Brevard County civil court records are public files kept by the Clerk of Court in Titusville, Florida. Anyone can look up these records online or at a clerk office.
The 18th Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Brevard County. This page shows you how to search, what you can find, and where to get help with civil court records today.
Brevard County Clerk of Court Office Details
The Brevard County Clerk of Court is Rachel M. Sadoff. Her office stores all civil court files for the county. Staff file new cases, keep old records, and give copies of court papers to the public. The clerk runs five office locations across Brevard County so people do not have to drive far.
Main Office Location and Contact
The main clerk office sits in downtown Titusville. You can visit in person, mail a request, or call during business hours. The office is open every weekday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Use the phone number below to ask questions about civil court records before you visit.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Rachel M. Sadoff |
| Street Address | 400 South Street, 2nd Floor, Titusville, FL 32780 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 2767, Titusville, FL 32781-2767 |
| Main Phone | (321) 637-2017 |
| Recording Phone | (321) 637-2004 |
| Fax Number | (321) 264-5246 |
| Business Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Official Website | brevardclerk.us |
Branch Office Locations
Brevard County has four branch offices in Viera, Melbourne, Merritt Island, and Palm Bay. Each office handles civil court record requests and copies. The Moore Justice Center in Viera is the second largest location. The Melbourne and Palm Bay offices serve the south part of the county.
- Moore Justice Center: 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940
- Melbourne Branch Courthouse: 51 S. Nieman Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901
- Merritt Island Office: Closed for lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Palm Bay Office: Closed for lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Office Hours and Services
All clerk offices open at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday. Most offices close at 5:00 PM. The Merritt Island and Palm Bay offices close for lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. You can request civil court records, file new cases, get certified copies, and pay filing fees at any branch office.
How to Search Civil Court Records Online
You can search civil court records from your home computer or phone. The clerk runs the BECA system for online lookups. BECA stands for Brevard Electronic Court Application. This system replaced the older eFACTS program. BECA follows Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 2014-19 for public access to court files.
BECA Public Search System
The General Public Court Records Search is free to use. You do not need an account. Type in a name, case number, or date to start. The public search shows basic case details like party names, filing dates, and case type. Anyone can use this tool at any time of day or night.
The BECA public search gives you a starting point. You will see case numbers, party names, and the judge assigned. For more details, you may need to use the subscriber search or visit a clerk office in person.
BECA Subscriber Access
The Subscriber Court Records Search shows more case details than the public search. You must sign up and pay a fee to use it. The cost is $50 per year. To register, fill out the BECA User Agreement form. Email the signed PDF to BecaSupport@brevardclerk.us or mail it to the main clerk office.
Once your account is active, you can see restricted case types. This includes family law, probate, and guardianship files. Your account gets set up within two business days after the clerk gets your form and payment. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or credit card.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is a statewide tool. It connects to all 67 county clerks. You can search civil cases from any county through this one website. The portal also lets you file new civil cases online at any time, day or night.
Registration is free. More than 770,000 users across Florida have accounts. The portal works well for lawyers and people who file cases often. You can also use it just to search and read public civil court records from Brevard County or any other Florida county.
Civil Court Structure in Brevard County
Brevard County sits in the 18th Judicial Circuit. The 18th Circuit also covers Seminole County. Civil cases go to one of two court levels. The level depends on how much money is at stake in the case. The dollar amount decides which court hears your case.
Circuit Court Civil Division
The Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. This court also hears family law, probate, and guardianship cases. Common Circuit Court cases include contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and real property actions. Each case is assigned to a circuit judge who oversees all hearings and trials.
County Court Civil Division
The County Court handles civil cases with claims up to $30,000. This includes many common disputes between people and businesses. Eviction cases and landlord-tenant matters are also filed in County Court. County Court cases move faster than Circuit Court cases in most situations.
Small Claims Court
Small claims is a part of County Court. The limit for small claims is $8,000. People often file small claims without a lawyer. Cases include unpaid debts, security deposit returns, and minor contract issues. The filing fee is lower than regular civil cases, which makes small claims a popular option.
Types of Civil Cases Filed
Many types of civil cases pass through the Brevard County court system. The clerk keeps a record of every case filed. Below are the most common civil case types you will see when you search court records online or at a clerk office.
Landlord-Tenant Cases
Landlord-tenant cases involve disputes between property owners and renters. Most of these are eviction filings. A landlord may file to remove a tenant for unpaid rent or lease violations. Tenants may file against landlords for poor living conditions or illegal lockouts. These cases are heard in County Court.
Contract Disputes
Contract disputes happen when one party breaks a deal. These cases can be filed in County Court or Circuit Court. The dollar amount at stake decides the court level. Common contract cases include unpaid services, broken sales agreements, and business partnership conflicts.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury cases involve harm caused by another party. This can include car accidents, slips and falls, or medical errors. These cases almost always go to Circuit Court because the damages sought are often more than $30,000. Personal injury files can be long and have many documents attached.
Debt Collection Cases
Debt collection cases are filed by creditors to collect unpaid bills. Credit card companies, hospitals, and lenders often file these cases. The dollar amount decides if the case goes to County Court or Circuit Court. Many debt collection cases end with a court judgment called a final judgment.
Property Disputes
Property disputes involve fights over land, houses, or buildings. This includes boundary line issues, easement claims, and title problems. Most property cases go to Circuit Court. These cases can involve surveys, title searches, and other complex paperwork filed with the court.
Official Records Search System
The Brevard County official records system stores recorded documents. These are not the same as court case files. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other public filings. The clerk keeps an index of these records going back to January 1, 1981.
Recorded Documents Available
You can search official records by name, document type, or recording date. Index data is free to look up. Images of recorded documents are also available from 1981 to the present, as allowed by state law. This makes Brevard County one of the more complete online records systems in Florida.
Official Records View Subscription
The Official Records View subscription costs $50 per year. It gives access to restricted case types. This includes domestic relations, civil probate, guardianship, and juvenile restitution records. The clerk sets up your account within two business days of getting your form and payment.
Public Records Request Methods
Florida law says all state, county, and city records are open to the public. Civil court records in Brevard County are no exception. You can make a public records request in several ways. The clerk must respond to your request under Florida public records law.
Online Request Portal
The NextRequest portal is the main online tool for public records requests. You can submit a request through the website. The clerk tracks your request and sends you the records or tells you the cost. This portal works well for non-urgent record requests and large file orders.
Email and Phone Requests
You can email your request to PublicRecordsRequests@brevardclerk.us. You can also call the recording department at (321) 637-2004. When you email, give a clear description of the records you need. Include the date range, names, accounts, and any keywords. This helps the clerk find the right records faster.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Visit any clerk office in Brevard County to make a request in person. Staff can help you fill out the request form. You can also mail your request to P.O. Box 2767, Titusville, FL 32781-2767. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for any copy fees if you mail your request.
Redaction and Confidential Information
Some details in civil court records are kept private. Florida law lists the types of records that are not open to the public. The clerk follows strict rules to keep this information safe. You cannot see sealed records or exempt information without a court order.
Sealed Records
A judge can order a civil case file to be sealed. Sealed records are not open to the public. You cannot see them through BECA or at the clerk office. Only people named in the court order can look at sealed files. If you need a sealed record, you must ask a judge to unseal it.
Confidential Data Forms
Parties and lawyers who file civil court papers must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form. This form is required under Florida Rule 2.420. The form tells the clerk which details to keep private. This includes Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children names.
For records exempt under Florida Statutes sections 119.071 and 119.0714, you must send a notarized request. State the legal reason for your request. Email fs119exemptionrequest@brevardclerk.us to start this process. The clerk will review your request and respond under Florida law.
Certified Copies and Document Retrieval
Online records are not legal documents. They are for your reference only. If you need a certified copy of a civil court record, you must get it from the clerk office. A certified copy has the clerk stamp and signature. Courts and government agencies accept certified copies as proof.
How to Get Certified Copies
You can order certified copies in person, by mail, or online. Visit any clerk office and give the staff the case number or party names. They will pull the file, make a certified copy, and stamp it. By mail, send a request with the case number, a check for the fee, and a return envelope.
Copy Fees and Payment
Standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $2 per page. Some documents have a flat rate fee set by Florida law. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Online orders may include a small convenience fee on top of the copy cost.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and city records are open to the public. This law covers civil court records filed in Brevard County. You have the right to see and copy these records.
Some limits exist under the law. Sealed records, exempt records, and confidential information are not open to the public. The clerk must follow these rules under Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 2014-19. If your request is denied, you can ask for a written reason and appeal the decision.
Brevard County Cities and Court Coverage
Brevard County has many cities and towns. All civil court cases filed in these cities go through the Brevard County Clerk of Court. The clerk has branch offices across the county for easy access. The county seat is Titusville, but Melbourne and Palm Bay are the largest cities by population.
Major Cities Served
The clerk office serves every city in Brevard County. You can file or search civil cases from any of these cities. Each city has its own police department and local government, but court records all go to the county clerk. Below are the main cities in the county.
- Titusville (county seat)
- Melbourne
- Palm Bay
- Cocoa
- Rockledge
- Merritt Island
- Satellite Beach
- Cocoa Beach
- Cape Canaveral
- Indian Harbour Beach
- West Melbourne
- Grant-Valkaria
- Malabar
- Palm Shores
Nearby Counties in 18th Circuit
Brevard County is one of two counties in the 18th Judicial Circuit. The other county is Seminole County. If you file a case in Brevard, it stays in the 18th Circuit. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where the dispute took place. You must file in the correct county under Florida law.
Contact Brevard County Clerk
You can reach the Brevard County Clerk of Court in several ways. The main office is in Titusville, but branch offices serve other parts of the county. Call the recording department for help with civil court record requests. Use the address below to visit in person or to mail your request.
Official Website: brevardclerk.us
Main Phone: (321) 637-2017
Recording Phone: (321) 637-2004
Fax: (321) 264-5246
Address: 400 South Street, 2nd Floor, Titusville, FL 32780
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions people ask about Brevard County civil court records. Each answer gives clear facts and steps you can take today. The clerk office is the best source for case-specific details. These answers cover the questions the clerk gets most often from the public.
Are Brevard County civil court records free to search?
Yes, the General Public Court Records Search on the BECA system is free. You do not need an account. You can search by name, case number, or date. The public search shows basic case details. For more details, the subscriber search costs $50 per year. Standard copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies cost $2 per page. Online records are for reference only. You must visit a clerk office to get a certified copy with the clerk stamp and signature.
How do I find a civil case by case number?
Go to the BECA public search page on the Brevard Clerk website. Type the full case number into the search box. The format is usually a two-digit year, a case type code, and a six-digit sequence number. For example, 05-2024-CA-012345. The search will pull up the case file. You will see the parties, filing date, judge, and next hearing date. If you do not know the case number, search by party name instead.
Can I view sealed civil court records in Brevard County?
No, sealed records are not open to the public. Only people named in the court order can see them. To open a sealed record, you must file a motion with the court. A judge will review your motion and decide whether to unseal the file. Some exempt records are not sealed but still have private details removed. The clerk redacts this information under Florida Rule 2.420 before giving you the file.
What is the difference between Circuit Court and County Court civil cases?
The dollar amount decides which court hears the case. Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. This includes personal injury, complex contract disputes, and real property actions. County Court handles civil cases with claims up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 are a part of County Court. Landlord-tenant eviction cases go to County Court no matter the dollar amount.
How long does it take to get civil court records by mail?
Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days. The clerk needs time to pull the file, make the copies, and mail them back to you. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the copy fees to speed up the process. For faster service, visit a clerk office in person. You can also use the NextRequest portal for online public records requests. In-person requests are often ready the same day.
Can I file a new civil case online in Brevard County?
Yes, you can file new civil cases online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. This statewide tool connects to all 67 county clerks. Registration is free. You can file at any time of day or night. The portal accepts new civil cases, small claims, and other filings. You will need a credit card to pay the filing fee. The clerk will review your filing and send you a confirmation email.
What information do I need to search civil court records by name?
You need the full legal name of at least one party in the case. Last name is required, and first name helps narrow the search. You can also add a date range to limit results. Common searches include the full name plus a birth year. If the name is common, you may see many results. Use the case type filter to focus on civil cases only. This will hide criminal, family, and traffic cases from your search.