Boca Raton city court records are public files held by the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller. The city does not run its own court system.
Every civil, criminal, family, traffic, and small claims case filed in Boca Raton goes through the county clerk’s office. This page shows you where to look, what to search, and how to get copies of the files you need.
Where Boca Raton Court Records Live
The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller is the official record keeper for all court cases in Boca Raton. The main office sits at 205 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. Boca Raton residents often use the South County Courthouse at 200 West Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, which is closer to home. Both locations serve the public for in-person record requests, certified copies, and filing help.
Phone support runs through a central line at 561-355-2996. The clerk’s website at mypalmbeachclerk.com offers 24-hour online access to most records. The Florida Constitution and state law make these files public. A judge can seal a case, but the default rule is open access for all adults.
How the Search System Works
The clerk’s eCaseView portal is the main search tool for Boca Raton court records. It covers every case type filed in the 15th Judicial Circuit, which is Palm Beach County. You can search by party name, case number, citation number, or date range. The portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, party details, and filing history.
Basic case searches are free. You do not need an account to run a search. Viewing full document images may require a free account login. The system runs day and night. Boca Raton residents can pull up case data at any time without paying a fee.
There is no way to filter results by city alone. Boca Raton cases mix with all other Palm Beach County cases in the same search pool. Adding a middle name or a date range helps narrow the results when the name is common.
Searching by Name
Name searches work best when you know the full legal name of a party. Type the last name first, then the first name. You can leave the middle name blank if you do not know it. The system will pull up every case where that person appears as a plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, or respondent.
Common names return many results. Use the date range filter to cut the list down. You can pick a start date and end date. The portal only shows cases filed within that window. The party type filter lets you pick from options like “defendant” or “petitioner” to focus your search.
Business names work the same way. Type the company name in the last name field. The system treats the business as the party. You will see every case where the business appears, from contract disputes to debt collection actions.
Searching by Case Number
Case numbers are unique codes the clerk assigns when a case is filed. Each one has a prefix that tells you the case type. Common prefixes for Boca Raton cases include “CF” for felony criminal, “MM” for misdemeanor, “DR” for divorce, “SC” for small claims, and “CC” for county civil. The year and a sequence number follow the prefix.
If you have a case number, the search is fast. Type the full number into the case number field. The portal will pull up the exact case file. You get the docket, party list, hearing schedule, and any public documents attached to the case.
Citation numbers work for traffic cases. Type the citation number from the traffic ticket. The portal shows the court date, the charge, and the final outcome. This works for Boca Raton traffic tickets issued by city police or the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Boca Raton cover lawsuits between private parties. Contract disputes, property damage claims, personal injury cases, and debt collection actions all fall under civil court. Circuit court handles claims over $50,000. County court handles claims up to $50,000.
You can pull up a civil case to see who sued whom, the dollar amount at stake, and the current status. The docket shows every motion filed, every hearing held, and every ruling issued. The final judgment appears at the end of the case file.
Foreclosure cases are common civil filings in Boca Raton. These records show the lender, the property address, the loan amount, and the auction date if the case ended in foreclosure. Many of these records are public, but some sensitive financial details get removed by the clerk before posting online.
Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases from Boca Raton go through the 15th Judicial Circuit. Felony charges are heard at the circuit level. Misdemeanor charges stay in county court. The clerk stores records for both levels in the same eCaseView portal.
A criminal record search shows the charges, the arresting agency, the court dates, and the final outcome. You can see if the person pleaded guilty, went to trial, or had the case dropped. Sentencing information appears at the end of the case file for convicted defendants.
Juvenile criminal records are not open to the public. Dependency cases and child abuse cases are also sealed. The clerk follows Florida law on what stays private. Sealed cases do not show up in standard search results.
Arrest records come from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, not the clerk. Booking photos and arrest logs live on the sheriff’s website. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history check for a fee if you need a full background report.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic tickets issued in Boca Raton end up in the county court system. You can look up a traffic case by citation number or by the driver’s name. The record shows the charge, the fine amount, and whether the driver paid or contested the ticket.
Many traffic cases end with a “paid” outcome. Some drivers fight the ticket and win. A small number go to trial before a judge. All of these outcomes are public and show up in the clerk’s portal.
Driver safety school completions appear in the file. Points on the license do not show up in the court file. That data lives with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The court record focuses on the legal outcome, not the driving record.
Family Court Records
Family court records for Boca Raton cover divorce, child custody, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence cases. Divorce files include the petition, the settlement agreement, and the final judgment. Custody disputes show every motion and hearing in the case.
Some family records have privacy limits. Financial documents in divorce cases often get sealed by the judge. Domestic violence injunctions may be sealed if the judge rules the victim needs protection. Adoption records are closed by state law in Florida.
Paternity cases show the test results, the support order, and the custody schedule. The names of the parents and the child appear in the public file. Sensitive medical details get removed before the file goes online.
Small Claims Court Records
Small claims cases in Boca Raton handle disputes up to $8,000. These are simpler than regular civil cases. The forms are short. The hearings last a few minutes. Most small claims cases are about unpaid bills, security deposits, or minor contract disputes.
The eCaseView portal shows every small claims file filed in Boca Raton. You can see who sued whom, the dollar amount, and the court’s ruling. Eviction cases also start in small claims court. These files show the landlord, the tenant, the property address, and the eviction order.
Small claims judgments appear in the public file. The losing party has 30 days to appeal. After that, the judgment is final. The creditor can use the judgment to collect money through wage garnishment or bank account seizure.
Official Records and Property Documents
The Official Records portal is a separate tool for property and lien records in Boca Raton. This system covers deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, and recorded judgments. Real estate investors, title companies, and lawyers use this tool every day.
Search by name to find every document tied to a person. Search by legal description to find every document tied to a property. Book and page numbers from older records also work in the search box.
Official records date back decades. Older records may only be available in person at the clerk’s office. The online system holds records from the late 1980s to the present. For older records, the Palm Beach County Historical Archives can help.
How to Get Certified Copies
Certified copies have the clerk’s seal and are accepted by courts, banks, and government agencies. Regular printouts are not certified. You need a certified copy for most legal and financial transactions.
The fee is $1 per page for certified copies. The clerk charges extra for the certification itself. You can order online, by mail, or in person. Online orders take a few days to process. In-person orders are ready the same day at the courthouse counter.
Bring a photo ID when you pick up records in person. The clerk checks your ID before releasing files. You can pick up records for yourself or for a family member with proof of relationship. Records for other people require a written request and a valid reason under Florida law.
E-Filing Court Documents
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is the official system for filing new court papers. Most case types require e-filing in Palm Beach County. The portal works for civil, family, probate, and small claims cases. Criminal filings go through a different system.
You need an account to e-file. Lawyers and the public can both register. The system accepts PDF files. Credit card payments cover the filing fees. A small processing fee of about 3.95% gets added to every credit card payment.
E-filing is open 24 hours a day. Files submitted after 5 PM get stamped the next business day. The clerk reviews every filing for compliance. Rejected filings come back with a reason. You can fix the issue and refile without paying another fee in most cases.
Privacy Rules and Sealed Records
Florida law protects certain types of information in court records. Social security numbers get redacted automatically. Bank account numbers and credit card numbers also get removed from public view. The clerk handles this redacting before files go online.
Sealed cases do not appear in any public search. A judge must issue a specific order to seal a case. The party asking for the seal must show a valid legal reason. Common reasons include protecting children, trade secrets, or witness safety.
Expunged criminal records are destroyed. They do not show up in any search. Florida law limits who can get an expungement. Most people charged with a crime that did not end in a conviction can apply. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles expungement requests.
Fees and Payment Methods
Court fees in Boca Raton follow a standard state schedule. Filing a new civil case costs around $300. Filing a small claims case costs around $55. Divorce filings start around $400. Traffic ticket fines vary by charge.
Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card at the courthouse. Online payments work for traffic tickets and some civil fines. The clerk’s website has a payment portal that accepts all major credit cards.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. You can file a petition to ask the court to waive filing fees. The court looks at your income and assets. Approved waivers let you file without paying the upfront fee.
Self-Help Resources
The Florida Courts Help center offers free forms and self-help guides for people filing without a lawyer. The site has fillable PDFs for common case types. Divorce, eviction, and small claims forms are all available for free download.
The Palm Beach County Law Library sits on the first floor of the main West Palm Beach courthouse. The library has free computer access, legal books, and staff who can point you to the right form. Self-represented litigants use the library for research before their hearings.
Navigator appointments are free at the clerk’s self-service centers. A navigator can walk you through form completion for family law and county civil cases. You can book an appointment at the West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, or Delray Beach locations.
Contact Details and Courthouse Locations
Main Office: Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller, 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Phone: 561-355-2996. Website: mypalmbeachclerk.com. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
South County Courthouse: 200 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. This location serves Boca Raton residents for in-person services. Same hours as the main office.
Phone: 561-355-2996 for general help. The clerk also runs a separate line for criminal records questions. Visit the website for the full list of department phone numbers.
Website: mypalmbeachclerk.com. The website has the eCaseView portal, the Official Records search, the e-filing portal link, and fee schedules.
Email: Public records requests go through the clerk’s online form. Email addresses of clerk staff are public records under Florida law, so the office does not list direct email for privacy reasons.
Common Questions About Boca Raton Court Records
The following questions cover the most common issues people face when searching Boca Raton court records. Each answer includes the specific steps you need to take and the official sources you should use.
How much does it cost to search Boca Raton court records?
Basic case searches through the eCaseView portal are free. You can run as many searches as you want without paying anything. Viewing full case information on the docket is also free. The fees start when you need certified copies. The clerk charges $1 per page for a certified copy, plus a small certification fee. Online document images are free to view, but you pay a small fee to download a copy with the clerk’s certification. Credit card payments add a processing fee of about 3.95%. Cash, check, and money order payments do not carry a processing fee. The official records portal charges $2 per document for recorded property records like deeds and liens. Older records stored on microfilm may carry a different fee schedule. The clerk’s website posts the full fee schedule for every service.
Can I see sealed records in Boca Raton?
No, sealed records are not open to the public. A judge must issue a court order to seal a case file. Once sealed, the file is removed from public search. The clerk will not release sealed records without a specific court order authorizing the release. You can ask the court to unseal a record, but you must show a valid legal reason. The party who asked for the seal gets a chance to object. Common reasons for sealing include protecting children, trade secrets, and witness safety. Adoption records are sealed by Florida state law and cannot be unsealed except through a separate court process. Expunged criminal records are destroyed and cannot be recovered by the public. The clerk’s office can tell you if a case is sealed, but they cannot share the contents of the file.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
In-person requests at the courthouse are ready the same day. Bring your photo ID to the records counter. The clerk pulls the file, makes the certified copy, and hands it to you. Most requests take less than 30 minutes. Online requests through the clerk’s website take 3 to 5 business days. The clerk mails the certified copy to your address. Email delivery is available for some document types. Mail requests take the longest. You send a written request, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk processes mail requests in the order received. Plan for 7 to 10 business days for mail delivery. Rush service is not available for court records. The clerk processes requests in the order they are received.
What information do I need to search for a case?
You need at least one of three pieces of information: a full name, a case number, or a citation number. A full name works best for most searches. The more details you have, the faster the search goes. Middle name, date of birth, and address details help narrow the results. Case numbers are unique and return the exact file. The clerk assigns case numbers at filing. You can find a case number on any court notice, summons, or prior court order. Citation numbers work for traffic tickets. The number is printed on the ticket. If you do not have any of these details, the clerk can help you run a search at the public counter. Bring any related documents you have. Staff can use the information to locate the right file.
Are juvenile records available to the public?
No, juvenile criminal records are not open to the public in Florida. The clerk seals all juvenile cases. Dependency cases and child abuse cases are also sealed. Only the parents, the child’s lawyer, the judge, and certain government agencies can see juvenile files. Schools and employers do not have access to sealed juvenile records. If a juvenile is charged as an adult, the case becomes public. The clerk treats those cases like any other adult criminal file. Expunged juvenile records are destroyed. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice handles requests for juvenile record expungement. Adult convictions show up on a standard criminal history check, even if the crime happened when the person was a juvenile but was charged as an adult.
Can I search court records from my phone?
Yes, the eCaseView portal works on mobile browsers. The site adjusts to fit phone screens. You can run searches, view dockets, and check hearing dates from any smartphone with internet access. The mobile version has the same features as the desktop site. Document downloads may require a PDF reader app. The official records portal also works on mobile devices. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal works on phones for lawyers and the public. Mobile e-filing requires a stable internet connection. The clerk’s main website is mobile-friendly and includes courthouse hours, fee schedules, and contact information. Mobile users can also call the clerk’s phone line during business hours for help with a search.
What if I find an error in a court record?
Contact the clerk’s office right away. The clerk can correct typos, wrong addresses, and similar data entry mistakes. Bring proof of the correct information. A photo ID, a court order, or another official document can help. The clerk will update the file and the public search. Substantive changes to a case outcome need a court order. You can file a motion with the court to correct a legal error. A judge reviews the motion and rules on the correction. The clerk updates the record based on the judge’s order. The process takes a few weeks for court-ordered corrections. Errors in sensitive information like social security numbers get priority handling by the clerk’s office.