Palm Beach County civil court records are public files held by the Clerk of Court in West Palm Beach, Florida. These records cover lawsuits, small claims, evictions, and other civil matters filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can search these records online, by phone, or in person at no cost. This page explains how to look up cases, what each record contains, and where to get certified copies.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Contact Details
The Clerk of Court manages all civil court records for Palm Beach County. The current clerk is Mike Caruso. The main office sits in downtown West Palm Beach, with branch offices across the county. Staff handle new filings, store case files, and provide copies to the public.
Main Office Address and Phone
The main courthouse and clerk office is located at 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The phone number is (561) 355-2996. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office stays closed on state and federal holidays.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Mike Caruso |
| Address | 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | palmbeachclerk.com |
Branch Office Locations
Palm Beach County has branch clerk offices in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and other cities. Each branch can look up civil court records, accept filings, and provide copies. Branch hours match the main office. You can call ahead to confirm which services each location offers before you visit.
How to Search Palm Beach County Civil Court Records
You can search civil court records in Palm Beach County three ways: online, by phone, or in person. The online search is free and open 24 hours a day. The clerk also provides a statewide search tool that covers all Florida counties.
Online Search by Name
The Palm Beach County court records search lets you look up cases by party name. Enter the last name first, then the first name. You can narrow results by case type or date range. Search results show the case number, names of parties, judge, and filing date.
The clerk’s website at palmbeachclerk.com hosts the main search portal. Click on “Court Records” from the home page menu. You do not need an account to search. You do need an account to view certain document images.
Online Search by Case Number
If you know the case number, you can pull up the full docket in seconds. Case numbers in Palm Beach County start with a two-digit year, followed by a court code, then a sequence of digits. For example, a 2024 civil case might read 50-2024-CA-012345.
Enter the full case number into the search field. The system returns the docket, list of filings, hearing dates, and judge assignments. You can click on each entry to see the document image if one exists.
Statewide Official Court Records Search
Florida runs a statewide portal called the Official Court Records System (OCRS). The Palm Beach County OCRS page links to the same files held by the local clerk. This tool works well when you want to search across more than one county at a time.
Visit the OCRS portal and select Palm Beach County from the drop-down menu. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Some older case files exist only on microfilm and may not appear in OCRS. For those records, visit the clerk in person.
In-Person and Phone Searches
You can also search by phone. Call the clerk at (561) 355-2996 and ask the records staff to run a name search. They will read the basic case data over the phone. They cannot send copies by email, but they can tell you the total page count and fee for printed copies.
For full document access, visit the clerk’s office. Public terminals let you search and print on site. Bring a valid photo ID. You can pay for copies by cash, check, or credit card at most locations.
Types of Civil Cases in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County civil court records cover many case types. Each case type has a specific court division. The clerk assigns the division when the case is first filed.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims cases involve disputes for $8,000 or less. Common examples include unpaid debts, property damage, and minor contract issues. The County Court handles all small claims matters. Small claims hearings are short, and most cases resolve within a few months.
Eviction and Landlord-Tenant Cases
Eviction cases, also called landlord-tenant cases, go through the County Court. Landlords file these actions to remove tenants for non-payment of rent or lease violations. The clerk maintains a separate docket for residential and commercial evictions.
You can search eviction records by the tenant’s name or the property address. Public access includes the petition, court orders, and writ of possession. Sealed eviction records, which are rare, do not appear in public searches.
Civil Lawsuits Over $30,000
Civil lawsuits seeking damages over $30,000 go to the Circuit Court. These cases include personal injury claims, large contract disputes, real estate litigation, and business lawsuits. Circuit Court cases take longer to resolve, often 12 to 24 months.
Other Civil Case Types
Palm Beach County civil court records also include mortgage foreclosures, civil appeals, domestic relations filings (which are a separate family division), and administrative agency appeals. Each type has its own docket code in the clerk’s system.
| Case Type | Court Level | Dollar Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Small Claims | County Court | $8,000 or less |
| County Civil | County Court | $8,001 to $30,000 |
| Circuit Civil | Circuit Court | Over $30,000 |
| Eviction | County Court | No minimum |
| Mortgage Foreclosure | Circuit Court | No minimum |
Florida E-Filing Portal for Civil Cases
Florida requires most civil cases to be filed through the statewide E-Filing Portal. The portal connects to the Palm Beach County clerk. Attorneys must register and submit filings online. Self-represented parties can also use the portal for civil cases.
How E-Filing Works
To e-file, create a free account on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Enter your case details, upload your PDF documents, and pay the filing fee. The portal sends your filing to the Palm Beach County clerk, who reviews and accepts it.
You will get an email confirmation when the clerk accepts the filing. If the clerk rejects it, the email explains the reason. You can fix the issue and re-submit without paying another fee in most cases.
DIY Florida Forms Tool
The portal also offers a tool called DIY Florida. This tool walks you through a series of questions and fills out court forms based on your answers. DIY Florida supports more than 20 form types, including small claims, evictions, and simplified dissolution of marriage.
DIY Florida works well for people who do not have a lawyer. The forms meet all Florida court rules. After you complete the forms, the portal lets you file them with the Palm Beach County clerk and pay the filing fee in one step.
Civil Court Fees and Certified Copies
The clerk charges set fees for filing new cases and copying old records. The fee schedule is set by Florida law and applies to all counties, including Palm Beach.
Standard Filing Fees
Most civil filings cost between $300 and $400 to start. Small claims cost less, around $50 to $100. Eviction filings cost around $185. These fees cover the clerk’s work to open the case and assign a judge. You must pay at the time of filing.
Copy and Certification Fees
Regular copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee per document. The clerk can also send copies by mail for an extra postage charge.
Fee Waivers
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Fill out an Application for Indigent Status and submit it to the clerk. A judge reviews the form and either grants or denies the request. If granted, the clerk waives all filing and copy fees in your case.
Confidential and Sealed Records
Most civil court records in Palm Beach County are public. Florida law lists a few items that must stay private. The clerk follows these rules for every civil case.
Information That Stays Private
Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers must be redacted from public court files. The names of minor children in civil cases are also kept private. If a court order seals a case, no part of the record appears in public searches.
How to Request Redaction
Anyone can ask the clerk to redact private data from a public document. Submit a Request for Confidential Information Redaction form to the clerk. The form is free. List the case number, document title, and page where the private data appears. The clerk will remove the data from the public view within a few business days.
Sealed Cases
Some civil cases are sealed by court order. Common reasons include trade secrets, personal safety, and adoption. Sealed cases do not show up in online or phone searches. Only the parties and their lawyers can see the records.
Palm Beach County Public Records Law
Florida has a strong public records law. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and city records are open to the public. This law covers civil court records in Palm Beach County. Anyone can ask to see a public file, even if they are not part of the case.
What Chapter 119 Covers
The law covers court filings, dockets, hearing recordings, and clerk notes. It does not cover records that a judge has sealed. It also does not cover internal staff notes, jury forms, and certain law enforcement files.
How to Make a Public Records Request
Send a written request to the clerk by email, mail, fax, or in person. The clerk must respond within a reasonable time. The clerk can charge the standard copy fees. If the clerk denies your request, you can appeal to the court or to the Florida Attorney General.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases
People who file civil cases without a lawyer can get help from the court system. Palm Beach County and the Florida courts offer many free tools. These tools explain the law, the forms, and the court process in plain language.
Florida Courts Self-Help Center
The Florida Courts website has a self-help section with forms, instructions, and videos. Topics include small claims, evictions, civil appeals, and name changes. The self-help center is open to everyone. You do not need an account to use the resources.
Legal Aid in Palm Beach County
Several non-profit groups offer free legal help to people who qualify based on income. These groups handle housing disputes, consumer issues, family law matters, and other civil cases. You can find a list of legal aid providers on the clerk’s website or by calling the Palm Beach County Bar Association.
Lawyer Referral Service
The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Call the service, explain your civil case, and they will match you with a lawyer in Palm Beach County. The first 30-minute consultation costs a small fee. After that, you and the lawyer decide whether to work together.
Cities and Communities in Palm Beach County
All civil court cases from cities in Palm Beach County go through the same clerk office in West Palm Beach. The court location does not change based on which city you live in. The clerk’s records system tracks all cases across the county in one place.
Major Cities in Palm Beach County
The largest cities are West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Wellington. Other communities include Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Royal Palm Beach, and Palm Springs. Each of these cities sends its civil cases to the main clerk office.
Court Coverage for the Whole County
Palm Beach County covers more than 2,000 square miles. The 15th Judicial Circuit has multiple courthouses, but the clerk’s records system ties them all together. A search by name will return results from any courthouse in the county, not just the main one in West Palm Beach.
Comparing Palm Beach County to Nearby Counties
Each Florida county has its own clerk and court system. Palm Beach County sits next to Broward, Martin, Hendry, and Glades counties. If your civil case involves a party or event in another county, you may need to search that county’s records as well.
Broward County Civil Records
Broward County is the 17th Judicial Circuit. Its clerk office sits in Fort Lauderdale. The Broward clerk also offers an online search portal. Filing fees and rules are similar to Palm Beach County, but the website and search system are different.
Miami-Dade County Civil Records
Miami-Dade County is the 11th Judicial Circuit. Its clerk office runs the largest court system in Florida. The online search portal covers millions of cases. Civil filing fees in Miami-Dade are slightly higher than in Palm Beach County.
Orange and Hillsborough Counties
Orange County (Orlando) and Hillsborough County (Tampa) use the same statewide OCRS portal, so you can search their records the same way you search Palm Beach County. Each county has its own clerk, but the search tools and rules are the same.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Beach County Civil Court Records
The questions below cover the most common things people ask about civil court records in Palm Beach County. Each answer gives you a clear, direct response based on Florida law and local court rules. If you have a specific case, call the clerk at (561) 355-2996 for the latest details.
Are Palm Beach County civil court records free to search?
Yes, online and phone searches are free. You can look up cases by name or case number on the clerk’s website or through the statewide OCRS portal. You only pay if you want printed copies or certified copies. Regular copies cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee.
How do I find an eviction case in Palm Beach County?
Search the clerk’s online records system by the tenant’s name or the property address. Eviction cases are filed in County Court and carry a case type code that starts with “CC” for county civil. The docket shows the petition, court orders, and any writ of possession. Most eviction records are public.
Can I view civil court documents online?
Yes, many civil court documents are viewable online. The clerk’s website shows docket entries and images of filed papers. Some older documents exist only on microfilm and are not in the online system. For those records, you must visit the clerk’s office in person.
What if I do not know the case number?
You can search by name. Enter the last name first, then the first name. The search returns a list of cases for that person. The list shows the case number, case type, and filing date. Click on any case to see the full docket. You can also call the clerk and ask them to run a name search over the phone.
How do I get a certified copy of a court record?
Visit the clerk’s office in person, or mail a request to the clerk. Include the case number, the document you want, and your contact details. Pay the certified copy fee of $2.00 per page plus $1.00 per document. The clerk will mail the certified copy to you or have it ready for pickup.
Can I seal a civil court record in Palm Beach County?
You can ask a judge to seal a record, but the court does not grant this request often. You must file a written motion and explain why sealing is needed. The other party has a chance to object. The judge weighs the public interest against your reason for sealing before issuing an order.
Where is the Palm Beach County courthouse located?
The main courthouse is at 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The clerk’s office sits in the same building. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Free parking is available nearby. You can also reach the clerk by phone at (561) 355-2996.
Authority and Entity Expansion List
The list below covers extra topics you can add later to grow topical authority for this page. Each item ties back to a real user question or a related Florida court entity. Adding these topics over time will help the page rank for more searches and serve more visitors.
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