Monroe County Court Records Search
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Monroe County spans the entirety of the Florida Keys, stretching from Key Largo to Key West, with the county seat located in Key West. The county’s courts operate within Florida’s 16th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses both the Circuit Court and County Court. The Monroe Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office serves as the legal custodian of all court records generated in these courts, maintaining case files, docket information, documentary exhibits, transcripts, and electronic recordings of proceedings as defined under Section 28.24 of the Florida Statutes. Whether you need to verify a civil judgment, review a criminal case disposition, or obtain a certified copy of a probate filing, the Clerk’s Office and various online tools provide multiple pathways to access these records.
Court records in Florida can be searched through a combination of official clerk office visits, written requests, and online portals. FloridaStateCourts.us may assist in locating publicly available court case information across the state, including links to the Florida Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, and circuit-level resources. In Monroe County specifically, the Clerk’s online case management system, official records portal, and in-person public access at the three courthouse locations throughout the Keys all serve as primary channels for retrieving court records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Monroe County?
Monroe County’s 16th Judicial Circuit operates out of three courthouse locations that serve the Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. All three locations house branches of the Clerk’s Office where the public can search and request court records in person during regular business hours.
Clerk’s Office Locations and Hours
All locations are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Key West (Main) | 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 292-3458 |
| Marathon | 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 | (305) 289-6027 |
| Plantation Key | 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070 | (305) 852-7145 |
Courthouse Locations (16th Judicial Circuit)
| Courthouse | Address |
|---|---|
| Freeman Justice Center | 302 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040 |
| Marathon Courthouse | 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 |
| Plantation Key Government Center | 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 1, Tavernier, FL 33070 |
Online Case Search
The Clerk’s Office provides a case management system that allows remote searches of Monroe County court records. After accepting the site disclaimer, users can select from dedicated search tabs for different case types: civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic. Searches can be run by party name (individual or business) or case number. A filing date filter is also available to narrow results. Online docket information is available for most cases filed from approximately 1990 to the present, and viewable documents are generally available from 2007 forward for most case types.
Specific search portals include:
- Civil Case Records Search — for civil disputes
- Criminal Case Records Search — for criminal matters
- Family Case Records Search — for dissolution, custody, and other domestic proceedings
- Probate Case Records Search — for estate and guardianship matters
The Clerk also maintains an Official Records portal for searching recorded documents such as marriage licenses, deeds, mortgages, liens, and judgments. Searches can be conducted by name, document type, or book and page reference.
Written and In-Person Requests
To request copies of court records, you may visit any Clerk’s Office location or submit a written request by mail. All requests should include enough identifying information — such as party names or a case number — to allow staff to locate the records.
Are Court Records Public in Monroe County?
Monroe County court records are accessible to the general public under Florida’s Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, which governs public access to and protection of judicial branch records. The rule establishes that court records are presumptively open for inspection by any person, regardless of citizenship status, unless confidentiality is required by law, court rule, or court order.
The following categories of records are confidential and excluded from public access under Rule 2.420 and applicable Florida statutes:
- Trial and appellate court memoranda, draft opinions, and court conference records
- Complaints of judicial misconduct until probable cause is established
- Unexecuted arrest and search warrants, along with their supporting affidavits
- Juvenile court records, including dependency, delinquency, termination of parental rights, and child abuse or neglect proceedings
- Adoption records
- Clinical records related to defendants found incompetent to proceed or acquitted by reason of insanity
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Gestational surrogacy records
- Complete presentence investigation reports
- Any records made confidential by Florida or federal law or constitution
Additionally, Florida’s Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records and Access Security Matrix govern the level of remote electronic access available for different case types. Certain case documents — particularly in family law matters — may be viewable only at the Clerk’s Office and are not accessible remotely through the online case management system.
Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, further establishes the public’s right to access government records, including those maintained by the Clerk of Court, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
Monroe County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Monroe County are heard in either the Circuit Court (for felonies) or the County Court (for misdemeanors and certain criminal traffic offenses). The Clerk’s Criminal Department manages records for both courts across three locations:
| Location | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key West | 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 294-4641 | (305) 295-3615 |
| Marathon | 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 | (305) 289-6027 | (305) 289-1745 |
| Plantation Key | 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070 | (305) 852-7145 | (305) 852-7146 |
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records can be searched online through the Clerk’s Criminal Case Records Search portal by entering a party name or case number. Docket information is available for most cases from approximately 1990 forward, and documents can be viewed from 2007 onward for most case types.
Copy Fees for Criminal Records
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certification: $2.00 per page of the document
- Docket copies: $1.00 per page
Arrest Records and Law Enforcement Resources
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) provides law enforcement records and arrest information through several channels:
- Current Arrests Database — view recent booking information
- Arrest History Search — search past arrest records
- Records Department — for in-person inquiries about public arrest records and incident reports
The MCSO headquarters is located at 5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040, and can be reached at (305) 292-7000.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) operates a statewide criminal history record check system that searches criminal records submitted by law enforcement agencies across all Florida jurisdictions, including Monroe County. Each search costs $24, plus a $1 credit card processing fee. The MCSO also offers fingerprinting services for purposes such as government job applications and concealed weapon permits.
Monroe County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Monroe County are split between the Circuit Court and County Court based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim. The Circuit Court handles higher-value disputes, foreclosures, and equity matters, while the County Court presides over civil claims with lesser monetary amounts and small claims actions. Case types include personal injury, breach of contract, foreclosure, eviction, replevin, mass tort, malpractice, and intellectual property disputes.
Online Access
The Civil Case Records Search portal allows the public to look up civil cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Docket entries and public documents from most civil case types are viewable online.
Civil Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small claims ($0–$99.99) | $55.00 |
| Small claims ($100–$499.99) | $80.00 |
| Small claims ($500–$2,499.99) | $175.00 |
| Small claims ($2,500–$8,000) | $300.00 |
| County Court civil ($8,000–$30,000) | $300.00 |
| County Court civil ($30,000+) | $400.00 |
| Cross claim / counter claim (County Court) | $295.00 |
| Cross claim / counter claim (Circuit Court) | $395.00 |
| Foreclosure ($50,000 or less) | $400.00 |
| Foreclosure ($50,001–$249,999) | $905.00 |
| Foreclosure ($250,000 or more) | $1,905.00 |
| Writ of Garnishment | $85.00 |
| Writ of Replevin | $85.00 |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 |
| Issue summons | $10.00 |
Copy and Miscellaneous Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.00 per page of document |
| Search fee | $2.00 per search year |
| Clerk’s signature | $7.00 |
| Exemplified copy | $7.00 |
| Issuing witness subpoena | $7.00 |
The complete fee schedule is published on the Clerk’s website.
Property Records
The Clerk’s Official Records portal provides online access to recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, satisfactions, and assignments. Recording fees are $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, Phone: (305) 292-3420, offers a property search tool on its website for looking up assessment and ownership information.
Monroe County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Monroe County are heard in the Circuit Court and encompass dissolution of marriage, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence injunctions, and name changes. The Clerk’s Office maintains all records associated with these proceedings.
Searching Family Case Records
The Family Case Records Search portal allows users to search for family cases by party name or case number. Selecting “Dissolution” from the Case Type dropdown menu and providing a filing date range can help narrow results when looking for divorce cases. Basic case information and a list of filed documents are visible online; however, under the Florida Supreme Court’s Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records, remote access to the underlying documents in family cases is restricted. To view or obtain copies of actual divorce filings and orders, you must visit a Clerk’s Office location in person.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage | $408.00 |
| Other family filings | $300.00 |
| Dissolution counter petition | $392.50 |
| Petition for name change | $400.00 |
| Petition for adoption | $400.00 |
| Petition for termination of parental rights | $400.00 |
| Cross claim / counter claim / counter petition | $295.00 |
| Family mediation (income under $50,000) | $60.00 per person |
| Family mediation (income over $50,000) | $120.00 per person |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 |
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Monroe County are issued by the Clerk’s Office. The license fee is $86.00, or $61.00 with a premarital preparation course certificate. A marriage ceremony performed by the Clerk costs $30.00. After a completed license is returned and recorded, it becomes part of the county’s public records. Marriage records from February 1954 to the present can be searched and viewed at no cost through the Official Records portal by selecting the appropriate document type and entering search criteria. Hard copies and certified copies are available at any Clerk location for the standard copy and certification fees.
The Florida Department of Health also issues marriage certificates (an abstract of the marriage license information) for a fee.
Divorce Records
The Florida Department of Health issues divorce certificates — abstracts confirming that a dissolution was finalized — but the actual divorce judgments and complete case files are available only from the Clerk’s Office.
Birth and Death Records
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County handles vital records. Birth certificates dating back to 1930 and death certificates from 2009 to the present are available from the county vital records office. Birth certificates are not public records under Florida Statute 382.025 and are released only to eligible individuals. Death certificates with cause of death are confidential for 50 years.
- Birth certificate: $20.00 per copy
- Death certificate: $16.00 per copy
Requesters must submit the appropriate application — birth certificate application or death certificate application — along with valid photo identification.
Office of Vital Statistics
Address: 1100 Simonton Street, Room 176, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 676-3840
Email: DOHMonroe@flhealth.gov
Hours: Weekdays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Birth certificates can also be ordered through the Monroe County Tax Collector’s Office in Key Largo and Key West.
Monroe County Probate Court Records
Probate proceedings in Monroe County are heard by the Circuit Court and include the administration of decedent estates, settlement of debts and distribution of assets, establishment of guardianship or conservatorship for minors and incapacitated adults, and related matters. The Clerk’s Office maintains all probate case files and documents.
Searching Probate Records Online
The Probate Case Records Search portal allows the public to search probate cases by party name or case number. Basic case information is viewable at no cost. Note that estate inventories and accountings are confidential under Rule 2.420 and are not available for public inspection.
Obtaining Copies
Copies of probate records can be obtained in person at any Clerk’s Office location or by mail. Include the decedent’s name, case number if known, and a description of the specific documents needed. Fees for copies follow the standard schedule:
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certification: $2.00 per page of the document
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estate opening | $231.00 |
| Caveat | $41.00 |
| Petition / Order to admit foreign will | $231.00 |
| Petition for disposition without administration | $231.00 |
| Summary administration (estate under $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration (estate over $1,000) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration | $400.00 |
| Petition to determine incompetency | $231.00 |
| Guardianship (person only) | $235.00 |
| Veterans guardianship | $235.00 |
| Guardianship (full) | $400.00 |
| Notice of trust | $41.00 |
| Exemplification certificate | $7.00 |
| Reopen fee | $50.00 |
| Verified inventory | $85.00 |
Annual accounting audit fees are based on the estate’s value:
| Estate Value | Audit Fee |
|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $20.00 |
| $25,000–$100,000 | $85.00 |
| $100,000–$500,000 | $170.00 |
| Over $500,000 | $250.00 |
For questions about probate filing procedures, contact the Clerk’s Office at (305) 292-3458 or visit any of the three branch locations throughout the Keys.