Broward County civil court records are public files that show civil lawsuits filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. These records include lawsuits between people, businesses, and groups over money, property, contracts, and other private disputes.
The Clerk of Court in Fort Lauderdale keeps all of these records. You can look at them online, in person, or by mail. This page explains how the system works, where to search, and what you can find.
What Are Broward County Civil Court Records
Civil court records are written files made by the court during a civil case. A civil case is a legal fight between two or more sides over private rights. It is not a criminal case. These records show what each side asked for, what the court did, and what the final result was. They help people check facts, do background checks, or prepare for their own legal matters.
Types of Civil Cases
Broward County handles many kinds of civil cases. Small claims cases cover money disputes up to $8,000. County civil cases cover disputes from $8,000 to $50,000. Circuit civil cases cover disputes over $50,000. Other case types include landlord-tenant cases, foreclosure cases, family law matters, and probate issues. Each case type has its own rules and forms.
Who Files These Records
The Clerk of Court files all civil records. Brenda D. Forman is the current Clerk of Court for Broward County. Her office is the main keeper of these files. Judges make rulings, but the clerk stores the paperwork. Anyone can ask the clerk for a copy of a public record.
What Information Is Public
Most civil case data is open to the public. You can see party names, case numbers, filing dates, hearing dates, motions, orders, judgments, and final rulings. You can also see the type of case, the amount in dispute, and the attorney of record. Some details stay private. These include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and information from minors in sealed family cases.
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court System
Broward County is the only county in the 17th Judicial Circuit. This circuit court covers all of Broward County. It is one of the largest circuits in Florida based on population and case load. The 17th Circuit Court hears major civil cases, appeals from county courts, and other complex legal matters.
Circuit Court vs County Court
Florida has two main trial court levels. County courts handle smaller civil cases, small claims, misdemeanors, and traffic cases. Circuit courts handle larger civil cases, felonies, family law, probate, and juvenile cases. For civil cases, the dollar amount in the dispute decides which court hears the case. Cases over $50,000 go to circuit court. Cases under $50,000 stay in county court.
Clerk of Court Brenda D. Forman
Brenda D. Forman is the elected Clerk of Courts and Comptroller for Broward County. She took office in 2021. Her office handles passport applications, marriage licenses, and court records. The clerk’s office also processes child support payments, traffic tickets, and court fees. It is one of the busiest clerk offices in Florida.
Population and Case Volume
Broward County has about 1.9 million residents. It is the second largest county in Florida by population. Each year, the court system handles over 400,000 new cases. Civil cases make up a large part of that total. The clerk’s office must process, store, and share all of these files.
Broward County Courthouse Locations
The clerk’s office has four courthouse branches in Broward County. Each branch can help you search records, file new cases, and get copies. You can walk in during business hours and ask for help at the public counter. The main office is the Central Courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
| Branch | Address | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Courthouse | 201 SE 6th St | Fort Lauderdale | 33301 |
| North Branch | 1600 W Hillsboro Blvd | Deerfield Beach | 33442 |
| South Branch | 3550 Hollywood Blvd | Hollywood | 33021 |
| West Branch | 100 N Pine Island Rd | Plantation | 33324 |
Branch Hours and Services
All four branches are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Each branch offers the same core services. You can search cases, file new papers, pay fees, and get certified copies. The Central Courthouse also has the Self Help Center, the Law Library, and the Archives Division.
Payment Methods at Courthouses
The clerk accepts cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, and attorney trust account checks. Major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are also accepted. Personal checks are not accepted for any service. There is a small fee for credit card transactions.
How to Search Civil Court Records Online
You can search civil court records from home using the Broward County Clerk website. The site has a public search tool that does not require a login. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney. Results show case status, hearing dates, and other basic data.
Broward Clerk Public Search
The Public Search tool on browardclerk.org shows basic case data for free. Anyone can use it. You will see the case number, party names, filing date, case type, and current status. The tool also lists upcoming hearings and the division where the case is filed. You do not need to create an account.
Registered User Access
Registered users get more case data. This includes access to family law and probate case images. To register, you must agree to the terms of use. There is no fee to sign up. Once registered, you can log in and see documents not shown in the public search.
Attorney of Record Access
Florida Bar attorneys can apply for Attorney of Record Access. This level lets lawyers see all case data for cases where they are the listed attorney. Attorneys must verify their bar number during sign up. The clerk checks each request before approving access.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal connects to all 67 county clerks. You can file new civil cases, upload motions, and pay filing fees through this portal. It works for Broward County and every other Florida county. Registration is free. You can also view case data through the portal for cases you are part of.
eTrack Case Tracking
eTrack is the clerk’s email alert system. When you sign up, the system sends you updates when a new event happens in a case you follow. This includes new filings, hearing dates, orders, and judgments. eTrack works for civil, family, probate, felony, traffic, and misdemeanor cases.
Advanced Search Options
The Advanced Search tool lets you run more complex queries. You can search by party ID, hearing type, filing date range, disposition type, and case status. This tool helps lawyers, paralegals, and researchers find very specific case data. It also works well for background checks.
Commercial Data Access API
The clerk offers a Commercial Data Access API for bulk data needs. This service gives programmatic access to court records. You can pull large amounts of data for legal research, business checks, or public records work. The API requires a paid subscription and a signed use agreement.
Civil Court Filing Fees in Broward County
Filing fees in Broward County depend on the case type and the amount in dispute. The clerk lists all current fees on the court website. Most civil filing fees are set by Florida law and apply statewide. You pay fees when you file a new case or a new motion.
| Case Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| County civil claim (up to $100) | $55 |
| County civil claim ($100 to $500) | $80 |
| County civil claim ($500 to $2,500) | $175 |
| County civil claim ($2,500 to $15,000) | $300 |
| County civil claim ($15,000 to $30,000) | $400 |
| Summons (per defendant) | $10 |
| Each additional defendant over 5 | $2.50 |
| Writs | $85 |
| Service by registered mail | $9 |
| Foreclosure sale | $70 |
| Sealing a court file | $42 |
Indigence and Fee Waivers
If you cannot pay filing fees, you can apply for indigent status under Florida Statute 57.082. The court may waive filing fees and summons fees if you qualify. Other costs may still apply. You must file a motion and show proof of income to ask for a fee waiver.
Trust Account Checks
Attorney trust account checks must have the words “Trust Account” or “IOLTA” printed on them. Personal checks are not accepted for any civil court filings in Broward County. This rule applies to all four courthouse branches.
How to Get Copies of Court Documents
You can get copies of court records online, in person, or by mail. The clerk charges fees for copies and certifications. You can get regular copies or certified copies with a court seal. Certified copies are often needed for legal filings, business deals, or background checks.
Online Document Purchase
You can buy most electronic court documents through the clerk’s website. Documents under 100 pages can be purchased online. Electronic certified documents cost $8 each. They are available right after you order and pay. They never expire and can be used as many times as you need.
In-Person Records Requests
You can visit any of the four courthouse branches and ask for copies. The clerk charges $1 per page for regular copies. Certification costs $2 per document. Search fees cost $2 per year searched. You can pay with cash, cashier’s check, attorney’s check, money order, or credit cards.
Mail Requests
You can mail a written request for copies to the clerk. Include the case number, party names, and what you need. Add a check or money order for the total fees. Mail requests can take up to two weeks. The same copy and certification fees apply.
Archives Division Records
Older court records are stored in the Archives Division. This office is on the 3rd floor, Room 03305 of the East Building at the Central Courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Juvenile records are only available from the Juvenile Division.
Self-Help Resources for Residents
Broward County offers free self-help services for residents who do not have a lawyer. These services can help you fill out forms, learn court rules, and prepare for hearings. The clerk’s office cannot give legal advice, but the Self Help Center can help you find forms and tools.
Self Help Equal Access Center
The Self Help Equal Access Center is at the Central Courthouse. The address is 201 SE 6th St, North Wing, 1st Floor, Room 1800. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The center has forms for family law, landlord-tenant, criminal, probate, guardianship, and traffic cases. Computers, Wi-Fi, Westlaw, Lexis, and quiet work areas are available for free.
Law Library Services
The Law Library at the Central Courthouse has law books, legal guides, and online research tools. Law librarians can help you find what you need. They can also show you how to use legal databases. The library is open to the public during courthouse hours.
DIY Florida Tool
DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through court forms using simple interview questions. You answer each question, and the tool fills in the form for you. Standard filing fees still apply when you file the form with the court.
Public Records Laws in Florida
Florida has very broad public records laws. These laws give you the right to see most government records, including court files. The clerk must respond to your request within a reasonable amount of time. You do not need to be a party in the case to ask for records.
Chapter 119 Access Rights
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open for public review. This includes civil court records in Broward County. You can ask to see any public civil court file. The clerk charges only for copies and certifications.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some records are not open to the public. A judge can order a file sealed. Adoption records, juvenile records, and some family law files may be sealed. You cannot view sealed records without a court order. Expunged criminal records are also removed from public view.
Privacy Protections
The clerk removes sensitive data from public records. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minors’ information stay private. The court seals this data before making the record public. This protects people from identity theft.
Civil Case Types You Can Search
You can search many different types of civil cases through the Broward County clerk. Each case type has its own search options and data fields. Knowing the case type helps you narrow your search and find the right records.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims cases cover money disputes up to $8,000. People often file small claims cases without a lawyer. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, and damage claims. You can search these cases by party name or case number.
Eviction and Landlord-Tenant
Eviction cases are filed when a landlord tries to remove a tenant. These cases are often called “landlord-tenant” cases. You can search eviction records by tenant name, landlord name, or property address. The case file shows the rent amount owed and the court’s ruling.
Foreclosure Records
Foreclosure cases happen when a homeowner stops paying the mortgage. The lender files a foreclosure lawsuit to take the property. You can search foreclosure cases by homeowner name, lender name, or property address. These cases are public record.
Civil Judgments
A civil judgment is the court’s final decision in a civil case. You can search judgments by party name or case number. The judgment shows who won, who lost, and the amount owed. Judgment records are useful for credit checks and business background checks.
Cities in Broward County
All civil court cases for cities in Broward County go through the Broward County Clerk of Court. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat. The clerk has regional courthouses in Deerfield Beach, Hollywood, and Plantation for convenience.
- Coral Springs
- Davie
- Deerfield Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Lauderhill
- Miramar
- Pembroke Pines
- Plantation
- Pompano Beach
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
Other communities in Broward County include Weston, Coconut Creek, Margate, Oakland Park, and North Lauderdale. All use the Broward County clerk’s office for civil court records.
Nearby Counties for Records
Broward County is the only county in the 17th Judicial Circuit. If your civil case involves a dispute in a neighboring county, you may need to file there instead. Check the address where the issue took place to determine the right county.
- Palm Beach County (15th Judicial Circuit)
- Miami-Dade County (11th Judicial Circuit)
Contact Information
You can reach the Broward County Clerk of Court by phone, in person, or through the website. The main phone line is (954) 831-6565. The official website is browardclerk.org. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The main office is at 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Broward County civil court records. These answers cover search methods, fees, and access rules. If you have a question that is not listed here, call the clerk’s office at (954) 831-6565 during business hours.
How Do I Find a Civil Case by Name?
You can find a civil case by name using the public search tool on browardclerk.org. Enter the full name in the party name search field. You can search by last name only or full name. Results show all cases linked to that name. You can narrow results by case type or date range.
Are Broward County Court Records Free?
Basic case data is free through the public search tool. You can see party names, case numbers, filing dates, and hearing dates at no cost. Copies of documents cost money. Regular copies are $1 per page. Certified copies are $2 per document plus copy fees.
Can I View Sealed Court Records?
You cannot view sealed court records without a court order. Only the parties in the case and their lawyers can see sealed files. You can ask a judge to unseal a record by filing a written motion. The judge will review your request and decide based on the facts.
What Is the Difference Between County and Circuit Civil Court?
County civil court handles disputes up to $50,000. Circuit civil court handles disputes over $50,000. Circuit court also hears family law, probate, and felony cases. The dollar amount in dispute decides which court hears a civil case.
How Long Does the Clerk Keep Court Records?
The clerk keeps most civil court records permanently. Older records are moved to the Archives Division. Family law and probate records also stay on file permanently. Traffic and misdemeanor records are kept for a set time based on Florida law.
Can I File a New Civil Case Online?
You can file a new civil case online through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. You must create a free account first. The portal lets you upload your forms and pay filing fees. Most civil cases can be filed this way at any time of day.
What If I Cannot Pay the Filing Fee?
You can apply for indigent status under Florida Statute 57.082. You must fill out a form and show proof of low income. The judge will review your request. If approved, your filing fees and summons fees will be waived. Other costs may still apply.