Finding a specific file in the 15th Judicial Circuit isn't always as simple as a quick Google search. Honestly, if you’ve ever tried to navigate the Palm Beach court search system on a whim, you probably realized it’s a bit of a maze. Whether you're a landlord checking a background, a curious neighbor, or someone dealing with a messy probate situation, the digital paper trail is there. You just have to know which door to knock on.
Florida has some of the most transparent "Sunshine Laws" in the country. This means almost everything—from a messy divorce to a high-stakes felony trial—is technically public. But "public" doesn't mean "easy to find." The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Superior Court & Comptroller’s office manages millions of records.
If you're looking for a Palm Beach court search that yields actual results, you have to distinguish between the "Official Records" and the "Court Records." They aren't the same thing. One handles deeds and mortgages; the other handles the drama of the courtroom. If you look for a criminal conviction in the Official Records index, you’ll likely find nothing but a headache.
The Difference Between e-CaseView and Official Records
Most people start their search at the wrong portal. Let's break that down.
The Official Records (OR) index is primarily for "land and limb." We're talking about things that affect property titles or permanent legal status. If you need to see a marriage license, a claim of lien, or a death certificate, this is your spot. You can search by name or document type. It’s fast. It’s efficient. It’s also totally useless if you’re trying to find out why your cousin was in front of a judge last Tuesday.
For that, you need e-CaseView.
This is the actual portal for a Palm Beach court search involving civil, criminal, and traffic cases. It is the heart of the 15th Judicial Circuit’s data. When you enter this system, you are looking at the same dockets the attorneys see. You can track a case from the moment the initial "Information" or "Complaint" was filed all the way to the final judgment.
👉 See also: Why are US flags at half staff today and who actually makes that call?
Why You Might Not Find What You're Looking For
You typed the name in. You hit enter. Nothing.
There are a few reasons for this, and they aren't always a glitch in the system. First, check the spelling. Seriously. If a clerk entered "Jon" instead of "John," or if the person has a hyphenated last name, the search might fail.
More importantly, some records are shielded. Juvenile records are almost always confidential under Florida law. Unless a minor is being prosecuted as an adult for a serious crime, you won't find them in a standard Palm Beach court search. Then there are sealed or expunged records. If a judge orders a record expunged, it’s like it never happened in the eyes of the law—and the eyes of the public search engine.
Mental health cases and certain family law matters involving domestic violence or children are often restricted too. You might see a case exists, but clicking the "view" button will result in a "Access Denied" or "Restricted Document" message. This is normal. It’s the law protecting sensitive privacy interests.
Civil vs. Criminal: Navigating the Tiers
Palm Beach divides its labor. You have the County Court and the Circuit Court.
- County Court handles the "smaller" stuff. Think traffic tickets, most misdemeanors, and civil disputes involving amounts under $50,000.
- Circuit Court is for the big leagues. Felonies, major lawsuits (over $50,000), family law, and probate.
If you are performing a Palm Beach court search for a business dispute, you’ll likely be in the Circuit Civil division. If you’re checking on a speeding ticket, stick to County Criminal/Traffic.
✨ Don't miss: Elecciones en Honduras 2025: ¿Quién va ganando realmente según los últimos datos?
One thing that surprises people is the "Probate" section. This is where wills are filed. If you want to see how an estate is being handled, you search here. It is fascinatingly detailed. You can often see the inventory of what someone owned when they passed away, which is why celebrities in Jupiter or Palm Beach often use trusts to keep their assets out of this public search.
High-Profile Cases and Media Access
Because Palm Beach is home to some of the wealthiest and most famous people on the planet, the court search is often a hub for national news. From the high-profile trials at the West Palm Beach courthouse on Dixie Highway to the satellite courthouses in Delray Beach, Belle Glade, and Palm Beach Gardens, the records are high-traffic.
When a case gets "big," the Clerk sometimes creates a special "High Profile Cases" page. This saves you from having to dig through e-CaseView. They just post the PDFs of the motions and orders directly on a landing page. It’s a courtesy for the media, but anyone can use it.
The Cost of Information
Searching is free. Viewing the docket (the list of events) is free. But actually getting the documents? That's where it gets tricky.
In many Florida counties, you can view a PDF of a motion or an order for free online if you register for an account. In Palm Beach, you usually have to register as a "Subscriber" or "Registered User" to see the actual images of the documents in many case types. If you need a certified copy—say, for a passport application or a legal filing of your own—you're going to pay per page.
It’s usually $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 fee for the certification. It adds up fast. If you're doing a deep dive into a 300-page civil litigation file, be prepared to open your wallet or head down to the courthouse in person.
🔗 Read more: Trump Approval Rating State Map: Why the Red-Blue Divide is Moving
Going In-Person: The "Public Access" Terminals
Sometimes the internet fails you. Or maybe you want to see something that isn't digitized yet.
The Main Courthouse at 205 N. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach has a public records room. They have "dumb terminals" (computers dedicated only to the search) where you can sit and scroll through records at no cost. The staff there are generally helpful, but they cannot give legal advice. Don't ask them "Should I file this?" They will just point you to the search bar.
What Most People Get Wrong About Court Searches
A common mistake is assuming a "Search" result equals a "Criminal Record."
If you see a name pop up in a Palm Beach court search, look at the "Role." They might be a witness. They might be the "Petitioner" (the one suing). They might even be a juror in some older records. Don't see a name and immediately think "Criminal."
Also, look at the "Disposition." If a case says "Nolle Prosequi," that’s fancy Latin for "the prosecutor dropped the charges." The person was arrested, but the case didn't move forward. It still shows up in the search, but it’s not a conviction. Nuance matters.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you need to start a search right now, don't just wander around the website. Follow this path:
- Identify the Category: Is it a house/deed issue (Official Records) or a person/lawsuit issue (Court Records)?
- Use e-CaseView: Go to the Clerk’s website and look for the e-CaseView link.
- Search by "Party Name": Put the last name first. Keep it simple. If you have a common name like "Smith," add a first name or a date of birth if the filter allows.
- Check the Dockets: Click on the case number. Read the "Events" or "Dockets" list. It’s a chronological story of the case.
- Verify the Status: Look for "Closed" or "Reopened." A closed case is finished; a reopened case means there’s new drama or a motion to modify something.
- Visit the Courthouse for Old Files: Records from the 1980s or earlier might not be fully digitized. If you’re doing genealogy or historical research, you might need to request a search of the archives or microfilm.
The system is a tool. It's built for transparency. While it might feel clunky at first, the Palm Beach court search is one of the most robust in the state. Just remember to verify what you find before jumping to conclusions, especially if you're using the data for anything more than personal curiosity.
If you find an error in your own record, you can’t just "delete" it. You’ll likely need to file a motion to correct the record or seek an expungement through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Clerk just mirrors what the court orders; they don't decide what stays and what goes.