Hollywood City civil court records are public documents filed and stored by the Broward County Clerk of Court. Every civil case in Hollywood goes through the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers all of Broward County.
You can look up these records online for free, request certified copies, or visit a courthouse in person. This page covers how the system works, what you can search, how much it costs, and what stays hidden from public view.
Where Hollywood Civil Court Records Are Stored
Hollywood sits inside Broward County. The city does not run its own civil court clerk. The Broward County Clerk of Court handles every civil case filed in Hollywood. This includes small claims, contract disputes, landlord-tenant cases, and large lawsuits over $30,000. The main office sits at the central courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, but Hollywood has a satellite location that serves local residents.
Main Broward County Courthouse
The main courthouse sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Most official records live at this location, and all new civil cases can be filed here. Staff at this courthouse can run record searches, accept new filings, and issue certified copies of court documents.
South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood
Hollywood residents can use the South Regional Courthouse at 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021. This branch handles civil filings, record searches, and copy requests. It opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can call (954) 831-6565 to ask about a case before you visit.
Why Hollywood Uses the County Clerk
Florida law places all trial court record duties with the county clerk. Hollywood has no separate city court for civil matters. State statute requires the county clerk to keep dockets, indexes, and case files for every civil action filed within the county, including Hollywood city limits.
How to Search Hollywood Civil Court Records Online
You can search Hollywood civil court records from any device with internet access. The Broward County Clerk runs a free public search portal. The statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal gives another way to pull up cases filed in Hollywood. Both systems work without a subscription, account, or fee for basic searches.
Broward County Case Search Portal
The Broward County case search portal lets you look up civil cases by name, case number, or party ID. Go to browardclerk.org and click the public case search link. Type a last name and first name, or paste a full case number if you have it. Results show the case type, filing date, current status, judge, and parties named in the action. Hollywood cases appear in the same results as cases from Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, or any other Broward city.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal connects to all 67 county clerks, including Broward. You can set up a free account at myflcourtaccess.com. Once logged in, you can file new civil cases or look up existing Hollywood cases. The portal also lets attorneys serve documents electronically. Free DIY Florida forms are built into the portal for self-represented filers.
Advanced Search Filters
The Broward clerk offers an advanced search tool for deeper record lookups. You can filter by party name, party ID, hearing date, filing date range, case disposition, and case division. This helps when you have partial details or need to sort through many cases with a common name. Advanced search results include docket entries, hearing schedules, and judge assignments.
eTrack Case Alerts
eTrack is the Broward clerk’s free case monitoring service. After you find a Hollywood civil case, you can enroll it in eTrack. The system emails you whenever a new docket entry, hearing, or order hits the case. This saves time for attorneys, parties, and anyone tracking a pending matter.
Civil Court Levels and Case Types in Hollywood
Hollywood civil cases move through one of two court levels. The level depends on the dollar amount at stake and the type of claim. Picking the right court is required before a case can move forward. Filing in the wrong court can stall the case or force you to start over.
Broward Circuit Civil Court
Circuit Civil Court handles claims over $30,000. It also handles family law, probate, and felony matters. Complex contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, real estate actions, and business litigation all go to Circuit Court. The 17th Judicial Circuit sits at the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, but Hollywood cases can be heard at the South Regional Courthouse or the West Regional Courthouse as docket needs dictate.
Broward County Civil Court
County Civil Court covers claims up to $30,000. This includes most small claims and landlord-tenant matters. Small claims up to $8,000 use simplified rules, no attorneys in most cases, and faster dockets. Eviction filings in Hollywood also fall under County Civil Court. Removal of tenant actions have their own fee and procedural track.
Common Civil Case Types in Hollywood
Hollywood residents and businesses file civil cases across many categories. The most common types include debt collection, breach of contract, property damage, slip and fall, auto negligence, landlord-tenant disputes, homeowners association disputes, and small business claims. You can pull up each of these through the Broward clerk search portal by name or case number.
Filing Fees and Court Costs in Hollywood
Civil court filing fees in Hollywood follow the Broward County fee schedule. The amount you pay depends on the claim size, the type of case, and any extra filings. The clerk accepts cash, cashier’s check, money order, and major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted, except attorney trust account checks with the right printed label.
County Civil Filing Fees
County civil filing fees scale up based on the dollar amount of the claim. The current Broward fee schedule shows the following amounts for new filings:
- Claims up to $100: $55.00
- Claims $100 to $500: $80.00
- Claims $500 to $2,500: $175.00
- Claims $2,500 to $15,000: $300.00
- Claims $15,000 to $30,000: $400.00
- Removal of tenant actions: $185.00
Circuit Civil Filing Fees
Circuit civil filing fees use a parallel fee structure. The base filing fee runs higher because circuit cases involve larger sums and more paperwork. Cross-claims, counterclaims, and third-party claims add extra fees. A foreclosure sale fee runs $70.00. Sealing a court file costs $42.00. Each summons costs $10.00 per defendant named in the case.
Certified Copy and Search Fees
Standard copies cost $1.00 per page at the courthouse. Certification adds $2.00 per document. A name search fee runs $2.00 per year searched. Electronic certified court documents cost $8.00 each through the online portal and arrive right after payment. Mail requests can take up to two weeks and require a cashier’s check or money order.
Getting Copies of Hollywood Civil Court Records
You can get copies of civil court records three ways: online, in person, or by mail. Each option works for different needs. Online copies come fast but cap at 100 pages per document. In-person copies have no page limit but require a courthouse visit. Mail copies take longer but work well when you live outside the area.
Online Certified Documents
The Broward clerk sells electronic certified court documents through its website. Each document costs $8.00. You pay with a credit or debit card. The system emails the certified copy right after payment clears. This option covers most civil filings but skips documents that run over 100 pages. For longer documents, you must request them in person or by mail.
In-Person Copy Requests
You can walk up to the clerk’s records counter at either courthouse and ask for copies. Bring a valid photo ID. Pay the per-page fee plus the certification fee. Staff will pull the file, make your copies, and certify them on the spot. This is the fastest way to get large or older documents.
Mail Copy Requests
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Send a written request that lists the case number, party name, and document you need. Include a cashier’s check, money order, or personal check for the fees. Mail the request to the main courthouse records department. Allow up to two weeks for processing and return mailing.
Confidential Records and Public Redactions
Florida law protects some data inside civil court files. The clerk must keep that data out of public view. Filers must follow specific rules about what goes in the public record. Knowing these rules helps you avoid delays or rejected filings.
Notice of Confidential Information Form
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 requires filers to use the Notice of Confidential Information form. This form tells the clerk which parts of a filing contain private data, such as social security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s details. The clerk stores that data separately and leaves it out of the public version.
Sealed and Exempt Cases
Some Hollywood civil cases get sealed by court order. Adoption records, certain family law files, and cases involving trade secrets or personal safety can be sealed. Sealed cases do not show up in the public search. You cannot view them without a court order or party status. Exempt records follow the same rule.
Free Redaction Requests
If you spot private data in a public civil court record, you can ask the clerk to redact it. Redaction requests are free under Florida law. The clerk reviews the document, removes the protected data, and updates the public version. You must submit the request in writing with the case number and a clear description of the issue.
Florida Public Records Law and Hollywood Cases
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and city records are open to inspection and copying. Civil court records in Hollywood fall under this law. You do not need to be a party in the case to view them.
Who Can View Civil Court Records
Any member of the public can view Hollywood civil court records. You do not need to be a Florida resident, a citizen, or a party to the case. The clerk cannot deny access based on the reason for your request. The only limits are sealed files and exempt data under state law.
Clerk Response Time
The clerk must respond to a records request within a reasonable time. Simple online searches happen right away. Certified copy orders process within hours for small orders. Mail requests take up to two weeks. The clerk can charge only the fees set by statute. They cannot add arbitrary processing fees or delay tactics.
Exempt Categories
A few narrow categories stay out of public view. These include sealed files, adoption records, juvenile dependency records, and certain mental health files. Social security numbers, bank account details, and protected personal identifiers are redacted from public filings. Trade secrets and certain law enforcement records also fall under exemptions.
Self-Help Resources for Hollywood Civil Cases
People who handle civil cases without an attorney can use free tools through the Florida Courts system. The Broward clerk offers forms, walk-up help, and online DIY tools. These resources work for small claims, evictions, simple divorces, and other routine civil filings.
DIY Florida Forms
DIY Florida is a free interview-based form builder built into the E-Filing Portal. The tool asks plain English questions and fills out the right court form for you. More than 20 form types are available. You can file the completed form straight to the Broward County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.
Florida Courts Self-Help Page
The Florida Courts self-help page at flcourts.gov has guides on common civil filings. It covers small claims, eviction, simple divorce, name change, and other routine cases. The page also lists local self-help clinics where volunteer lawyers review forms for free.
Legal Aid and Lawyer Referral
People with low income can contact Legal Aid Service of Broward County for free civil legal help. The Broward County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service for paid consultations. The clerk’s office cannot give legal advice, but staff can tell you which forms to use for your case type.
Hollywood Civil Court Quick Reference
The table below lists the key contacts for Hollywood civil court records. Keep these details handy when you need to file, search, or request copies.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Broward County Clerk of Court |
| Judicial Circuit | 17th Judicial Circuit |
| Main Courthouse | 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| South Regional Courthouse | 3550 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33021 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Official Website | browardclerk.org |
| E-Filing Portal | myflcourtaccess.com |
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollywood Civil Court Records
This FAQ section covers the most common questions people ask about Hollywood civil court records. Each answer gives a clear, direct response based on current Florida law and Broward County Clerk procedures. Use this section for fast answers to specific record requests, fee questions, and search tips.
Can I view Hollywood civil court records for free?
Yes. The Broward County case search portal lets you view basic civil court record data at no cost. You can search by name, case number, or party ID. The portal shows case type, filing date, parties, judge, and current status. Free lookups cover Hollywood and every other city in Broward County. Certified copies and detailed docket exports do cost money.
How do I find a civil case number in Hollywood?
You can find a case number through the Broward County public search portal. Enter a party last name and first name to see matching cases. Each result shows the case number, type, and filing date. If you do not know the party name, contact the clerk’s office at (954) 831-6565 and ask for a search. The clerk charges $2.00 per year searched for manual lookups.
What civil cases are sealed in Hollywood?
Sealed civil cases in Hollywood include adoption records, certain family law filings, and cases sealed by court order. Trade secret cases and some personal safety cases can also be sealed. Sealed cases do not show up in the public search. You need a court order or direct party status to view them.
Can I remove my personal data from a Hollywood civil court record?
You can ask the clerk to redact protected data, such as social security numbers and bank account details, at no cost. Submit a written request with the case number and a clear description. The clerk reviews the document and removes the protected information. Sensitive identifiers stay out of the public version under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420.
How long does it take to get a certified copy by mail?
Mail copy requests for Hollywood civil court records take up to two weeks. Mail the request to the Broward County Clerk main courthouse records department. Include a cashier’s check, money order, or personal check for the per-page and certification fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Faster options include online certified documents and in-person requests.
Do I need a lawyer to file a civil case in Hollywood?
No. Self-represented filers can start civil cases in Hollywood. Small claims up to $8,000 do not allow attorneys in most cases. DIY Florida forms help self-represented filers complete the right paperwork. Standard filing fees still apply. The clerk’s office cannot give legal advice but can point you to the right form for your case type.
Are eviction records public in Hollywood?
Yes. Eviction filings in Hollywood are public records and show up in the Broward clerk search portal. Removal of tenant actions carry a $185.00 filing fee. The case number, parties, and judgment appear in public search results. Sealed eviction records are rare but possible through a specific court order.