Search Palm Bay Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Palm Bay are managed by the Brevard County Clerk of Court. You can search these records online or visit a clerk branch office in Palm Bay.

Brevard County Clerk of Court

Palm Bay does not run its own civil court. All civil court records in Palm Bay go through the Brevard County Clerk of Court. The clerk's office files new cases, stores court papers, and hands out copies to the public. Palm Bay has its own branch office at 450 Cogan Drive SE, which makes it easy for local residents to deal with civil court records without driving to the main courthouse in Titusville.

The Brevard County Clerk website has tools for looking up court cases and official records online. The clerk runs the BECA system, which replaced the old eFACTS program for searching civil court records in Palm Bay and across Brevard County.

The Palm Bay branch office is open on weekdays. It closes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. Walk-ins are welcome for civil court record requests.

How to Search Palm Bay Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records for Palm Bay in a few ways. The BECA case search on the Brevard County Clerk website is the main online tool. It gives public access to court records per Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 2014-19. There are two ways to use it. The general public search is free and does not need an account. The subscriber search gives more access to restricted case types like family and probate records.

To use the subscriber search for Palm Bay civil court records, you need to sign up. Fill out the BECA User Agreement form. You can scan and email it to BecaSupport@brevardclerk.us or mail it to the clerk's office. The fee is $50 per year. Your account gets set up in about two business days.

The Brevard County case search page lets you look up civil court records by name or case number. Type the last name first, then the first name. For Palm Bay civil cases, the results show case type, filing date, and party names.

The clerk also has an online tool for official records. Index data goes back to January 1, 1981. Images are available from that date forward. These records include deeds, liens, and judgments tied to Palm Bay civil court cases.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another option. This statewide system connects to all 67 county clerks. You can search and file civil court cases in Palm Bay through the portal at any time. Setting up an account is free.

Civil Court Structure for Palm Bay

Palm Bay sits in the 18th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers both Brevard and Seminole counties. Civil cases from Palm Bay go to one of two court levels based on the claim amount.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury claims, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court as well. Eviction cases in Palm Bay are filed in County Court.

The Moore Justice Center at 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera is the closest full courthouse to Palm Bay. The Melbourne Branch Courthouse at 51 S. Nieman Ave is also nearby. Both locations handle civil court matters for Palm Bay residents.

Brevard County Civil Court Records

All civil court records in Palm Bay are handled at the county level. You can find more details on our Brevard County civil court records page. That page covers the full clerk's office, court procedures, fee schedules, and all the ways to search civil records across the county.

Brevard County has six office locations. The Palm Bay office at 450 Cogan Drive SE is the most convenient for local residents. The main courthouse in Titusville and the Viera complex also serve Palm Bay civil court cases. No matter which office you visit, you can access the same civil court records.

Public Records Law and Palm Bay Civil Court Records

Florida has broad public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Palm Bay. You do not need to be a party in a case. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file.

Public records requests for Brevard County can be made online, by email, by phone, or by mail. The email is PublicRecordsRequests@brevardclerk.us. You can also call (321) 637-2004 or visit any branch office including the one in Palm Bay. Provide a clear description of the records you want. If you are looking for emails, include the date range and keywords to help narrow the search for your Palm Bay civil court records.

Some records are exempt from public access. Social security numbers and bank account numbers stay out of public court files. Records sealed by court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in Palm Bay are open to the public.

Redaction of Palm Bay Civil Court Records

Certain details in civil court records must stay private. Under Florida law, social security numbers and bank account numbers cannot appear in public court files. If these show up in a Palm Bay civil court record, you can ask the clerk to redact them. There is no fee for this.

For redaction of exempt information under sections 119.071 and 119.0714, the request must be notarized. You need to state the statutory basis and confirm your eligibility. Email the request to fs119exemptionrequest@brevardclerk.us. The clerk will remove the protected data from public view in your Palm Bay civil court records.

Parties who file civil court papers must use the Notice of Confidential Information form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This flags any sensitive data so the clerk can keep it out of public view in Palm Bay civil court records.

Self-Help Resources for Palm Bay Civil Cases

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people who want to handle civil court matters on their own. You can find packets for small claims, evictions, and other common case types. The forms work for any county, including Palm Bay civil court cases filed through the Brevard County Clerk.

DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through interview questions and fills out court forms for you. More than 20 form types are available for civil cases. Once done, you can file the forms through the portal to the Brevard County clerk's office. Standard filing fees still apply for Palm Bay civil court cases.

The E-Filing Portal support desk is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Call (850) 577-4609 for help with electronic filing of civil court cases in Palm Bay.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Palm Bay. Each handles civil court records through its own county clerk. Check the address where the dispute took place to find the right county.