Martin County Court Records Search
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Martin County is located along Florida’s Treasure Coast with its county seat in Stuart. The county falls within the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit and the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Court records generated by proceedings in Martin County are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, currently Carolyn Timmann, as well as by individual court divisions. Residents and members of the public searching for case information in Florida can begin at FloridaStateCourts.us or through the Clerk’s online search tools, in-person visits to the courthouse, and written requests submitted by mail, fax, or email. Public-access terminals and electronic portals operated by the Clerk’s office provide around-the-clock access to many non-confidential case records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Martin County?
Martin County offers several methods for locating court case information. The fastest approach is the Clerk’s online Case Search portal, which allows searches by party name, case number, or citation number. Users can filter results by court type—Circuit Felony, Misdemeanor, Criminal Traffic, Circuit Civil, County Civil, Domestic Relations/Family, or Probate—to narrow the results. There is no fee to search using this portal.
A second option is the Court Records Request web form. Requesters fill in the party’s name and select the applicable file type (Criminal, Circuit Civil, County Civil, Family, or Probate). The following fees apply when using this form:
- Search fee: $2.00 per year, per name
- Copy fee: $1.00 per page
- Certification fee: $2.00 per document
Appellate-level case records can be searched through the Florida Appellate Case Information System, where users select “4th District Court of Appeal” from the court dropdown. Searches can be run by case, party, or document.
In-person and mail requests may be directed to the Clerk’s main office or branch locations. A completed Court Records Request Form can be submitted by mail, fax, email, or in person. Written requests must include the individual’s full name, date of birth, and case number if known.
Clerk Office Locations
| Location | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courthouse Stuart Office | 100 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994 | (772) 288-5576 | Mon–Fri 8 am – 5 pm |
| Hobe Sound Branch | 11730 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455 | (772) 546-1308 | Mon–Fri 8 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 4:30 pm |
| Indiantown Branch | 16550 SW Warfield Blvd, Indiantown, FL 34956 | (772) 223-7921 | Wed & Fri 8 am – 1 pm, 2 pm – 4:30 pm |
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 9016, Stuart, FL 34995-9016
Contact for Record Requests:
Email: RecordRequest@martinclerk.com
Fax: (772) 288-5548
All court filings in Martin County must be submitted electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to both attorneys and self-represented litigants.
Are Court Records Public in Martin County?
Florida has one of the broadest public records frameworks in the United States. The Florida Public Records Law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, establishes that any record made or received by a public agency during official business is available for inspection and copying. Court records specifically fall under the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 2.420, which governs public access to judicial branch records.
Under these provisions, anyone may inspect or copy Martin County court records during regular business hours. The Clerk’s office charges $1.00 per page for copies and $2.00 per document for certification. When requests involve extensive clerical time, the current hourly rate is $28.10. The Clerk waives copy costs totaling less than $1.00.
Despite the broad presumption of openness, Rule 2.420© designates certain categories as confidential and exempt from disclosure. Records that cannot be publicly accessed include:
- Adoption proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency files
- Grand jury records
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Gestational surrogacy records
- Baker Act clinical records
- Complete presentence investigation reports
- Substance abuse treatment provider records
- HIV test results and the identity of the person tested
- Birth records and portions of death and fetal death records
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit or debit card numbers
- Victim identity information in sexual assault cases
- Sealed search and arrest warrants (until executed)
- Domestic violence victim addresses when petitioner requests confidentiality
- Records related to child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and termination of parental rights
- Criminal records of defendants found incompetent to proceed or acquitted by reason of insanity
Florida also restricts access to draft judicial memoranda, court conference notes, and internal advisory opinions on court administration. Parties who believe their confidential information has been included in a public filing may move to have it redacted or sealed under the procedures in Rule 2.420.
Martin County Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Division of the Clerk’s office handles all felony and misdemeanor case files. The division is located on the second floor of the Constitutional Building at the Stuart Courthouse. Payments for criminal matters are accepted in cash, check, money order, or major credit cards, though credit card transactions carry a processing fee.
Searching Criminal Court Records
- Online (free): Use the Case Search portal. Under “Court Types”, select Circuit Felony, Criminal Traffic, or Misdemeanor. Search by party name, case number, or citation number.
- Online (fee-based): Submit the Court Records Request web form and select “Criminal” as the file type.
- Written request: Mail, fax, or email a completed Court Records Request Form to the Public Records Liaison at the Stuart Courthouse. Include the subject’s full name, date of birth, and case number or arrest date if available.
Criminal Court Records Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal record search | $2.00 per year/per name |
| Copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.00 per document |
| Emailed copies | $1.00 per page |
Postage and envelope fees are additional unless the requester provides a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Sheriff’s Office Records
Arrest and booking information is also maintained by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Records Unit. Requests can be made in person or by contacting the unit directly. The Sheriff’s Office also provides a Jail Inmate Search database for looking up current inmates.
Martin County Sheriff’s Office – Records Unit
800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 220-7050
Fax: (772) 220-7015
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
First appearance hearings in Martin County are conducted via Zoom. Connection details are published in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Zoom Meeting Information document available on the Clerk’s website.
Martin County Civil Court Records
Civil case records in Martin County are maintained by the Civil Division of the Clerk’s office. The division is organized into two tiers based on the amount in controversy.
Circuit Civil Division — Handles cases where the amount exceeds $50,000, as well as malpractice, mortgage and lien foreclosure, auto negligence, contract and indebtedness, eminent domain, and personal injury matters.
County Civil Division — Handles small claims ($0 to $8,000), civil actions from $8,000.01 to $50,000, and evictions with a damage claim not exceeding $50,000.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
- Free online search: Use the Case Search portal and select “Circuit Civil” or “County Civil” under Court Types.
- Fee-based online request: Submit the Court Records Request web form, selecting the appropriate civil file type. The search fee is $2.00 per year/per name, copies cost $1.00 per page, and certification costs $2.00 per document.
- In-person, mail, fax, or email: Submit the Court Records Request Form to the Clerk’s office at the Stuart Courthouse. Email requests to RecordRequest@martinclerk.com or fax to (772) 288-5548.
Selected Circuit Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil action (over $50,000, excluding Domestic Relations and foreclosures) | $400 |
| Foreclosure ($50,000 or less) | $400 |
| Foreclosure ($50,001–$249,999) | $905 |
| Foreclosure ($250,000 or more) | $1,905 |
| Cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party complaint | $395 |
| Issuing each summons | $10 |
| Reopen fee | $50 |
| Garnishment, attachment, replevin, or distress service charge | $85 |
| Pro Hac Vice fee | $100 |
Selected County Civil / Small Claims Filing Fees
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $100 | $55 |
| $100–$500 | $80 |
| $500.01–$2,500 | $175 |
| $2,500.01–$8,000 | $300 |
| $8,000.01–$15,000 | $300 |
| $15,000.01–$50,000 | $400 |
| Removal of tenant (eviction) | $185 |
Filing fees are payable by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit card transactions are subject to a service charge. Checks should be made payable to Martin County Clerk. Small claims packets cost $3.00 and eviction packets cost $10.05, both available from the Clerk’s office.
Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, can be searched through the Clerk’s Official Records Search portal or by contacting the Official Records division at (772) 288-5551 or OfficialRecords@martinclerk.com.
Martin County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Martin County are heard by the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Family Division. This division handles dissolutions of marriage, child custody and support, adoptions, paternity, modification proceedings, name changes, and domestic violence injunctions. The Domestic Relations division of the Clerk’s office maintains the corresponding case files.
Searching Family Court Records
- Use the Case Search portal and select “Domestic Relations/Family” under Court Types for a free search.
- Submit the Court Records Request web form and check the “Family” file type for a fee-based request.
- Submit a written Court Records Request Form by mail, email, fax, or in person.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage, Simplified Dissolution, or Annulment (Ch. 61, Fla. Stat.) | $408 |
| Adoption, Custody by Relative, Emancipation, or Name Change | $400 |
| Alimony, Custody, Parentage, Grandparent Visitation, Separate Maintenance, Supervised Visitation, or Child Proceedings (Ch. 39, 61, 742, 751, 752, 753) | $300 |
| Counter-petition for Dissolution of Marriage | $295 |
| Injunction for Protection (Domestic, Repeat, Sexual, Dating Violence) | No fee |
| Reopen fee / Petition for Modification | $50 |
| Court-ordered mediation (combined income under $50,000) per person, per session | $60 |
| Court-ordered mediation (combined income over $50,000) per person, per session | $120 |
| Issuing each summons | $10 |
The Clerk’s office collects child support and alimony payments at a rate of 4% of each payment, with a minimum of $1.00 and a maximum of $5.25 per transaction. Self-represented litigants can prepare and file family law documents electronically using the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The Florida Courts website and the Florida Supreme Court both offer standardized family law forms.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates recorded in Martin County can be viewed at no charge through the Official Records Search portal or at the Clerk’s office. For marriage records recorded before January 1, 1999, contact the Clerk at (772) 288-5551. Copies cost $1.00 per page, and certification is $2.00 per document. Written requests should include the names of both spouses and the marriage date if known.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not maintained by the court system. They are issued by the Florida Department of Health in Martin County. Requests can be made online through a third-party vendor, by phone, or by mailing a completed application for a birth certificate or death certificate along with the required fee and a copy of a valid photo ID.
- Birth certificates: $17.00; plastic covers $5.00
- Death certificates: $15.00
- Search fee: $10.00
Florida law restricts access to birth records that are less than 125 years old and to death records that include cause-of-death information for 50 years. Only the registrant (if of legal age), a parent, spouse, legal guardian, legal representative, child, grandchild, sibling, or a person with a court order may obtain a confidential vital record.
Martin County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Martin County are handled by the Probate & Guardianship division of the Clerk’s office. These cases include the administration of decedent estates, summary administration, guardianships of persons and property, conservatorships, trusts, and disposition of personal property without administration. Whether an estate must go through formal probate depends on the assets the decedent held at death. When all assets were jointly held and a joint holder survives, probate may not be required.
Searching Probate Records
- Online (free): Use the Case Search portal and select “Probate” under Court Types.
- Online (fee-based): Submit the Court Records Request web form and check the “Probate” file type. Fees are $2.00 per year/per name for the search, $1.00 per page for copies, and $2.00 per document for certification.
- By mail, email, fax, or in person: Submit a Court Records Request Form to the Clerk’s Probate division. Contact the division directly at (772) 419-4079.
Probate and Guardianship Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening of any estate (one or more documents, excludes letters or summary orders) | $231 |
| Petition to admit foreign will or authenticated transcript | $231 |
| Caveat or Notice of Trust | $41 |
| Disposition of personal property without administration | $231 |
| Summary Administration (estate less than $1,000) | $235 |
| Summary Administration (estate $1,000 or more) | $345 |
| Formal, Ancillary, Curatorship, or Conservatorship Administration | $400 |
| V.A. Guardianship | $235 |
| Guardianship of Person Only | $235 |
| Guardianship of Person and Property | $400 |
| Guardianship of a Minor — Person Only | $235 |
| Guardianship of a Minor — Person and Property | $400 |
| Petition for determination of incompetency | $231 |
| Trusts | $400 |
| Indexing wills | $1 |
| Reopen fee | $50 |
Annual Accounting Audit Fees
| Estate Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $20 |
| $25,000.01–$100,000 | $85 |
| $100,001–$500,000 | $170 |
| More than $500,000 | $250 |
An audit fee of $85 applies when a verified inventory shows the ward’s property value exceeds $25,000. Note that estate inventories and accountings are among the categories classified as confidential under Rule 2.420 and are not available for public inspection.
Individuals who need legal guidance on the probate process should consult an attorney, as the Clerk’s office cannot provide legal or procedural advice. Probate filings are submitted electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.