Palm Beach County Family Court Records Search
Palm Beach County family court records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller in West Palm Beach. The county is located in South Florida. It is one of the largest counties in the state. Mike Caruso, CPA serves as the clerk. The county is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. The office processes thousands of family cases each year. Records include divorce, custody, and support matters. The clerk provides modern online search tools. These help residents find case information quickly.
Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Office
The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller maintains comprehensive family court records at 301 N. Olive Avenue in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, under the leadership of Mike Caruso, CPA. This modern, secure facility serves as the primary repository for thousands of family law cases processed annually, ranging from simple uncontested divorces to complex multi-million dollar property divisions and contentious custody disputes. The professional staff handle record requests with meticulous attention to detail, managing both paper archives and sophisticated electronic filing systems that have streamlined access for attorneys and self-represented litigants alike.
Contacting the main office at (561) 355-2996 connects callers with knowledgeable staff who provide guidance on record searches, explain document availability, and clarify procedures for obtaining certified copies. Given the high volume of inquiries, callers may experience wait times during peak hours and are advised to call early in the morning for more prompt service. The clerk's website offers an extensive suite of self-help features that enable most routine requests to be completed online, including access to forms, fee schedules, and case status information. The West Palm Beach office is conveniently accessible via public transportation, with parking available in nearby garages for those who prefer to visit in person. Security screening is required for all entrants, and photo identification must be presented to access records.
| Clerk Name | Mike Caruso, CPA |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 N. Olive Avenue, Ninth Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 |
| Phone | (561) 355-2996 |
| Website | mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| Circuit | 15th Judicial Circuit |
Palm Beach County Online Case Search for Family Records
Palm Beach County has developed a robust online case search system that provides multiple pathways for locating family court records. The clerk's website offers sophisticated search capabilities including party name lookups, business entity searches, and precise case number queries that deliver exact results. These versatile tools accommodate different user needs, whether you're an attorney tracking multiple cases or an individual researching your own family law matter.
Party name searches achieve optimal results when users enter complete legal names, beginning with the last name followed by the first name, then utilizing available filters to narrow the result set. Adding date ranges helps limit results to relevant time periods, while selecting the appropriate court type ensures you're searching within the family law division. The online system displays comprehensive case details including full party names, current case status, scheduled future hearings, and document links where available. Some records can be viewed immediately through the portal, while others containing sensitive information may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.
Search results clearly distinguish between different case types, with family court matters prominently marked for easy identification. Divorce cases, custody proceedings, and support enforcement actions all appear in the search results with appropriate categorization, allowing users to quickly locate the specific records they need. The system's intuitive design helps users navigate complex search results with confidence.
Types of Palm Beach County Family Court Records Available
Palm Beach County maintains an extensive archive of family court records spanning the complete range of domestic relations matters. Divorce cases, both simplified and regular, form a substantial portion of the collection, with files containing petitions for dissolution, detailed financial affidavits disclosing assets and liabilities, settlement agreements resolving disputed issues, and final judgments terminating marriages. These records provide a comprehensive picture of the legal process from initial filing through final resolution.
Child custody records are particularly comprehensive in Palm Beach County, containing parenting plans that establish detailed time-sharing arrangements, allocate decision-making authority regarding education and healthcare, specify holiday and vacation schedules, and set forth child support obligations including provisions for medical, dental, and sometimes college expenses. Modifications to existing orders are carefully tracked and filed, ensuring the record reflects current arrangements. Domestic violence cases receive specialized handling, with petitions for protection processed quickly, temporary orders issued to provide immediate safety, final injunctions establishing longer-term protections, and violation records meticulously documented for enforcement purposes.
Tips for Searching Palm Beach County Family Records
Effective searches in Palm Beach County employ strategic approaches that maximize the likelihood of locating the desired records efficiently. Beginning with full legal names is essential, but experienced researchers also consider all known name variations, particularly for women who may have changed names through marriage or divorce. Checking both maiden and married names, as well as any documented alias names, ensures comprehensive results. When businesses are involved as parties, utilizing the business name search function proves more effective than individual party searches.
Date ranges serve as powerful tools for refining search results, allowing users to focus on specific periods relevant to their inquiry rather than wading through decades of unrelated cases. When a case number is available, whether obtained from prior court documents, attorney correspondence, or existing orders, this identifier provides the most direct route to the specific file. The system may limit results for broad searches, so narrowing criteria by adding more specific terms, using exact spellings, adjusting date parameters, or selecting particular court divisions helps ensure successful location of the target case.
Palm Beach County Clerk Website Resources
The Palm Beach County Clerk offers a comprehensive range of online services specifically designed to facilitate access to family court records for West Palm Beach area residents.
The sophisticated e-filing system allows attorneys and self-represented parties to electronically submit family court documents for cases pending in the West Palm Beach courthouse.
15th Judicial Circuit Court and Palm Beach County Family Law
Palm Beach County operates within the 15th Judicial Circuit, one of Florida's busiest judicial circuits handling an enormous volume of family law cases annually. The circuit court maintains dedicated family law divisions staffed by experienced judges who possess deep expertise in domestic relations matters ranging from straightforward uncontested divorces to highly complex international custody disputes involving significant financial assets. These specialized divisions ensure that family cases receive appropriate attention and resources.
The circuit provides extensive support services designed to help families navigate the litigation process, including professional family mediation programs that help parties reach mutually acceptable agreements on disputed issues such as property division, time-sharing, and support obligations. Mandatory parenting classes are required for divorcing parents, providing education on co-parenting strategies and child development to minimize the impact of family restructuring on children. Court hearings take place primarily at the main courthouse in West Palm Beach, with notices specifying exact locations, dates, and any special instructions.
Getting Copies of Palm Beach County Family Court Records
Copies of family court records are readily available from the Palm Beach County clerk through multiple channels designed to accommodate different needs and circumstances. Regular copies are priced on a per-page basis, while certified copies, which bear the clerk's official seal and are frequently required for legal proceedings, enforcement actions, or official name changes, carry an additional certification fee. The clerk's office accepts various payment methods including cash, personal checks, credit and debit cards, with online payment options available for certain services.
Most copy requests are fulfilled the same day, though larger orders or requests for archived records stored off-site may require additional processing time. The clerk's staff provide estimated completion times upon request and can advise on whether rush service is available for urgent matters. Current fee schedules are maintained on the clerk's website, though prices are subject to periodic adjustment.