Melbourne Public Records
Melbourne public records are held by both the City of Melbourne and Brevard County, depending on the type of document you need. City-level records like permits, city commission minutes, and code enforcement files come from city departments. Court records, official property documents, and civil and criminal case files go through the Brevard County Clerk of Courts in the 18th Judicial Circuit. Most records are available on request and free to search online. This page covers where to look and how to submit a request.
Melbourne Quick Facts
Your Right to Government Records
Florida's public records law gives every person the right to view and copy government files. That right comes from Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The law applies across state, county, and city agencies. City of Melbourne records and Brevard County records are both open under it.
No identification is required. No reason is required. You can walk in, call, email, or write a letter. The agency must respond promptly. If the record can be provided quickly, it should be. For more involved requests, the agency has to give you a time estimate.
Exemptions are narrow. Section 119.071 covers most of them, and they mainly deal with active law enforcement investigations, personal health records, and certain sealed matters. The vast majority of records people search for, court filings, property deeds, city permits, police blotters, are available without issue.
Court Records in the 18th Judicial Circuit
Melbourne falls within the 18th Judicial Circuit, which covers Brevard County. The Brevard County Clerk of Courts maintains all circuit court records tied to Melbourne cases. You can search the clerk's online portal by name, case number, or filing date. Basic case lookups are free.
Case types include civil matters, criminal charges, family court cases, and probate filings. Civil cases range from small claims to larger civil circuit disputes. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges filed in Brevard. Family court holds divorce filings, custody orders, domestic injunctions, and adoption records. Probate manages estate administrations, guardianships, and wills.
If the online search doesn't turn up what you need, visit the clerk's office or make a written request. The main courthouse in Brevard County is in Titusville, but there are branch locations closer to Melbourne. Copies cost $0.15 per page for standard records. Certified copies are more. Having a case number speeds everything up.
Juvenile court records and sealed cases are not publicly accessible. Everything else is fair game. The Brevard Clerk's system is thorough and updated regularly, so most court record searches can be handled online without a visit.
City of Melbourne Records
Melbourne City Hall is at 900 E Strawbridge Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901. The main phone is (321) 727-2900. The city's official website lists department contacts, meeting agendas, and links to records and services available to the public online.
Building permits are among the most commonly requested city records. If a home or business had any construction, additions, or upgrades, a permit is on file. These records show what was built, who did the work, the permit date, and whether inspections passed. Buyers, sellers, contractors, and lenders all use them.
City commission meeting minutes, city contracts, budget documents, and zoning records are all part of the public record in Melbourne. Some are posted directly on the city website. Others need a formal request to the city clerk's office. Either way, Florida law requires the city to provide access.
The Melbourne Police Department handles records within city limits. Incident reports, arrest logs, and other routine police records are open. Files tied to active investigations may carry a temporary exemption, but most reports are available. Check the department's website for the current request process, which may allow online submissions.
Melbourne City Website
The screenshot below is from the City of Melbourne's official website, which hosts city service information, department contacts, and public records request options.
The city site includes links to permit searches, commission meeting archives, and contact information for departments that handle public records requests.
Property Records in Brevard County
Property records for Melbourne are held by the Brevard County Property Appraiser. Search by address or parcel number for ownership history, land values, and assessment data. The search is free and available online.
Deed records, mortgages, and liens are filed with the Brevard County Clerk. Every property sale in Melbourne generates a recorded deed. Title researchers and real estate professionals rely on these documents. They go back many decades in the county system.
Tax records come from the Brevard County Tax Collector. You can look up payment history and current tax status online. Most lookups don't need a phone call or office visit.
Making a Records Request
You can ask for records in person, by email, phone, or mail. No form is required by law. Just describe what you want in enough detail for staff to find it. Include the record type, any relevant dates, names, or addresses.
Copies cost $0.15 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. If the request takes more time, agencies charge based on the hourly pay of the lowest-qualified staff member who can handle the work. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.
If your request is denied without cause, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program can step in. Reach them at (850) 245-0140 or through myfloridalegal.com. Mediation is free and resolves most disputes without a trip to court.
Vital Records
Birth and death records from Melbourne are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Request them through the Florida Department of Health, not the city or county.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Brevard County Clerk. Divorce records are in the circuit court file and searchable through the Brevard Clerk's system. Certified copies of either require a fee and a formal request.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Brevard County and Central Florida near Melbourne also have public records through their county clerks and city departments.
Brevard County Records
Court records and official records for Melbourne are maintained by the Brevard County Clerk of Court.