What are Palm Beach County Public Records?
According to the Florida Public Records Law, Palm Beach County Public records include all documents made or received according to law in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency. Per the State of Florida’s public records law, where a public record includes material exempt from public disclosure, the records’ custodian must redact the exempt information and reveal the rest of the public record. Some examples of information typically exempt from view are;
- Social Security Numbers - Social security numbers are critical to an individual's financial, personal, medical, or familial information. Owing to the volume of confidential personal details that is obtainable by its use and the resultant risks, the release of a social security number is prohibited;
- Driver’s license numbers - Following the Florida Drivers Privacy Protection Act, public release of certain parts of a Florida driver's license files are restricted;
- Criminal investigative or intelligence information containing identification data regarding victims of some child or sexual abuse offenses is restricted.
Palm Beach County Crime Statistics
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides crime statistics for Palm Beach County. According to its latest report, Palm Beach County recorded 37,571 index crimes in 2019 - representing a 7.9% drop from the previous year. The breakdown per crime category includes; 87 murders, 561 rapes, 1,324 robberies, 3,671 aggravated assaults, 3,493 burglaries, 25,734 larcenies, and 2,701 motor vehicle thefts. Rape and larceny were the only two crime categories to surge in 2019. Palm Beach County's index crime rate was 2,594.9 crimes per 100,000 people, representing an 8.8% drop from the previous year.
Are Palm Beach County Criminal Records Public?
Palm beach criminal records are public records unless specifically exempted by law. The Florida Public Records Law makes all the records kept by government authorities publicly available. These records are open to inspection or copying by anyone unless expressly prohibited by any law.
How to Obtain Palm Beach County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Central Records Division of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office provides access to arrest records and police records. This Division has five offices spread across the county. Eligible persons may be able to request a Palm Beach Arrest record, criminal report, or an accident report by visiting any of its offices at:
Central Records
Southern Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
(561) 688-3140
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Belle Glade – District 5
State Road 80
Belle Glade, FL 33430
(561) 992-1463
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Village of Royal Palm Beach – District 9
Okeechobee Blvd.
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
(561) 904-8289
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
City of Lake Worth – District 14
North G Street
Lake Worth, FL 33460
(561) 586-1611
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
City of Greenacres – District 16
South Jog Road
Lake Worth, FL 33467
(561) 688-5212
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
People can also send a request for records by email to emailcentralrecords@pbso.org. Requesters can send written applications to:
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Central Records
Gun Club Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
The Sheriff’s Office charges 15 cents per page after the first six pages for a one-sided report. The fee for two-sided copies is 20 cents per page. Each CD of electronic form costs 39 cents while each DVD costs 42 cents, and the price for a dual-layer DVD is $1.41. The Records Division also charges $24.47 per hour for any record that requires more than six pages or 30 minutes to process.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Palm Beach County
Members of the public can find records of sex offenders by searching the Florida Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In addition, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has a Sex Predator and Offender Tracking (SPOT) Unit to enforce the state’s sex offender law. The public can locate registered offenders living, working, and attending school in Palm Beach County using the SPOT Unit’s search tool. People can also use the SPOT platform to subscribe for e-mail alerts if an offender or predator moves close to any address in Florida they choose to monitor.
How to Find Palm Beach County Inmate Records
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office provides an inmate locator on its website. Requesters can search for inmates using the name location or arresting agency of the inmates. A Palm Beach County Inmate Search may also be conducted using state-managed options or third part level. At county level, the Sheriff’s office maintains two correctional facilities in Palm Beach County:
Main Detention Center
Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406-3001
(561) 688-3000
West Detention Center
James Wheeler Way
Belle Glade, FL 33430
(561) 992-1436
How Do I Visit an inmate in Palm Beach County Jail?
The Palm Beach County Jail advises that visitors check-in at least 15 minutes before the start of the visit, or they will be considered late and disallowed from visiting. The prison authorities may monitor and record visitations. Visitors who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot see inmates. Visitors cannot take Cell Phones or Smart Watches into the building. Minors may require a visitor’s ID number and an original birth certificate, and legal guardianship paperwork. School-age children, including homeschooled children, are not allowed to visit during school hours.
Visitors are required to dress and conduct themselves appropriately. Inmates may have a maximum of three visitors per visit, including children. Adult visitors may have to present a Government-issued ID or Driver’s License before each visit. Friends and family can deposit funds in inmates’ commissary accounts at the Access Corrections Kiosks located in the Main Detention Center’s release lobby, the West Detention Center’s visitation lobby, and the Video Visitation Center.
Court Records
Palm Beach County has four courthouses, and each of them hosts a Circuit Court and a County Court. The addresses and contact information of these courthouses are:
Main Courthouse
North Dixie Highway,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2996
South County Courthouse
West Atlantic Avenue,
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Phone: (561) 274-1588 (Civil)
Phone: (561) 355-2996 (Criminal)
North County Courthouse
PGA Boulevard,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: (561) 624-6650 (Civil)
Phone: (561) 355-2996 (Criminal)
West County Courthouse
State Road 15,
Room S-100,
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Phone: (561) 996-4843
Are Palm Beach County Court Records Public?
The Florida Public Records Law makes all the records kept by government authorities public records. These records are open to inspection or copying by anyone unless expressly prohibited by any law. Thus, Palm Beach County Court Records are public records unless specifically exempted by law. Most of these records are available to the public online.
How to Obtain Palm Beach County Civil Court Case Records
The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller of Palm Beach County maintains Circuit and County courts’ records in Palm Beach County. Requesters can Search for civil case records online using the eCaseView portal provided by the Clerk and Comptroller. To obtain copies of these records, requesters may have to go to the Photocopy area of the Main Courthouse on the 4th floor of the courthouse. Only records of active/open cases are available at the Clerk’s branch office in the courthouse that heard the case.
The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller also accept mail requests for copies of court records. To obtain Palm Beach court records by mail, requesters must send a completed Records Services Transmittal Form to:
Clerk and Comptroller
Records Service Center
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526
People sending requests by express mail may use the following address:
N. Dixie Hwy.
Photocopy – Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Requesters may have to pay prescribed fees as Research and Copy Fees for copies of requested records.
How to Obtain Palm Beach County Criminal Court Records
The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller of Palm Beach County maintains Palm Beach courts records Palm Beach County. Requesters can Search for criminal and traffic case records online using the eCaseView portal provided by the Clerk and Comptroller. To obtain copies of these records, requesters may have to go to the Photocopy area of the Main Courthouse on the 4th floor of the courthouse. Only records of active cases are available at the Clerk’s branch office in the courthouse that heard the case.
The Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller also accept mail requests for copies of court records. To obtain Palm Beach civil court records by mail, requesters may have to send a completed Records Services Transmittal Form to:
Clerk and Comptroller
Records Service Center
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526
People sending requests by express mail may use the following address:
N. Dixie Hwy.
Photocopy – Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Requesters may have to pay prescribed fees as Research and Copy Fees for copies of requested records.
What are Palm Beach County Vital Records?
Palm Beach county vital records contain data of events maintained by the State of Florida. They include birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce, and death records. The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics is the state's custodian of birth and death records. The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller of Palm Beach County maintains and issues marriage and divorce records. Some vital documents such as birth and death certificates less than specific periods have restricted access. Thus, the government processes only requests from eligible people. Requesters may have to provide a valid Identification and pay prescribed fees to obtain copies of a vital record.
Where and How to Obtain Palm Beach County Divorce Records
The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller of Palm Beach County maintains and provides copies of final judgments of dissolution of marriage filed in Palm Beach County. Requesters can use the Records Services Transmittal Form to order certified copies of divorce records. Requesters may have to submit the form in person or by mail to:
Clerk and Comptroller
Records Service Center
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526
People sending requests by express mail may use the following address:
N. Dixie Hwy.
Photocopy – Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Requesters may have to pay prescribed fees as Research and Copy Fees for copies of requested records.
Where and How to Get Public Palm Beach County Marriage Records
The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller of Palm Beach County maintains and issues copies of Palm Beach County marriage records. Requesters can use the Records Services Transmittal Form to order certified copies of marriage records. Requesters must submit the form in person or by mail to:
Clerk and Comptroller
Records Service Center
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526
People sending requests by express mail may use the following address:
N. Dixie Hwy.
Photocopy – Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
There is a fee for getting certified copies of Palm Beach County Marriage Certificates. However, requesters can view uncertified marriage licenses by searching the Official Records online. They may also print uncertified copies for free.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Palm Beach County
All marriage records in Palm Beach County, Florida, are considered public records. The Office of the Clerk and Comptroller of Palm Beach County maintains and issues copies of marriage licenses conducted in Palm Beach County. Requesters can use the Records Services Transmittal Form to order certified copies of Palm Beach County marriage certificates. Requesters must submit the form in person or by mail to:
Clerk and Comptroller
Records Service Center
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4526
People sending requests by express mail may use the following address:
N. Dixie Hwy.
Photocopy – Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Requesters may have to pay prescribed fees for obtaining certified copies of Palm Beach County Marriage records. Requesters can view uncertified marriage licenses recorded in Palm Beach County by searching the Official Records online. Anyone may print these Uncertified copies for free.
Where and How to Find Palm Beach County Birth Records
The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics provides certified copies of Palm Beach birth certificates. To obtain one, requesters can visit the office of the Bureau of Vital Statistics at:
N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
The office opens to the public from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It charges a $9 search fee for Palm Beach County birth records. This fee covers a thorough search of one year of records and includes one certified copy of the Palm Beach County birth certificate if found. There is an additional fee of $2 per calendar year if the date of birth is unknown. Each extra certified copy of the same Palm Beach county birth certificate ordered at the same time costs $4.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics also issues computer-generated birth certificates while the requester waits. A photocopied birth certificate costs $14. There is a $10 fee to obtain older records on the same day of request. It is also possible to request Palm Beach County birth records by mail. Requesters must download and complete an application for a Florida Birth Record (also available in Spanish) and mail it to:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Attn: Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Requesters may have to include a photocopy of their valid photo ID in the birth application. Requesters would also have to accompany mail requests by copy fees paid with cashier’s check or money order payable to “Vital Statistics”. Birth records less than 100 years old are confidential and are open only to:
- The registrant, if 18 years and above;
- Parent(s) listed on the Birth Record;
- Legal guardian (must provide guardianship papers);
- The legal representative of one of the above persons (must provide documentation);
- Anyone with a court order;
- The spouse, child, grandchild, or sibling of legal age, upon receipt of the registrant's death record.
Where and How to Find Palm Beach County Death Records
The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics provides certified copies of Palm Beach County death certificates. Requesters can obtain the certificates by visiting the office of the Bureau of Vital Statistics at:
N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
The office opens to the public from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Anyone 18years or above may apply for a certified copy of a death record without the cause of death and the decedent’s complete social security number. However, the Bureau of Vital Statistics issue death records less than 50 years old with the cause of death and full social security number to:
- The Decedent’s spouse or parent;
- The Decedent’s child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age;
- Any person who provides a will, insurance policy, or other documents that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate;
- Any person acting on behalf of any of the persons mentioned earlier;
- By Court Order
Palm Beach death records cost $5. This fee covers a thorough search of one year of records and includes one certified copy of the death record if found. An additional $2 fee is charged per calendar year if the death date is unknown. Each extra certified copy of the same death certificate ordered at the same time costs $4. The Bureau of Vital Statistics provides same-day pickups for death certificates issued from 2009 to the present. There is a $10 fee to obtain older records on the same day of request. Requesters can make payments in cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. Requesters can also request Palm Beach County Death record by mail, by downloading and completing an Application for a Death Record (also available in Spanish) and mailing it to:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Attn: Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Requesters may also have to include a photocopy of their valid photo ID within the death certificate application. They may also have to accompany the application by copy fees paid with cashier’s check or money order payable to Vital Statistics.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Palm Beach County?
According to Florida's Sunshine Laws, all property records in Palm Beach County are open to the public and available for inspection. Individuals looking to get Palm Beach County property records can visit the appropriate custodian’s office or send a written request.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Palm Beach County
In Palm Beach County, the Property Appraiser's Office is responsible for maintaining the official map and property ownership record and providing the public with access to those records. The Property Appraiser’s Office provides online and offline access to Palm Beach Property Records. Researchers may view copies of property records for free or order certified copies from the Office in person, by email, or by mail.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Public Services Support, 1st floor,
301 N. Olive Avenue,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2881
How to Look Up Palm Beach County Property Records
In Palm Beach County, the Property Appraiser’s Office provides the public with online access to property records. Researchers may search for property records using the owner’s name, the address, or PCN, and the results will provide property details, owner details, and descriptive information. The Palm Beach Clerk and Comptroller’s Office also provides an online repository where the public can find property records. Although individuals can print uncertified copies of property records, Interested parties may request certified copies from the Records Department at any of its office locations from Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Main Courthouse
205 N. Dixie Hwy.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Midwestern Communities Service Center
200 Civic Center Way,
Suite 500,
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
North County Courthouse
3188 PGA Blvd,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
South County Courthouse
200 W. Atlantic Ave,
Delray Beach, FL 33444
West County Courthouse
2950 State Road 15 Room S-100
Belle Glade, FL 33430
The Records Department also accepts requests by mail.
P.O. Box 4177
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4177
Phone: (561) 355-2991
Location of Palm Beach County Township Property Assessors
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Public Services Support, 1st floor,
301 N. Olive Avenue,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2881
