Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Last Updated 08/17/2020
In consideration of the serious health crisis facing the nation and the State of Florida from COVID-19 and in an effort to maintain the orderly administration of justice, the Court has determined that it is necessary and in the interest of public safety and justice, to take proactive measures to slow the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of litigants, counsel, Court staff, grand jurors, petit jurors, witnesses, and the public through the following measures.
A complete list of the measures taken can be found in the Administrative Order issued on August 12th, 2020. Announcements regarding COVID-19 can be found below.
Courthouse Access
Per Administrative Order, the Court has determined that, effective Monday, July 27, 2020, the United States Courthouse and the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building, located in the Pensacola Division of the Court, will be reopened to the public.
Per Administrative Order, to protect the health and safety of all occupants, all persons who enter any courthouse within the Northern District of Florida are required to practice social distancing measures and to wear face masks or other face coverings that cover the person's nose and mouth while in any public or common area within the facility. Visitors may not congregate in public lobbies and must maintain at least a six-foot distance from others while inside or waiting to enter or exit courthouses. Those individuals with a medical condition that precludes them from wearing a face mask and children under the age of two (2) are exempt from the requirement to wear face masks in common or public areas.
Staff in the Clerk’s Office are directed to telework and are available by telephone or email.
Jury Trials
All jury trials in the Northern District of Florida that are scheduled to occur between May 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020, are continued. The Court may issue other orders concerning future continuances as necessary and appropriate.
Courthouse Contact Information
Use the links below to find contact information for District Court, Bankruptcy Court, Probation, and other agencies in each courthouse location.
- Gainesville Contact Information
- Panama City Contact Information
- Pensacola Contact Information
- Tallahassee Contact Information
Civil Violations Bureau (CVB) Initial Appearances Rescheduled
Per Administrative Order of July 13th, 2020, all Central Violations Bureau (CVB) initial appearances for the Pensacola and Panama City Divisions scheduled for July 15, 2020, will be rescheduled.
Per Administrative Order of May 5th, 2020, Central Violations Bureau initial appearances in the Gainesville Division will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 26, 2020.
Naturalization Ceremonies Cancelled
All naturalization ceremonies in the Northern District of Florida are suspended through July 31, 2020. Questions regarding naturalization should be directed to USCIS at 800-375-5283.
