Palm Beach County Court Records
What Is Palm Beach County Court Records
Palm Beach County court records consist of official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's judicial system. These records are maintained pursuant to Florida Statutes §28.213, which mandates the proper preservation and accessibility of court documents. Court records typically include case files, dockets, judgments, and other legal documents processed through the Palm Beach County court system.
The Clerk & Comptroller of Palm Beach County serves as the official custodian of these records, maintaining them in both physical and electronic formats. The primary responsibility for record management falls under the authority of:
Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office 301 N. Olive Avenue West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 355-2996 Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller
Court records document the official activities and decisions of various courts operating within Palm Beach County, including circuit courts, county courts, and specialized divisions such as probate, family, and criminal courts. These records serve as the authoritative account of legal proceedings and are essential for maintaining transparency in the judicial system.
Are Court Records Public In Palm Beach County
Court records in Palm Beach County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the Florida Constitution Article I, Section 24, which establishes the public's right to access government records. The presumption of openness applies to most court records, allowing members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of these documents.
However, certain exceptions to public access exist:
- Records sealed by court order
- Confidential information protected by statute
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records pertaining to domestic violence cases
- Documents containing sensitive personal information
The Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, specifically Rule 2.420, governs the public access to judicial branch records and outlines the procedures for requesting confidentiality. Individuals seeking access to Palm Beach County court records may visit the Palm Beach County Government website or the physical courthouse locations to obtain these public documents.
When records contain both public and confidential information, court clerks are required to redact the protected information before releasing the documents to the public, in compliance with Florida Statutes §119.071.
How To Find Court Records in Palm Beach County in 2025
Members of the public seeking court records in Palm Beach County in 2025 may utilize several established methods to locate and access these documents. The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's Office provides multiple avenues for record retrieval:
- Online Access: The Clerk's electronic records portal allows for remote searching of case information and document retrieval.
- In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit any of the Clerk's office locations during regular business hours to request physical copies of court records.
- Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via mail or email for specific court documents.
To conduct an in-person search, requestors should visit:
Palm Beach County Main Courthouse 205 North Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 355-2996 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
For specialized court records, such as federal cases heard in Palm Beach County, individuals should contact:
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida - West Palm Beach Division 701 Clematis Street West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 803-3400 U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific case, including case numbers, party names, and approximate dates of filing or disposition.
How To Look Up Court Records in Palm Beach County Online?
Palm Beach County offers comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms. The primary online resources for court record searches include:
- Palm Beach County Clerk's Public Records Search: This system provides access to civil, criminal, and traffic case information, including dockets and some document images.
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: Registered users can access case documents filed electronically in the court system.
- Court Records Search: A searchable database of court cases organized by case type, filing date, and party name.
To conduct an online search, users should:
- Navigate to the appropriate online portal
- Select the desired search parameters (case number, party name, date range)
- Review the search results to identify relevant cases
- Access available documents, noting that some may require payment for copies
For bankruptcy proceedings in Palm Beach County, the public may utilize the federal PACER system through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida website, which requires registration and includes nominal fees for document retrieval.
Online access to court records is governed by Administrative Order 2.236, which establishes standards for electronic access while maintaining appropriate privacy protections for sensitive information.
Can You Search Palm Beach County Court Records for Free?
Palm Beach County provides limited free access to basic court record information, though comprehensive document retrieval may incur costs. Free search options include:
- Basic case information searches through the Clerk's online portal
- Docket listings showing case progression and scheduled hearings
- Party name searches to identify associated cases
While initial searches are typically free, the following fee structure applies to document retrieval:
- Electronic copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
- Research assistance: $2.00 per name search when conducted by clerk staff
Pursuant to Florida Statutes §28.24, the Clerk & Comptroller is authorized to charge these fees to cover the costs of maintaining and providing access to court records. Individuals experiencing financial hardship may apply for fee waivers under certain circumstances as provided in Florida Statutes §57.082.
Public access terminals are available at courthouse locations for free on-site searching:
Palm Beach County North County Courthouse 3188 PGA Boulevard Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (561) 624-6650 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
What's Included in a Palm Beach County Court Record?
Palm Beach County court records typically contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings from initiation through disposition. Standard components include:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
- Pleadings and motions filed by parties
- Court orders and judicial rulings
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence admitted during proceedings
- Final judgments and dispositions
- Post-judgment filings and enforcement documents
For criminal cases, additional elements may include:
- Arrest reports and booking information
- Charging documents
- Bail and bond records
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (with restricted access)
- Sentencing documents
Family court records often contain sensitive information and may have restricted access pursuant to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure 12.400, which provides guidelines for confidentiality of family court records.
The completeness of court records varies by case type and age, with more recent cases typically having more comprehensive digital documentation available through the Palm Beach County Government records system.
How Long Does Palm Beach County Keep Court Records?
Palm Beach County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, as mandated by Florida Statutes §257.36. The retention periods vary by record type:
- Felony case records: 75 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor records: 10 years after case closure
- Civil case records: 10 years after final judgment
- Probate case files: 10 years after case closure
- Domestic relations cases: 75 years after final judgment
- Juvenile records: Until the subject reaches 24 years of age (with exceptions)
Certain records of historical significance may be preserved permanently, while others may be transferred to the State Archives of Florida after their required retention period. Digital conversion efforts are ongoing to preserve older paper records, with priority given to records with legal, historical, or administrative value.
Records management practices are overseen by:
Palm Beach County Records Management Division 301 N. Olive Avenue, 9th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 355-2578
Types of Courts In Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County's judicial system encompasses multiple court types, each with distinct jurisdictional authority as established by the Florida Constitution and statutes. The primary courts include:
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Circuit Court: The Palm Beach Circuit Court handles felonies, civil cases exceeding $30,000, probate matters, family law cases, and appeals from county court decisions.
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County Court: Addresses misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, small claims, traffic infractions, and ordinance violations.
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Federal Courts: The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court handle federal cases and bankruptcy proceedings within their jurisdiction.
Specialized divisions within these courts include:
- Family Division
- Probate Division
- Juvenile Division
- Drug Court
- Mental Health Court
- Veterans Court
Each court maintains its own records according to established procedures, though the Clerk & Comptroller serves as the official custodian for circuit and county court records.
What Types of Cases Do Palm Beach County Courts Hear?
Palm Beach County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters pursuant to jurisdictional authority established by Florida law. The case types include:
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Criminal Cases:
- Felonies (Circuit Court)
- Misdemeanors (County Court)
- Traffic offenses (County Court)
- Juvenile delinquency (Circuit Court - Juvenile Division)
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Civil Litigation:
- Personal injury claims
- Contract disputes
- Property matters
- Small claims (under $8,000)
- Landlord-tenant disputes
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Family Law Matters:
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody and support
- Adoption
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Paternity actions
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Probate and Guardianship:
- Estate administration
- Will contests
- Guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults
- Baker Act proceedings
Federal courts located in Palm Beach County handle matters including federal criminal charges, bankruptcy proceedings, federal civil rights claims, and certain interstate disputes. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida specifically addresses bankruptcy filings from Palm Beach County residents.
How To Find a Court Docket In Palm Beach County
Court dockets in Palm Beach County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case and are accessible through multiple channels. To locate a court docket, individuals may:
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Search Online: The Palm Beach County Clerk's electronic case search system allows docket searches by case number, party name, or filing date.
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Visit in Person: Court dockets may be viewed at public access terminals located at:
Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (561) 355-7373 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Request by Mail: Written requests for docket information may be submitted to the Clerk's office with appropriate identifying information.
For upcoming court proceedings, the daily docket is typically posted in courthouse lobbies and available on the Palm Beach County Government website. Federal court dockets for cases in Palm Beach County can be accessed through the PACER system via the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida website.
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(f), dockets must be maintained in a manner that facilitates public access while protecting confidential information.
Which Courts in Palm Beach County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Palm Beach County, certain judicial forums do not function as courts of record, meaning proceedings are not transcribed or preserved verbatim as part of the official court record. These non-record courts include:
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Small Claims Court: While technically part of County Court, small claims proceedings (for cases under $8,000) are conducted informally with simplified procedures pursuant to Florida Small Claims Rules.
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Traffic Court: Certain traffic infractions are handled in sessions where formal records of proceedings are not maintained, though case outcomes are recorded.
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Forums: Mediation and arbitration proceedings conducted under court auspices are not courts of record, though settlement agreements may become part of the court record if approved by a judge.
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Code Enforcement Hearings: Municipal code violation hearings are typically administrative proceedings rather than formal court sessions.
While these forums may not maintain verbatim transcripts, basic case information and outcomes are still documented in the official case management system. Parties seeking to preserve a complete record of proceedings in these forums may arrange for court reporting services at their own expense, subject to approval by the presiding official.
For appeals from these non-record courts, cases are typically heard de novo (anew) in the appropriate court of record.
Lookup Court Records in Palm Beach County
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