Boynton Beach City family court records are court files that cover family law cases filed by people who live in Boynton Beach, Florida. These files include divorce papers, child custody orders, child support rulings, paternity tests, adoption decrees, and domestic violence injunctions.
The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court keeps all of these files because Boynton Beach sits inside Palm Beach County. The city of Boynton Beach does not store family court records. Anyone who needs a copy of a record must go through the county clerk or use the clerk’s online tools. This page explains who manages these files, how to look them up, what types of records exist, and how to request copies either online or in person.
Who Manages Boynton Beach Family Court Records
Family court records for Boynton Beach are kept at the county level, not the city level. Palm Beach County runs the 15th Judicial Circuit, which hears all family law cases in the area. The clerk of court office acts as the official record keeper for every case filed in the circuit.
The Palm Beach County Clerk Role
The Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Comptroller and Treasurer is the main office that stores Boynton Beach City family court records. The current clerk is Mike Caruso. His office receives every family law filing, assigns a case number, stores the paper file, scans the documents, and makes the records available to the public. The clerk’s main office sits at 205 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. The main phone number is (561) 355-2994. The official website is www.mypalmbeachclerk.com. The clerk also runs branch offices across the county, including a location that serves the south county area near Boynton Beach.
Why the City Clerk Is Different
The City of Boynton Beach has its own city clerk, but that office only handles city business. The city clerk keeps city council minutes, local ordinances, business licenses, and city permits. The city clerk does not have family court files. The city clerk’s office is at 100 East Boynton Beach Boulevard, and the phone number is (561) 742-6000. People who call the city clerk about family court cases get redirected to the Palm Beach County clerk. Knowing the difference saves time when looking for records.
How to Search Records Online
Two main online tools let the public look up Boynton Beach City family court records from home. Both tools are free to search. Some records cost money to view or print. The tools run day and night.
The Official Clerk Search Portal
The Palm Beach County clerk runs a public records search at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com. Users pick the “Records Search” link on the home page. The search box accepts a full name, a business name, or a case number. The system shows case type, filing date, party names, judge, and current status. Many family court files include a list of filed documents. Some documents are free to view in PDF form. Other documents require a paid copy request. The system works best with a case number, but a name search also works if the spelling is correct.
The Florida E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal sits at www.myflcourtaccess.com. This statewide tool covers every county in Florida, including Palm Beach County. Users can search Boynton Beach family cases by name, case number, or party type. The portal also lets lawyers and self-represented people file new family law documents online. Users create a free account, upload PDF files, and pay filing fees by credit card. The portal sends a receipt and a stamped copy of the filing back to the user. This tool helps people who live outside Palm Beach County and need to check on a case without traveling.
Types of Family Court Records in Boynton Beach
Family court covers a wide range of legal matters. Each type of case creates its own set of records. The clerk groups these records by case type and case number.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce cases are the most common family court files in Boynton Beach. The records include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the financial affidavit, the marital settlement agreement, and the final judgment. The clerk also keeps parenting plans for couples with children, even when the divorce is uncontested. These records stay public after the case closes. People often request certified copies of the final judgment to prove a name change or to remarry.
Child Custody and Support Records
Child custody and child support cases create their own file group. The records show the parenting plan, the time-sharing schedule, and the support order. Support orders include the payment amount, the payment frequency, and the start date. The clerk also keeps income information, health insurance details, and childcare cost records. Parents often need these files to modify an existing order or to enforce a past-due support payment.
Paternity and Adoption Records
Paternity cases prove who the father of a child is. The records include the petition, the DNA test results, and the court order that lists the legal father. Adoption cases create a new birth record for the child. Adoption files are often sealed by law. Only the adoptive parents, the adult adopted child, or a court order can open the file. The clerk can confirm whether an adoption file exists but cannot release the contents without proper legal authority.
Domestic Violence and Injunction Records
Domestic violence cases create injunction records. These files include the petition, the sworn statement, and the final injunction order. Some injunctions are temporary and expire after a set time. Others are permanent. The clerk keeps these records separate from other family files in some cases for safety reasons. The public can check whether an injunction exists, but the full file contents may be restricted if the court ordered them sealed.
How to Request Records in Person
Some records are not available online, or the user needs a certified copy. In those cases, the user can visit the clerk’s office in person. The main office is in West Palm Beach, but a south county branch serves the Boynton Beach area. Both offices help walk-in customers during business hours.
Main Office Location and Hours
The main Palm Beach County Clerk’s office sits at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The office closes on weekends and on state holidays. Public terminals are available in the lobby for free record searches. Staff at the public counter help with copy requests, certified copies, and record certifications. A photo ID is required for in-person service. Self-service copy machines cost less per page than clerk-staffed copies.
Fees and Copy Requests
The clerk charges a small fee for each page of a standard copy. Certified copies cost more per page than regular copies. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Payment is due at the time of the request. Most record requests are filled the same day. Large requests may take a few business days. The clerk’s website lists the full fee schedule for certified and exemplified copies.
Sealed vs Public Records
Florida law splits family court records into two groups: public records and sealed records. Most family court files are public, but some become sealed by court order. The clerk’s office follows the judge’s order in every case.
What Stays Public
Divorce petitions, custody orders, support orders, and paternity findings stay open to the public. Anyone can request a copy as long as the case is not sealed. The online search portal lists these cases by name. The public can see party names, attorney names, judge name, and case status. Adoption cases are the main family court files that stay sealed by default.
What Gets Sealed
Adoption records, certain juvenile dependency files, and cases with a court sealing order stay sealed. The clerk will not release these files without a court order or proper legal standing. The clerk also redacts private data like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers from any public copy. The court may seal a file to protect a child, a victim, or a financial matter.
How Long Records Are Kept
Florida law tells the clerk how long to keep each type of family court record. The clerk follows the retention schedule set by the Florida Department of State. Most closed family court cases stay in the system for many years. Some older cases get transferred to state archives. The clerk can pull older files for a small search fee.
Active vs Closed Case Files
Active case files are cases that still have court action pending. Closed case files are cases where the final judgment has been entered and the appeal window has passed. Both active and closed files are public unless sealed. Closed files take longer to retrieve from storage because they sit in the clerk’s archive room. Online search tools show both active and closed cases.
Older Case Retrieval
Cases filed more than 10 years ago may take more time to locate. The clerk uses a microfilm system for some older files. Other older files are stored in boxes. The clerk charges a search fee for cases that need a manual pull from storage. Staff will provide a time estimate before starting the search.
Common Reasons People Request These Records
People ask for Boynton Beach City family court records for many reasons. Knowing the common reasons helps the clerk staff help the requester faster.
Personal Legal Needs
Many people request their own family court files to prepare for a new hearing. A person may need a copy of a past support order to show a change in income. A person may need a copy of a custody order to enforce a parenting plan. The clerk can provide a regular copy or a certified copy based on the user’s need.
Background and Name Check
Some users want to check whether a future spouse has a past divorce case. A quick name search in the clerk’s portal shows the case type, the filing date, and the case status. This check helps people who plan to remarry and need to confirm that a past divorce is final.
Genealogy and Family Research
Some people request old family court records for genealogy research. Adoption files stay sealed, but other family files may be open. The clerk can confirm the existence of an older case and provide a copy for a small fee. Researchers should call ahead to confirm the file is open before visiting.
Contact and Visit the Clerk
For the fastest service, the public should contact the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court before visiting. Phone staff can confirm hours, fees, and file availability. The clerk also answers record questions by email through the website contact form.
Main office address: 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Phone: (561) 355-2994. Website: www.mypalmbeachclerk.com. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on weekends and state holidays. The clerk’s online search runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common points that come up when people look for Boynton Beach City family court records. Each answer gives direct, practical facts so the user can act on the next step without extra research. The answers reflect current Palm Beach County clerk practices and Florida public records law.
Can I see Boynton Beach divorce records online?
Yes. You can search for Boynton Beach divorce records through the Palm Beach County clerk’s online portal at www.mypalmbeachclerk.com. The portal shows case type, filing date, party names, judge name, and current status. You can search by full name or by case number. Some documents are free to view in PDF form. Other documents need a paid copy request. Certified copies of the final divorce judgment can be ordered online or picked up at the main clerk’s office in West Palm Beach.
How do I find a child custody order in Boynton Beach?
You can find a child custody order by searching the Palm Beach County clerk’s portal with the case number or the names of the parents. The portal shows the parenting plan, the time-sharing schedule, and the custody order. If the file is sealed, the portal will not show the contents. In that case, you need a court order to open the file. Self-represented parents can also visit the main clerk’s office in West Palm Beach and ask staff to pull the file from the public terminal.
Are family court records free in Florida?
Searching the clerk’s online portal is free. Viewing the case summary is also free. The fees start when you request a copy of a document. Regular copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. The clerk’s website lists the current fee schedule. The court may waive fees for people who file a sworn statement of indigence.
Can adoption records be opened in Florida?
Florida adoption records are sealed by law. Only the adoptive parents, the adult adopted child, or a person with a court order can open the file. The clerk can confirm whether an adoption record exists but cannot release the contents. The adult adopted child can request a non-certified copy of the original birth record after the court enters an order to open the file. The process takes a few weeks and requires a court petition.
What if I do not know the case number?
If you do not know the case number, you can still search by name. Use the full legal name of either party. The portal shows a list of cases that match the name. You can narrow the search by adding a date of birth or a year range. If the search returns too many results, try a more specific spelling or add a middle name. The clerk’s public counter staff can also help you look up a case number with just a name and a photo ID.
How long does it take to get certified copies?
Most certified copy requests are filled the same day if the file is at the main office. Files stored in the south county branch may take one extra business day. Files stored in archive storage may take up to five business days. The clerk will give a time estimate when you place the order. The clerk can also mail certified copies by regular mail or by certified mail for an extra postage fee.