Juvenile Dependency

Juvenile Dependency is located in the Domestic Relations Division of the Martin County Clerk’s Office.  Juvenile Dependency handles court cases involving abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18.

Juvenile Dependency is one area of the court system and is not associated with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Children and Families, or any other agency dealing with juveniles.

Most juvenile records are confidential. As mandated by Florida law, the clerk’s office cannot give out any information over the phone or on the internet about any juvenile cases. To view a court file, the authorized person must appear in person with a government issued I.D.

Juvenile Dependency works closely with the Judiciary, State Attorneys, Public Defenders, law enforcement, and other agencies in carrying out its mission. Juvenile Dependency, upon receiving the proper paperwork, creates a file, maintains all required records, and provides a wide variety of customer services.

The Juvenile Dependency Division is located on the first floor of the Constitutional Building at 100 SE Ocean Boulevard in Stuart. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

  1. The only parties who may inspect a juvenile file without a court order
  2. Links to Key Agencies for Juvenile Dependency Issues
  • Child
  • Parent(s) listed on the Shelter and/or Dependency Petition
  • Attorney for parent and/or child: after Notice of Appearance is filed with the Clerk’s Office
  • Law enforcement officer
  • Department of Children and Families
  • Public Defender
  • Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel 
  • Guardian or legal custodian of child
  • Guardian ad litem
  • Government agencies such as recruiting officers may receive limited information if there is a written consent by the applicant for us to search our records.