Martin County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Martin County?

Public records in Martin County encompass all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material made or received in connection with the official business of any public agency. Under Florida Statutes § 119.011, a "public record" is broadly defined to include any material regardless of physical form or characteristics that was made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained and accessible through various Martin County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters are maintained by the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and are accessible through the Fourth District Court location in Stuart
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessment data are held by the Martin County Clerk of Courts (Official Records Division) and the Martin County Property Appraiser, which provides online parcel searches by address, owner name, or account number
Vital records — birth and death certificates are issued through the Florida Department of Health in Martin County; marriage and divorce records are filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court
Business records — occupational licenses, building permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Martin County Growth Management Department and the Florida Division of Corporations
Tax records — property tax bills and assessment records are administered by the Martin County Property Appraiser and the Martin County Tax Collector
Voting and election records — voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance filings are maintained by the Martin County Supervisor of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — records of the Board of County Commissioners, advisory boards, and other public bodies are posted on the Martin County official website
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Martin County Clerk of Courts and the County Administrator's Office
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Martin County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — comprehensive plan amendments, zoning applications, and variance requests are maintained by the Growth Management Department

Is Martin County an Open Records County?

Martin County fully complies with Florida's broad public records framework, making it one of the most transparent jurisdictions in the United States. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and examined by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public record. This statute further requires that the custodian furnish a copy or a certified copy of the record upon payment of the applicable fee.

Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law, codified at Florida Statutes § 286.011, further reinforces open government by requiring that all meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority, or of any agency or authority of any county, be open to the public. As noted by the Florida Department of Health in Martin County, Florida maintains one of the broadest public records laws in the nation, and most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are available to the public and media upon request.

Martin County does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits. The county's public records policy aligns with the Florida Public Records Law in its entirety, and agency custodians are required to acknowledge receipt of public records requests and respond in good faith within a reasonable timeframe.

How to Find Public Records in Martin County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Martin County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In person — Visit the relevant custodial office during public counter hours; bring a written or verbal description of the records requested
By mail — Submit a written request to the appropriate office, including a detailed description of the records, the preferred format for delivery, and return contact information
Online — Many records are currently available through agency portals; property records may be searched through the Martin County Property Appraiser's online database; court records may be accessed via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; election records are available through the Martin County Supervisor of Elections website
By phone or email — Requests may be initiated by contacting the custodial office directly; however, written requests are recommended to establish a clear record of the transaction
Through the Clerk of Courts — The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official custodian for court filings, official records, and many county documents; requests may be submitted at the public counter or through the clerk's online portal

No specific form is required under Florida law to submit a public records request. Requestors are not obligated to identify themselves or state the purpose of the request for most record types.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Martin County?

Current fees for public records in Martin County are governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges custodians may assess for copies and related services.

Single-sided copies (up to 8½ × 14 inches): $0.15 per page
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; court document certifications are typically $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee
Extensive use fee: When a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, the custodian may charge a reasonable service fee based on the actual cost incurred
Electronic records: Duplication costs for records provided in electronic format are based on the actual cost of the medium used (e.g., CD, USB drive) or transmission costs
Vital records: Certified copies of birth and death certificates issued through the Florida Department of Health carry a standard fee set by the Florida Department of Health, currently $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Official records (deeds, mortgages): Certified copies from the Clerk of Courts are subject to per-page fees established by Florida law

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Florida law, though indigent individuals seeking certain court records may petition the court for a waiver of applicable fees.

Does Martin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Florida Statutes § 119.07(1), which mandates that custodians permit inspection of public records at no charge during regular business hours. Members of the public are not required to pay any fee simply to view records on-site.

Several Martin County agencies currently provide free online access to public records:

The Martin County Property Appraiser offers free online searches of real property records by parcel ID, account number, subdivision, address, or owner last name
The Martin County Supervisor of Elections provides free access to voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance data through its official website
Court case information for matters filed in the Fourth District may be accessed at no cost through the Florida Courts online case search system
The Florida Department of Health in Martin County provides general public health information and guidance on vital records access through its official contact portal

Fees apply only when physical or certified copies are requested; inspection and review of records in person or through online portals remains free of charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Martin County?

Any person, regardless of citizenship, residency, or organizational affiliation, is entitled to request and receive public records in Martin County. Florida's public records law does not restrict access based on the identity or purpose of the requestor.

Residency: Requestors are not required to be Florida residents or Martin County residents
Identification: Custodians may not require a requestor to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal identifying information of the requestor themselves
Purpose: Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, requestors are not required to state a reason or purpose for their request
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under Florida law
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as their own arrest records, vital records, or personnel files, follow the same general process but may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information
Requesting records about others: Access to records about third parties is generally permitted, subject to applicable exemptions protecting sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, medical data, and financial account details

Certain record categories, such as juvenile records, adoption files, and sealed court documents, carry additional restrictions regardless of who is making the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Martin County?

Not all government records in Martin County are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes numerous specific exemptions from the general public records requirement, and custodians are obligated to withhold or redact exempt information prior to releasing responsive documents.

The following categories of records are currently exempt or confidential under Florida law:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential pursuant to Florida Statutes § 985.04
Active criminal investigation records — records that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant or compromise an ongoing investigation are exempt
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar data must be redacted from otherwise public records
Medical records — protected under both Florida law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — records of the Department of Children and Families relating to abuse investigations are confidential
Personnel records — certain employee information, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and medical history, is exempt from disclosure under Florida Statutes § 119.071
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies in connection with licensing or permitting may be protected
Security plans and infrastructure details — vulnerability assessments and security system specifications for public facilities are exempt to protect public safety

Florida Statutes § 119.071 enumerates the principal exemptions applicable to state and local agency records. Custodians are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any denial of access and to release any non-exempt portions of a record after redacting exempt material.

Martin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official recorder of public documents in Martin County, maintaining official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and court filings.

Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller 100 E. Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 288-5576 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays) Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court

Martin County Property Appraiser 3473 SE Willoughby Boulevard, Suite 101, Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 288-5608 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Martin County Property Appraiser

Martin County Supervisor of Elections 135 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Suite 101, Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 288-5637 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Martin County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Department of Health in Martin County 3441 SE Willoughby Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 221-4000 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Florida Department of Health in Martin County

Martin County Sheriff's Office 800 SE Monterey Road, Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 220-7000 Public Counter Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Martin County Sheriff's Office