Search Martin County Records

Background check records in Martin County are available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Stuart and from FDLE's statewide database. Martin County is on Florida's Treasure Coast with a population of around 165,000 people. Carolyn Timmann serves as the Clerk of Court. The 19th Judicial Circuit handles all case filings here. For a thorough background check in Martin County, you will want to search both the local clerk's court records and the FDLE criminal history system. The two sources cover different ground and together give you the fullest view of a person's record.

Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court

Carolyn Timmann is the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The main office is at 100 SE Ocean Blvd in Stuart. You can call (772) 288-5736 for questions about records. The office handles criminal cases, civil filings, family law, probate, and traffic cases. All of these records can be part of a Martin County background check. Staff are available on weekdays during regular hours.

The clerk's website at martinclerk.com has an online case search system that is well maintained. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Results show case type, filing date, parties, charges, and case status. Martin County keeps its online records current, which makes this a reliable tool for background checks. The search is free. For full copies of court documents, you can visit the Stuart office, mail a request, or in some cases order copies through the website. This is the best local starting point for a background check in Martin County.

The Martin County Clerk of Court website provides a case search portal and records access tools.

Use this site to search court records and pull case details for Martin County.

Note: The 19th Judicial Circuit also covers Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties.

How to Search Martin County Background Check Records

Start a background check in Martin County at the clerk's online case search. Go to martinclerk.com and use the search tool. Enter a name or case number. Results show filing dates, case types, charges, and dispositions. Criminal cases include charge details and outcomes. Civil cases show parties and the nature of the suit. This is free and works from any device.

The MyFloridaCounty portal is another useful tool. It covers official recorded documents from Martin County and all other Florida counties. This includes liens, judgments, deeds, and other recorded papers. These add context to a background check by showing if a person has judgments or property issues in Martin County. Under Florida Chapter 119, public records are open for anyone to review. No reason is needed.

For a statewide criminal history check, go to CCHInet and submit a name-based request. The cost is $24. Results come back in about 24 hours. This Level 1 check covers data from all 67 Florida counties. If a person has records in Martin County or anywhere else in the state, those will appear in the results.

Background Check Fees in Martin County

The cost of a background check in Martin County depends on the source. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based criminal history check. This fee is the same across every Florida county. You pay online through the FDLE criminal history records page. A Level 2 fingerprint check costs more and varies based on the agency that requests it.

At the Martin County Clerk's office, copy fees apply. Plain copies are $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. Searching the online case system is free. Viewing a file at the counter in person has no charge either. You only pay when you need paper copies or certified documents from Martin County court files.

• FDLE state check (Level 1): $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy from clerk: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free
• Level 2 fingerprint check: Varies by agency

Types of Background Checks in Martin County

Florida has two standard background check levels. Both work in Martin County. A Level 1 check is name-based. FDLE searches their statewide criminal history database. It covers arrests, charges, and outcomes from all 67 counties. This is the quick option. Most results come in about a day. You submit at CCHInet and pay $24.

A Level 2 check uses fingerprints. Data runs through both FDLE and the FBI national database. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes specifies which roles require this deeper screening. It covers national records. The process takes a few business days. You need to get fingerprinted at an approved LiveScan site. Martin County has providers in the Stuart area. Check the FDLE LiveScan vendor list to find one near you.

The VECHS program is also available through FDLE. Under Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes, approved groups can run criminal history checks for people who work with children, the elderly, or those with disabilities. Organizations in Martin County use this program when it applies to their staff or volunteers.

Public Records Access in Martin County

Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, public records in Martin County are open for any person to inspect. You do not need to live in Martin County. You do not have to explain why you want the records. The clerk must provide access to the files. This includes court records, arrest reports, and most government documents. Sealed and expunged records are the main exceptions under Florida law.

If you run into problems getting records from a Martin County office, the Attorney General's Open Government page is where to go. The AG handles disputes about public records access across the state. Florida's Sunshine Law is one of the broadest in the country, and Martin County offices must follow it.

Note: Some records involving juveniles or active investigations may be restricted even in Martin County.

Getting Copies of Martin County Records

Go to the Martin County Clerk's office at 100 SE Ocean Blvd in Stuart. Ask for the file by name or case number. Staff will pull the case and print copies. Pay $0.15 per page for plain copies or $1.00 for certified. You can also use the Find a Clerk directory to check the office details before you visit.

For a mail request, write to the Martin County clerk with the person's full name, date of birth if you know it, and the type of record you need. Include payment for the copy fees. The clerk mails the documents back. FDLE records can be ordered online at CCHInet for $24. Results come by email. If you want to check your own record, FDLE has a personal review page where you can see what is on file about you.

Cities in Martin County

Martin County has several communities along the Treasure Coast. All court records for these areas go through the Martin County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Stuart. No cities in Martin County meet the population threshold for a separate background check page. Communities here include Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Indiantown, Hobe Sound, and Sewall's Point. Background check records for all of them are held at the Martin County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Martin County. Each has its own clerk office and court records. If the person has lived in more than one area, check each county.