Monroe County Florida genealogy records help researchers trace family roots through one of the oldest and most unique regions in the southeastern United States. The county formed in 1823 and covers the Florida Keys, Key West, and parts of the Everglades.
Records here reflect more than 200 years of settlement by people from the Caribbean, the American South, the Bahamas, and Cuba. Researchers can review birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, divorce records, census records, church records, and probate files. Many records stay at the county courthouse in Key West. Other records are stored at the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee or the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. This page explains where each record type sits, who can see it, and how to order a copy today.
What Makes Monroe County Records Unique
Records in Monroe County differ from records in other Florida counties because of the region’s history. The Florida Keys sit close to Cuba and the Bahamas. For more than a century, ships carried goods, mail, and people between Key West and Havana. The cigar industry brought Cuban workers to Key West starting in the 1860s. Bahamian settlers founded many early communities along the Keys from the 1820s through the 1880s. Sponging, fishing, and salvage work shaped the local economy. All of these groups left behind paper trails in local offices.
Maritime and Caribbean Heritage
Ship captain records, sailor lists, and customs files form a large part of local genealogy research. Many families had members who worked on the water. Wrecking, which was the legal salvage of wrecked ships, served as the main trade in Key West before the Civil War. Crew manifests and shipping logs often list family members from overseas ports. These files help connect American Keys families to relatives in Cuba, the Bahamas, and other islands.
Spanish Colonial Influence
Before 1821, the Florida Keys were part of Spanish Florida. Mission records, parish registers, and land claim papers from that era remain at the State Archives in Tallahassee. Spanish land grants issued in 1821 mark the first legal property owners in the new American territory. These records exist in both English translations and original Spanish documents. Researchers working on early Keys families should compare local records to those held by the Diocese of St. Augustine and the Catholic Diocese archive for Spanish colonial data.
African American Research Opportunities
African American families in the Keys appear in records from the 1820s forward. The 1867-68 voter registration rolls list Black male residents who registered to vote after the Civil War. Freedmen’s Bureau records also document formerly enslaved people who settled in the Keys. WPA interviews from the 1930s recorded family stories of early African American settlers. These files sit at the State Archives and on FamilySearch.org. The local churches and schools for Black children that began after 1865 also appear in county school board records.
Vital Records Available in Monroe County
Vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Each type follows different Florida state laws about who can see the record and who can order a copy. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville holds all state-level vital records from June 6, 1927 forward. The Monroe County Clerk in Key West holds marriage records and some divorce records from earlier dates. The Florida Department of Health oversees all vital records statewide and sets the rules for certified copies.
Birth Certificates and Records
Florida birth records less than 125 years old are private. Only the person named on the record, the parents, a legal guardian, or someone with a court order can order a certified copy. Valid photo identification is required at the time of order. Florida birth records from June 1909 forward sit at the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Birth records from 1865-1909 sit in county files for those with a local record.
Death Certificates and Records
Florida death records less than 50 years old are private. Death records more than 50 years old become public, but the cause of death stays private for 75 years. Records from June 1909 forward sit at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Older death records from Monroe County before 1909 may exist in local church books or cemetery files. Researchers with older cases should also check local funeral home records and obituaries in the Key West newspapers.
Marriage Records Before 1927
Florida marriage records from before June 6, 1927 stay only at the Monroe County Clerk office in Key West. The state office does not hold these older records. Researchers must contact the clerk’s office by mail, phone, or in person to request a search. Marriage license applications often list the bride and groom’s full names, ages, parents’ names, and places of birth. The clerk’s office charges a search fee and a copy fee under Florida law.
Divorce Records and Court Files
Divorce decrees from the Monroe County Circuit Court sit at the clerk’s office. Older divorce cases may be in paper files only. The clerk’s office can search by name and year. Certified copies cost a set fee per page under Florida law. Researchers should also check the circuit court case files because they often contain child custody records, property settlement papers, and the reasons for the divorce.
Monroe County Clerk of Court
The Monroe County Clerk of Court acts as the main record office for the county. The clerk keeps marriage licenses, divorce decrees, probate files, civil court cases, criminal court cases, and property deeds. Florida law (Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes) gives the public the right to see most government records. The clerk serves as the county recorder and the court’s record keeper.
Official Location and Office Hours
The Monroe County Clerk’s main office sits at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. Phone number is (305) 292-3550. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Visitors should bring a photo ID and the full name of the person they are researching. Branch offices in Marathon and Plantation Key serve the upper and middle Keys.
Probate and Estate Files
Probate records show how a person divided their property after death. These files often list the names of children, spouses, and siblings. They also name property locations and values. Monroe County probate files go back to 1823. Older files sit in storage at the courthouse annex. Each probate packet includes the will, the inventory, the final distribution list, and the names of heirs.
How to Request Clerk Records
Researchers can visit the clerk’s office in person, send a written request by mail, or use the online records search portal. Mail requests must include the full name, the year of the event, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Certified copies have a fee set by Florida law. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card for in-person orders. Researchers should call before visiting to confirm which records are stored offsite and need advance notice for retrieval.
Florida State Archives Holdings
The State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee holds statewide genealogy collections. These include Confederate pension files, Spanish land grants, voter registration rolls, territorial records, and WPA survey files. The archives sit at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone (850) 245-6700. Hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The State Archives also runs the Florida Historical Society library resources, which include rare books and manuscript collections.
Confederate Pension Applications
Confederate pension files cover Florida veterans and their widows who applied for state pensions after the Civil War. Each file lists the soldier’s name, age, service unit, residence, and family members. These files help prove family connections for southern families. Many Florida Keys families appear in these records. Widows often applied years after the war, which means the files list children and grandchildren who survived the veteran.
Spanish Land Grants Collection
Spanish land grants from 1821 mark the first property owners in Monroe County. These papers show the original claim, the survey, and the patent from the U.S. government. The collection also includes English-language case files for disputed claims. Researchers can view scanned copies on the State Archives website. The site also hosts the WPA Historical Records Survey, which indexed many of these files and added notes for later researchers.
Voter Registration Rolls 1867-68
The 1867-68 voter registration rolls list men who registered to vote during the Reconstruction period. These lists include African American men who gained the right to vote under federal law. The rolls show the person’s name, age, occupation, and county of residence. They remain one of the most useful sources for African American genealogy in Monroe County. The same set also includes white male voters who registered for the first time under new state laws.
Bureau of Vital Statistics Services
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics sits at 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone 877-550-7330. This office holds all Florida birth, death, marriage, and divorce records from June 6, 1927 forward. The Bureau processes mail orders, online orders through VitalChek, and walk-in requests. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Bureau operates under the Florida Department of Health.
How to Order Florida Birth Certificate
To order a Florida birth certificate, the requester must be the person named on the record, a parent, a legal guardian, or someone with a court order. The requester must show valid photo ID. Orders can be placed by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person. The fee for a certified copy follows Florida state fee rules. Records arrive by mail in 2 to 4 weeks for mail orders or same day for walk-in orders at the Jacksonville office.
How to Find Florida Death Record
To obtain a Florida death record older than 50 years, the death certificate is public. Records less than 50 years old require the same proof of relationship as birth records. The Bureau holds records from June 1909 forward. The State Archives holds older death records from the 1800s in microfilm format. Researchers searching for early Keys deaths should also check the Catholic parish records held by St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West.
Census Records from 1830 to 1950
Federal census records track every U.S. household every 10 years. Monroe County appears in the federal census starting in 1830. Earlier territorial censuses from 1825 and 1830 also exist. Census records list the name, age, sex, race, occupation, and state or country of birth for each household member. Florida territorial and state census records from 1825 through 1905 fill the gaps between federal years.
Federal Census Years Available
Federal census records are public after 72 years. The 1950 census became public in 2022. The 1940 census became public in 2012. Older census records sit on FamilySearch, Ancestry, and the National Archives. Monroe County census pages from 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 all exist. Each year adds new columns and questions that help researchers build family timelines.
| Census Year | Status | Main Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1830-1930 | Public | FamilySearch, Ancestry |
| 1940 | Public | National Archives |
| 1950 | Public (since 2022) | National Archives |
Territorial and State Census Records
Florida took its own territorial and state censuses in 1825, 1830, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905. These records fill gaps between federal census years. The State Archives holds microfilm copies of most territorial and state census schedules for Monroe County. The 1885 census is especially useful because it sits between the 1880 and 1900 federal census years.
Church Records and Cemetery Data
Church records often contain baptisms, marriages, and burial dates. Cemetery records list names, dates, and family relationships carved on tombstones. Both sources help researchers locate vital events before Florida required statewide vital registration in 1927. Spanish mission records from the 1700s and early 1800s remain at the Catholic Diocese archives.
Catholic Mission Records
The Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine kept parish registers starting in the 1780s. Spanish mission records cover baptisms and marriages in early Florida settlements. The Diocese archives sit in St. Augustine. Researchers can request searches by writing to the parish where the family lived. Many Key West Catholic records sit at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church on Key West, which was founded in 1851.
Cemetery Records on Find A Grave
Find A Grave hosts over 50 million cemetery records across the United States. Volunteers have photographed many Monroe County cemeteries, including Key West Cemetery, Indian Key Cemetery, and Matecumbe Cemetery. Each entry lists the person’s name, birth date, death date, and a photo of the gravestone. Researchers can search the database for free at Find A Grave. The site also links to local family memorials.
Newspapers and Obituary Records
Local newspapers reported births, deaths, marriages, court cases, and community events. Newspapers help fill in family stories between census years. Many Florida newspapers are now online through the Florida Digital Newspaper Library and other free newspaper archives.
Historical Key West Newspapers
The Key West Gazette began in 1829. Other papers like the Key West Republican, the Key West Citizen, and the Equator-Democrat covered local life through the 1800s and 1900s. The Monroe County Public Library in Key West holds microfilm copies of most local papers. The State Library of Florida also holds statewide newspaper microfilm. Researchers should also check local Spanish-language papers for Cuban Keys residents.
Florida Digital Newspaper Library
The Florida Digital Newspaper Library hosts scanned Florida newspapers for free. The collection includes papers from Key West, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and other cities. Researchers can search by name and date. The site runs through the University of Florida. Researchers should also check the Library of Congress Chronicling America project for older Key West papers.
Military Service Records Available
Florida men served in every U.S. war from the Seminole Wars forward. Monroe County men joined the Confederate Army, the Union Army, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Service records list the soldier’s name, unit, rank, and dates of service. Pension files often add family details.
Civil War Service Files
Civil War service records for Florida Confederate soldiers sit at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Copies are online through Fold3 and Ancestry. Each file lists the soldier’s company, rank, enlistment date, and discharge date. Confederate pension applications at the State Archives add family data to the service files. Researchers should also check Union Navy records, because many Keys men served in the Union blockade fleet.
Spanish-American War Records
Spanish-American War service records from 1898 sit at the National Archives. Many Monroe County men served in this war because of the area’s proximity to Cuba. Rosters of Florida units appear in published books at the State Library. Researchers with Cuban Keys ancestors should also check immigration and naturalization records.
Online Genealogy Databases
Online databases make it easier to search records from home. Some databases are free. Others require a paid subscription. Researchers should check the source citations before accepting online family trees as proof. The Daughters of the American Revolution genealogy library also hosts useful records for early American lines.
FamilySearch Monroe County Records
FamilySearch.org hosts free records for Monroe County. The site includes indexed census records, marriage records, probate files, and church records. Users must create a free account to view records. The FamilySearch library in Salt Lake City holds microfilm copies of many Monroe County records. Many of these microfilms are now scanned and attached to the indexed records.
Free Florida Genealogy Websites
Free Florida genealogy websites include the State Archives online catalog, the Florida Memory Project, the Florida Digital Newspaper Library, and USGenWeb Florida. Each site hosts different record types. Researchers should check all sites for the surname they search. The Florida Historical Society library in Cocoa also hosts online catalogs that researchers can search from home.
Research Tips for Florida Keys
Research in Monroe County follows some special patterns because of the geography. The Keys stretch more than 100 miles. Families often moved from one island to the next. Court records sometimes list both an island address and a Key West address. Researchers should always check neighboring counties for related family members.
Tracing Caribbean and Bahamian Roots
Many Keys families have roots in the Bahamas or Cuba. Bahamian settlers came to the Keys starting in the 1820s. Their names appear in early deed books, church records, and cemetery files. Cuban cigar workers settled in Key West from the 1860s. Their names appear in Ybor City records, naturalization files, and Spanish-language newspapers. Researchers should check immigration manifests at the National Archives for passenger arrival records from Havana.
Migration Patterns in Monroe County
Workers moved between the Keys and Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville for jobs. The Florida East Coast Railway (1900-1935) connected the Keys to the mainland. Families who left after the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane often appear in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach records afterward. Researchers should search nearby counties for related family members. Records in St. Johns County and other colonial-era Florida counties also help trace early settler lines that connect to the Keys.
Contact Details and Visiting Hours
Researchers can visit or contact the main record offices below. Bring a photo ID and as much detail as possible about the person you are researching. Most offices charge a fee for certified copies. Call before visiting to confirm hours and fees.
Monroe County Clerk of Court
Address: 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 292-3550
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: www.monroe-clerk.com
Florida State Archives
Address: 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-6700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: dos.fl.gov/library-archives
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Address: 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (877) 550-7330
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.vitalchek.com
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common requests from researchers tracing Monroe County family history. Each answer lists the office that holds the record and the steps required to obtain a copy. Florida law controls who can see private records. Researchers should always check the latest fee schedule before ordering copies. Contact the office before traveling to confirm hours and which records are stored offsite.
How do I order a birth certificate from Monroe County?
Birth records from Monroe County after June 1909 sit at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. To order a copy, the requester must be the person named on the record, a parent, a legal guardian, or someone with a court order. Valid photo ID is required. Orders can be placed by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person at the Jacksonville office. The fee for a certified copy follows current Florida law. Mail orders take 2 to 4 weeks. Walk-in orders can be processed the same day.
Where can I see Monroe County marriage records before 1927?
Marriage records from before June 6, 1927 stay only at the Monroe County Clerk’s office in Key West. The State Bureau does not hold these older records. Researchers must visit the clerk’s office in person, send a written request by mail, or call (305) 292-3550. Each request should include the full name of both spouses and the year of the marriage. The clerk’s office charges a search fee and a copy fee under Florida law.
Are Monroe County probate records available online?
Some Monroe County probate records from the late 1800s and early 1900s are scanned on FamilySearch.org. Newer records are not online. Researchers can search the clerk’s online portal for case numbers. Older case files must be requested in person at the Key West courthouse. Probate packets often include the will, the inventory of property, the final distribution list, and the names of heirs.
How can I trace Cuban or Bahamian ancestors in the Keys?
Researchers with Cuban or Bahamian ancestors in the Keys should check church records, naturalization files, and cemetery records. Catholic mission registers at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West list baptisms and marriages. Naturalization records sit at the Monroe County Clerk. Bahamian settlers appear in deed books from the 1830s and 1840s. The State Archives in Tallahassee holds WPA interviews with Bahamian and Conch families that describe early settlement patterns.
What census records cover Monroe County?
Federal census records cover Monroe County from 1830 to 1950. Florida territorial and state censuses add coverage for 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, and 1905. All federal census records after 1950 stay private until 72 years pass. Census records are free on FamilySearch and the National Archives. Ancestry and MyHeritage host indexed versions with search tools.
How do I access Spanish land grant records?
Spanish land grant records from 1821 sit at the Florida State Archives in Tallahassee. The collection includes the original claim, the survey, and the final patent. Scanned images are free on the State Archives website. Researchers can search by the original grantee’s name. The site also holds English translations of many claims. The Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine holds related mission records for Keys families from the 1700s.
Can I view Monroe County records remotely?
Many Monroe County records can be viewed remotely through FamilySearch, Ancestry, and the State Archives online catalog. Records less than 75 years old that contain personal data stay private under Florida law. Researchers who need certified copies must order them through the clerk’s office or the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Some records, like older probate files, must be viewed in person at the Key West courthouse. Marriage records before 1927 also require a direct request to the Monroe County Clerk.