure filings by month and a list of upcoming sales, which is useful for those interested in these proceedings.

Public Records and Documents

The Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller maintains a very wide range of court records and other documents that are considered public records. This includes things like deeds, various legal documents, case files, and other official records. These records are vital for transparency and for citizens to access information about legal proceedings and property.

Searching for Records Online

One of the most helpful services is the ability to search for deeds, documents, cases, and other records maintained by the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court online. This website provides information on online court records for Hernando County, Florida. To access the online court records search for a county, you first need to select the appropriate county from a dropdown menu and then click the "go" button. You can view and print images with Adobe Reader, and it’s a good idea to check the browser requirements, just to be sure. Please remember that by using this website, you agree to a disclaimer and release the Clerk and their employees and agents, which is pretty standard.

For broader searches, you can also search the statewide Clerk of Courts official records and order certified copies. Official records include items such as marriage certificates, deeds, financial liens, court papers, and judgments. This statewide search can be very useful if you're looking for records that might span beyond Hernando County, or if you are not quite sure where a record might be kept.

Property Fraud Alert Service

Protecting your property from fraud is a big concern for many people, and the Clerk’s office offers a free service to help with this. You can learn how to protect your property from fraud with a service that alerts you of any deed, mortgage, or land record filed with your name. You can sign up, unsubscribe, and search online at their website. This service gives property owners a bit more peace of mind, knowing they'll be notified if something unusual happens with their property records.

Requesting Public Records

If you need to request a public record, the process is pretty straightforward. Public records requests may be submitted online by sending an email to publicrecords@hernandosheriff.org. Online requests are received, tracked, and handled efficiently. This makes it easy for people to get the information they need without having to visit the office in person every time, which is rather convenient.

Other Vital Services

Beyond court and record-keeping duties, the Hernando Clerk of Court also provides several other essential services that directly benefit the community. These services are often needed at key moments in people's lives, making the Clerk's office a very important resource.

Marriage Licenses

For couples looking to tie the knot, the Clerk’s office issues marriage licenses. Per Florida law, the Clerk’s office does not issue a marriage license for related individuals, which is a key rule they follow. This service helps people officially begin their new lives together, and it's a pretty joyful part of what the office does.

Passports

If you're planning to travel internationally, the Hernando County Clerk of Court also processes passport applications. This makes it convenient for residents to get their travel documents without having to go to a separate federal office. It's a handy service for those getting ready for adventures abroad.

Jury Duty Information

Serving on a jury is a civic duty, and the Clerk’s office manages the jury process for Hernando County. The Hernando County Clerk’s office has a recorded juror information line to inform jurors when or if their services will be required each day they are on call for the week specified on the summons. Cases frequently settle out of court before their trial date, so this line helps jurors know if they need to report. It's really helpful for managing people's time.

The Comptroller Role: County Finances

As mentioned, the Clerk of the Circuit Court also serves as the ex officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, auditor, recorder, and custodian of all county funds. This means the finance department, which is part of the Clerk of Circuit Court, fulfills this very important role by safeguarding all the assets of Hernando County. In carrying out these responsibilities, they ensure that county finances are handled with care and accountability. This part of the job is crucial for the financial health and stability of the entire county, which, you know, affects everyone who lives here.

Getting in Touch and Visiting

Finding the office location, hours, and contact information for the Hernando Clerk of Court is pretty easy. The Hernando County Courthouse is located at 20 North Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601. You can find information about the Hernando County Court in Brooksville, FL, including phone numbers, their website, staff, and the types of cases they handle. They also offer ways to pay tickets, access court records, and learn about serving jury duty.

For specific court services, there's a court services menu that you can use. You can select the page you would like to visit using the links provided. There are also links to the Florida Courts website, specific court locations, and directions to the courthouse. For instance, you can learn more about court services on our site, or even check out information about public records.

If you need user ID and password assistance for online services, you should contact the Clerk’s office directly. It's important to remember that when you are exiting the Hernando County, FL website, the county is not responsible for the content of external sites. They also express thanks for visiting their site, which is a nice touch. For general information about the Florida court system, you might find resources on the official Florida Courts website, which is a good external reference for statewide legal information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people often have about the Hernando Clerk of Court:

How do I search for deeds or other documents in Hernando County?

You can search for deeds, documents, cases, and other records maintained by the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court directly on their website. You'll need to select Hernando County from a dropdown menu to access the online search portal. It's a very helpful way to find official records from home.

Can I get a marriage license at the Hernando County Clerk's office?

Yes, the Hernando County Clerk of Court’s office does issue marriage licenses. They follow Florida law regarding who can get a license, so related individuals are not issued one. It's a pretty common service they provide for couples.

What is the Property Fraud Alert service?

The Property Fraud Alert service is a free tool offered by the Clerk’s office that lets you know if any deed, mortgage, or land record with your name on it is filed. It's a way to help protect your property from potential fraud. You can sign up for this service online, and it provides a bit of extra security for your assets.

The Hernando County... - Hernando County Sheriff's Office

Doug Chorvat Jr., Clerk of Court and Comptroller, Hernando County, FL

Flower - Flor Hernando

Global Artist Buzz