Palm Beach Gardens city public records include court cases, property deeds, arrest reports, building permits, and city council minutes that anyone can view under Florida law. This page shows you where to look, who to call, and how to get the records you need from the county clerk and the City of Palm Beach Gardens.
Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, gives every person the right to see most government records. You do not need to be a lawyer, a citizen, or a resident. You do not have to give a reason for your request. Most records are free to view, but copies carry a small fee set by state law.
What Counts as a Public Record in Palm Beach Gardens
A public record is any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photo, or electronic file made or received by a government office in connection with official business. This broad rule covers almost every file held by the city or the county.
Common examples of Palm Beach Gardens city public records include:
- Court case files and dockets from the 15th Judicial Circuit
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens recorded against local land
- City council meeting minutes and agendas
- Adopted city ordinances and resolutions
- Building permits and inspection reports
- Zoning case files and development applications
- Code enforcement complaints and outcome letters
- Palm Beach Gardens Police Department incident and arrest reports
- Local business tax receipts
- City contracts and bid documents
Some records stay sealed. Active criminal investigation files, juvenile records, certain personnel files, and records protected by court order stay closed to the public. Each sealed file has a specific legal reason tied to a Florida Statute.
The Two Main Offices That Hold Palm Beach Gardens City Public Records
You will deal with two main offices when looking for Palm Beach Gardens city public records. The Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts holds court records and recorded property documents. The City of Palm Beach Gardens holds city government records, police reports, and permits.
Picking the right office saves time. The county clerk handles criminal history, civil cases, traffic tickets, and property records. The city handles everything created at the local level, from a building permit to a police arrest record.
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts
The Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the 15th Judicial Circuit. The current clerk is Mike Caruso, CPA, who serves as Clerk and Comptroller. The main office sits at 301 North Olive Avenue, Ninth Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
You can reach the public records custodian at (561) 355-2996 or by email at publicrecords@mypalmbeachclerk.com. The clerk’s full website is mypalmbeachclerk.com.
Court Records Available Through the Clerk
The clerk’s office stores all court case files from Palm Beach County, which includes Palm Beach Gardens. You can search civil cases, criminal cases, family law filings, probate matters, small claims, and traffic infractions. The online search tool at mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/court-records lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney bar number.
Each case file shows the charges or claims, court dates, judge assignments, and final rulings. Older paper files can be pulled from the clerk’s archive, but newer cases from the last 10 years are usually scanned and viewable online through the portal.
Official Records: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens
Official records cover documents recorded against real property and personal property in Palm Beach County. This group includes warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgages, tax liens, construction liens, and marriage licenses. Search tools sit at mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/official-records.
Anyone can look up who owns a specific property, what loans are attached to it, and whether any liens sit on the title. The search is free, but certified copies of the documents cost a fee per page set by Florida law.
Clerk Office Hours and Location
The main clerk’s office at 301 North Olive Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public records staff answer emails during these same hours. Drop-in visitors can use public terminals at the lobby to search for records at no charge.
For users outside North America, the clerk’s website has noted that a VPN may be needed to access online records. ProtonVPN has been mentioned as a working option for international users who cannot reach the site directly.
City of Palm Beach Gardens Records
The City of Palm Beach Gardens keeps its own set of records that the county clerk does not hold. City Hall sits at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. The main phone line is (561) 799-4100.
City Council Meeting Minutes and Agendas
Meeting minutes record what city council members said and voted on at each session. Agendas list the items up for discussion before the meeting happens. Both are open to the public and posted on the city’s official website under the City Clerk section.
Video recordings of council meetings are also available. Past meetings go back several years, so you can review how council members voted on past zoning cases, budgets, and policy changes without going to city hall.
Ordinances, Resolutions, and Contracts
City ordinances are local laws passed by the council. Resolutions are formal council decisions on specific matters. Contracts show the deals the city signs with vendors, developers, and service providers. The City Clerk’s office stores all three and posts many of them online through the city’s public records portal.
Building Permits and Zoning Files
The Development Services department handles building permits, zoning case files, and development applications. You can search permits by address, permit number, or contractor name. Permit records show the scope of work, inspection history, and the final approval status.
Zoning case files include site plans, environmental reviews, traffic studies, and public comment letters. These files help you understand how a specific property can be used and what changes have been approved nearby.
Code Enforcement Records
Code enforcement handles violations of city rules on things like overgrown lots, unpermitted structures, and noise complaints. Each case file has the complaint, photos, the officer’s notes, and the final outcome. You can request these files through the city’s online public records portal at any time.
Police Reports, Incident Reports, and Arrest Records
The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department creates incident reports, arrest reports, and booking records. These documents are public records under Florida law, with a few exceptions for active investigations, juvenile cases, and certain victim records.
To get a police report, contact the department’s records section. Reports from recent incidents may take a few days to be processed and uploaded. Older reports are usually available right away. Police reports can include the names of those arrested, the charges filed, the officer’s name, and a short summary of the incident.
For ongoing arrest and booking activity, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office also maintains a countywide arrest log that covers cities within the county, including Palm Beach Gardens. This log updates regularly and is searchable online through the sheriff’s website.
Business Tax Receipts and Local Licenses
Businesses operating in Palm Beach Gardens need a local business tax receipt. You can search active receipts through the city’s business license search tool. The search shows the business name, address, the type of license issued, and the status of the receipt.
Florida Public Records Law: Chapter 119 Explained
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the state’s main public records law. It says any person can see or copy public records held by city, county, and state agencies. The law does not require you to give your name, your reason, or your citizenship status.
Agencies must respond to records requests in a reasonable time. They can charge a fee that covers the actual cost of copying the records, but they cannot charge for the time it takes to pull the file or redact sensitive parts. The law also says agencies must follow this rule for free if the request takes less than 15 minutes of staff time to process.
If an agency denies your request, it must give a written reason tied to a specific exemption in Florida law. You can challenge a denial through the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program at no cost.
How to Submit a Public Records Request
The process for getting Palm Beach Gardens city public records follows four simple steps. Each step helps the office pull your file faster.
Step 1: Identify the Right Office
Start by figuring out which office holds the record. Court files, property deeds, and criminal history go to the county clerk. City-level documents like permits, contracts, and police reports go to the City of Palm Beach Gardens. Picking the right office first avoids bounced requests and long delays.
Step 2: Make Your Request in Writing
Send a clear written request by email or through the city’s online portal. Include your name, contact details, a clear description of the record you want, and the date range. A sample request reads: “I request a copy of the building permit issued for 123 Main Street, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024.”
The city uses the JustFOIA Public Portal for online requests. The portal address is palmbeachgardensfl.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest. You can also email the city clerk or call (561) 799-4100 to start a request by phone.
Step 3: Pay Any Required Fees
Standard copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Electronic copies sent by email are usually free. The city can charge a special service fee if your request requires more than 15 minutes of staff time to fulfill.
Step 4: Track the Response Time
Most requests get a response within 5 to 10 business days. Larger requests that pull many files can take 30 days or more. If the office needs more time, they must tell you in writing and give a new deadline you can rely on.
Fees for Palm Beach Gardens City Public Records
The city and the county clerk follow Florida’s standard fee rules. Here is a clear breakdown of the typical costs you can expect:
- Standard paper copy: $0.15 per page
- Certified copy: $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee
- Electronic copy by email: free in most cases
- Large document duplication: actual cost of the medium
- Special service charge: applies only when the request takes more than 15 minutes of staff time
The city cannot charge for the time it takes to redact sensitive parts of a record. It can charge for the duplication itself and the cost of the medium used for the copy.
Response Times: What to Expect
Simple online searches return results in seconds. Requested copies sent by email usually arrive within 2 to 5 business days. Larger requests for many files or older archived records can take 30 days or longer depending on the office’s workload.
Florida law does not set a strict deadline, but the public records law says agencies must respond in a reasonable time. A reasonable time depends on the size of the request, the staff available, and how old the records are. Records stored off-site or in physical archives take longer than digital records.
What to Do If Your Request Gets Denied
If the city or the county clerk denies your request, you have three main options to challenge that decision.
First, ask for the denial in writing. The agency must cite the specific Florida Statute that allows them to keep the record closed. Second, contact the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140. The program offers free help for people who believe their request was wrongly denied. Third, contact the First Amendment Foundation at (850) 222-3518 for legal help and a free hotline.
As a last step, you can file a civil lawsuit under Chapter 119 to force the release of the record. Courts can order the agency to pay your legal fees if you win the case and the court rules the denial was wrong.
Online Portals and Search Tools
Several online tools let you search Palm Beach Gardens city public records without leaving home. Each portal has its own search rules and best uses.
- Palm Beach County Clerk: mypalmbeachclerk.com
- Court Records Search: mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/court-records
- Official Records Search: mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/official-records
- City Public Records Portal: pbgfl.gov/152/Public-Records-Requests
- JustFOIA Public Portal: palmbeachgardensfl.justfoia.com/publicportal/home/newrequest
- Florida Statewide Clerk Directory: flclerks.com/page/findaclerk
- Florida Attorney General Open Government: myfloridalegal.com/open-government
The clerk’s site lets you search by name or case number. The JustFOIA portal lets you submit a new request and track the status of past requests you have already filed with the city.
Public Records Contact Directory
| Office | Address | Phone | Email / Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts | 301 N Olive Ave, 9th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 | (561) 355-2996 | publicrecords@mypalmbeachclerk.com |
| City of Palm Beach Gardens | 10500 N Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 | (561) 799-4100 | pbgfl.gov |
| JustFOIA Public Portal | Online only | N/A | palmbeachgardensfl.justfoia.com |
| FL Attorney General Mediation | Tallahassee, FL | (850) 245-0140 | myfloridalegal.com |
| First Amendment Foundation | Tallahassee, FL | (850) 222-3518 | floridafaf.org |
Visiting hours for the City of Palm Beach Gardens are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Palm Beach County Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both offices close on federal and Florida state holidays.
City Hall Location:
Palm Beach County Clerk Location:
Tips for Faster Records Access
Three small steps can cut your wait time in half. First, search online before you submit a request. Many records already sit in public databases. Second, give the exact record name, date, and case or document number when you can. Vague requests take longer. Third, submit your request early in the week so staff have time to pull files before the weekend.
You can also call the office before submitting a written request to confirm the file exists and the spelling of names. This small step often prevents delays from misspelled names or wrong case numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Beach Gardens City Public Records
These questions cover the most common issues people run into when looking for Palm Beach Gardens city public records. Each answer is based on Florida public records law and the current policies of the county clerk and the City of Palm Beach Gardens. These answers help you avoid delays, denials, and extra fees when you file your next records request.
1. Do I need to be a Florida resident to request records?
No. Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119, gives the right to any person, whether you live in the state, the country, or outside the United States. You do not need a state ID, a driver’s license, or a reason to ask for a record. You only need to give a clear description of the record you want and pay any required copy fees.
Some online portals may ask for an email address to send you the file or a tracking number. That email does not need to be a Florida address. International users should note that the clerk’s website has mentioned VPN use for access from outside North America. ProtonVPN has been cited as a working option.
2. How long does the city have to respond to my records request?
Florida law does not set a strict deadline, but the agency must respond in a reasonable time. Simple requests for a single document often get answered in 2 to 5 business days. Larger requests for many files, old archives, or records that need redaction can take 30 days or longer.
If the office needs more time, it must tell you in writing and give a new estimated response date. If you do not hear back within a reasonable time, you can follow up by phone, by email, or through the Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140 for free help resolving the delay.
3. Are arrest reports and police incident reports public records?
Yes, with some limits. The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department creates arrest reports, incident reports, and booking records that fall under Chapter 119. Basic reports show the arrest date, the charges, the officer’s name, and a short summary of the incident.
Active criminal investigation files, juvenile records, certain victim details, and sealed court records stay closed. Redacted copies of older arrest reports are usually available through the police department’s records section. You can also check the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrest log for countywide booking activity that includes Palm Beach Gardens cases.
4. Can I get records for free?
Viewing records in person is free at both the clerk’s office and City Hall. Online search tools on the clerk’s website are also free. You only pay for copies. Standard paper copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Electronic copies sent by email are usually free.
A special service charge can apply if your request takes more than 15 minutes of staff time. The agency must tell you about the charge before doing the work. You can ask the office to put a cap on the charge in writing before they start the work.
5. What happens if my request is denied?
The agency must give a written denial that cites a specific Florida Statute exemption. Common reasons include active criminal investigation, juvenile records, certain personnel files, and sealed court orders. Each denial must point to a specific law, not just a general policy.
If you think the denial is wrong, you can contact the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140 for free help. You can also contact the First Amendment Foundation at (850) 222-3518. As a last step, you can file a civil lawsuit under Chapter 119 to force the release of the record. Courts can order the agency to pay your legal fees if you win the case.
6. Can I search records by name online?
Yes. The Palm Beach County Clerk’s online portal lets you search court records, official records, and recorded documents by name. The city also has a business license search that lets you look up local business tax receipts by name. Police arrest logs and jail rosters are searchable through the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office website.
Each portal has its own search rules. The clerk’s site works best with full legal names and date ranges. The JustFOIA portal works best for new requests you have not yet submitted. The business license search works best with a partial business name and street address.
7. How do I get a certified copy of a court record?
Request a certified copy from the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts. You can order one in person, by mail, or online through the official records portal. The fee is $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Many documents have an electronic certified copy option that costs the same but arrives by email within a few business days.
Certified copies carry a raised or stamped seal and can be used in court, for business filings, and for legal transactions. The clerk’s office keeps a record of every certified copy it issues, so the document’s chain of custody stays clear and traceable for any later audit or legal challenge.