Martin County Court Records
Martin County court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Stuart. The county has a population of about 161,000 and sits along the Treasure Coast of southeast Florida. Clerk Carolyn Timmann oversees court records operations and the filing of civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. Court records in Martin County are public under Florida law. You can search for case filings on the clerk's website or visit the courthouse in Stuart. The clerk also handles official records like deeds and liens, which are separate from court case filings.
Martin County Quick Facts
Martin County Clerk of Court
The Martin County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all court records in the county. Clerk Carolyn Timmann runs the office in Stuart. You can call the clerk at (772) 288-5576. The office files new cases, stores court documents, and provides copies of records to the public. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, court records in Martin County are public unless sealed by a judge or exempted by a specific state law.
Martin County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. The circuit court handles felony cases, civil disputes over $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters. County court covers misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic violations. Both levels of court records go through the clerk's office in Stuart. Martin County is mid-sized by Florida standards, and the courthouse in Stuart handles a steady flow of cases year-round.
The Martin County Clerk website has information about court services and online record searches.
On the site you can find links to court records searches, official records, and other clerk services in Martin County.
| Office | Martin County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Carolyn Timmann |
| Phone | (772) 288-5576 |
| Website | martinclerk.com |
Martin County Court Records Online Search
You can search Martin County court records through the clerk's court records page. The system allows you to look up cases by party name, case number, or other search criteria. It covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases filed in the county. The Martin County Clerk has invested in a solid online records system that gives the public good access to case data.
Search results show party names, case type, filing date, and status. You can view many documents directly through the online system. Some records may need an in-person visit or a formal request. The clerk's website also gives access to official records like deeds, mortgages, and liens. Those are separate from court case records, so make sure you are searching the right database for what you need.
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers association connects all 67 county clerks across the state.
If you need court records from another county in the 19th Circuit, the statewide clerk directory can point you to the right office.
Note: Martin County's online court records system is one of the more complete systems on the Treasure Coast, but some older filings may only be available at the courthouse in Stuart.
Public Access to Martin County Records
Court records in Martin County are subject to the same public access framework as every other Florida county. Florida Statute 119.0714 says clerks must redact certain personal details from court records before making them public. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar data get removed. Anyone filing a document is also responsible for taking out confidential info before they submit it to the Martin County clerk.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 sets the standard for which court records are open and which can be sealed. Most records are public. Juvenile cases, mental health proceedings, and anything sealed by a judge are restricted. If you think the Martin County clerk is wrongly withholding a record, you can challenge that under Rule 2.420 by filing a written motion with the court.
Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 authorizes Florida courts to post public court documents online. Martin County takes advantage of this and posts a good amount of court record data to its online systems. This makes it easier for the public to access case filings without needing to visit the courthouse.
Getting Copies of Court Records
You can get copies of Martin County court records by visiting the clerk's office in Stuart, submitting a request online, or mailing a written request. The clerk charges standard fees set by Florida law.
Typical fees for Martin County court records:
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certification: $2.00 per document
- Search fee: $2.00 per year per name
In-person visits to the courthouse in Stuart are the fastest way to get copies. The clerk's staff can pull up your case and print what you need on the spot. For mail requests, send a letter to the Martin County Clerk of Court with the case number, the documents you want, and a check or money order for the fees. Call (772) 288-5576 if you are not sure what the cost will be. All new court filings must go through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Paper filings at the clerk's window are no longer accepted for most types of cases.
State Resources for Martin County
Several statewide tools can help you search for court records in Martin County. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website links to every county clerk. It is a useful starting point if you are searching across multiple counties. The MyFloridaCounty portal handles online payments for court fees in Martin County and other Florida counties.
The Appellate Court Information System (ACIS) provides free access to appellate case data from all Florida District Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court. If a Martin County case was appealed, you can follow it on ACIS. The Florida Courts Help center offers free forms and self-help guides for people handling their own legal matters. These cover common case types like divorce, custody, and small claims.
Note: Martin County shares the 19th Judicial Circuit with Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. Resources from the circuit may reference all four counties together.
Cities in Martin County
Stuart is the county seat and the largest city in Martin County. Other communities include Jensen Beach, Palm City, Indiantown, Hobe Sound, and Sewall's Point. All court records for Martin County go through the clerk's office in Stuart. There are no cities in Martin County with a population over 75,000, so there are no separate city pages. The clerk's office in Stuart serves all residents of the county.
Nearby Counties
Martin County borders Palm Beach County to the south, St. Lucie County to the north, and Okeechobee County to the west. Each county has its own clerk and court records system. Make sure the case you need was filed in Martin County before searching here.