Key West City public records give any person the right to view arrest reports, booking logs, mugshots, court filings, property deeds, and other files held by city and county offices. Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, makes most of these files open to view.
You do not need to be a lawyer, a journalist, or a US citizen to ask for a record. You also do not need to tell the agency why you want the file.
Key West sits at the end of the Florida Keys in Monroe County. Every arrest, jail booking, and court action in the city goes through a small set of agencies. The Key West Police Department handles local arrests. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and booking process on Stock Island. The Monroe County Clerk of Court keeps court records. The State Attorney’s Office for the 16th Judicial Circuit handles prosecution files. Each office has its own way to search and request records.
Records fall into a few main groups. Key West arrest records list who got taken into custody and the charge. Key West booking records show what happened at the jail: charges, bond amount, and housing. Key West mugshots are photos taken at booking. Court records show what happened after the arrest. Each file type lives in a different place, so knowing where to look saves time.
What Key West City Public Records Cover
Key West City public records cover any document made or received by a city or county office in Monroe County during official business. Section 119.011(12) of the Florida Statutes defines a public record as any material, in any form, that connects to government work. This rule reaches paper files, emails, text messages, photos, audio recordings, and database entries.
The City of Key West keeps files from its own departments. These cover city commission minutes, ordinances, resolutions, building permits, code enforcement case files, and reports from the fire department, public works, and the Key West Police Department. The Monroe County Clerk of Court holds court records and recorded documents for the whole county. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office holds arrest reports, inmate rosters, booking photos, and release data from the Stock Island Detention Center, which serves Key West.
You can also get records tied to a person. A name-based search can pull up Key West arrest history, charges, court outcomes, probation status, and bond amounts. A person can also ask for their own criminal history through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a statewide check that covers more than just Monroe County.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Right to Records
Florida has one of the strongest open records laws in the United States. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says any person can ask for a public record. The law does not require a reason. It does not require a photo ID. It applies to state agencies, county agencies, city agencies, and special districts. A person who lives outside Florida can also ask for and receive the same files.
An agency must respond to a public records request in a reasonable time. The agency can charge only for the actual cost of making copies. If the request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can charge for the extra time at the hourly rate of the lowest paid staff member who can do the work. The agency must give you a cost estimate before it starts the work if you ask for one.
Some records stay closed under Florida law. Active criminal investigation files, juvenile records, sealed or expunged cases, and certain personal data fall under exemptions. If an agency denies part or all of a request, it must cite the exact statute that permits the denial in writing. You can challenge a denial through the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140.
Monroe County Clerk of Court Records
The Monroe County Clerk of Court, led by Clerk Kevin Madok, CPA, keeps all court records for the 16th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Monroe County, which covers Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, and the other Florida Keys communities. The Clerk’s office is the official record keeper for civil cases, criminal cases, family cases, probate cases, small claims, traffic cases, and recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses.
The main office sits at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. You can reach the office by phone at (305) 292-3550 during business hours, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except court holidays. The website monroeclerk.com has an online search portal for court records, official records, and hearing schedules.
To search for a court case, use the party’s full legal name or the case number. The Clerk’s online portal lets you pull up case types, filing dates, charges or claims, hearing dates, and final judgments. For older records, you may need to visit the office in person or order copies by mail. Recorded instruments such as deeds and mortgages are searchable on the same site through the Official Records search tool.
Key West Police Department Records
The Key West Police Department (KWPD) is the primary law enforcement agency inside the city limits. Officers handle patrol, traffic, investigations, and arrests. The department’s Records Division keeps incident reports, crash reports, arrest affidavits, citation records, and some booking data tied to arrests made in the city.
The Key West Police Department address is 1604 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040. The Records Division phone number is (305) 809-1010. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can file a public records request by email, in person, or by mail. Some records need a small fee for copies or redaction time, and the department will tell you the cost before doing the work.
Incident reports for non-active cases are open to the public. Reports tied to open investigations, sex crime victim names, juvenile data, and certain personal identifiers may stay closed under Florida exemptions. The department must tell you which statute blocks any part of a record you ask for, and it must do so in writing.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Records
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) runs the county jail, called the Monroe County Detention Center on Stock Island. The detention center books every person arrested in the Florida Keys, which covers every Key West arrest that goes through the jail. The Sheriff’s records division keeps the official Key West arrest log, booking photos, inmate rosters, and release data.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office headquarters sits at 5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040. The Records Division phone number is (305) 292-7000. The detention center sits at 5501 College Road, Key West, FL 33040, and the jail phone number is (305) 295-3000. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Sheriff’s online inmate search runs 24 hours a day and refreshes several times each day.
The Key West arrest log lists each person booked into the detention center, the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, the charge, and bond data. The online search lets you filter by name, booking date, or charge type. Booking photos, often called Key West mugshots, are taken at intake and become public once the booking is complete. Monroe County Sheriff arrests Key West are the most common path for booking data in the city.
Key West Jail Booking and Inmate Search
Key West jail booking records come from the Monroe County Detention Center. Booking data shows the person’s full legal name, date of birth, booking date and time, arresting agency, charges, bond amount, court date, and current housing location. You can search this data through the Monroe County Sheriff’s online inmate search system at keysso.net.
The inmate search system is free to use and runs 24 hours a day. You can search by full name or partial name with date of birth. Each result shows booking number, charges with statute numbers, bond amount, and next court date. Released inmates stay in the system for a short time after release, then drop off the public list. Key West booking records tied to active cases stay searchable for as long as the person remains in custody.
For an inmate who has been in jail longer than 24 hours, the detention center also keeps a printed roster that gets posted at the front lobby of the jail during visiting hours. Visiting hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, with breaks. You must bring a valid photo ID and pass a security check. Phone calls and video visits also run through a third-party vendor that the jail approves.
Key West Recent Arrests and Arrest Log Search
Key West recent arrests show up in two places. The Key West Police Department posts a daily arrest blotter on its website at kwpd.com. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office posts a 24-hour arrest log on its website at keysso.net. Both lists refresh during business hours and stay open for several weeks before getting archived.
The KWPD blotter lists arrests made inside the Key West city limits. It covers the arrestee’s name, age, charge, and time of arrest. Charges range from misdemeanors such as DUI, drug possession, and disorderly conduct to felonies such as burglary, assault, and drug trafficking. Tourists make up a large share of Key West recent arrests because of the city’s bars, beaches, and party scene.
The MCSO log covers arrests made by the Sheriff’s Office across Monroe County, plus arrests that deputies handled outside the Key West city limits. Both logs are open records. You can ask for older records by filing a written request to the agency’s records division. Older records may take longer to pull and could carry a copy fee based on staff time and page count.
How to Search Key West Arrest Records by Name
A name-based Key West arrest history lookup takes a few simple steps. Start with the Monroe County Sheriff’s inmate search at keysso.net. Type the full legal name of the person. If the name is common, add a date of birth to narrow the list. The system shows current and recent bookings along with the charge and bond.
For older arrests, use the Monroe County Clerk of Court online portal at monroeclerk.com. Click on Court Records Search and enter the name. The portal shows criminal case history going back many years. You can also search by case number if you have one. The Clerk’s portal ties together Key West arrest records with later court actions, pleas, and sentences.
For a statewide criminal history, request a record check from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us. The FDLE runs a name-based search through its Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. You can pay for a Florida-only check or a national check through the FBI. The fee for a Florida criminal history record is $24.00 per person, plus a small vendor fee for online orders.
Mugshots and Booking Photos in Key West
Key West mugshots are booking photos taken at the Monroe County Detention Center on Stock Island. The Sheriff’s Office takes a front photo and a side photo at intake. The photos get attached to the booking record and become part of the public file once the booking is complete. Key West booking photos cover every person booked into the detention center, no matter which agency made the arrest.
You can see booking photos through the Sheriff’s inmate search at keysso.net. Each current inmate entry shows a thumbnail mugshot. Click the thumbnail to see a larger image. Released inmates keep their mugshots on third-party sites that scrape public booking data, but the official source stays the Sheriff’s Office. Key West Florida mugshots from official searches are free to view and free to save for personal use.
Florida law keeps mugshots open to the public, but a 2024 state law limits how booking photo sites can make money from the images. The law, Section 901.43(5), F.S., stops sites from charging people to remove their own mugshots. This rule does not block the public from viewing the photos through the official Sheriff’s search system, and it does not block news outlets from publishing the photos for a story.
How to Request Key West Public Records
To ask for Key West public records, follow the steps below.
- Decide which agency has the file. Use the contact table near the end of this page as a guide.
- Write a clear request. Include the person’s full name, date of birth, the record type, the date range, and any case number you have.
- Choose how to send the request. Email works for most agencies. In-person visits work for older files. Mail works for formal requests that need a paper trail.
- Ask for a cost estimate before staff starts heavy work.
- Pay any copy or labor fee the agency charges.
- Pick up the file in person, get it by mail, or download it from a secure link.
Keep a copy of your request and the agency’s response. If an agency denies the request, the denial must cite the specific Florida statute that permits the denial. You can appeal through the Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140. Most denials get resolved at this stage without a court fight.
Fees, Copies, and Processing Times
Florida law sets the cost for copies at $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. A CD or DVD costs $1.00. A USB drive costs the actual cost of the drive. If the request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can charge the hourly rate of the lowest paid staff member who can do the work.
Inspecting records in person is free. You can review files at the agency’s office before paying for copies. Many agencies now offer free electronic copies for records that already exist in digital form, and you can email those files to yourself. A Key West arrest report for a closed case often comes back the same day for a small copy fee.
Most simple requests get filled in 3 to 10 business days. Requests that need a search through many files or old paper archives can take 30 days or more. The agency must tell you if the request will take longer and must give a reason for the delay. A name search of Key West arrest records across many years will fall on the longer end of that range.
Sealed, Expunged, and Juvenile Records
Sealed and expunged records are not open to the public. A court order under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.692 or Section 943.059, F.S. closes the case file. Only the person named in the record, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and a few listed agencies can see a sealed file. Expunged records are destroyed by the FDLE for most purposes, but some agencies keep a confidential record of the case for limited use.
Juvenile records in Florida are closed to the public under Section 985.04, F.S. The juvenile’s parents, the defense lawyer, the judge, the prosecutor, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and certain school and law enforcement officers can see the file. Members of the public cannot get a juvenile arrest record without a court order. This rule covers Key West arrest records tied to anyone under 18 at the time of the arrest.
People often confuse an arrest record with a conviction record. Florida law treats each one differently. An arrest without a charge stays open. An arrest that ended in a dropped charge or a not guilty verdict still shows in the public file. A sealed or expunged case wipes the arrest from the public view. A person who wants to clear a Key West arrest record must follow the steps in the FAQ below.
Online Search Systems and Databases for Key West Records
Several online systems give free or low-cost access to Key West public records. The Monroe County Clerk of Court portal at monroeclerk.com covers court cases and recorded documents. The Monroe County Sheriff’s inmate search at keysso.net covers current inmates, recent arrests, and booking photos. The Key West Police Department blotter at kwpd.com covers recent city arrests. Together, these three systems form the core of the Key West arrest database.
For statewide searches, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us offers a paid criminal history search. The Florida Department of Corrections at dc.state.fl.us runs an inmate search for state prison inmates. The Florida Sex Offender Registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us shows registered sex offenders living in Key West and the Florida Keys. These systems pull from the same source records used by local agencies.
For nationwide searches, the National Sex Offender Public Registry at nsopw.gov pulls data from every state. The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at bop.gov covers federal inmates. Each system is free to search but may require a small fee for certified copies of the records. People who need a federal-level background check for a job, an adoption, or an immigration case should add a third-party background screening service on top of these free databases.
Contact Details, Office Hours, and Addresses
Below are the main offices that hold Key West City public records. Each office has its own hours, phone number, and way to file a request. Call ahead before you visit so staff can pull the file you need before you arrive.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County Clerk of Court | 500 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 292-3550 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri |
| Key West City Hall | 1300 White St, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 809-3700 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri |
| Key West Police Department | 1604 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 809-1010 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri |
| Monroe County Sheriff’s Office | 5525 College Rd, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 292-7000 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri |
| Monroe County Detention Center | 5501 College Rd, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 295-3000 | 24 hours / 7 days |
| 16th Circuit State Attorney | 1111 12th St, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 292-3420 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri |
Official websites: monroeclerk.com, keysso.net, kwpd.com, cityofkeywest-fl.gov, fdle.state.fl.us. For statewide criminal history, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at (850) 410-8100. The Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program is at (850) 245-0140.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the most common questions people ask about Key West City public records, Key West arrest records, Key West booking records, Key West mugshots, Key West inmate search, and Key West jail booking data. Each answer points to the right office, the right statute, and the right way to get the file you need without paying more than the law allows.
1. How do I check if someone was arrested in Key West?
To check if someone was arrested in Key West, use the Monroe County Sheriff’s inmate search at keysso.net. Type the full legal name. If the person is in the Monroe County Detention Center, the search will show the booking date, charges, bond amount, and next court date. For older arrests, use the Monroe County Clerk of Court portal at monroeclerk.com and search court records by name. The Key West Police Department blotter at kwpd.com also lists recent city arrests for the past few weeks. The Clerk’s portal ties Key West arrest records to the later court case, so you can see charges, pleas, and sentences in one place. If you only have a partial name, the inmate search will return close matches and you can pick the right one. A dated search gives you the strongest answer because a person can be arrested, released on bond, and then arrested again under the same name in a different case. Always check the booking date to be sure you have the right entry.
2. Are Key West arrest records free to view?
Yes, Key West arrest records are free to view through the Sheriff’s inmate search and the Clerk’s online portal. The fee applies only when you want a printed copy or a certified copy. Standard paper copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. If you visit the office in person, you can look at the files for free before paying for any copies, and you can take notes on what you need. Many agencies also send electronic copies at no charge when the file already exists in digital form. The fee rules come from Florida law, so every agency in Monroe County follows the same price list. If a third-party mugshot site asks for money to view or remove a booking photo, you can ignore it and use the free official search at keysso.net. The official search is the only source you can rely on for legal or job screening use.
3. Can I get Key West mugshots online?
Yes, you can get Key West mugshots online through the Monroe County Sheriff’s inmate search. Each current inmate entry shows a booking photo. Click the photo thumbnail to see a larger image. Booking photos for past inmates stay on the official Sheriff’s site for a few weeks after release. After that, the photos may still show on third-party mugshot sites, but the official source stays the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Florida law keeps mugshots open to the public under Chapter 119, with limits on how third-party sites can make money from the photos. Key West booking photos from the official search are free to view and free to save for personal use. If you need a mugshot for a legal case or a news story, the official image carries more weight than a third-party copy. You can also order a printed mugshot from the detention center for $1.00 per page plus copy fees.
4. What is the difference between a Key West arrest record and a Key West court record?
A Key West arrest record shows the arrest event itself: who got arrested, where, when, by which agency, and for what charge. A court record shows what happened after the arrest: the case number, charges filed, court hearings, motions, plea deals, verdict, and sentence. The arrest record lives with the law enforcement agency that made the arrest, which in most cases is the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office or the Key West Police Department. The court record lives with the Monroe County Clerk of Court. Both records are public, but they hold different data. A simple name search at the Clerk’s portal will show a case that started with a Key West arrest and ended with a sentence or a dismissal. The Sheriff’s inmate search only shows the booking event, not the later court action. To get the full story on a case, search both systems. Florida law treats each record type differently for sealing and expungement, so knowing the difference matters for people who want to clear their own record.
5. How long does the Monroe County Clerk keep court records?
The Monroe County Clerk keeps most court records permanently under Florida records retention rules. Criminal case files stay on file for the life of the case plus the retention period set by the Florida Department of State, which is the central agency that sets how long Florida government agencies must keep their files. Civil case files follow similar rules, and probate files stay on file longer in many cases. Older files may be on microfilm or in digital form, and the Clerk’s office can pull a file from the archive if it does not show up in the online search. Key West arrest records that led to a court case will stay on file as part of the court record, even if the arrest itself is no longer in the active jail roster. The Clerk’s office charges a small fee for pulling archived files and a copy fee per page. You can ask the Clerk’s office to confirm a record’s status by phone before you visit or send a written request.
6. Can I get a Key West police report for a past car crash?
Yes, you can get a Key West police crash report through the Key West Police Department Records Division. The address is 1604 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040. The phone number is (305) 809-1010. Bring the crash date, the case number if you have it, and a photo ID. The report may take a few days to process if the crash happened more than 30 days ago. There is a small copy fee per page, and you will get a redacted copy that hides personal data such as Social Security numbers, home addresses of victims, and juvenile names. Insurance companies, lawyers, and the other driver can each ask for a copy of the report under Florida law. The report is a public record once the crash investigation is closed. If the crash is still under active investigation, the department will tell you when the file will be ready and will cite the statute that holds it back during the investigation window.
7. How do I seal or expunge a Key West arrest record?
To seal or expunge a Key West arrest record, file a petition with the Monroe County Clerk of Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The petition must follow Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.690 and use forms from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. You will need a Certificate of Eligibility from the FDLE before the court can rule on the petition. An arrest that ended in a not guilty verdict, a dropped charge, or a successful completion of a diversion program may qualify for sealing or expungement. A person can seal or expunge only one arrest in a lifetime, with limited exceptions. The FDLE charges a $75 fee for the Certificate of Eligibility. After the court grants the petition, the Clerk seals the court file and the FDLE seals the criminal history record. Members of the public, including employers, can no longer see the record. The person can also lawfully say they have not been arrested for most purposes after the record is sealed or expunged. A lawyer can help with the paperwork and the court hearing for a flat fee or an hourly rate.