Palm Beach County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Palm Beach County?

Public records in Palm Beach County encompass all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency. As defined under the Florida Public Records Act, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, these records are available for public inspection and copying.

Palm Beach County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Property deeds, mortgages, liens, and property tax information maintained by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office
Court Records - Civil, criminal, probate, family, and traffic case files maintained by the 15th Judicial Circuit Court
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies available through the Palm Beach County Tax Collector
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Land Records - Plats, surveys, easements, and zoning information
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and corporate filings
Government Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of county commission and board meetings
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, and financial statements
Election Records - Voter registration information and election results
Environmental Records - Environmental impact studies, permits, and compliance reports

Is Palm Beach County an Open Records County?

Palm Beach County is an open records county, operating in compliance with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law and the Florida Public Records Act. Pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, all county records, with certain exemptions, are open for personal inspection by any person. This commitment to transparency is further reinforced by Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, which establishes the public's right to access records of all three branches of state government.

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners has adopted Administrative Policy and Procedure Memorandum #CW-F-002, which establishes uniform county-wide procedures for fulfilling public records requests. This policy ensures that:

Records custodians respond to requests promptly
Fees are assessed in accordance with Florida Statutes
Exemptions are properly applied
The public's right to access is balanced with privacy protections

The county's dedication to open government is also demonstrated through its Open Data Portal, which provides direct online access to numerous datasets and records without requiring formal requests.

How Do I Find Public Records in Palm Beach County in 2025

Members of the public may access Palm Beach County records through multiple channels established for public convenience:

Online Access - Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Palm Beach County Public Records Portal for tax and property records
- Palm Beach County Open Data Portal for various datasets
- Palm Beach County GIS & Property Lookup for property information
- 15th Judicial Circuit Court for court records
In-Person Requests - Citizens may visit the appropriate county office:
- For property records: Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office
- For court records: Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office
- For law enforcement records: Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Written Requests - Submit formal public records requests via:
- Email to the relevant department
- Standard mail addressed to the records custodian
- Fax to the department's designated records division
Telephone Requests - Some records may be requested by calling the appropriate department directly

For specialized records, the public should contact the specific agency that maintains those records. For example, vital records such as birth and death certificates should be requested from the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Palm Beach County?

The cost for obtaining public records in Palm Beach County is established pursuant to Florida Statute §119.07(4) and varies based on the type of record and the method of delivery:

Standard Copies
- Letter/Legal size (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"): $0.15 per one-sided page
- Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page plus copy charges
Special Service Charges
- Extensive use of agency resources (more than 30 minutes): Hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee capable of performing the work
- Computer programming or specialized IT services: Actual cost based on staff time
Electronic Records
- Records provided via email: No charge for delivery (copy charges may apply)
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus applicable copy charges
- Records provided on USB drive: Actual cost of the drive plus applicable copy charges
Large Format Documents
- Maps, blueprints, and other oversized documents: Actual cost of duplication
Court Records
- Court case documents: $1.00 per page
- Certified court documents: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page

Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card depending on the department and request method. Some departments may require payment in advance for requests exceeding a certain dollar amount.

Does Palm Beach County Have Free Public Records?

Palm Beach County does provide certain public records at no cost to requesters:

Online Access - The following resources offer free public record access:
- Palm Beach County Open Data Portal provides free access to numerous datasets including budget information, county statistics, and geographic data
- Palm Beach County GIS & Property Lookup offers free property information searches
- Palm Beach County Courts provides free access to court dockets and calendars
- Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office maintains a free inmate lookup system
In-Person Inspection - Pursuant to Florida Statute §119.07(1)(a), any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. While copying may incur fees, viewing records is free.
Fee Waivers - The following situations may qualify for fee waivers:
- Records requested by other governmental agencies
- Records provided in the public interest to media organizations in certain circumstances
- Records requested by individuals who demonstrate financial hardship (at the discretion of the records custodian)
Reduced Fees - Certain categories of requesters, such as veterans seeking records related to benefit claims, may qualify for reduced fees under specific Florida statutes.

Who Can Request Public Records In Palm Beach County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Palm Beach County. The statute defines "any person" broadly to include:

Individual citizens
Non-citizens and foreign nationals
Corporations and business entities
Media organizations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies
Incarcerated individuals
Anonymous requesters

Requesters are not required to:

Provide identification
State the purpose of their request
Make the request in writing (although written requests are recommended for documentation purposes)
Provide their name or contact information

The law specifically states that a requester's motivation for seeking records is irrelevant, and access cannot be denied based on the intended use of the records. However, if a request requires extensive use of agency resources, the requester may be required to provide contact information for billing purposes.

What Records Are Confidential In Palm Beach County?

While Palm Beach County operates under Florida's broad public records laws, certain records are exempt from disclosure pursuant to specific statutory provisions. The following categories of records are confidential or exempt from public disclosure:

Personal Information
- Social Security numbers (§119.071(5)(a))
- Driver license numbers (§119.0712(2))
- Medical and health information (§456.057)
- Bank account numbers and credit card information (§119.071(5)(b))
Law Enforcement Records
- Active criminal investigative information (§119.071(2)(c))
- Confidential informant identities (§119.071(2)(f))
- Surveillance techniques and procedures (§119.071(2)(d))
- Juvenile offender records in most circumstances (§985.04)
Security Information
- Security system plans (§119.071(3)(a))
- Building plans for certain government facilities (§119.071(3)(b))
- Emergency response plans (§119.071(3)(a))
Personnel Records
- Home addresses and phone numbers of certain public employees (§119.071(4)(d))
- Performance evaluations until completed (§119.071(4)(a))
- Employee medical information (§112.08(7))
Court Records
- Records sealed or expunged by court order (§943.0585)
- Certain family court records (§741.30)
- Guardian ad litem records (§39.822)
Other Protected Records
- Child abuse reports (§39.202)
- Certain economic development information (§288.075)
- Trade secrets (§815.045)
- Attorney-client privileged communications (§119.071(1)(d))

These exemptions are subject to change through legislative action, and additional exemptions may apply to specific records. Records custodians are responsible for determining applicable exemptions when processing requests.

Palm Beach County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office (Official Records)
301 North Olive Avenue, 9th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 355-2996
Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Additional Branch Locations:

North County Branch
3188 PGA Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 624-6650

South County Branch
200 West Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33444
(561) 274-1557

West County Branch
2950 State Road 15, Room S-100
Belle Glade, FL 33430
(561) 996-4843

Royal Palm Beach Branch
200 Civic Center Way
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
(561) 784-1271

All branch locations maintain the same public counter hours as the main office. The Clerk & Comptroller's Office serves as the county recorder and maintains official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, marriage licenses, and other documents. Many records can also be accessed online through the Clerk's Official Records Search system.