Search Brevard County Court Records

How to Search Brevard County Court Records

Court case files in Brevard run through one main online tool. The Clerk calls it BECA, short for Brevard Electronic Court Application. BECA replaced the older eFACTS system on January 9, 2018. It pulls from the same case files used inside the courthouse. A short disclaimer screen comes up first. After that, two doors open: one for the general public, one for subscribers. The public route is free and needs no login. The subscriber route asks for a signed user agreement and a role check. BECA also has a rate-limit notice because bots and scrapers slowed the site in past years.

The Clerk's homepage is the simplest jumping-off point. The official portal at brevardclerk.us links to BECA and every other court records tool.

That same page links to the Clerk public records hub, which collects every Brevard County court records tool in one menu.

1. Open the Clerk Case Search page on brevardclerk.us.
2. Click "BECA - General Public Court Records Search" for free access, or "Registered User Login" for subscribers.
3. Read the BECA disclaimer, select Accept, and click Submit.
4. Enter a party name, case number, or filing date range. Use spelling variants for older files.
5. Open a case to view docket entries, party info, and hearings. Online records are not certified.
6. For a certified copy, order through the Clerk's Research and Copy Request Center or visit a branch.

BECA Disclaimer and Route Fields

The BECA splash page is short, but each field on it matters. It tracks who agrees to the disclaimer and who clicks through to public versus subscriber data. The route fields drive whether the user lands on a free public form or a role-gated subscriber form. They also set up the audit trail under Rule 2.420 and Supreme Court Order AOSC14-19.

The Brevard County Judicial System

Florida runs a layered court system. At the top sits the Supreme Court of Florida. Below that are the District Courts of Appeal. Below the appeals courts are the circuit courts, which handle the heavier trial matters. Under the circuit courts are the county courts. Brevard's circuit is the 18th. It pairs Brevard with Seminole. Together the circuit has 43 judges, with 26 circuit judges and 17 county court judges. The bench is split between Viera, Melbourne, and Titusville. The Court Administration office sits at the Moore Justice Center in Viera. Appeals from Brevard cases go to Florida's Fifth District Court of Appeal. The official structure page is at flcourts.gov.

Case flow: County Court › Circuit Court › District Court of Appeal › Supreme Court of Florida

Brevard Circuit Court vs County Court

The two trial courts are not the same. The Circuit Court hears the bigger cases. The County Court hears the smaller ones. The line between them is set by Florida statute and the Florida Constitution. Both still file through the same Clerk in Brevard. Subpage detail sits on the Circuit Court and County Court pages.

Most Brevard residents see County Court first for a traffic ticket, eviction, or small claim. Felony arrests, divorce filings, and estate matters land in Circuit Court. The Clerk routes both to the right division. Court dockets for both courts are searchable through the same BECA tool. See court dockets for a full walkthrough.

Brevard County Courthouses and Clerk Offices

The county runs long and narrow, about 72 miles from north to south. To cut travel, the court system uses several sites. The main hub is the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center in Viera. Titusville keeps a historic courthouse and the Clerk's main administrative office. Melbourne hosts a branch courthouse for the south county. The Clerk also runs counters in Merritt Island and Palm Bay. Each takes a slice of the Brevard County court records workload.

Public records request walk-ins go to any one of these counters. The Palm Bay office and Merritt Island office both close at midday, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, so plan trips around that gap. Hours at the Moore Justice Center run Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Brevard County Clerk and Court Records Custody

Florida uses a unified clerk model. There is no Texas-style split between district clerk and county clerk. Brevard's full title is the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Rachel M. Sadoff holds the office. She became Brevard County's first female Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller on January 5, 2021, after being elected without opposition in 2020. The Clerk wears three hats under Florida law: clerk of the circuit and county courts, clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, and county recorder. The office also acts as county finance officer. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller page covers the office in detail. The Public Records page walks through the request process.

The hub at brevardclerk.us/public-records-search links to every search tool the Clerk runs.

From that hub a user can reach BECA, official records, marriage license forms, wills, foreclosure, child support, and tax deed searches.

Types of Court Records Available in Brevard County

Brevard County court records cover many parts of life. Each type has its own file path inside BECA and its own rules on what is open and what is shielded. Juvenile records stay mostly private under Florida statute.

• Criminal records - felony and misdemeanor cases, with arrest paperwork, bond orders, and sentences. See arrest records.
• Civil records - county civil, small claims, foreclosures, evictions, garnishments, and liens.
• Family records - divorce, paternity, custody, child support, and injunctions. Some images stay restricted.
• Probate records - wills, estate files, summary or formal administration, and guardianship. See Probate Records.
• Traffic records - civil infractions, criminal traffic, school election, and payments.
• Marriage and divorce - licenses are issued by the Clerk. See Marriage & Divorce.

What a Brevard County Court Record Shows

A case file in Brevard holds many fields. The case number is the master key. Sample numbers from the Clerk follow forms like 05-2019-CA-058736-XXXX-XX for a civil case or 05-2019-CF-028034-BXXX-XX for a felony. The 05 is the county code. The middle letters mark the case type: CA for civil, CF for felony, DR for domestic relations. Fields below it list the parties, the filing date, and the judge. A docket page tracks every motion, order, hearing, and judgment in time order. Sealed, juvenile, and certain family cases may be hidden from the public view.

Public Access Laws for Brevard County Court Records

Florida has one of the most open records frameworks in the country. The state constitution backs a broad right to look at and copy government records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets the main rules. The courts have their own access rule on top of that, called Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420. The Clerk applies both. Some images are shielded under privacy carve-outs. Family records, juvenile records, and probate records may need a subscriber role or a court order. The Clerk publishes a removal process for items that include a Social Security number, bank account, or other exempt data.

Records That Are Restricted or Confidential

Open access has limits. Florida statute, court rule, and Supreme Court orders all carve out parts of the court file. Juvenile cases are largely closed under F.S. 985.04. Sealed or expunged criminal records drop off public view under F.S. 943.0585 and 943.059. Some family law and probate images are gated by role, with subscriber access reaching some Domestic Relations, Civil Probate, Guardianship, and Juvenile Restitution files. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit and debit numbers, military discharges, and death certificates are exempt from open inspection.

The expunge process runs through FDLE first. A person must apply for a certificate of eligibility before filing a petition in the Circuit Court. The certificate is not a court order. It only lets the court consider the petition. FDLE processing has run over 12 weeks in recent listings. The court can still deny relief. People adjudicated guilty of an adult criminal offense are generally not eligible. For Brevard County criminal records detail, see the arrest records page.

Specialty Courts in Brevard County

Brevard runs problem-solving courts as an alternative to standard prosecution. The most documented one is Veterans Treatment Court. It serves men and women who have served in the armed forces, were Department of Defense contractors, or were former military with a foreign allied country. The track offers mental health, substance abuse, and other treatment instead of standard prosecution. Public safety stays the top concern. The program is run with extensive supervision and monitoring. Eligibility weighs prior criminal history, the nature of the crime, the service record, and likelihood of success in treatment. The State Attorney's office, victim, arresting agency, and judge all weigh in.

The point of contact is Problem-Solving Courts Manager Jean Bandish, at the Moore Justice Center, 2nd Floor, 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. Phone: (321) 617-7375. Program details sit at flcourts18.org/veterans-treatment-court. Beyond the Veterans Court, the 18th Circuit hears family treatment court matters and some drug docket matters as part of its standard Circuit Court load.

Brevard County Sheriff and Jail Records

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office runs the local jail and posts the booking data. Sheriff Wayne Ivey leads the agency. The Brevard County Jail Complex sits at 860 Camp Road, Cocoa, FL 32927. The main jail opened in 1986 with 386 beds. Today the complex has a rated capacity of 1,849 beds and routinely houses over 1,600 inmates daily. The complex includes a main jail with maximum and medium security, four tent housing structures, an annex facility, and a mental health and medical unit. The jail is accredited through the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. Main reception line: (321) 690-1500.

Anyone can search the BCSO inmate roster online. Results show a booking number, name, date of birth, booking date, and a released flag. See the Brevard County inmate records page for the full walkthrough. The released inmates page covers VINELink, FDC, and the federal BOP locator. For active warrants, see warrant records. Jail capacity ratios live at Jail Population Data. State-level criminal prosecutions in Brevard run through State Attorney William Scheiner for the 18th Circuit. Public Defender Blaise Trettis represents indigent defendants after a court financial inquiry, with a $50 application fee due to the Clerk.

The Florida Law Help directory at floridalawhelp.org lists Brevard County Legal Aid for people who need civil legal help.

That listing gathers the legal aid hours, contact form, and intake process in one block.

Marriage, Divorce, and Probate Records

Marriage licenses come from the Clerk's office. Both parties must apply together, in person, at a Brevard branch. Bring a valid photo ID and know your Social Security number. The standard fee is $86. A registered premarital course brings the fee down to $61. A three-day wait applies unless waived by course, hardship, or out-of-state residency. The full walkthrough sits on the Brevard County marriage and divorce records page. Divorce records are family court files. They live in BECA, but some images stay restricted.

Probate cases go through the Probate Division of the Circuit Court. Florida does not run a separate probate court the way some other states do. The probate records page splits the case types into Disposition of Personal Property without Administration, Summary Administration, and Formal Administration. Summary Administration applies when assets are under $75,000 or the person died at least two years before filing. Formal Administration is needed for larger estates and requires an attorney.

Plaintiff

Party who files a civil lawsuit.

Defendant

Party sued in civil court or accused in criminal court.

Motion

Request asking the judge to take an action in a case.

Disposition

The outcome of a charge or case event.

Capias

Court order for arrest, often after a missed court date.

Withhold of Adjudication

Florida-specific disposition where the judge withholds a formal finding of guilt.

Brevard County Court Records Fees

Fees stay low for routine copies but rise for larger projects. The Clerk lists each one on the public records request page. The Sheriff has a separate fee schedule for jail records, with a $2.00 records check per last-name inquiry. Both offices accept payment by cashier's check, money order, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted at the Sheriff. The Clerk also runs a subscriber product called Official Records View for restricted images.

How to File a Brevard County Public Records Request

Florida does not require a written request. The Clerk says you do not have to name yourself either. Still, a contact method helps if fees or delivery come up. Broad requests take longer. The Clerk offers many ways to file. The fastest is the online portal, NextRequest. The official county overview at brevardfl.gov sets the wider context: about 600,000 residents, 16 municipalities, Kennedy Space Center, and Patrick Space Force Base. That scale explains the request volume the Clerk gets each year.

The Clerk's request points to file or call are listed below.

• Online: brevardcountyclerkfl.nextrequest.com
• Email: PublicRecordsRequests@brevardclerk.us
• Phone: (321) 637-2004
• Mail: Brevard County Clerk of the Circuit Court, c/o Public Records Requests, P.O. Box 999, Titusville, FL 32781-0999
• In person: any Clerk branch in Titusville, Viera, Melbourne, Merritt Island, or Palm Bay

Accuracy and Record Limitations

Online records update on a delay. BECA pulls from the live Clerk database, but data entry takes time. The Clerk disclaims any warranty on quality, accuracy, content, or completeness. The Sheriff's inmate search says the same. The user must verify time-sensitive data with a phone call or in-person trip. For release status, the Sheriff's Inmate Information and Bonds line is (321) 690-1500 ext. 0. For case status, call the Clerk at (321) 637-5413.

History of Brevard County Courts

Brevard County was created by the Florida Legislature in 1854 and signed into law in early 1855. The original boundaries reached far south along the Atlantic coast. The county took its current shape in 1905. The name is widely credited to Theodore W. Brevard, Florida Comptroller at the time. The official history is published by the Brevard County Historical Commission at brevardfl.gov.

Earlier records of the Indian River region go back as far as 12,000 years. The Windover archeological site in Titusville holds nearly 200 preserved burials dating 7,000 to 8,000 years old. Court services moved with the county's growth. Titusville stayed central to the county-seat identity. The modern Moore Justice Center in Viera now anchors court administration. BECA replaced the older eFACTS court records system on January 9, 2018.

The Commission keeps research files, old photographs, and archive material that help confirm dates and names in older Brevard County court records.

Self-Help and Legal Aid Resources

Many Brevard County court users go without a lawyer. The state and circuit both offer help. The 18th Circuit publishes a pro se page that covers small claims, evictions, family law, and probate matters. The Clerk runs a Pro Se Department for family law only, with appointments at the Viera and Melbourne offices. Staff are not attorneys. Under F.S. 28.215, Clerk staff cannot give legal advice. Brevard County Legal Aid takes income-qualifying clients in family, foreclosure, domestic violence, guardianship, consumer, bankruptcy, and landlord-tenant matters. Legal Aid was set up in 1970 by the Brevard County Bar Association. It uses a network of more than 400 volunteer attorneys. The phone listing is (321) 631-2500. The site sits at brevardcountylegalaid.org. For probate or general civil attorney referral, the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service runs at (800) 342-8011.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I search Brevard County court records online?

Start at the Clerk's case search page. The site is brevardclerk.us/case-search. From there, BECA opens after a short disclaimer. The Clerk lists two routes after the disclaimer: General Public Court Records Search and Subscriber Court Records Search. The general public route is free. Subscribers must sign a user agreement. BECA replaced the older eFACTS court records system on January 9, 2018. Online results are informational, not certified court records.

Is there a separate district clerk in Brevard County?

No. Florida does not split the role the way Texas does. Brevard has one Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. That office is clerk of both the circuit and county courts. It also acts as county recorder and as clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. Court files, official records, marriage licenses, and most public records request work all route through that office.

How do I find someone in the Brevard County Jail?

Use the BCSO inmate search at inmatesearch.brevardsheriff.org. Search by first or last name, by booking number in the YYYY-NNNNNNNN format, by subject number, or by a date range. Results show booking number, name, date of birth, booking date, and released status. For a current status, call Inmate Information and Bonds at (321) 690-1500 ext. 0. More detail sits on the FAQ page.

More common questions on the full Brevard County Court Records FAQ page.