Martin County Family Court Records include all legal files for divorce, child custody, support, paternity, and adoption cases in Stuart, Florida. These records sit at the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court, which serves as the main record holder for the 19th Judicial Circuit.
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the front desk helps visitors look up cases by name or case number. You can search most records online through the clerk’s website, or visit the courthouse in person for certified copies and older files.
Where Martin County Family Court Records Are Stored
All Martin County family law files stay at the Clerk of the Circuit Court office in downtown Stuart. This office is the only place that holds the original case papers, including divorce decrees, custody orders, child support judgments, paternity findings, and adoption records. The clerk indexes every case by party name and case number, which makes searches fast when you have the right details.
Martin County Clerk of Court Office in Stuart
The Martin County Clerk of Court runs the family court records system from 100 E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994. Staff members help visitors locate files, print copies, and answer questions about case status. The office also processes new filings, motions, and requests for certified documents. Most family court cases for Martin County are filed and stored at this one location.
You can reach the clerk’s office by phone at (772) 288-5576. General questions about record searches, fees, and document types are answered during business hours. The office accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards for copy fees and certification charges.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Address | 100 E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994 |
| Phone | (772) 288-5576 |
| Website | martinclerk.com |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Circuit | 19th Judicial Circuit |
What the Clerk’s Website Shows
The Martin County Clerk’s homepage links directly to court services, record search tools, and filing instructions. The court services page lists fees, forms, and contact details for each division. The records search section lets you pull up a case by name, case number, or filing date from any device with internet access.
From the homepage, you can reach the court services page, which breaks down each service area. This page explains how to request certified copies, search public records, and pay filing fees. It also lists the phone numbers for each department so you can call the right office the first time.
The court records search tool accepts party names, case numbers, and date ranges. Results show case type, filing date, judge, hearing dates, and the last action taken on the file. You can view docket entries and most non-sealed documents without creating an account.
Types of Family Court Records in Martin County
Family court records cover a wide range of legal matters that affect households, children, and family finances. Each case type has its own file category in the clerk’s system. Knowing which category your case falls under speeds up your search and helps you ask for the right documents at the counter.
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage Records
Divorce records in Martin County include the petition, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, parenting plans (when children are part of the marriage), and the final judgment of dissolution. These files stay public unless a judge seals them. The final judgment lists how assets and debts were split, whether alimony was awarded, and the terms of any ongoing support obligation.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Child custody files hold parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, decision-making authority orders, and any modifications filed after the original order. These records also contain mediation reports, guardian ad litem reports, and home study results when the court ordered them. Both parents and their attorneys can request copies of these documents.
Child Support Court Records
Child support files include the petition, income information, support calculations, and the final order setting the payment amount and frequency. When payments are enforced through the Florida Department of Revenue, the case may also appear in the state child support system, but the original Martin County order stays in the clerk’s office.
Paternity Court Records
Paternity cases establish legal fatherhood for children born to unmarried parents. The file includes the petition, DNA test results (when ordered), and the final judgment of paternity. Once paternity is established, the same case may also include orders for custody, visitation, and child support. These records are public once the final judgment is entered.
Adoption Court Records
Adoption records are often sealed by Florida law. The clerk’s office can confirm that an adoption was finalized, but the actual file contents stay private. Adult adoptees and adoptive parents may request a court order to open sealed records for specific legal purposes. Stepparent and relative adoptions follow the same sealing rules as other adoptions.
Domestic Relations and Injunction Records
Domestic relations cases cover domestic violence injunctions, repeat violence injunctions, and dating violence injunctions. The file includes the petition, the temporary injunction (if granted), the final injunction, and any proof of service. Injunction records may be partially sealed to protect the petitioner’s address and contact details.
How to Search Martin County Family Court Records
You have three main ways to search for family court records in Martin County: online through the clerk’s portal, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. The right method depends on how quickly you need the records, what type of documents you want, and whether you need certified copies.
Online Records Search Steps
Start at the Martin County Clerk’s website and click the court records search link. From there, you can pick between a party name search and a case number search. A party name search asks for the last name and first name of one of the people on the case. A case number search is faster if you already have the number, which usually looks like 50-2023-DR-001234.
- Go to martinclerk.com and click “Court Records Search.”
- Choose the court type: “Circuit Civil” or “Family.”
- Pick a search method: name, case number, or date range.
- Type the last name and first name of a party on the case.
- Review the results list and click the case number that matches.
- View the docket, hearing dates, and available documents.
- Print or save the records you need from your browser.
In-Person Records Search at the Courthouse
Visiting the courthouse in Stuart gives you access to older records and sealed case information that the online portal may not show. Public computers sit in the clerk’s lobby and let you run the same searches available online. The clerk’s staff can also help you locate files from the back archives when the records have not been digitized yet.
Bring a valid photo ID, the full legal name of at least one party on the case, and the case number if you have it. If you are not a named party to the case, you may still pull up the docket, but you might not be able to view certain sealed documents without a court order. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so you have time to get through security and complete your search.
Mail and Remote Records Requests
If you live outside the area, you can mail a written request to the clerk’s office. Include the case number, full names of both parties, the documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Add a check or money order for the copy and certification fees. The clerk’s office mails back copies within five to ten business days.
Martin County Florida Family Court Case Search by Case Type
Each family court case type has its own section in the clerk’s index. Using the right category when you search saves time and gives you cleaner results. Below are the main case types you can pull up through the Martin County court system.
Searching Divorce Case Records
Divorce cases in Martin County carry a “DR” case number prefix. To pull up a divorce file, choose the Circuit Civil search, type “DR” in the case type field, and enter the year and sequence number. If you do not have the case number, a name search using the petitioner’s last name and first name usually returns results within a few seconds.
Searching Child Custody and Support Files
Many custody and support cases start as part of a divorce filing, so they share the same DR case number. Standalone custody or support cases (filed after the divorce is final) often carry an “SC” or “DR” prefix as well. Look for docket entries that mention “modification,” “custody,” or “support” to find the right orders inside the file.
Searching Paternity and Adoption Files
Paternity cases in Martin County use the “DR” or “SC” prefix and include the words “Petition to Determine Paternity” in the docket. Adoption cases are sealed, so the online portal shows only basic case information. To see adoption file contents, you or your attorney must file a motion with the court and get a judge’s order.
Fees and Copy Costs for Family Court Records
The clerk’s office charges a small fee for regular copies and a higher fee for certified copies. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. A complete certified copy of a final divorce judgment often runs $10.00 to $15.00 depending on the length of the document.
You can pay in person with cash, check, money order, or credit card. Online payments go through the clerk’s payment portal, which accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Mail requests must include a check or money order payable to the Martin County Clerk of Court.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (per page) | $2.00 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $1.00 |
| Online docket search | Free |
| Mail request handling | $2.00 plus copy fees |
19th Judicial Circuit Family Court Details
Martin County sits within Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. The chief judge and family court judges rotate cases across the four-county circuit, but all Martin County family cases stay in the Stuart courthouse. The circuit uses the same Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure for every family case.
Circuit Judges Who Handle Family Cases
Family court judges in the 19th Circuit are assigned to specific divisions. The clerk’s website lists the current judge for each active case. If you need to know which judge is handling a particular family case, look at the docket for the assignment entry near the top of the case file.
Court Hearings and Filing Deadlines
Family court hearings take place in the courthouse at 100 E. Ocean Boulevard. Hearings for dissolution, custody, and support cases are set on the family court docket, which runs most weekdays. Filing deadlines follow the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, which set response times, motion deadlines, and discovery cutoffs based on the type of filing.
How Long Records Are Kept and How to Get Older Files
Most Martin County family court records are kept permanently in paper or digital form. The clerk’s office has been digitizing older files since 2010, and cases filed before that year may only be available in the paper archives. To request a file from the back archives, you need the case number and a written request at the counter.
Records that have been sealed by a judge stay sealed indefinitely unless a new court order opens them. Examples of sealed records include adoption files, some paternity cases involving minors, and domestic violence petitions that contain sensitive personal details. The clerk cannot unseal any record without a signed court order.
Privacy Rules for Family Court Records
Florida law protects certain details in family court records, even when the case is open to the public. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s full names are usually redacted from public docket entries. The clerk’s office follows these rules automatically when posting records online.
What Records Stay Public
The party names, case number, filing dates, hearing dates, judge name, docket text, and final judgments are public. Anyone can see this information through the online portal or at the courthouse. The clerk does not require ID to view public docket entries.
What Records Get Sealed
Adoption final judgments, some paternity cases involving minors, and domestic violence petitions may be sealed in full or in part. Sealed records cannot be viewed without a court order. The judge decides what gets sealed and what stays public based on Florida statutes and the specific facts of the case.
Contact the Martin County Clerk’s Office
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Martin County holidays. Visitors must pass through courthouse security before reaching the clerk’s counter. The main office phone line is (772) 288-5576. The official website is martinclerk.com, and the mailing address is 100 E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994.
Common Questions About Martin County Family Court Records
This section answers the most common questions people ask about Martin County family court records. The answers below cover search methods, fees, sealed files, and certified copies. If you do not see your question, call the clerk’s office at (772) 288-5576 during business hours.
Can I search Martin County family court records for free?
Yes. The online docket search at martinclerk.com is free to use. You can search by name, case number, or date range without paying a fee. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page, and certified copies cost more. There is no charge to view the docket or print basic case details from your own printer at home.
How do I find a divorce decree in Martin County?
Search the clerk’s online portal using the divorce case number (starts with “DR”) or the full legal name of either spouse. Once you find the case, click on the final judgment entry to view or download the divorce decree. For a certified copy, visit the clerk’s office in person or mail a request with the case number and a fee.
Are Martin County adoption records public?
No. Florida law seals most adoption records. The clerk’s office can confirm an adoption was finalized, but the file contents stay private. Adult adoptees can request a court order to unseal the records for legal or personal reasons. Adoptive parents can also request copies of the final judgment for official use.
What does a child support order include?
A child support order lists the payment amount, payment frequency, start date, and end date. It also includes provisions for health insurance, dental coverage, and any special expenses such as childcare or school costs. The order names both parents, the children covered, and the payment method.
How do I get a certified copy of a family court order?
Visit the Martin County Clerk’s office in person or mail a written request. Include the case number, names of the parties, and the documents you need. Pay the certified copy fee of $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. Certified copies include a raised or stamped seal that proves the document is a true copy of the original court record.
Can I view sealed family court records in Martin County?
Only named parties to the case, their attorneys, and people with a valid court order can view sealed records. If you need access to a sealed file, file a motion with the court that explains why you need the records. The judge will decide whether to grant access based on the facts and Florida law.
How long does it take to get records by mail?
Mail requests usually take five to ten business days from the date the clerk’s office receives your letter. Processing time depends on the number of documents requested and whether the records are already digitized. Add extra time for older files that need to be pulled from the paper archives.