Martin County Court Records
What Is Martin County Court Records
Court records in Martin County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records constitute the formal written history of legal actions and include a broad range of documents: case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrants. Each document type serves a distinct evidentiary or administrative function within the judicial process.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level. Property records, for example, are held by the Martin County Property Appraiser, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered through the Florida Department of Health. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are custodied by the clerk of the court for the relevant tribunal.
The following courts maintain official court records in Martin County:
- Circuit Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters
- County Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil matters up to $50,000, and traffic infractions
- Probate Division — maintains records related to estates, guardianships, and trusts
- Family Court Division — maintains dissolution of marriage, child custody, and domestic violence records
- Small Claims Court — handles civil disputes involving amounts up to $8,000
Pursuant to § 28.13, Florida Statutes, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is designated as the official custodian of all court records within the circuit, responsible for their maintenance, indexing, and public availability.
Are Court Records Public In Martin County
Under Florida law, court records maintained in Martin County are presumptively open to the public. Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution establishes a broad right of access to public records, and § 119.01, Florida Statutes, the Florida Public Records Law, reinforces this principle by mandating that all records made or received by public agencies in the course of official business are available for public inspection and copying.
The following categories of court records are generally accessible to members of the public:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Final judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets reflecting the chronological history of a case
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which has jurisdiction over federal matters arising in Martin County, are governed by federal law and are accessible through the federal PACER system rather than through Florida's state court portals.
The Florida Supreme Court has adopted administrative rules governing access to court records under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, which identifies specific categories of records that are confidential by operation of law, including certain juvenile records, adoption files, and mental health proceedings. All other records remain open for public inspection. Members of the public may access statewide appellate court dockets and filings through Florida Courts, the official portal of the Florida judicial branch.
How To Find Court Records in Martin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Martin County may obtain them through several official channels. The primary custodian of circuit and county court records is the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, whose office maintains both physical and electronic records.
In-Person Access:
- Visit the main courthouse location during public counter hours
- Present a valid government-issued photo identification
- Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information
- Request inspection or certified copies as needed; fees apply for copies and certifications
By Mail:
- Submit a written request to the Clerk's office specifying the case number or party name, the type of records sought, and the preferred format
- Include payment for applicable copy fees as established by § 28.24, Florida Statutes, which governs service charges for clerk functions
Online:
- Access the Clerk's online portal to search available electronic records by case number, party name, or filing date
- Download available documents directly from the portal at no charge for basic inspection
By Phone:
- Contact the Clerk's office directly to confirm record availability and obtain guidance on the appropriate request procedure
How To Look Up Court Records in Martin County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Martin County court records, depending on the court level and case type.
Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court Online Portal The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains an online case search system that allows members of the public to search circuit and county court records. Users may search by:
- Party name (first and last name)
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Case type (civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic)
Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS) The Florida Appellate Case Information System provides access to public case dockets and electronic filings in Florida's District Courts of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court. This system is appropriate for locating appellate records arising from Martin County circuit court decisions.
Florida Supreme Court Case Information Members of the public may search for Supreme Court matters through the case information portal maintained by the Florida Supreme Court, which includes docket entries and available case documents for matters before that court.
Search Steps for the Clerk's Online Portal:
- Navigate to the Clerk's official website
- Select the "Case Search" or "Court Records" option
- Enter the party name, case number, or other available identifiers
- Review the case docket for available documents
- Download or print documents as needed; certified copies must be obtained through the Clerk's office directly
How To Search Martin County Court Records for Free?
Florida law guarantees members of the public the right to inspect public records, including court records, at no charge. Under § 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, every person has the right to inspect and copy public records, and agencies may not charge a fee solely for the act of inspection. Fees are permissible only when copies are requested.
The following resources are currently available at no cost for searching Martin County court records:
- Martin County Clerk's Online Case Search — free to search; no account or registration required for basic docket access
- Florida Appellate Case Information System — free public access to appellate dockets and documents statewide
- Florida Supreme Court Case Information Portal — free access to Supreme Court docket entries and available filings
In-person inspection at the Clerk's public counter is also provided at no charge. Fees apply when requesting printed or certified copies of documents, as established by the applicable fee schedule under state statute.
What's Included in a Martin County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service
- Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment
- Post-judgment filings (motions to enforce, garnishments)
Criminal Case Records:
- Arrest affidavit or information/indictment
- Arraignment records
- Bail and bond documents
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts
- Verdict and sentencing orders
- Probation or supervision records
Family Court Records:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Financial affidavits
- Parenting plans and custody orders
- Child support orders
- Domestic violence injunctions (where not sealed)
Probate Records:
- Petition for administration
- Inventory of estate assets
- Orders of distribution
- Letters of administration or testamentary
Traffic Records:
- Citation information
- Hearing notices
- Adjudication orders
- License suspension records
How Long Does Martin County Keep Court Records?
Court record retention in Martin County is governed by the retention schedules established by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services and adopted pursuant to § 257.36, Florida Statutes, which authorizes the establishment of records retention schedules for public agencies statewide.
Current retention periods for principal record categories are as follows:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Civil case files (Circuit Court) — retained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition; complex matters may be retained longer
- Probate records — retained permanently
- Family court records — retained for a minimum of 10 years after the youngest child reaches the age of majority
- Traffic infraction records — retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Small claims records — retained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition
- Judgment records — retained permanently due to their legal effect on property and financial matters
The Florida Courts Records Retention Schedule, published by the Office of the State Courts Administrator, provides the authoritative reference for all retention periods applicable to judicial branch records.
Types of Courts In Martin County
Martin County's court system operates within Florida's unified judicial structure, which establishes a hierarchy from trial courts of limited jurisdiction through the state's highest appellate tribunal.
Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller (Main Office)
Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller 100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994 Phone: (772) 288-5576 Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Indiantown Branch Office 16550 Warfield Blvd., Indiantown, FL 34956 Phone: (772) 288-5576 Hours: Monday & Tuesday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch)
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court The Circuit Court for Martin County is part of Florida's Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, which also encompasses Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction and handles felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile proceedings.
Martin County Court (County Court) The County Court operates as a court of limited jurisdiction, handling misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes up to $50,000, and traffic matters.
Fourth District Court of Appeal Appellate review of Martin County circuit court decisions is conducted by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, located in West Palm Beach. Statewide appellate records are accessible through the Florida Appellate Case Information System.
Florida Supreme Court The Florida Supreme Court serves as the court of last resort for matters arising under Florida law. Case information is available through the Florida Courts official portal.
The court hierarchy proceeds as follows: County Court → Circuit Court → Fourth District Court of Appeal → Florida Supreme Court.
What Types of Cases Do Martin County Courts Hear?
Each court within Martin County's judicial structure exercises jurisdiction over defined categories of cases.
Circuit Court (Nineteenth Judicial Circuit):
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000
- Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, paternity, and adoption
- Probate and guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency matters
- Domestic violence injunctions
County Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Civil disputes involving amounts up to $50,000
- Small claims matters up to $8,000
- Traffic infractions and violations
- Landlord-tenant disputes within the monetary threshold
Fourth District Court of Appeal:
- Appeals from final judgments and orders of the Circuit Court
- Interlocutory appeals as permitted by rule
- Writs of certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus directed to lower tribunals
Florida Supreme Court:
- Discretionary review of District Court of Appeal decisions
- Mandatory jurisdiction over death penalty cases and certain constitutional questions
- Certified questions of great public importance
How To Find a Court Docket In Martin County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access Martin County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Access the Martin County Clerk's online case search portal at the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller website
- Enter the case number or party name to retrieve the docket
- Review the list of docket entries, which reflects all filings and court actions in chronological order
- For appellate dockets, use the Florida Appellate Case Information System, which provides docket access for all District Courts of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court
In-Person:
- Visit the Clerk's public counter at 100 E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994, during business hours
- Request docket access by providing the case number or party name
- Terminal access may be available at the courthouse for on-site review
By Phone:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (772) 288-5576 to confirm case information and docket availability
Which Courts in Martin County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a tribunal whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to appellate review based on the written record. Under Florida law, courts not of record do not maintain a formal transcript of proceedings, and appeals from such courts are typically conducted as trials de novo rather than on the basis of a preserved record.
Pursuant to Article V, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution, Florida's unified court system designates the Circuit Court and County Court as the state's trial courts. Both are courts of record under current Florida law.
At present, Martin County does not operate any separate municipal courts or magistrate courts functioning as courts not of record. Florida abolished its justice of the peace courts and municipal courts of limited jurisdiction through constitutional revision, consolidating judicial functions within the unified state court system. Certain quasi-judicial functions, such as code enforcement hearings and administrative proceedings before county or municipal boards, are conducted by hearing officers or special magistrates who do not constitute courts of record within the meaning of Article V. Decisions from such proceedings are subject to review by the Circuit Court through certiorari rather than through the standard appellate process.