Palm Beach County Civil Court Records

Palm Beach County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach. The 15th Judicial Circuit handles all civil case filings in Palm Beach County, one of the most populous counties in Florida.

Palm Beach County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Palm Beach County is Mike Caruso. This office maintains all civil court records for the county. Staff process new case filings, store court documents, and provide copies of civil records to the public. The main office is at 205 N Dixie Hwy in West Palm Beach. With a population of 1.5 million, Palm Beach County has one of the busiest clerk's offices in the state.

The Palm Beach County Clerk website offers a full set of online tools. You can search court records, view official records, and file documents through the site. The clerk processes a high volume of civil court filings in Palm Beach County each year.

The clerk's office has locations across Palm Beach County. The main courthouse is in West Palm Beach. Branch offices serve other parts of the county. All locations can help with civil court records in Palm Beach County.

How to Search Palm Beach County Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records in Palm Beach County online or in person. The Palm Beach County court records search lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or other details. The basic search is free and open to the public.

Search results show the case number, party names, case type, judge, and filing date. You can view docket entries and some document images online. The system covers civil, family, probate, and other case types filed in Palm Beach County. For certified copies of civil court records, contact the clerk's office.

The Palm Beach County clerk also participates in the statewide Official Court Records System. The Palm Beach County OCRS portal provides another way to search court documents online.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal connects to Palm Beach County. File new civil cases or check on existing ones through this statewide tool. Registration is free. E-filing is required for attorneys. Self-represented parties can also use the portal in Palm Beach County.

For in-person searches, visit the Palm Beach County Courthouse at 205 N Dixie Hwy in West Palm Beach. Staff can look up civil court records and make copies. Bring your ID. The clerk charges a fee for copies. Certified copies cost more and carry the official seal.

Palm Beach County also keeps official records separate from court case files. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded judgments. The official records search is useful for finding civil judgments tied to property in Palm Beach County.

Both the court records and official records searches are available on the clerk's website at no cost.

Civil Court Structure in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County is the only county in the 15th Judicial Circuit. Civil cases go to one of two court levels based on the amount in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims above $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, real property matters, and large commercial cases. Family law, probate, and guardianship also go through Circuit Court in Palm Beach County. Given the size of the county, the Circuit Court has many judges and divisions handling civil court records.

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. Palm Beach County has a high volume of civil filings at both court levels.

The Florida court locations page shows courthouse addresses for Palm Beach County and the rest of the state. The clerk's office in West Palm Beach can help you figure out which court level applies to your civil case in Palm Beach County.

Confidential Information in Palm Beach County Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records must stay private. Florida law requires social security numbers and bank account numbers to be kept out of public court files. If these numbers appear in a document, anyone can ask the clerk to redact them. There is no charge for this in Palm Beach County.

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

Parties and attorneys filing civil court papers in Palm Beach County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This flags private data so the clerk can keep it out of public view. Given the volume of filings in Palm Beach County, this step is critical for protecting personal information in civil court records.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Palm Beach County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling civil matters on their own. The Palm Beach County clerk cannot give legal advice, but staff can point you to the right forms for civil cases.

DIY Florida is a free tool in the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through questions and fills out court forms based on your answers. Over 20 form types cover small claims, evictions, and other civil matters. File completed forms through the portal to the Palm Beach County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.

Palm Beach County has many legal aid organizations. These groups offer free or low-cost help with civil cases for people who qualify. They handle housing disputes, consumer issues, and other civil matters. The Florida Bar also runs a lawyer referral service if you need an attorney for a civil court case in Palm Beach County.

Public Records Access in Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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 the vast majority of civil court records in Palm Beach County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 205 N Dixie Hwy in West Palm Beach. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk must respond to public records requests within a reasonable time. Palm Beach County civil court records are part of the public domain.

Cities in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County has many cities and communities. All civil court cases for these areas go through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach. Several major cities have their own pages on this site.

Other communities in Palm Beach County include Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, and Wellington. All use the Palm Beach County clerk's office for civil court records.

Nearby Counties

Palm Beach County is the only county in the 15th Judicial Circuit. These adjacent counties have their own clerks and court systems. File your civil case in the county where the dispute took place.