Riviera Beach Public Records

Public records in Riviera Beach, Florida are open to the public under Florida's broad public records law. Court cases, property filings, police reports, and city documents are all available through Palm Beach County offices and the City of Riviera Beach in the 15th Judicial Circuit. This page covers each record type and shows you how to access them.

Florida Public Records Rights

Florida law starts from a presumption of openness. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says any record made or received by a government agency is open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. That covers Palm Beach County agencies, Riviera Beach city offices, and state offices that hold records tied to this area.

You don't need to give your name. No reason required. Agencies cannot hold up a request while asking you to explain yourself. They must act without delay. For complex requests, they have to provide a time estimate on request.

Exemptions are narrow. Active criminal investigations, sealed court records, and certain personal data are restricted. Outside those, nearly everything is public. Riviera Beach searches are generally straightforward.

Palm Beach County Clerk Court Records

Court records for Riviera Beach are maintained by the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller. The main office is at 301 N Olive Ave, Ninth Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Phone is (561) 355-2996. You can also reach the public records unit by email at publicrecords@mypalmbeachclerk.com. The online portal at mypalmbeachclerk.com lets you search case records and official records.

The Palm Beach Clerk protects and maintains the county's official records, court records, and county government meeting records. Civil cases include small claims, circuit civil filings, and landlord-tenant matters. Criminal records cover misdemeanor and felony charges. Family law files include divorce decrees, custody orders, and domestic injunctions. Probate holds estate proceedings and guardianship records.

The clerk also provides genealogy research assistance, electronic certified copies, and records of county government meeting minutes. Tax deed sale information is available through the official records section. Electronic certified copies are available for many record types, which can speed up requests compared to waiting for paper copies.

International users should be aware that VPN access may be needed to reach the Palm Beach Clerk's online systems from outside North America. Standard copies cost $0.15 per page. Official records are $1.00 per page.

Palm Beach Official Records Search

The Palm Beach County Clerk's official records system covers property-related documents and other recorded instruments. Deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, plats, and tax deeds are all recorded through the clerk's office and searchable online at mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/official-records.

Every property sale in Riviera Beach generates a recorded deed. That deed is the legal proof of transfer and goes into the official records database. Lenders, title companies, and real estate agents rely on this system. Marriage licenses issued in Palm Beach County are also part of the official records. Divorce records are in the circuit court case files.

Note: Privacy protections apply to certain recorded documents. The clerk's office screens records before they are made available online to protect personal information where required by law.

Florida Department of State Records

The Florida Department of State manages several statewide record systems separate from county court records. The screenshot below is from the Florida Department of State website, which covers business filings, elections records, and other state-level public documents.

Business entity records are searchable through the Division of Corporations at sunbiz.org, which covers businesses registered in Palm Beach County including Riviera Beach.

City of Riviera Beach Records

The City of Riviera Beach has its own records separate from county court files. Riviera Beach City Hall is at 600 W Blue Heron Blvd, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. City records include building permits, code enforcement files, business licenses, zoning decisions, and city council meeting minutes.

Building permits cover all construction and renovation projects in Riviera Beach. These records show what was approved, who did the work, and whether it passed inspections. Real estate buyers and lenders look at these files often. Most permit records are available through the city's development services department.

The Riviera Beach Police Department handles records for incidents within city limits. Most incident reports and arrest logs are public. Active investigation files may carry a temporary hold. Contact the department's records unit to request specific reports.

How to Request Records

Florida law does not require a specific form. You can ask by phone, email, mail, or in person. Just be specific about what you need. Include the record type, any dates, and names or addresses that help narrow the search.

Copies are $0.15 per page for court records. Official recorded documents cost $1.00 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is typically free. After that, agencies may charge by hourly rate. Certified copies cost more than plain copies.

If a request is denied without a valid basis, the Florida Attorney General provides free mediation at (850) 245-0140 or myfloridalegal.com. It is faster than a court challenge and costs nothing.

Vital Records

Birth and death records from Riviera Beach events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics through the Florida Department of Health. Marriage licenses are issued by the Palm Beach County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court files and searchable at mypalmbeachclerk.com. Certified copies require a written request and fee payment.

Nearby Cities

These nearby Palm Beach County cities also have public records accessible through county and city offices.

Palm Beach County Records

Court records and official records for Riviera Beach are maintained by the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller.