Indian River County Public Records Lookup
Indian River County public records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Vero Beach and are open to any person under Florida's open records law. This page covers how to access court case files, recorded property documents, and other official records in Indian River County through the clerk's online portal, by mail, or in person at the courthouse on 16th Avenue in Vero Beach.
Indian River County Quick Facts
Florida's Open Records Law in Indian River County
Florida's public records law is established in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It applies to all government agencies statewide, including Indian River County and all of its offices. The law presumes all government records are open. Any person can request to inspect or copy them. You do not need to give your name or explain why you want a document. Agencies must respond promptly, and any denial must be backed by a specific statutory exemption.
Indian River County has several offices that hold public records. The Clerk and Comptroller is the main custodian for court filings and officially recorded documents. Other agencies, including the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff's Office, and county administration, each maintain their own records and accept requests independently. All operate under Chapter 119's rules for prompt response and open access.
If a request is improperly denied or delayed, the Florida Attorney General's Office offers a free mediation program you can reach at (850) 245-0140. More information is available through the AG's Open Government page. The First Amendment Foundation also provides free help for Floridians dealing with records access issues.
Indian River County Clerk and Comptroller
Ryan L. Butler serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Indian River County. His office at 2000 16th Avenue in Vero Beach is the primary custodian for court records and officially recorded documents in the county. The Clerk handles civil and criminal case filings, family law and probate matters, recorded property documents, marriage licenses, and county financial records.
| Clerk | Ryan L. Butler |
|---|---|
| Address | 2000 16th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960 |
| Phone | (772) 226-3100 |
| Website | indianriverclerk.com |
The office is open weekdays during normal business hours. The clerk's website provides online access to court case records and officially recorded documents. For records not available online, the clerk's staff can help you locate them and advise on whether an in-person visit is needed or whether copies can be mailed.
The screenshot below comes from the Indian River County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, which is the main starting point for public records access in the county.
From the clerk's site you can access the online records search, find division contact information, and get guidance on submitting written requests by mail or in person.
Court Records in Indian River County
Indian River County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit along with Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. Circuit court cases in Indian River County include civil disputes over the statutory threshold, felony criminal matters, family law proceedings such as dissolution of marriage and adoption, juvenile cases, and probate. County court handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic cases, and civil claims under the threshold.
Most court records in Indian River County are public under Chapter 119. Standard exemptions apply. Juvenile records are confidential. Records sealed or expunged by court order are not publicly available. Certain domestic violence, mental health, and other sensitive case records carry additional protections. If you are unsure whether a specific case file is accessible, the clerk's office can advise you before you submit a formal request.
The clerk's online search portal covers a broad range of case types and is a good first step for any Indian River County court records search. For older records that predate the digital system, contact the clerk's office directly. You can also verify clerk contact details through the statewide Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory.
Official Records and Property Documents
The Indian River County Clerk records and indexes all official documents affecting real property in the county. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, lis pendens filings, judgment liens, and other recorded instruments are all filed and maintained through the Clerk's office. These documents are public records. Most can be searched through the clerk's online portal by name, document type, or date range.
For anyone buying property, conducting a title search, or researching liens on a specific parcel in Vero Beach or elsewhere in Indian River County, the Clerk's official records index is the authoritative source. A basic online review costs nothing. Copies cost up to $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee for certified copies when needed for legal purposes.
Marriage records for licenses issued in Indian River County are kept by the Clerk and are public records. Divorce case files are part of the circuit court record and are similarly accessible through the clerk for cases filed in the county.
How to Request Indian River County Records
You can request Indian River County public records in several ways. Visit the clerk's office in person at 2000 16th Ave in Vero Beach. Call (772) 226-3100 to speak with staff and ask about availability. Submit a written request by mail to the same address. No specific form is required under Florida law. A clear written description of the records you need is sufficient.
Include as much detail as you can. Party names, approximate dates, case numbers if you have them, and the type of document all help staff respond more quickly. Agencies are required by law to respond promptly. The first 30 minutes of staff research time is free to you. After that threshold, a reasonable fee may apply for time spent. Standard administrative copy fees are up to $0.15 per page. Court record copy fees are governed by separate statutory schedules.
For records held by county agencies other than the Clerk, contact those agencies directly. Indian River County's Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff's Office, and county administration each have their own processes and contact points. Starting with the right agency saves time and ensures you are dealing with the office that actually holds the documents you need.
Other Record Sources in Indian River County
The Indian River County Property Appraiser maintains parcel data, ownership records, and property assessment information for all parcels in the county. This data is public and available through the Property Appraiser's website. The Tax Collector holds property tax payment records and vehicle registration records. Both offices operate under Chapter 119.
The Board of County Commissioners maintains meeting minutes, adopted ordinances, resolutions, and county budgets. These are public records. If you need county government documents related to planning decisions, zoning, or county spending, county administration is the right place to start rather than the Clerk's office.
Vital records like birth and death certificates are handled by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, not by the county clerk. For those documents, contact the state agency directly. The Indian River County Sheriff's Office holds law enforcement records including incident reports and arrest records, which are subject to Chapter 119 with standard exemptions.
Cities in Indian River County
Sebastian is the largest community in Indian River County that meets the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Indian River County is bordered by four other Florida counties on Florida's Treasure Coast and surrounding regions.