West Palm Beach Civil Court Records Lookup

Civil court records for West Palm Beach are managed by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. The main courthouse sits right in West Palm Beach, giving residents easy in-person access.

Palm Beach County Clerk of Court

West Palm Beach does not run its own civil court. All civil court records for West Palm Beach go through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. The clerk is Mike Caruso. His office handles all civil case filings, court documents, and official records for Palm Beach County. West Palm Beach is the county seat, so the main courthouse and clerk's office are located right in the city.

The Palm Beach County Clerk website has tools for searching court records and official records online. The site covers civil, family, probate, and other case types. West Palm Beach residents have the advantage of being in the same city as the main courthouse, so in-person access is straightforward.

The Palm Beach County Clerk website gives West Palm Beach residents direct online access to civil court records.

The clerk's office is open weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome.

How to Search West Palm Beach Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records for West Palm Beach a few ways. The Palm Beach County Clerk has an online court records search on the website. Type the name or case number. The tool covers all civil cases in the county, including every case from West Palm Beach.

The clerk's website also has an official records search. This covers recorded documents like deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments. Many of these connect to West Palm Beach civil court cases. Both search tools are free and open to anyone.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another way to search. This statewide system connects to all 67 county clerks. You can search and file West Palm Beach civil court cases through the portal. It is free to create an account. The DIY Florida tool in the portal helps fill out court forms step by step.

For in-person searches, go to the Palm Beach County Courthouse at 205 N Dixie Hwy in West Palm Beach. Since this is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the city. Bring your ID. Staff can help you find civil court records and get copies. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more.

Palm Beach County also has branch courthouse locations in other parts of the county. But the main courthouse in West Palm Beach handles the full range of civil court services and has the most staff.

Civil Court Structure for West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers all of Palm Beach County. Civil cases from West Palm Beach go to one of two court levels based on the claim amount.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This covers contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in West Palm Beach. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court. Eviction cases from West Palm Beach are filed in County Court too.

Filing fees are set by state law and vary based on the case type and amount at stake. The clerk's office in West Palm Beach can help you figure out which court level is right for your civil case. You can pay fees in person or through the e-filing portal.

Palm Beach County Civil Court Records

All civil court records in West Palm Beach are handled at the county level. Visit our Palm Beach County civil court records page for full details on the clerk's office, court procedures, fee schedules, and all available search tools.

Palm Beach County has about 1.5 million residents. West Palm Beach is the county seat and the center of the court system. The courthouse at 205 N Dixie Hwy handles civil cases for all cities in the county, from Boca Raton in the south to Jupiter in the north. Being in West Palm Beach gives you the easiest possible in-person access to civil court records.

Public Records and West Palm Beach Civil Court Records

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

The Palm Beach County Clerk makes most court records available through the online search tool. This gives West Palm Beach residents fast access from home. You can also visit the courthouse during business hours to review files in person.

Some records are exempt. Social security numbers and bank account numbers must stay out of public view. Sealed records are off limits. Parties must flag confidential data using the Notice of Confidential Information form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 when filing papers in West Palm Beach civil court cases.

Self-Help Resources for West Palm Beach Civil Cases

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling civil cases without a lawyer. Packets for small claims, evictions, and other common types are available. The forms work for West Palm Beach civil court cases filed through the Palm Beach County Clerk.

DIY Florida is a free tool in the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through questions and creates the right court forms. More than 20 form types are available. You can file the completed forms through the portal to the Palm Beach County clerk's office. Standard filing fees still apply for West Palm Beach 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. Training videos on the portal show how to set up an account, submit documents, and pay fees for civil court cases in West Palm Beach.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near West Palm Beach. Boca Raton and Boynton Beach are in the same county and use the same clerk for civil court records.