Find Martin County Court Records, Dockets & Certified Copies
Search Martin County, Florida civil, criminal, family, probate and traffic cases through the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Learn which search to use, how to request a missing document and what certified copies cost.
Where to Search Martin County Court Records
The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains court records for cases filed in its jurisdiction. Its online search provides access to court indexes, dockets and eligible non-confidential documents in several case categories.
Martin County belongs to Florida’s Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. Most local case searches should start with the county Clerk rather than a statewide people-search service. A case filed in another Florida county must generally be searched through that county’s clerk system.
1. Court case records
For civil lawsuits, criminal charges, family matters, probate proceedings, traffic cases and docket histories.
Open court records access ↗2. Recorded official documents
For recorded instruments, including certain judgments, land records, deeds and liens. A recorded judgment and the underlying court case file are not interchangeable.
Open Official Records information ↗3. Certified court documents
For an authenticated court order, judgment or other eligible document. Online e-certification is available when the document can be viewed electronically.
Check E-Certify ↗4. Court calendars
For scheduled proceedings and daily civil or criminal court calendar information. A calendar entry is not a complete case record.
Find the court calendar ↗Which Martin County Court Case Type Do You Need?
Choosing the right case category prevents wasted searches. A person may have records in more than one court division, and a name match does not establish that the record belongs to the person you intend to identify.
| Case category | Typical matters | Where to begin |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit civil | Civil lawsuits and matters within circuit-court jurisdiction, including certain foreclosure proceedings. | Clerk Court Records Search |
| County civil | Small claims, landlord-tenant matters and other civil proceedings within county-court jurisdiction. | Clerk Court Records Search |
| Criminal | Felony, misdemeanor and qualifying criminal traffic proceedings. | Criminal case search or Clerk Criminal Division |
| Family and domestic relations | Dissolution of marriage, support and other family proceedings. Some information may be restricted. | Court Records Search and appropriate family division |
| Probate | Estates, guardianship and related proceedings. Certain records may be confidential. | Probate case search |
| Traffic | Traffic citations and traffic-related court proceedings. | Traffic case records |
When you do not know the division, begin with the broad online court-search route and use any available filters. If the search produces no match, ask the Clerk whether a different division or case classification applies.
How to Search Martin County Court Records in 7 Steps
This seven-step process starts with the official source and ends with a verified record or a clear request to the appropriate Clerk’s division.
- Open the Martin County Clerk’s official records page.
Visit Records Search and select the Court Records option. Use the Clerk-linked system rather than an unrelated commercial name-search site.
- Choose a suitable case search.
Use the available party-name, case-number or category options. The interface and available filters may change, so follow the current on-screen labels.
- Enter reliable case information.
Start with the correct full name or case number. For names, consider spelling variations, middle initials or a previous legal surname when relevant.
- Review potential matches carefully.
Compare case number, court division, case type, filing date and available party details. Never assume two people with the same name are identical.
- Read the docket and case status.
Check filing history, orders, hearings and recorded disposition details. Remember that a docket summary may not contain the underlying documents.
- Check document-viewing availability.
Open an eligible document image when public access is permitted. If it is unavailable, determine whether the document is restricted, not digitized or requires a separate request.
- Request or certify the record if necessary.
Use the Clerk’s records request form for missing accessible documents, or the E-Certify service for eligible electronically viewable documents. Confirm the cost before completing a paid request.
Searching by Name, Case Number or Court Division
Name search
A party-name search is useful when you know who is involved but do not have a case number. Try the exact legal name first. If needed, try a middle initial, alternate spelling or known former surname. Search the relevant case categories rather than assuming the first result is the only possible match.
Do not enter Social Security numbers, financial credentials or sensitive identifiers into an unverified third-party search form.
Case-number search
A known case number is usually a more precise starting point. Copy the number exactly from an official notice or document, including letters and separators where appropriate. If no match appears, verify the number and whether the case was filed in Martin County.
When the search result looks incomplete
Distinguish the case index, progress docket and document image. The index identifies a case; the docket records procedural activity; individual filings provide the content of motions, orders, judgments and other documents.
A docket entry may show that an order was filed without making its image available online. That is a reason to check the Clerk’s request procedure, not a reason to assume the document does not exist.
Martin County Court Record Copies, Search Fees and Certification
The Clerk publishes separate fees for court-record searches, copies and certification. These amounts are associated with requesting records, not a general charge for simply opening the public search webpage.
| Service | Published charge | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal record search | $2 per name per year | May apply when the Clerk performs the search. |
| Court-record copy | $1 per page | Applies to requested paper or electronic copies. |
| Certification | $2 per document | Generally in addition to copy charges. |
| Emailed copies | $1 per page | Confirm the number of pages and delivery method. |
| Postage or payment processing | Additional charges may apply | The Clerk’s request form identifies a 3.5% credit-card processing fee. |
Sources: Court Records fee information and the official request form (PDF). Verify the total with the Clerk before payment.
How to request a court document
The Martin County Clerk provides a dedicated court-records request process. You can use the Court Records Request portal or the downloadable request form. The Clerk identifies written requests as the appropriate method for records in its court-record custody under Florida Rule 2.420.
Include the information that will help staff locate the record: the case number if available, relevant party names, approximate filing year, case category and the specific document requested. The Clerk’s form also accommodates requests for certified copies.
Request details to prepare
- Correct case number, if known
- Names associated with the case
- Case category and approximate filing year
- Requested document, such as a judgment, disposition or court order
- Whether you need a regular or certified copy
- Preferred delivery method and a way to receive a cost estimate
A requester’s contact information is generally optional under the Clerk’s court-record request instructions, but without it the requester must follow up independently for status information.
Electronic certified records
The Clerk’s E-Certify service offers electronically certified court and Official Records documents with a Clerk digital signature and verification features.
The online purchasing route requires the document to be available in a viewable electronic format. When the case or document is not viewable online, the Clerk advises obtaining certified copies in person. Electronic certified documents can be authenticated through the service’s QR code, reference number or document-upload verification tools.
Martin County Clerk Office, Contact and Records Requests
Stuart courthouse office
Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
100 SE Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL 34994
General phone: 772-288-5576
Published hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 9016, Stuart, FL 34995.
Court-record request channels
Email: RecordRequest@martinclerk.com
Fax: 772-288-5548
In person: First floor of the Courthouse Constitutional Office Building, Stuart.
Criminal Division
The Clerk identifies its Criminal Division on the second floor of the Constitutional Building.
Division phone: 772-223-7917
Other branch offices
Hobe Sound: 11730 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, FL 33455.
Indiantown: 16550 SW Warfield Boulevard, Indiantown, FL 34956.
Services and hours vary by office. Confirm that the branch handles your court-record request before visiting.
Verify branch details ↗Confidential, Sealed and Restricted Court Records
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 governs public access to judicial branch records. It recognizes public access while protecting information that is confidential under applicable law, court rule or court order.
Some juvenile, family, adoption, guardianship, sealed and other sensitive records may be restricted. The precise rules depend on the record and the legal basis for confidentiality. A person entitled to access restricted material may need to establish their authority or follow a separate court procedure.
If you need a restricted record, ask the Clerk which official process applies. Do not attempt to bypass access controls or request confidential information through an unauthorized account.
Why a Martin County Court Record May Not Appear Online
When a search fails, the reason may involve jurisdiction, spelling, case classification, availability or legal access restrictions. Use the following recovery steps before concluding that no case exists.
| Problem | Possible explanation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| No name match | Alternate spelling, previous surname or unsuitable search filters. | Try a known case number and relevant name variations. |
| Wrong court | The matter was filed elsewhere. | Confirm the county and court shown on official paperwork. |
| Docket but no document | The image is unavailable publicly, restricted or not digitized. | Submit a specific court-records request. |
| Older case unavailable | Electronic coverage may not extend to the particular record. | Ask the Clerk about historical case files or archived storage. |
| Restricted case | Confidentiality or a sealing order limits access. | Request official guidance on lawful authorized access. |
| Status appears outdated | A recent filing may not yet be reflected in the available view. | Recheck the case and contact the relevant division for confirmation. |
Older records versus the historical Official Records index
The Clerk’s separate Historical Records index primarily concerns recorded Official Records documents from before January 1, 1986, including Books 659 and older. That historical index should not be mistaken for a complete archive of old court case files.
For an older court case, contact the Clerk with the case number, parties, approximate year and court division. If you instead need an old deed or other recorded instrument, the historical Official Records service may be relevant.
Martin County Court Records: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search Martin County court records for free?
The Clerk provides a publicly accessible online case-search route. However, copies, certification and Clerk-performed searches may carry fees. The published schedule lists $1 per court-record page, $2 per certification and a possible $2 per name per year for criminal-record searches.
How do I find a Martin County criminal case?
Start with the Clerk’s Court Records Search and select the relevant criminal case options. If the case is missing or a document needs to be requested, contact the Criminal Division or follow the court-records request procedure.
Can I search Martin County probate and family court records online?
Yes. The Clerk lists probate and domestic-relations records among the categories supported by its online system. Public access to particular documents can be limited by confidentiality laws and court rules.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a Martin County judgment?
Find the case and document first. If the document is available for electronic viewing, check the Clerk’s E-Certify service. Otherwise, follow the Clerk’s in-person or written request procedure and confirm the cost.
Are Martin County court records and Official Records the same?
No. Court records concern judicial case files, dockets and filings. Official Records include separately recorded instruments such as certain judgments, deeds and liens. You may need different search systems depending on which record you want.
What if a court case does not appear in the search?
Check spelling, case number, filing county, case type and the date of the record. If the case remains missing, contact the appropriate Clerk’s division. A missing online result does not establish that the case does not exist.
Does a court search show whether someone was convicted?
Not necessarily. A search result or charge listing is not proof of a conviction. Review the actual court disposition and available final orders, and confirm that the case concerns the correct person.
Official Martin County Court Records Resources
These resources are operated or published by the Martin County Clerk, or by the Florida judiciary. They are the preferred starting points for verifying case access, fees and procedures.
- Martin County Clerk — Records Search: court cases, Official Records and record-request instructions.
- Court Records Division: record-search and copy fees.
- Court Records Request Form (PDF): identifying the record and requesting copies or certification.
- E-Certify: electronic certified-document purchase and verification.
- Official Records Division: recorded instruments and related records.
- Clerk’s View Services: daily court calendar and other official viewing tools.
- Florida Courts: judicial information and statewide court-system resources.