Brevard County Florida genealogy records cover more than 170 years of family history on Florida’s Space Coast. The county formed in 1855 and holds birth, marriage, death, court, land, military, and church records.
Records sit in county offices, state archives, and online databases. This page lists where to find each record type, how to search them, and what laws control who can see them.
Brevard County History and Record Holdings
Brevard County sits along Florida’s central Atlantic coast. The county seat is Titusville. Before 1855, this land was part of St. Lucie County and earlier parts of Mosquito County (later Orange County). The county carries the name of Theodore W. Brevard, a state comptroller who died in the 1860s. Knowing this history helps explain why some early records appear under different county names.
County Formation and Early Settlement
Settlers arrived in the 1800s to farm, fish, and trade along the Indian River. Spanish explorers visited the coast in the 1500s. Native tribes lived here for thousands of years before that. Cape Canaveral and the space program brought a wave of new families in the 1950s and 1960s. This mix of pioneers, citrus growers, fishing families, and space workers creates a rich record trail.
Record Availability by Time Period
Florida began statewide birth registration in 1917 and death registration in 1877. Marriage records exist at the county level before June 6, 1927, and at the state level after that date. Federal census records cover Brevard County families from 1860 to 1950. Court, land, and probate records go back to 1855. Church records may reach further back through parish registers.
Key Archives and Repositories
Four main places hold Brevard County records: the Brevard County Clerk of Court in Titusville and Melbourne, the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, and online platforms like FamilySearch and Ancestry. Each one holds a different piece of your family puzzle.
Florida Vital Records for Brevard County
Florida vital records search covers birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Florida law (Chapter 382) controls who can order a certified copy and how long records stay closed.
Birth Records and Certificates
Statewide birth registration in Florida began April 1865 but became required in 1917. Birth records from the last 125 years stay restricted. Only the person named on the record, parents listed on the record, a legal guardian, or a court-appointed representative may order a copy. You must show valid photo ID. The Brevard County Health Department can issue local copies for births that took place in the county.
Death Records Search
Florida death records go back to 1877. Like births, deaths from the last 125 years are restricted. Deaths older than 125 years become public. The Bureau of Vital Statistics handles statewide requests. Brevard County funeral homes and cemeteries often hold local death records and burial permits that add names, ages, and family links.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses before June 6, 1927 stay at the Brevard County Clerk of Court. Licenses after that date sit at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Divorce records stay with the Clerk of Court that handled the case. You can search the Clerk’s online system by name or case number. Certified copies cost a fee set by Florida law.
Brevard County Clerk of Court Records
The Brevard County Clerk of the Court holds marriage licenses, probate files, civil court cases, criminal cases, property deeds, and tax records. The Clerk follows Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (the Public Records Law). Most records are open to the public.
Court Records and Probate
Probate records show how a person left their property when they died. Files include the will, a list of heirs, and an inventory of goods. Court records cover divorces, land disputes, and small claims. Many older files are now scanned. You can search the Clerk’s Official Records search at clerk records online by name, date, or document type.
Property and Land Records
Property records in Brevard County trace land ownership patterns. The Property Appraiser runs tax records. The Clerk of Court runs deeds, mortgages, and liens. Deeds show who sold land to whom and when. Plat maps show how settlers divided the land. These records help rebuild a community and show how families stayed close over time.
Accessing Records in Person and Online
The main Clerk office sits at 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, FL 32940. Phone: 321-637-5413. A second office is in Titusville at 400 South Street. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Most records are also online through the Clerk’s website. Many records are free to view, though certified copies cost a small fee.
State and Federal Archives
State and federal archives hold the deep records most county offices don’t keep. These include old military files, state orphan records, territorial papers, and Florida Memory digital collections.
State Archives of Florida
The State Archives of Florida sits in the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. It holds Confederate Pension Applications, World War I Service Cards, territorial records, and many family papers. Use is free. Staff can help guide you to the right collection. The reading room is open to the public. Copies can be ordered for a small fee.
Visit the State Archives of Florida for access to these collections.
National Archives Resources
The National Archives holds federal records like census, military service files, immigration, and naturalization. For Brevard County ancestors, the National Archives at Atlanta (which serves Florida) holds many key military and naturalization papers. Some files are online through the National Archives Catalog.
Florida Memory Digital Collections
Florida Memory is a free digital library run by the State Library and Archives. It holds photographs, maps, oral history interviews, and house histories that mention Brevard County pioneers. Search by name, place, or subject. Images can be used for personal genealogy projects.
Census Records and Federal Sources
Census records document Brevard County families from 1860 forward. Federal census records run every 10 years from 1790 to 1950. Florida state censuses fill in gaps between federal years.
Federal Census Records 1850 to 1950
The 1860 census is the first federal census for Brevard County. From 1850, the census lists each person by name. From 1880, the census notes each person’s relation to the head of household. From 1900, the census lists month and year of birth. Use these clues to build family groups and track moves between census years.
State Census Records
Florida ran a state census in 1885, 1935, and 1945. The 1885 Florida State Census is a key record for years between federal censuses. It lists heads of household and family members. These records sit at the State Archives of Florida and on FamilySearch.
Special Census Schedules
Special schedules cover slaveholders (1850, 1860), mortality (1850 to 1880), veterans (1890), and agriculture and manufacturing. These schedules can break through brick walls by giving jobs, causes of death, and wealth clues.
Military Records for Brevard County Ancestors
Military records help prove service, age, and family ties. Brevard County men served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Space Center brought many military families to the area after service.
Confederate Pension Records
Confederate Pension Applications sit at the State Archives of Florida. These files list soldiers and their widows. They include service units, battles, and family relationships. Widows often applied for pensions, leaving marriage proof and family data.
World War I and World War II Service Records
World War I Service Cards are at the State Archives. World War II Army records (Enlisted Records, Officers) are at the National Archives. The WWII Army Enlistment Records database is free on the National Archives site. These records list next of kin, which helps prove family ties.
Space Center Military Connections
Many Brevard County ancestors worked at Cape Canaveral and Patrick Air Force Base. Their service records appear in Air Force files at the National Archives. Civilian records may sit at NASA or Air Force historical offices. Local newspapers cover space program families in detail.
Church and Cemetery Records
Church and cemetery records fill gaps before vital record laws took effect. They cover baptisms, marriages, burials, and member lists.
Brevard County Church Records
Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, and Catholic churches served Brevard County families. Baptism records give birth dates and parents. Marriage records may appear in church books when no civil record exists. Many of these books are at the State Archives of Florida and at the individual church. Some sit on FamilySearch.
Cemetery and Burial Records
Cemetery records in Brevard County include the Brevard Memorial Park, Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, and many small pioneer cemeteries. Records include names, birth dates, death dates, and family markers. Find A Grave and BillionGraves host photos and indexes for many local cemeteries.
Funeral Home Records
Funeral home records hold obituaries, family lists, and burial details. Many Brevard County funeral homes (like Wylie-Baxley and Beckman-Williams) keep records back to the early 1900s. Some sit at local libraries or historical societies.
Newspapers and Obituaries
Newspapers report births, marriages, deaths, and local events. They can list parents, siblings, and places. Obituaries often name many family members.
Historical Newspapers Online
The Brevard County historical newspapers online include the Titusville Star, Cocoa Today, and Melbourne Times. Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, and the Library of Congress Chronicling America host many Florida papers. Search by name and place.
Obituary Search Methods
Florida obituary search free options include the State Library’s Florida Obituary Index, which lists obituaries from many papers. The Brevard County libraries also clip local obituaries. Start with a name and date range, then widen your search by years and alternate spellings.
Florida Digital Newspaper Library
The Florida Digital Newspaper Library holds scanned Florida papers from the 1800s forward. Many pages are free to view. Use these to read full papers, not just name indexes. Local news can name family members who traveled to visit, funeral details, and church ties.
Online Genealogy Databases
Online genealogy databases put many records at your fingertips. Some are free. Some need a paid subscription. Some need a library card.
FamilySearch Florida Records
FamilySearch Florida genealogy records include indexed vital records, church records, census records, and more. The site is free. You must create a free account to view some records. The FamilySearch Catalog lists all Florida records by county, including Brevard.
Ancestry.com Florida Collections
Ancestry.com Florida records search covers census, vital, immigration, military, and newspaper records. Many libraries offer free Ancestry access on site. Check the Brevard County Library system for in-library use of Ancestry and Fold3.
Free Genealogy Databases
Free Florida genealogy database options include the State Archives online catalog, Florida Memory, US Gen Web, and Find A Grave. Each one holds pieces of records that paid sites do not have. Build a routine of checking free sites alongside paid subscriptions.
Research Tips and Strategies
Good genealogy research mixes record knowledge with steady habits. Start with what you know, then move to records that prove each fact.
Starting Your Research
Write down what you know: names, dates, places, and stories. Ask older family members for family Bible entries, old letters, and photos. Check gravestones and obituaries. Build a research log that lists every source you have searched. This saves time and stops repeat work.
Brevard County Library Resources
The Brevard County libraries hold a strong local history section. The Central Brevard Library in Cocoa has a special genealogy collection. Many libraries offer free access to Ancestry, Fold3, and Newspapers.com. Library staff can help guide new researchers to the right collection.
Florida Genealogical Society
The Florida Genealogical Society (FGS) and the Florida State Genealogical Society publish journals, host events, and run record projects. Joining a society gives access to experts and records. Local Brevard groups also meet regularly to share tips and sources.
Contact Information and Locations
Use these contacts to order records or ask questions.
Brevard County Clerk of Court
Address: 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, FL 32940
Phone: 321-637-5413
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: brevardclerk.us
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics (Florida Department of Health)
Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: 877-550-7330
Order Online: vitalchek.com
Website: floridahealth.gov/certificates
State Archives of Florida
Address: 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-6710
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: dos.fl.gov/library-archives/archives/
Central Brevard Library (Local History Room)
Address: 308 Forrest Avenue, Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: 321-633-1792
Website: brevardfl.gov/public-libraries
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common genealogy searches for Brevard County. Each answer points you to a clear next step.
How do I start a Brevard County family history search?
Begin with what you know at home. Gather names, dates, places, photos, and family stories. Write down what each family member remembers. Then search the FamilySearch Wiki for Brevard County, Florida, to see what records exist and where they sit. Build a research log so you can track each source. Move from home sources to census records, then to vital records, then to church, court, and land records. The State Archives of Florida also has a research guide that breaks Brevard County research into clear steps.
Where can I find free Brevard County birth records?
Birth records less than 125 years old stay restricted under Florida law. For free records, search FamilySearch for indexed births and baptism records. Free Brevard County birth index records may sit on the State Archives catalog. For restricted records, the Bureau of Vital Statistics is the official source, and you must meet the eligibility rules. Brevard County Health Department offices can also help for births that happened locally.
Can I see Florida marriage records before 1927?
Yes. Marriage records from before June 6, 1927 sit at the Brevard County Clerk of Court. Search the Clerk’s online records by name. Marriage records from June 6, 1927 forward sit at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Both offices can provide certified copies for a fee. Church marriage records may exist in addition to civil records and often sit at the State Archives or on FamilySearch.
What military records exist for Brevard County ancestors?
Brevard County military records include Confederate Pension Applications at the State Archives of Florida. World War I Service Cards are also at the State Archives. World War II Army service records are at the National Archives. The WWII Army Enlistment Records database is free to search. Air Force records for veterans who worked at Cape Canaveral sit in Air Force files at the National Archives. Fold3 holds many of these records online.
How can I find Florida land and property records?
Start with the Brevard County Property Appraiser website for current ownership and tax records. The Clerk of Court holds deeds, mortgages, and liens going back to 1855. Search the Clerk’s online system by name or parcel number. Early plat maps show how settlers first divided the land. These maps often name the first property owners and can place a family on a specific spot in the 1800s.
Are Brevard County probate records open to the public?
Yes, probate records are open to the public under Florida law, though some sealed files may exist. Files include wills, inventories of goods, and lists of heirs. Search the Brevard County Clerk of Court records by name. The State Archives also has microfilm of older Florida probate files, which can speed up searches for early settlers. Probate files often name daughters, sons, and spouses who do not appear anywhere else.
Where can I search Florida census records for free?
FamilySearch hosts free indexes and images of federal census records from 1790 to 1950. Florida state censuses (1885, 1935, 1945) are also on FamilySearch. The State Archives of Florida hosts an online catalog for state records. The National Archives site hosts census records and special schedules. Many Brevard County libraries offer free in-library access to Ancestry and Fold3 for census records that are not yet indexed on FamilySearch.