Monroe County Civil Court Records

Monroe County civil court records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Key West. The 16th Judicial Circuit handles all civil case filings in Monroe County, covering the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West.

Monroe County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Monroe County is Kevin Madok. This office maintains all civil court records for the county. Staff process new case filings, store court documents, and give out copies of civil records. The main office is at 500 Whitehead St in Key West. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Monroe County.

The Monroe County Clerk website has tools for searching court cases and official records online. Monroe County is unique because it spans the entire Florida Keys chain. The clerk has offices at more than one location to serve the spread-out population.

The clerk's office is open weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours for civil court record requests in Monroe County.

How to Search Monroe County Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records in Monroe County online or in person. The clerk's website offers a case search tool. Look up cases by party name or case number. The search is free and open to the public.

The Monroe County clerk also participates in the statewide Official Court Records System. The Monroe County OCRS portal provides access to court documents online. You can search by name, case number, or date range. This tool lets you view images of filed documents tied to civil court records in Monroe County.

Results show the case number, party names, case type, and filing date. Some document images may be available for viewing. For certified copies of civil court records in Monroe County, contact the clerk's office in Key West.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also connects to Monroe County. You can file new civil cases or check on existing ones through this statewide system. Registration is free. E-filing is required for attorneys in Monroe County and available for self-represented parties.

For in-person searches, go to the Monroe County Courthouse at 500 Whitehead St in Key West. Staff can look up civil court records and make copies. Bring your ID. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk also has a branch office in Marathon for people in the middle Keys.

Civil Court Structure in Monroe County

Monroe County is the only county in the 16th Judicial Circuit. Civil cases go to one of two court levels based on the amount in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and real property matters. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go through Circuit Court in Monroe County. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court. Evictions are also County Court matters in Monroe County.

The 16th Circuit serves the Florida Keys from Key Largo all the way down to Key West. The geography means some people have to drive a long way to get to the main courthouse. The Florida court locations page lists addresses for Monroe County courthouses and branch offices.

The clerk can help you figure out which court level and location applies to your civil case in Monroe County.

Confidential Information in Monroe County Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records must stay private. Florida law says social security numbers and bank account numbers cannot appear in public court files. If these numbers show up, anyone can ask the clerk to redact them. There is no fee for this in Monroe County.

To request redaction of confidential numbers from Monroe County civil court records, submit the proper form. Include the case name, case number, and page where the private data appears. The clerk will take it out of the public version of the record.

Parties and attorneys filing civil court papers in Monroe County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form flags private data so the clerk can keep it out of public view. The rule covers social security numbers, bank account numbers, and certain other personal details.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Monroe County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people who handle civil cases on their own. Self-represented parties can find form packets for common case types. The Monroe County clerk cannot give legal advice, but staff can point you to the right forms.

DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It asks you a series of questions and fills out court forms based on your answers. Over 20 form types are available for small claims, evictions, and other civil matters. You can file completed forms through the portal to the Monroe County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.

Legal aid groups in the Keys area can help with civil cases for people who qualify based on income. The Florida Bar also runs a lawyer referral service. Finding a lawyer in Monroe County can be harder than in bigger metro areas, so the self-help tools are especially useful for civil court records here.

Public Records Access in Monroe County

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

Some limits exist. Records sealed by court order are off limits. Section 119.0714 lists items that stay confidential. But most civil court files in Monroe County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 500 Whitehead St in Key West. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk must respond to public records requests within a reasonable time under Florida law. Monroe County civil court records are part of the public domain.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County covers the Florida Keys. All civil court cases for these communities go through the Monroe County Clerk of Court. No cities in Monroe County meet the population threshold for a separate page on this site.

Communities in Monroe County include Key West, Marathon, Key Largo, Islamorada, Tavernier, and Big Pine Key. All use the Monroe County clerk's office for civil court records.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County is the only county in the 16th Judicial Circuit. These adjacent counties have their own clerks and court systems. Make sure you file your civil case in the correct county.