What are West Palm Beach Public Records?
Under the Florida Sunshine Law, public West Palm Beach records include all information generated, preserved, or used by a government agency for official functions. The law states that relevant information must be made public regardless of characteristic or form. However, not all government records are public records. Some information inaccessible by the general public include:
- Security information
- Records that contain private information
- Records containing criminal intelligence and investigative information
- Personnel records
- Some medical records
West Palm Beach Crime Statistics
Annual crime statistics for the city of West Palm Beach are provided by the Federal Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. According to the UCR's 2019 report, West Palm Beach experienced 859 violent crimes, including 79 cases of rape, 304 robberies, and 17 cases of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter. With 459 reported cases, aggravated assault was the most common violent crime in 2019.
The report also revealed that 4,231 property crimes were recorded, including 464 burglaries and 453 motor vehicle thefts. The city recorded 18 cases of arson as the least common property crime and 3,314 cases of larceny-theft as the most common. In total, there were 5,090 crimes recorded in West Palm Beach, falling 3.5% from the 5,275 cases reported in 2018.
Are West Palm Beach Criminal Records Public?
Florida law grants public access to criminal records in the state. Members of the general public may gain access to criminal history records of themselves or third parties. However, if a record is sealed, expunged, or otherwise exempt from public disclosure, the record custodian may deny access in compliance with the court order that sealed or expunged the record. Also, citizens may only gain access to juvenile criminal history information if the crime would be a felony when committed by an adult.
Interested persons may contact the Central Records Division of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) to obtain criminal history information on all persons in the county. For statewide records, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
How to Obtain West Palm Beach Police Reports and Arrest Records
The West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD) grants public access to police reports and arrest records. All residents may obtain incident reports, arrest reports, and computer-aided dispatch reports (CAD) from the WPBPD. To obtain a West Palm Beach police report, submit a request online using the West Palm Beach Public Records Center. Completing the request requires the following information:
- Names of involved persons
- Case number
- Date and location of the incident
- Any available keywords
Records that require more than 15 minutes of employee time would cost a fee, which would be communicated to the requestor within two days. The WPBPD would only begin with the request after receiving a 50% deposit. Requestors may pay online using the Public Records Center. Payment is also accepted by mail or in person, by visiting or sending a check or a money order to:
West Palm Beach Police Department Headquarters
600 Banyan Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 822-1880
Email: policeprr@wpb.org
How to Find Sex Offender Information in West Palm Beach
The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) provides access to countywide sex offender information through its sexual predator notification page. The page provides clickable booking photographs of all registered sex offenders in the county. Interested persons may select each image to view the offender's name, aliases, registration number, and physical description. Other available information includes the offender's address and offense details. Interested persons may also register on the platform to track each selected offender. Upon registration, the person receives email notifications when the offender moves close to a provided address.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also provides sexual offenders and predators search where interested persons may find offenders by name or neighborhood.
How to Find West Palm Beach Inmate Records
Interested persons may use the PBSO's booking blotter to find records of West Palm Beach inmates. Information available on the blotter includes persons currently in custody at any PBSO detention facility and persons booked within the last month. In addition to finding an inmate by their last or first name, users may also specify the arresting agency. The search results display each inmate's booking photograph, address, date of birth, booking date and time, gender, current facility, and cell location.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center?
All visitors must register and schedule visits online between one and seven days in advance. For each visit, the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center allows a maximum of three visitors, including children. A child may only visit in the company of one or more adults who must present valid government-issued ID upon entry. The adult must also present an original birth certificate and documents proving legal guardianship for the minor. School-age children, including home school students, will not be allowed to visit during school hours. Visitors must be checked in at least 15 minutes before the scheduled visiting time. Late entries will not be permitted.
Each visitor must be sober and not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Only a wallet and keys are allowed into the Visitation Center. Other items, including smartwatches and cell phones, are not allowed into the building. Visitors must keep contraband items away as the facility will not provide storage lockers. All persons must adhere to a strict dress code as any person wearing inappropriate clothing items will be denied entry.
Court Records
The City of West Palm Beach has branches of the Palm Beach Circuit and County Courts, which function as part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all West Palm Beach cases, while the County Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. The courts grant public access to non-confidential court case information.
Locations of Courts in West Palm Beach
Palm Beach County Circuit Court
Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse
205 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2996
Palm Beach County Court
Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse
205 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2996
Are West Palm Beach Court Records Public?
Members of the general public can request and obtain copies of West Palm Beach court records. Any city resident may request court records by visiting the courthouse or sending a request for the desired records. However, not all court records are accessible by the general public. Any record that has been sealed or expunged will not be made available. The court may also redact portions of a public court record if it contains private information. In addition, access to juvenile court proceedings is restricted to the person on the record, parents or legal guardians, and attorneys or legal representatives. The court may also deny access to a record if it contains information that could endanger lives or property or interfere with a free and fair trial.
Can You Look up a West Palm Beach Court Case Online?
The West Palm Beach Clerk and Comptroller provides online access to court case information and documents through its eCaseView. Residents may search the eCaseView for criminal, civil, and traffic cases, and also print out case documents. An interested party may register on the platform or search for records as a guest. Available information on cases includes court dates, charge information, complaints, sentences, and party details. Some unavailable cases include mental health records and petitions for injunctions if the respondent has not been served. Juvenile and adoption cases are only accessible by attorneys of record in each case. Furthermore, document images for mental health, probate, family, and guardianship cases are only available to registered users or attorneys of record.
How to Obtain West Palm Beach Civil Court Case Records
West Palm Beach civil court records are requestable online using the court's eCaseView. Interested persons may contact the Circuit Civil Department by mail or in person. To order a Palm Beach civil court record by mail, send a written request to the courthouse. Include in the request, the names of involved parties, charge details, court dates, sentences, and other related information. An interested party may also visit the court in person to obtain records. Send or visit using the following information:
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 4667
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4667
Physical Address:
205 North Dixie Highway
3rd Floor, Room 3.23
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2986
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays, except designated holidays
How to Obtain West Palm Beach Criminal Court Case Records
Persons may obtain West Palm Beach criminal court records by contacting the Circuit Criminal Department in person or by mail. Interested parties may send written requests containing the names of involved parties, court dates, charge details, case judgment, related attorneys and judges, and other specific information. Send a written request by mail to:
Clerk & Comptroller
Circuit Criminal Department
P.O. Box 2906
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-2906
Alternatively, visit the courthouse in person at:
205 North Dixie Highway
3rd Floor, Room 3.23
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 355-2994
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays, except designated holidays.
What are West Palm Beach Vital Records?
West Palm Beach vital records are documents that contain details of life events in the city. Vital records are created and maintained by government entities and contain information on deaths, births, marriages, and divorces. Vital records are requestable from different record custodians, depending on the desired record. Note that not all vital records are public records.
Where and How to Obtain West Palm Beach Divorce Records
Information on divorces finalized in West Palm Beach is obtainable from the Clerk and Comptroller. To obtain a West Palm Beach divorce record, interested persons may send written requests to the courthouse or visit in person. If ordering by mail, ensure that the written request contains divorced persons' names, the date of divorce, judgment details, court dates, attorneys, and other information specific to the case. Send the request to:
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Persons may also visit the court the photocopy area of the Clerk's Records Service Center to obtain divorce records in person, using the following information:
205 North Dixie Highway
Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Where and How to Get Public West Palm Beach Marriage Records
The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller provides public access to records of marriages completed in the county. The clerk's office maintains a searchable online database of official county records, which include marriage documents. Find West Palm Beach marriage records on the public search platform by specifying the document type and providing a party name and date range.
Persons interested in certified copies must send written requests to the courthouse or visit in person. Requests must include the married parties' names, the date of marriage, and other relevant information. Send the request in person or by mail using the following information:
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 4526
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Physical address:
205 North Dixie Highway
Room 4.2500
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Where and How to Find West Palm Beach Birth Records
The Palm Beach County Department of Health maintains countywide birth records and issues copies to requestors. However, birth records are not public records and are only accessible by the following persons:
- The registrant named on the certificate is at least 18 years old
- A parent listed on the certificate
- A legal guardian
- A legal representative of any of the above eligible persons
- Anyone requesting a certified copy of a court order granting access
- Anyone with an affidavit to release birth certificate completed and signed by an authorized person
To order a West Palm Beach birth certificate by mail, complete a birth record application in English, Spanish, or Creole. Each certificate costs $15 payable by check or money order made out to "Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County". Send the form with payment and a copy of a government-issued ID to:
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 29
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Requesters may also visit the Department of Health in person at:
Palm Beach County Department of Health
800 Clematis Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 840-4500
Where and How to Find West Palm Beach Death Records
Any resident may request a West Palm Beach death certificate. However, the general public may not obtain a copy containing the cause of death if the certificate is less than 50 years old. Persons eligible to access restricted information include the decedent's spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, or legal representative. Eligible persons must be at least 18 years old. Each record costs $15. For a mail request, send a completed death record application, check or money order for the appropriate amount, and a copy of a government-issued ID for restricted records. The check or money order must be payable to "Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County". Send the request or visit in person using the following details:
Mailing address:
Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 29
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Physical Address:
Palm Beach County Department of Health
800 Clematis Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 840-4500
