Brevard County Court Records
Brevard County court records form a part of the official files and documents generated and maintained by the courts within Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court and County Court serve as trial-level courts for the county and document case proceedings (filings, orders, motions, judgments) in civil, criminal, family, probate, and other cases.
Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.420 vests the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller with the right to manage these court records and also outlines the rules and procedures that govern public access. These files and documents may also feature other government records, such as arrest logs maintained by local law enforcement and vital records handled by the local health department.
Are Brevard County Court Records Public?
Yes. Art. I, § 24(a), Fla Const. declares access to governmental records as a constitutional right; however, Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.420 is the regulation that specifically establishes that all court records at the county level are open for public inspection. Individuals can request to view or copy documents related to criminal hearings, civil suits, family matters, probate cases, and traffic violation hearings, among others.
Notwithstanding, Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.420(d) states that juvenile delinquency, adoption, dependency, mental health, and gestational surrogacy files must be protected from public access. In addition, the law mandates that financial information and other sensitive data must be removed before a court record can be made available to the general public.
What Information is Available in Brevard County Court Records?
A court (case) file in Brevard County consists of case information (including dockets) and documents.
Case information often includes
- The case number
- The names of the parties involved
- The case judge and attorneys
- Status of the case
- Register of actions (or dockets)
- Court costs, fines, fees, and other case-related payments
Meanwhile, case documents vary by case type. A criminal case file may include an arrest report, an indictment notice, a plea document, and a sentencing order. Conversely, a civil case file may feature the complaint or petition, summonses, answers, motions, and the final judgment.
Brevard County Court Records Search
Members of the public can access court records using the following options:
Online Access
Individuals can request Brevard County court records online through the Brevard Electronic Court Application (BECA) portal, administered by the clerk of court. BECA’s General Public Court Records Search allows people to freely view case dockets and download documents in criminal and civil cases. There is also a Subscriber Court Records Search portal, which requires a free user account but provides access to records in a family or probate case upon request.
In-Person Access
Individuals can visit the clerk of court at the Moore Justice Center in Viera or one of the satellite branches spread throughout the county. Individuals can find public access terminals at these locations to look up court cases. Personnel are also available to produce or certify physical copies for anyone interested.
Mail Requests
To request Brevard County court records by mail, individuals will need to send the following items to the address below.
- A description of the document(s) required
- The case number
- A check or money order for the appropriate fee
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- A photocopy of a government ID (if necessary)
Brevard County Clerk of Courts
P.O. Box 2767
Titusville, FL 32781-2767
Inquirers are advised to call (321) 637-2004 for a cost estimate before proceeding with a mail-in application.
Fees for Court Records in Brevard County
The Brevard County clerk of court charges for copies of court records are set by statute:
- A standard copy costs $1 per page ($5 for pages larger than 14" x 8.5");
- Copies certified by the clerk attract an additional $2 per document charge; and
- Triple-certified copies attract an extra $7 per document charge on top of standard copy fees.
Where the requester does not provide a case number or names of parties, the clerk’s office adds an additional $2 search fee. The fee for a certified marriage license copy ordered through the clerk’s office is $3.
Brevard County Courthouse Locations
Brevard County shares Florida’s 18th Judicial Circuit with Seminole County. The county has a Circuit Court and a County Court, but no municipal courts. The two trial-level courts share the same courthouse buildings.
Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center
(Main Courthouse)
2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, FL 32940
Phone: (321) 633-2171
Historic Titusville Courthouse
(Judicial Hearings & Trials)
506 South Palm Avenue
Titusville, FL 32796
Phone: (321) 633-2171
Melbourne Branch Courthouse
(Traffic, Misdemeanors and Small Claims)
51 Nieman Avenue
Melbourne, FL 32901
Phone: (321) 633-2171
Criminal Records Access in Brevard County
Official criminal history records at the state level are preserved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), not by the Brevard County court clerk. Fla. Stat. § 943.053 designates the FDLE as the official repository for statewide criminal background checks. The agency processes public requests for these records and charges a $24 fee for standard Criminal History Information (CCHI) requests.
Additionally, records of county-level criminal cases are obtainable at the clerk of courts, either through the BECA portal or in person at the Moore Justice Center and associated branches. These records document the hearings and outcomes of local criminal cases only and are not a substitute for a statewide CCHI check.
Brevard County Probate Records
Brevard County probate records encompass legal materials generated to manage the affairs of a deceased or incapacitated person. The most common probate filings pertain to wills, estate administrations, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. For estate matters, specific filings include Formal Administration (for large estates), Summary Administration (for smaller estates), and Disposition of Personal Property without Administration.
The general public may view probate case dockets and standard wills and probate filings through the BECA (Brevard Electronic Court Application) portal, although certain files may require user registration before access is permitted. However, state law blocks public access to certain probate records pertaining to sensitive cases, such as those related to guardianships and mental incapacity.
Where older estate records are not available on the online platform, the public may contact the local clerk of court in person or by phone.
Brevard County Family Court Records
Members of the public can access the majority of case dockets involving divorce, marital disputes, and paternity (i.e., family law cases) on the BECA public portal maintained by the Brevard County clerk of court. Individuals can also view or print electronic copies of case documents by registering on the platform and using the View on Request feature. Moreover, one can order certified copies online or at the clerk’s office locations within the county.
However, dockets and documents related to adoption, dependency, and other protected family matters are completely sealed by statute. These records cannot be viewed by the general public either online or offline.
Federal Court Records in Brevard County
Court records linked to federal cases that originate in Brevard County fall under the jurisdiction of the Orlando Division of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Members of the public can access these records through the countrywide PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) portal. Individuals are required to register on the platform and pay a fee for each viewed search page.
In-person access to open federal court records is available during normal business hours at
George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse
401 West Central Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 835-4200
