Monroe County Public Records Search

Monroe County public records, which cover the Florida Keys from Key Largo to Key West, are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office and are open to the public under Florida law. This page covers how to find and access court records, official records, and government documents throughout this unique island county.

Public Records Law and Monroe County

Florida's open records law is found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It makes all records made or received by a public agency open to any person unless a specific exemption applies. Monroe County, including every government body serving the Florida Keys, operates under this law. You do not need to state a reason for your request and you don't need to give your name.

Monroe County is geographically unusual. It runs along a chain of islands more than 100 miles long, with the county seat in Key West at the southernmost tip. Despite that geography, the Clerk's office in Key West is the main custodian for court records and official records throughout the county. Some government services are distributed among the Keys, but most public record requests go to Key West.

If a request is denied, the agency must cite a specific exemption under Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes. Common exemptions include active investigation files, certain victim data, and portions of personnel records. If you believe a denial was improper, the Florida AG's mediation line at (850) 245-0140 is the right first call. The AG's Open Government page has detailed guidance.

Agencies must respond promptly. They cannot stall without cause. For simple requests, expect a quick turnaround. Complex requests covering many years may take longer, but the agency should provide a timeline.

Monroe County Clerk and Comptroller

Kevin Madok, CPA, serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Monroe County. His office is the primary custodian of 16th Judicial Circuit court records and of official records such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses recorded in the county. The Clerk's office in Key West is where most public record requests are directed.

The office is open weekdays during normal business hours. Given the county's geography, some residents in the Upper or Middle Keys may find it more practical to call or submit requests online rather than traveling to Key West. The Clerk's website provides online access to records and information on how to submit written requests.

Below is a screenshot from the Monroe County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, the main portal for public records access across the Florida Keys.

The page shown above provides access to court records, official records, and the Clerk's full range of public-facing services for Monroe County.

Searching Monroe County Records Online

The Monroe County Clerk's website at monroeclerk.com provides online access to court records and official records. You can search by party name, case number, or document type without an account for basic lookups. Civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic cases in the 16th Judicial Circuit are included, along with recorded land instruments.

Official records, meaning recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens, go back many years in the county's system. For some older records that predate digital filing, an in-person visit or written request may be needed. The Clerk's staff can tell you how far back online records go for specific document types.

The statewide portal at myfloridacounty.com also covers Monroe County official records and is useful when you want to search across multiple Florida counties. Property records are a separate matter, maintained by the Monroe County Property Appraiser, while tax records go through the Monroe County Tax Collector.

Fees and Copying Costs

Florida law sets the standard fee structure. Administrative records cost $0.15 per single-sided page, $0.20 for double-sided. Certified copies from the Clerk cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Research time is not billed for the first 15 minutes; after that, the county charges the employee's hourly rate.

Many records in the Clerk's online portal can be viewed and downloaded at no charge. If the document is already available digitally, there is no per-page fee. Physical copies or certified documents carry the standard fees. For large requests, ask for a cost estimate before the work starts so there are no surprises.

Monroe County's remote location along the Keys can make in-person visits inconvenient for some residents. Mail and online requests are the practical option for most people. Allow extra time for mail turnaround when submitting written requests to the Key West office.

Monroe County Sheriff Records

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office keeps its own records apart from the court system. These include arrest records, incident reports, jail bookings, and offense reports. They are public under Chapter 119 unless an exemption applies, such as an active investigation or victim protection rule.

Requests go to the Sheriff's Office directly. You can submit in person, by phone, or by mail. You do not need to state a reason or give your name. Fees follow the standard state structure: $0.15 per single-sided page, $0.20 per double-sided page, with no charge for the first 15 minutes of staff research. Victims of certain crimes may receive copies at no charge.

The Sheriff's Office covers the entire Florida Keys. Because the county runs across multiple islands, some deputies are stationed at substations throughout the Keys, but the main records division is headquartered in Key West.

Types of Records Available in Monroe County

Monroe County holds a full range of public documents despite its smaller population. Court records from the 16th Judicial Circuit cover civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases. Official records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses recorded with the Clerk. Property records are held by the Property Appraiser. Tax records are managed by the Tax Collector.

Other commonly requested documents include county commission meeting minutes, building permits and inspections, code enforcement files, and planning and zoning records. Monroe County's land use records are particularly active given ongoing development pressures along the Keys. Each county department is the custodian for its own records.

The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory can help if you need records that cross into Miami-Dade or Collier counties, the two counties that border Monroe. The Florida First Amendment Foundation provides help when agencies deny or delay legitimate requests.

Submitting a Public Records Request

Requests to Monroe County agencies can be made in any format. No specific form is required. You can call, write, email, or walk in. Be specific about what you need and include date ranges and names where you know them. That speeds up the process and reduces the chance of back-and-forth.

For Clerk's records, the website at monroeclerk.com is the fastest route for most searches. For county department records outside the court system, contact the specific agency directly or ask the county to route your request. Monroe County is smaller than most Florida counties, so responses tend to be quicker for straightforward requests.

If your request is denied or delayed without explanation, contact the AG's mediation program at (850) 245-0140. Mediation is free and resolves most disputes without legal action.

Cities in Monroe County

Key West is Monroe County's largest city and the county seat. It has a dedicated public records page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County borders two Florida counties, each with its own public records office and search resources.