Martin County civil court records are public files held by the Martin County Clerk of Court in Stuart, Florida. These records show civil lawsuits filed in the county, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, debt collection cases, landlord and tenant matters, and small claims.
Anyone can view most of these records online or at the clerk office. This page covers how to look up records, what each court level handles, what fees apply, and which data stays private under Florida law.
Martin County Clerk of Court Details
The Martin County Clerk of Court keeps every civil case file for the county. The clerk office processes new filings, stores old case files, and gives copies to the public. Carolyn Timmann serves as the Clerk of Court for Martin County. The office sits inside the Martin County Courthouse on the east side of Stuart.
Office Identity and Location
The clerk office is the central records hub for Martin County civil cases. The physical address is 100 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994. Visitors can walk in during business hours to ask for case files, certified copies, or help with a search. The courthouse sits near the intersection of East Ocean Boulevard and South Colorado Avenue in downtown Stuart.
Hours, Phone, and Website
The clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on weekends and on state and federal holidays. The main phone line is (772) 288-5576. Staff answer questions about civil case status, copy fees, and filing steps. The official website is martinclerk.com. The site hosts the online court records search tool and links to statewide filing systems.
How Civil Cases Are Handled Locally
Martin County sits inside the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The 19th Circuit also covers Indian River County, Okeechobee County, and St. Lucie County. Civil cases in Martin County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount in dispute. The clerk office accepts filings for both levels.
Circuit Court vs County Court
Circuit Court handles civil cases where the claim exceeds $30,000. This court also handles family law, probate, guardianship, juvenile dependency, and felony criminal matters. County Court handles civil cases with claims up to $30,000. County Court also covers small claims and most eviction cases. The dollar split decides which court level hears the case, not the type of dispute.
Types of Civil Cases Filed
Civil case types in Martin County include contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, debt collection actions, mortgage foreclosure, real property disputes, and insurance claims. Civil Court also hears appeals from County Court civil cases. Each case gets a unique case number, a filing date, and a court division code at intake.
Small Claims and Eviction Limits
Small claims cases fall under County Court and cover claims up to $8,000. These cases use simplified rules and do not require an attorney. Landlord and tenant disputes, including evictions, also go through County Court. The Martin County clerk accepts small claims and eviction filings in person and through the Florida E-Filing Portal.
Search Options for Civil Court Records
Four main search paths exist for Martin County civil court records. Users can search the online court records portal, the Official Court Records System (OCRS), the Florida E-Filing Portal, or the clerk office in person. Each path returns slightly different data. The clerk office can help pick the right path for a specific need.
Online Court Records Portal
The clerk website at martinclerk.com has a Court Records Search page. Users can search by party name, case number, or filing date range. Search results list the case number, party names, case type, filing date, and current status. The portal covers civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, special services, and traffic cases. Basic case data is free to view.
OCRS Document Image System
The Official Court Records System gives users access to actual document images tied to each case. The Martin County OCRS portal is at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/43/. Users can search by name, case number, or date. Document images show pleadings, motions, orders, and judgments filed in the case. The OCRS tool is part of a statewide system used by multiple Florida counties.
Florida E-Filing Portal Access
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is at myflcourtaccess.com. Registered users can file new civil cases, submit motions, and check the status of active filings. Registration is free. Attorneys must use the portal for most filings in Martin County. Self-represented parties can also use the portal to file civil cases and to view their own case docket.
In-Person Records Requests
Walk-in visitors can request civil case files at the clerk office on the first floor of the Martin County Courthouse. Staff pull the file from storage or print it from the digital system. Visitors need a photo ID and the case number or party name. Self-service public terminals are also available at the courthouse for free basic searches.
Copy Fees and Certification Costs
The clerk office charges fees for paper copies and certified copies of civil court records. Fee amounts follow the statewide fee schedule set by Florida statute. Fees can change each year based on legislative action. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit and debit cards at the in-person counter.
Standard Page Copy Fees
Plain paper copies of civil court documents cost a small fee per page. The exact per-page rate follows the current Florida Statutes fee schedule. Copies of large case files can add up fast. Users who need many pages should ask the clerk for a cost estimate before the clerk makes the copies.
Certified Copy Pricing
Certified copies carry the official seal of the clerk and serve as proof of the document in court or for legal filings. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Each certified page has its own fee plus a per-document certification charge. The clerk office can quote the exact total before producing the certified copy.
Confidentiality Rules for Filings
Florida law protects certain data inside civil court records. Some details must stay out of public view to prevent identity theft and fraud. The clerk office enforces these rules at the filing stage and after the fact through redaction requests.
Redacted Personal Data
Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and similar financial data cannot appear in public court files. If such data ends up in a public filing, any person can ask the clerk to remove it. The clerk redacts the data at no cost to the requester. Redacted pages get a fresh electronic version on the public docket.
Sealed Case Records
A judge can order a civil case or specific documents to be sealed. Sealed records are not open to the public. Only parties to the case, their attorneys, and certain government agencies can view sealed files. The clerk office checks the court order before releasing any sealed document.
Notice of Confidential Form
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 requires filers to use a Notice of Confidential Information form. The form flags any private data inside a filing so the clerk can keep it out of public view. Filers must include the form whenever a document contains protected data. The form is available on the clerk website and at the filing counter.
Self-Help Filing Resources
People who handle civil cases on their own can use free tools from Florida Courts. The clerk office cannot give legal advice, but staff can point filers to the right forms and filing steps. Several statewide tools help self-represented parties file civil cases in Martin County.
Florida Self-Help Center
The Florida Courts Self-Help Information page at flcourts.gov offers forms and guides for civil, family, and small claims cases. The site covers topics like how to file a small claims case, how to respond to a civil lawsuit, and how to request a hearing. Self-represented parties can download the forms they need for free.
DIY Florida Form Tool
DIY Florida is a free form builder inside the Florida E-Filing Portal. Users answer a series of plain-language questions. The tool fills out the correct court forms based on the answers. More than 20 form types are available, covering small claims, evictions, and other civil matters. The completed forms can be filed through the portal to the Martin County clerk.
Legal Aid in the 19th Circuit
Legal aid organizations serve low-income residents in the 19th Judicial Circuit. They handle housing, consumer, family, and other civil matters. The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service for people who need an attorney. Self-represented parties can also hire a private attorney for limited-scope help with a specific task like drafting a motion or attending one hearing.
Public Records Laws in Florida
Florida has some of the strongest public records laws in the country. State law says most government records are open to the public for viewing and copying. Civil court records fall under these rules in most cases.
Chapter 119 Access Rules
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open to the public. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file. The requester does not need to be a party to the case. A few limits exist under Section 119.0714, which lists data that stays confidential. The clerk office applies these limits before releasing any record.
Clerk Contact Details
The Martin County Clerk of Court office sits at 100 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994. The phone number is (772) 288-5576. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The official website is martinclerk.com. Staff can help with civil case searches, copy orders, filing questions, and certified copy requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common civil court record searches in Martin County. Each answer uses the same rules, fees, and contact paths covered above. Read the question that matches your need, then follow the steps in the answer to complete your search.
How do I look up a civil case?
Use the Court Records Search on martinclerk.com. Enter the party name or case number in the search box. The portal lists every matching civil case with the case number, filing date, and status. For document images, switch to the OCRS portal at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/43/ and run the same search. The OCRS tool returns scanned filings tied to each case.
What info shows on a civil record?
A civil case record shows the case number, party names, attorney of record, case type, filing date, court division, and current status. The docket list shows every pleading, motion, order, and judgment filed in the case. Document images through OCRS show the full text of each filing, including signatures and court seals.
Is viewing Martin County civil cases free?
Yes. Basic case data is free to view through the Court Records Search and the OCRS portal. The clerk office also offers free self-service terminals at the courthouse. Fees apply only when you need paper copies, certified copies, or full printed case files.
Can a civil case be sealed in Martin County?
A judge can seal a civil case or specific documents by court order. Sealed records are not open to the public. Only the parties, their attorneys, and certain agencies can view sealed files. The clerk office checks the court order before releasing any sealed document.
Circuit Court vs County Court difference?
Circuit Court hears civil cases with claims over $30,000 and all family, probate, felony, and juvenile matters. County Court hears civil cases up to $30,000, small claims up to $8,000, and most evictions. The dollar amount in dispute decides which court level takes the case.
How long are civil records kept?
Retention periods follow the Florida General Records Schedule for court records. Most civil case files are kept for many years after the case closes. Older files may be stored off-site. The clerk office can pull archived files on request, with a small retrieval fee for off-site records.
Can I file a new civil case online?
Yes. Registered users of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com can file new civil cases online. Registration is free. Attorneys must use the portal for most filings. Self-represented parties can also use the portal to file small claims, evictions, and other civil cases.