Palm Beach County police records are official documents created by law enforcement agencies in Palm Beach County, Florida. These records cover incident reports, arrest reports, crash reports, and other police activity.
Anyone can request them under Florida’s public records law. This page explains how to search for, request, and get copies of these records from the right agency in 2026.
Who Maintains Police Records in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County police records are kept by several agencies. The agency that handled your incident is the one that holds the records. Knowing which agency to contact saves time and helps you get the right paperwork faster.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) is the main law enforcement agency for the county. It serves unincorporated areas and many cities under contract. These cities include Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Greenacres, Lantana, Lake Park, and Juno Beach. The sheriff’s office handles most major crime cases and creates detailed reports for each one.
The PBSO headquarters sits at 3228 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach. You can reach the main office at (561) 688-3000. The official website is www.pbso.org. The agency employs more than 4,000 sworn and civilian staff members. Together they respond to over 500,000 calls for service every year.
City Police Departments
Several cities in Palm Beach County run their own police departments. These cities keep separate records from the sheriff. If your incident happened inside city limits, the city police department holds your records. Each department has its own process, fees, and office hours for public records requests.
Major city police departments in Palm Beach County include West Palm Beach Police Department, Boca Raton Police Services Department, Delray Beach Police Department, Boynton Beach Police Department, Jupiter Police Department, Palm Beach Police Department, and Riviera Beach Police Department. Smaller towns like Lake Clarke Shores, Mangonia Park, and Cloud Lake also have their own small police forces.
Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) handles crashes on state roads and interstates. This includes I-95, the Florida Turnpike, and US-1. If you were in a crash on one of these roads, FHP wrote the report. You can get a copy through the Florida Crash Portal after a 60-day wait period.
Florida Public Records Law for Police Reports
Florida law makes most police records open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the law that gives you the right to see and copy these records. The law applies to all government agencies in the state, including every police department in Palm Beach County.
What Records Are Public
Most police records become public once an investigation ends. You can see the basic facts of what happened. This includes the date, time, and location of the incident. It also includes the names of people involved, what officers saw, and what actions they took. You do not need to be a party to the case to ask for records. You also do not need to explain why you want them.
What Records Stay Confidential
Some information stays private even after a case closes. Florida law lists specific exemptions that protect certain people and details. Agencies must redact these details before giving you a copy of any record.
- Names of sexual offense victims
- Identities of child abuse victims
- Home addresses of law enforcement officers
- Photos and personal details of undercover officers
- Names of confidential informants
- Body camera footage shot inside a private home without written consent
Active Investigation Exemption
Records stay confidential while an investigation is active. An active investigation means there is a reasonable chance of an arrest or prosecution. Once the case closes, most details become public. The agency decides when a case is no longer active. They can withhold records during this time to protect witnesses and evidence.
How to Request Palm Beach County Police Records
Requesting police records in Palm Beach County follows a clear process. You have five main ways to make a request. Pick the method that works best for you based on your timeline and the type of record you need.
Step 1: Find the Right Agency
Start by figuring out which agency handled your incident. The agency that responded to the call is the agency that has the records. If you do not know which agency that was, use the location of the incident to decide. Unincorporated areas and contract cities go to PBSO. City limits go to that city’s police department. State highways go to FHP.
Step 2: Gather Key Details
You will need specific information to help staff find your records. The more detail you give, the faster they can process your request. Write down everything you remember about the incident before you contact the agency.
- Date and time of the incident
- Location or address where it happened
- Names of people involved
- Case or report number if you have one
- Type of incident (theft, crash, arrest, etc.)
Step 3: Submit Your Request
Most agencies accept requests in person, by mail, by phone, by email, or through an online portal. The PBSO uses an online public records portal at its website. You can fill out the form and upload documents through that system. Other agencies may have their own portals or may use a state system.
Step 4: Pay Any Required Fees
Florida law sets maximum fees that agencies can charge. Standard copies cost up to 15 cents per page for single-sided copies. Two-sided copies cost up to 20 cents per page. Certified copies add up to $1 per document. Large requests that take more than 15 minutes of staff time may have extra labor charges based on the hourly rate of the employee doing the work.
Step 5: Receive Your Records
Agencies must respond to your request in a reasonable time. They can give you a cost estimate before finishing the work. You can pay the fee or withdraw your request. Once paid, the agency gives you the records. If the agency denies your request, they must tell you which law exempts the record from public view.
Types of Police Records You Can Request
Police records come in several forms. Each type contains different facts. Knowing what you need helps you ask the right questions and avoids delays.
Incident Reports
An incident report is created when an officer responds to a call. It describes what happened, who was involved, and what officers did. These reports cover everything from minor disturbances to major crimes. The narrative section explains the sequence of events in the officer’s own words. You can get a copy after the investigation closes.
Arrest Reports and Booking Records
Arrest reports document the arrest of a suspect. They include the person’s name, age, address, and physical description. The report lists the charges and may include the arresting officer’s notes. Booking records show when a person entered jail, their bond amount, and their court dates. Mugshots are public unless the arrest is later sealed or expunged by a court order.
Traffic Crash Reports
Crash reports cover car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents. They include details about the vehicles, drivers, road conditions, and any injuries. Florida law keeps these reports confidential for 60 days after the crash. Only people involved, their lawyers, insurance agents, and certain others can get them during that time. After 60 days, anyone can buy a copy through the Florida Crash Portal.
Jail and Inmate Records
Jail records show who is currently booked at the Palm Beach County Jail. The PBSO posts an online inmate roster that updates regularly. You can search by name to find someone in custody. The roster shows the booking date, charges, and bond amount. Once a person is released, they come off the roster but the booking record stays on file with the sheriff.
Calls for Service Records
Calls for service records show every call that came into a dispatch center. They list the time, location, and type of call. They do not always include a full narrative. You can use these records to see how often police respond to a specific address or area. This is a common tool for background checks and neighborhood research.
Fees and Costs for Police Records
Florida law controls how much agencies can charge for public records. The fees cover the cost of copying and the time staff spend on your request. Agencies cannot make a profit from public records.
Standard Copy Fees
Most agencies charge by the page for paper copies. The maximum rates under Section 119.07 of the Florida Statutes are listed in the table below. These rates apply to one-sided and two-sided copies on standard paper.
| Type of Copy | Maximum Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-sided paper copy | 15 cents per page |
| Two-sided paper copy | 20 cents per page |
| Certified copy | $1 per document |
| Electronic copy on CD | Cost of media plus staff time |
| USB drive | Cost of media plus staff time |
Labor and Research Fees
Requests that take more than 15 minutes or include more than 20 pages may have extra fees. The agency can charge for the actual time staff spend on the request. This includes searching for records, reviewing them for exemptions, and making copies. The rate is based on the hourly wage of the employee doing the work. The agency must give you a cost estimate before starting the work.
Fee Waivers
Some agencies waive fees for certain requesters. Government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and victims of the crime usually do not pay. Some agencies also waive fees for journalists, students working on school projects, and low-income individuals. Ask the records office if you qualify for a waiver before you submit your request.
Online Access to Palm Beach County Police Records
Online access makes it easier to find and get police records. Several databases let you search for free or for a small fee. These tools help you check basic facts before you submit a formal records request.
PBSO Online Tools
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office offers online tools for common searches. You can search the daily arrest blotter, the inmate roster, and active warrants. The PBSO public records portal accepts formal requests and lets you track their progress. You can also sign up for email alerts when specific records become public.
FDLE Public Records Portal
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a statewide public records portal at fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal. This portal lets you search for criminal history records across Florida. You can request your own criminal record or authorize someone else to request it on your behalf. Results usually arrive within a few business days.
Florida Crash Portal
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles runs the Florida Crash Portal at www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports. This portal has crash reports from across the state. You can search by date, driver name, or report number. Each report costs $10 plus a $2 convenience fee. Reports usually appear in the portal within 10 days of the crash.
Third-Party Record Sites
Many private companies collect public records and offer search tools. These sites charge a fee but make it easy to search multiple counties at once. The records come from official sources, but the fees are higher than going directly to the agency. You can use these sites for convenience, or you can contact the agency directly to save money.
Special Rules for Certain Police Records
Some police records have extra rules based on Florida law. These rules protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement methods. Knowing these rules helps you understand what you can and cannot get.
Body Camera Footage
Body camera footage is public in most cases under Florida law. The agency must redact certain details before releasing the video. Faces of victims, witnesses, and children are blurred. Personal information like home addresses and phone numbers are removed. Footage from inside a private home without written consent stays private. The agency may charge a fee for the time it takes to redact the video.
Domestic Violence Victim Records
Victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual battery, and aggravated battery can ask for their personal details to stay confidential. The request must be in writing. Once approved, the agency must redact the victim’s name, address, phone number, and other personal details from any public records. This protection lasts five years and can be renewed.
Law Enforcement Officer Records
Home addresses, phone numbers, and personal details of current and former law enforcement officers stay private. This includes their spouses and children. Photos of undercover officers never become public. Complaints against officers are confidential while under investigation. The investigation is presumed inactive 45 days after the complaint is filed if no finding has been made. After that, the complaint becomes public.
How to Seal or Expunge a Police Record
You can ask a court to seal or expunge your arrest record. Sealing hides the record from most public searches. Expungement destroys the record completely. Not everyone qualifies for either option.
Who Qualifies
You may qualify for sealing or expungement if you were arrested but never charged, the charges were dropped, you were found not guilty at trial, or you completed a diversion program. You can only seal or expunge a record once in your lifetime, with limited exceptions. Certain serious crimes like murder, sexual battery, and child abuse cannot be sealed or expunged.
How to Apply
Start by getting a certificate of eligibility from the FDLE. You can apply online at the FDLE website or by mail. The certificate costs $75. Once you have the certificate, file a petition with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. The clerk’s office has forms and instructions on its website. The filing fee is $42 for sealing and $42 for expungement.
Legal Help and Support Resources
You can get legal help if you have questions about police records. Several organizations in Palm Beach County offer free or low-cost services to residents who qualify.
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
The Legal Aid Society provides free legal services to low-income residents. They help with sealing and expungement petitions, background check disputes, and other record issues. Call (561) 655-8944 or visit www.legalaidpbc.org to apply for help.
FDLE Office of Open Government
The FDLE Office of Open Government answers questions about public records law. They have sample request letters and a list of common exemptions. Call (850) 410-7676 or email publicrecords@fdle.state.fl.us for help with your records questions.
Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Florida Bar can connect you with a local attorney who handles public records and criminal law. Call (800) 342-8011 or visit www.floridabar.org to find a lawyer in Palm Beach County. Many attorneys offer a free 30-minute consultation for new clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common issues people face when they try to get police records in Palm Beach County. The answers reflect current Florida law and agency procedures as of 2026.
Can I get a police report for free in Palm Beach County?
Most police reports have a small fee. Florida law allows agencies to charge up to 15 cents per page for paper copies. If you were the victim of the crime, many agencies will give you a free copy. You can also avoid fees by viewing the record in person at the agency office instead of getting a copy.
How long does it take to get a police report?
Simple requests usually take 3 to 5 business days. Large requests or requests that need legal review can take 30 days or longer. Active investigations are exempt from public view and stay private until the case closes. Crash reports take 60 days before they become public under Florida law.
What if the agency denies my records request?
The agency must give you a written reason for the denial. The reason must cite a specific Florida law that exempts the record. If you think the denial is wrong, you can appeal to the agency head. You can also file a lawsuit in circuit court to force the agency to release the records. The court can award you attorney fees if you win.
Can I get police records from another state through Palm Beach County?
No. Each state has its own records laws. To get records from another state, you must contact the agency in that state directly. The FDLE can only give you records from Florida. For out-of-state records, contact that state’s law enforcement agency or use the FBI’s federal criminal history system.
Are juvenile police records public in Florida?
Juvenile records are confidential in Florida. They do not become public when the person turns 18. Only the juvenile, their parents, their attorney, and certain government agencies can see these records. Expunged juvenile records are destroyed completely. Sealed juvenile records stay on file but cannot be seen by the public.
How do I find out if someone is in Palm Beach County Jail?
Use the PBSO inmate roster at www.pbso.org. The roster updates every few hours and shows everyone currently in custody. You can search by name to find a specific person. The roster shows the booking date, charges, and bond amount. For more details, call the jail at (561) 688-3000.