>Palm Beach County Florida Genealogy Records
Palm Beach County Florida genealogy records help you trace family roots in South Florida’s Gold Coast. The county formed in 1909 from parts of Dade County. West Palm Beach serves as the county seat. Records here cover pioneer settlers, early farmers, and waves of new arrivals who shaped the region. Local archives, state offices, and online databases hold birth, death, marriage, divorce, land, military, and church papers. This guide shows you where to look, how to request copies, and which collections answer the most common family history questions.
What Makes Palm Beach County Genealogy Different
Palm Beach County started as a frontier area before becoming a major Florida destination. Early settlers included Seminole communities, Bahamian immigrants, and northern farmers. Many families arrived between 1890 and 1920 to farm or run businesses near Lake Worth. Later waves included retirees, hotel workers, and pineapple growers. This mix of cultures creates varied record types you will not see in older Florida counties.
Key Facts About the County
The county covers roughly 2,383 square miles and sits along the Atlantic coast. Major cities include West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach Gardens. The 15th Judicial Circuit covers Palm Beach County for court records. Area code 561 serves most phone contacts. These facts help you target the right office for each record type.
- Year formed: 1909
- County seat: West Palm Beach
- Main area code: 561
- Judicial circuit: 15th
- Coastline: Atlantic Ocean
Vital Records From the Florida Department of Health
Vital records are the building blocks of any family tree. The Florida Department of Health runs the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. This office keeps all Florida birth and death certificates. Palm Beach County birth records start in 1917. Death records go back further for the entire state. Marriage and divorce records split between state and county offices based on date.
Florida Birth Certificates for Genealogy
Florida birth records are confidential for 125 years under state law. After 125 years, they become public for genealogy research. Records from 1917 through 1900 will open slowly over time as the 125-year rule passes. You can order certified copies for legal use at any time if you are an eligible applicant. Eligible applicants include the person named on the record, immediate family, or legal representatives with valid ID.
Florida Death Records for Genealogy
Florida death records fall into two categories. Death records without cause of death become public right away. Death records with cause of death stay private for 50 years. After 50 years, the full record opens for research. Palm Beach County death records from the early 1900s are available through the Bureau of Vital Statistics or the county health department.
Marriage Records and Where to Find Them
Marriage records split by date in Florida. The Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps all Florida marriage records from June 6, 1927 forward. Marriage records from 1909 through June 5, 1927 stay at the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court office. Older marriage bonds from Dade County (before Palm Beach formed) sit in Miami-Dade archives.
| Record Type | Date Range | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificates | 1917 to present | Bureau of Vital Statistics |
| Death certificates | 1877 to present | Bureau of Vital Statistics |
| Marriage licenses | June 6, 1927 to present | Bureau of Vital Statistics |
| Marriage licenses | 1909 to June 5, 1927 | Palm Beach County Clerk |
| Divorce decrees | 1927 to present | Clerk of Court (county of filing) |
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Records
The Clerk of Court keeps official records for Palm Beach County under Florida’s public records law. The office holds marriage licenses, court cases, probate files, land deeds, and liens. The main office sits in downtown West Palm Beach. A north county branch serves residents near Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens. Records span the full history of the county from 1909 forward.
Marriage License Records at the Clerk
Marriage records before June 6, 1927 stay at the Palm Beach County Clerk. You can search these records in person or through the online Official Records search tool. The database shows images of original marriage license applications. These papers often list parents’ names, ages, and birthplaces. That data helps link marriages to other states or countries.
Probate and Estate Files
Probate records show how a person’s estate was divided after death. These files include wills, inventories of property, and lists of heirs. Palm Beach County probate files from 1909 forward are in the Clerk’s office. Older files from Dade County (before 1909) sit in Miami-Dade. Probate files often name children, spouses, siblings, and neighbors. This makes them a top source for family connections.
Land Deeds and Property Records
Land records trace ownership through deeds, mortgages, and tax records. Palm Beach County deeds go back to 1909. Spanish Land Grants for the area date to the 1820s and sit at the State Archives in Tallahassee. Land records show neighbors and family members buying or selling property together. This helps you map a family’s landholdings over time.
Visit the Palm Beach County Clerk: 205 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Phone (561) 355-2996. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida State Archives Collections
The State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee holds key collections for Palm Beach County genealogy. These records cover the territorial period (1821-1845), statehood years, and the Civil War era. The Archives also keeps military service records and land grant files. Many records are now online through the Florida Memory digital library.
Confederate Pension Applications
Confederate pension applications show veterans who lived in Florida after the Civil War. These files include the soldier’s name, unit, service dates, and physical description. Many also list a widow’s name and marriage date. Pension files help link Florida veterans to families in other southern states. Palm Beach County had fewer Confederate units than north Florida, but veterans moved south after the war.
Spanish Land Grants (1821 onward)
Spain granted land in Florida before 1821. After the territory changed hands, the U.S. government confirmed these grants. Spanish Land Grant files include surveys, claims, and ownership transfers. Some early Palm Beach area grants cover land that later became part of the county. These files name original settlers and their heirs.
World War I Service Cards
Florida WWI Service Cards cover men and some women who served from 1917 to 1919. The cards list the soldier’s name, race, age, address, and next of kin. Many cards show a Palm Beach County address. This makes them a strong source for early 20th-century families. The State Archives has the full collection on microfilm and online.
Voter Registration Rolls (1867-1868)
The 1867-1868 voter rolls covered Florida’s Reconstruction-era voters. These rolls list adult males who registered after the Civil War. The names include occupation and residence. Many names appear for the Dade County area, which then covered Palm Beach. This is the earliest list of male residents for the region.
State Archives of Florida: 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone (850) 245-6700. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Census Records and Federal Sources
Federal census records are a core source for Palm Beach County family research. The county did not exist in 1900 or earlier census years. The first census showing Palm Beach County households is 1910. Earlier residents appear in Dade County census records. State census records from 1885 and 1935 also list Florida households.
1910 Through 1950 Federal Census
The 1910 census is the first to list Palm Beach County households. The 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses cover the county in full. The 1950 census opened for research in 2022 and includes all U.S. households. Each census lists name, age, race, occupation, and birthplace for every household member. The 1940 census also includes 1935 residence data.
1885 and 1935 Florida State Census
Florida took state censuses in 1885 and 1935. The 1885 census covers the Dade County area that later became Palm Beach. The 1935 state census covers Palm Beach County after it formed. Both records list heads of household and sometimes all family members. These censuses fill gaps between federal census years.
Slave Schedules and Agricultural Census
Federal slave schedules from 1850 and 1860 cover owners in the Dade County area. The agricultural census lists farm production by county. These records name slaveholders, farm owners, and large landholders. They help trace planter families and early farming communities that spread south into the future Palm Beach area.
Newspapers, Obituaries, and Cemetery Records
Newspapers fill in life events that government records miss. Palm Beach County has several historical newspapers online. The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Times, and other early papers cover births, marriages, deaths, and community news. Obituaries often list surviving family members, burial sites, and funeral locations.
Historical Newspapers Online
Many Florida newspapers sit on free and paid databases. The State Archives runs the Florida Digital Newspaper Library. Chronicling America at the Library of Congress covers Florida papers from 1860 to 1922. Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank host later papers with searchable text. The Palm Beach Post covers most news from 1916 forward.
Obituary Records Search
Obituaries give death dates, surviving relatives, and burial details. Local funeral homes often keep their own obituary archives. Legacy.com and newspapers.com host digital obituaries from the 1990s forward. Older obituaries from the 1900s through 1950s sit on microfilm at the West Palm Beach Public Library and the State Archives.
Cemetery and Burial Records
Palm Beach County cemeteries include Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach, Hillcrest Memorial Park, and many small church and family burial grounds. The Palm Beach County Genealogical Society keeps a cemetery survey. BillionGraves and FindAGrave list photos and GPS coordinates for many local graves. Cemetery records show birth and death dates, plus family plots.
Military Records for Palm Beach County Families
Military records help trace male ancestors and some female nurses. Florida men served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Palm Beach County men also served in early militias and the Florida National Guard. Records include service cards, pension files, and draft registrations.
World War I Draft Registration
The 1917 and 1918 WWI draft registrations cover most men aged 18 to 45. The cards show name, age, race, address, and employer. Palm Beach County men appear in the Dade County registration lists. The original cards sit at the State Archives and are searchable on FamilySearch and Ancestry.
World War II Draft Cards
The WWII draft had four registrations between 1940 and 1945. These cards list name, address, age, employer, and a physical description. Men born between 1888 and 1929 appear in the fourth registration. The full collection sits on Ancestry and FamilySearch.
Florida Confederate and Union Records
Confederate records cover Florida regiments. Union records cover U.S. Colored Troops raised in Florida. Pension files, service records, and muster rolls sit at the State Archives and the National Archives in Washington. These files name soldiers and sometimes their next of kin.
Online Databases and FamilySearch Florida Records
Online databases put many Palm Beach County records at your fingertips. FamilySearch is a free service from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site holds census images, vital records indexes, and state archives collections. FamilySearch Florida records cover the full state with strong Palm Beach County coverage from 1910 forward.
FamilySearch Florida Collections
FamilySearch holds Florida birth index 1880-1920, death index 1877-1939, marriage index 1822-1875 and 1927-present, and divorce index 1927-present. The site also holds Florida state census 1885, 1935, 1945, and federal census 1850-1950. Palm Beach County appears in all federal census years after 1910.
Florida Memory Digital Archive
Florida Memory is the State Archives’ free digital library. The site holds photos, manuscripts, state records, and historical documents. Florida Memory includes Confederate pension files, territorial papers, WWI service cards, and aerial photos. The site covers Palm Beach County and the rest of the state.
Ancestry and MyHeritage Subscriptions
Ancestry.com and MyHeritage are paid subscription services. Both sites hold census records, military records, newspapers, and family trees. Ancestry holds Florida death index 1877-1939, marriage index 1822-1875 and 1927-present, and Florida state census images. MyHeritage hosts newspapers, census records, and global genealogy records.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Online
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics lets you order certified copies online through VitalChek. You can also use the online index search to check if a record exists. The office issues certified copies for legal use. Genealogy researchers often need certified copies for joining lineage societies.
Church Records and Religious Collections
Church records often predate government vital records. Florida churches kept baptism, marriage, and burial registers. Palm Beach County churches include Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, and African Methodist Episcopal congregations. Early churches served Bahamian settlers in the late 1800s.
Catholic Diocese Records
The Diocese of Palm Beach keeps records for Catholic parishes in the county. Records include baptism, first communion, marriage, and burial. Older records sit at the diocese archives or with the parish. The Diocese formed in 1984 from parts of the Diocese of Miami. Earlier Catholic records for the area sit in the Miami diocese archives.
Protestant Church Records
Protestant churches include First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach (founded 1895) and First Presbyterian Church. Many church records sit with the local congregation. Some older records have been donated to the State Archives. Researchers should contact the church office first.
African American Church Records
African American churches in Palm Beach County include Macedonia AME and Tabernacle Missionary Baptist. These churches served Black communities from the late 1800s forward. Records often sit with the church. The State Archives holds some early African American church records from across Florida.
Probate, Wills, and Estate Research
Probate records list heirs and family relationships. Wills name children, spouses, and property. Palm Beach County probate files from 1909 forward sit at the Clerk of Court. Files include the petition, will, inventory, and final distribution. Older files from Dade County sit in Miami.
How to Search Probate Files
You can search Palm Beach County probate files in person at the Clerk’s office. The online Official Records search covers files from the 1980s forward. For older files, microfilm indexes sit at the Clerk and the State Archives. Files include the deceased’s name, date of death, and heirs.
Estate Papers and Guardianship
Estate papers include guardianship records for minors. These files name children, parents, and guardians. Guardianship files help trace orphaned children and blended families. The records sit with probate files at the Clerk of Court.
Naturalization and Immigration Records
Naturalization records show when an immigrant became a U.S. citizen. Records include declarations of intent, petitions, and final papers. Florida naturalization records sit at federal courts. Palm Beach County residents filed papers in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami.
Federal Court Naturalization Records
Naturalization records for Palm Beach County residents sit at the National Archives in Atlanta. Indexes cover 1906-1956 on Ancestry. Earlier records sit on microfilm at the State Archives. Records include the immigrant’s name, age, country of origin, and arrival date.
Ship Passenger Lists
Passenger lists show who arrived by ship. The records sit at the National Archives and Ancestry. Bahamian immigrants often traveled between Nassau and Miami before settling in Palm Beach. Many appear in passenger lists at the Port of Miami.
Adoption Records and Sealed Files
Florida adoption records are sealed by law. Adult adoptees can request their original birth certificate through the Florida Department of Health. Adoptive parents and adult siblings can also request records under certain conditions. Genealogists often hit a wall with adoption records. Court orders can open files in special cases.
How to Request Adoption Records
Adult adoptees can request their original birth certificate from the Florida Department of Health. The form requires ID and a notarized signature. Records are released to the adoptee, adoptive parents, or adult siblings. The process takes about 8 to 12 weeks.
Florida Pioneers and Early Settlers
Florida pioneers settled the state before 1900. Palm Beach pioneers include the Lang and Fisher families. Early settlers also included Bahamian immigrants and Seminole communities. Pioneer records sit at the State Archives, the Florida Historical Society, and the Palm Beach County Genealogical Society.
Florida Pioneer Certificate Records
The Florida State Genealogical Society awards Pioneer Certificates to descendants of early settlers. Applicants must prove a Florida ancestor lived in the state before December 31, 1865. The application packet lists required documents. Members get a certificate and entry in the Pioneer Register.
Florida Genealogical Society Resources
The Florida Genealogical Society runs seminars, a journal, and a research library in Orlando. The society covers the whole state with strong Palm Beach County coverage. Members get access to databases and record indexes. The society partners with the State Archives and local libraries.
Palm Beach County Genealogical Society
The Palm Beach County Genealogical Society meets monthly and runs a research library. The society has cemetery surveys, family files, and local history books. Members help new researchers and host monthly programs. The library sits in West Palm Beach.
Tips for Successful Palm Beach County Research
Smart research habits save time and money. Start with home sources. Talk to older relatives and gather names, dates, and places. Check family Bibles, photo albums, and scrapbooks. Then move to online databases. Finally, contact local archives and societies for records not yet digitized.
Build a Research Plan
A research plan keeps your search focused. Write down what you know and what you need. List each ancestor and their known events. Choose one event at a time. Pick the right record type for each question. Track every source you check, even if you find nothing.
Use FAN Club Research
The FAN Club method (Friends, Associates, Neighbors) helps you link families. Look at census neighbors with the same surname. Check church, school, and fraternal organization records. Read local histories and county histories. These sources often name people who lived, worked, or worshipped together.
Track Every Record
Use a research log to track every source. Write down the record type, date, location, and what you found. Note what you did not find and why. This habit prevents re-searching the same records. Logs also help other family members continue your work later.
Contact Local Experts
Local genealogy societies know their records. The Palm Beach County Genealogical Society, the Boca Raton Historical Society, and the Jupiter Historical Society all have research libraries. Volunteers often answer questions by email or phone. Local libraries also have local history collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Palm Beach County genealogy research raises common questions about record access, dates, and fees. The answers below cover the most frequent searches and help you plan your next steps. Florida laws and office hours change often. Always confirm details with the office before traveling or sending payment.
When do Palm Beach County birth records become public?
Florida birth records stay confidential for 125 years. Palm Beach County birth records from 1917 will start opening in 2042. Records from 1917 through 1900 will open year by year as the 125-year mark passes. Once open, the records become public for any researcher. You can still order certified copies of recent records if you are an eligible applicant with valid ID.
Where do I find Palm Beach County marriage records from 1909 to 1927?
Marriage records from 1909 through June 5, 1927 sit at the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court. The Clerk’s Official Records online search covers most of these files. You can also visit the office in person. Older marriage bonds from Dade County (before 1909) sit at the Miami-Dade County Clerk.
Can I view Palm Beach County probate files for free?
You can view Palm Beach County probate files for free at the Clerk of Court office. The online Official Records search is also free for basic index searches. Printed copies cost $1.00 per page and certified copies cost more. Older files on microfilm are free to view at the State Archives in Tallahassee.
Are there any Palm Beach County genealogy records on FamilySearch?
Yes. FamilySearch holds Florida birth, death, marriage, and divorce index records. The site also has census images from 1850 to 1950. Palm Beach County appears in the 1910 census and all later federal censuses. FamilySearch is free with a registered account.
How do I get a death certificate for a Palm Beach County ancestor?
Order a death certificate through the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics or VitalChek. Records without cause of death are public. Records with cause of death stay private for 50 years. You need a valid ID and a relationship to the deceased for recent records. Older public records can be ordered by any researcher.
What Spanish colonial records cover the Palm Beach area?
Spanish colonial records cover the territory before 1821. The State Archives holds Spanish Land Grant files for the area. The records include claims, surveys, and ownership transfers. Some records have been digitized on Florida Memory. Researchers should also check the P. K. Yonge Library at the University of Florida.
Are Confederate pension records for Palm Beach County online?
Many Florida Confederate pension files sit online through the State Archives and Florida Memory. The records include soldier’s name, unit, service dates, and family details. Palm Beach County had few Confederate units, but veterans moved south after the war. Files for those who lived in the county may appear under neighboring Florida counties.