West Palm Beach Public Records
West Palm Beach public records are maintained by two main sources: the City of West Palm Beach and the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts. City documents such as permits, code enforcement files, police reports, and city commission records come from city departments at 401 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Court case records, official property documents, and recorded instruments for the West Palm Beach area go through the Palm Beach County Clerk at mypalmbeachclerk.com, which serves the 15th Judicial Circuit. Florida's open records law entitles any person to access and copy these public records.
West Palm Beach Quick Facts
Florida's Open Records Framework
Florida's Chapter 119 public records law is a cornerstone of government transparency in the state. Every person has the right to inspect and copy public records. No name is required. No reason is necessary. The law covers all government bodies, from the City of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County to every state agency.
Agencies must act promptly. Stalling without a valid reason violates the law. For records that are easy to pull, you may get them the same day. Bigger requests take longer, and agencies should estimate how long if asked. Fees apply for copies, not for simply looking at records.
Some records are exempt under Section 119.071. Active criminal investigation files, certain medical data, and some records involving children fall into this category. But these are exceptions. The baseline rule in Florida is that records are open.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County and the hub of the 15th Judicial Circuit. Court records for the city are maintained by the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts at mypalmbeachclerk.com. The clerk's site has an online case search and a dedicated records access portal at mypalmbeachclerk.com/records.
Civil court records include lawsuits, foreclosures, small claims, and injunctions. Criminal records cover charges filed in county and circuit court, from misdemeanor cases to serious felonies. The public case database shows charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. You don't need to pay to search.
Family court covers divorces, custody matters, and support orders. These are part of the circuit court system and are searchable online. Probate records dealing with wills, trusts, and estates are kept in the same system. Some family records tied to minors may have restricted access, but the case index is generally visible.
To get certified copies, visit the main courthouse at 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Copy fees are $0.15 per page for plain copies. Certified documents start at $1.00 for the first page plus $0.15 per additional page. Bring a case number if you have one.
City of West Palm Beach Records
City Hall is at 401 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Main phone: (561) 822-1200. The city keeps records for all city departments including building, planning, code enforcement, finance, and public works. The city's official website links to records request forms and commonly requested documents.
City commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted online. Approved budgets and financial audits are available without a formal request. For anything not posted, contact the city clerk's office. A written request describing the records is the best approach.
The West Palm Beach Police Department handles its own records. Incident reports, arrest logs, and crash reports can be requested through the department's records unit. Some information is available online. Active investigations may carry partial exemptions under Florida law, but most closed-case reports are open to the public.
Building and permit records are maintained by the city's Development Services department. These cover all construction permits, inspection results, code enforcement notices, and zoning decisions within city limits. If you're researching a property's permit history or checking for open violations, Development Services is the right office. Requests can be submitted by address.
West Palm Beach City Portal Screenshot
The screenshot below is from the official City of West Palm Beach website, which provides public records request information and links to city services.
The city site includes department contacts, meeting archives, and forms for requesting records from West Palm Beach city offices.
Property Records
Property records for West Palm Beach and all of Palm Beach County are held by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser. The online database is searchable by address or parcel number and shows ownership history, assessed values, and tax information. It's free to use.
Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments are indexed by the Palm Beach County Clerk's Official Records division. Every sale and recorded document is public. These records are essential for title research and ownership verification. Online viewing is free; certified copies carry a fee.
The Palm Beach County Tax Collector maintains tax payment records. If a property has overdue taxes or a tax certificate on file, that information is accessible to the public. Most tax data can be pulled online without a formal request.
Making a Records Request
No special form is required under Florida law. A written description of the records is all you need. Include the record type, date range, and relevant names or addresses. Agencies may have their own forms, which can help route your request faster, but using those forms is optional.
You can submit by email, mail, phone, or in person. Written requests are recommended so you have a record of what was submitted. Standard copy fees apply: $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost more. Staff time over 30 minutes may result in extra charges at the rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee.
If a request is denied, contact the Florida Attorney General's Government Records Mediation Program. Call (850) 245-0140 or use the online resources at myfloridalegal.com. The mediation service is free and resolves most disputes faster than going to court.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates for events in West Palm Beach are issued by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage licenses are issued by the Palm Beach County Clerk. Divorce records are filed with the 15th Circuit Court and are searchable through the Palm Beach County Clerk's online case system.
Nearby Cities
Other South Florida cities with public records pages are listed below.
Palm Beach County Records
Public records for West Palm Beach are maintained through the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and online search tools.