Broward County Public Records, Florida

Broward County maintains an extensive collection of public records created and preserved by local government agencies. Unless specifically exempt or deemed confidential under state or federal law, these records are considered public and remain accessible for review.

The county has 2.1 million residents, making it Florida’s second most populous county. Major cities in the county include Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, and Coral Springs.

Broward County has an average workforce of approximately 780,632. The county hosts several prominent companies, including American Express, Universal Insurance Holdings, Lufthansa Technik, Citrix Systems, and Kemet Corporation. These organizations create jobs, support diverse industries, and contribute to a strong local economy. As a result, the county produces a significant volume of public records.

Common public records created within the county include real estate transactions, court filings, and business registrations. These documents are essential resources for residents, businesses, and researchers, who use them to trace property ownership, review business histories, and monitor legal cases.

How to Search Public Records in Broward County, FL

You can search Broward County public records online, by phone, in person, or by mail. However, the option you choose depends largely on the type of record you intend to find.

Online Portals

Broward County does not have a centralized online database. Instead, several public record databases provide access to different types of records. Using specific search criteria will help you find records more efficiently and accurately on these databases. For example, the Broward County Clerk of the Courts Case Search Portal provides case information, including the status of civil, family law, probate, and criminal matters. You can search records by name, case number, or citation number.

Similarly, the Broward County Office of the Property Appraiser provides a property search tool that allows you to access basic property information. For details on deeds, mortgages, and parcel maps, use the Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division search tool. The property search tool can also help you identify business locations.

Alternative Online Sources

RecordsFinder.com serves as a convenient aggregation tool and an alternative to official sources for accessing public records in Broward County. Instead of navigating multiple government websites, you can use this platform to search for different types of public records. You can search property records, court records, inmate records, driving records, vital records, and arrest records across multiple state and county government agencies.

In-Person/Mail-In Record Requests

Most government agencies in Broward County accept record requests in person or by mail. While Broward County prefers online submissions through designated forms, some records still require in-person visits or mail-in requests. For instance, civil and felony case files from before 1915 are only available at the Archive Division of the Broward County Clerk of the Courts in Fort Lauderdale.

If an in-person visit is not possible, you may submit your request by mail to the appropriate office. Before submitting a request, confirm which government agency holds the records you need.

What Records Are Publicly Available Here?

Below are the most common publicly available records in Broward County:

• Broward County Case Search (Court Records)

  • Description: Active and closed criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and probate cases filed with the Broward County Circuit and County Courts. Records provide party names, case status, filings, and hearing dates.

  • Use Case: Reviewing recent filings, checking case status, or looking up upcoming court dates.

• Property & Land Records

  • Description: Real estate records, including deeds, mortgage documents, property tax assessments, liens, and parcel maps, maintained by the Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division and the Office of the Property Appraiser.

  • Use Case: Verifying or tracing homeownership history, checking for recorded property tax liens, or confirming parcel boundaries.

• Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage):

  • Description: Official records and certificates documenting major life milestones or events, such as births, marriages, and deaths, that occur in Broward County can be obtained from the Florida Department of Health. Only authorized individuals can access certified copies of these records, while informational copies are publicly accessible.

  • Use Case: Obtaining documentation required for administrative or legal purposes or conducting genealogy research.

• Business Fictitious Business Names (FBN)

  • Description: Official business records filed with the Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division.

  • Use Case: To verify business ownership or operators in Fort Lauderdale or nearby cities, especially for due diligence.

• Inmate & Arrest Logs

  • Description: Arrest and inmate records maintained by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, including custody status, booking details, and facility location.

  • Use Case: To determine if an individual is currently incarcerated in the county jail.

Access Limits and Privacy Rules in Broward County

Florida Statutes, Chapter 119, allows the inspection and copying of Broward County public records. However, some documents are restricted to protect privacy, especially when they contain sensitive personal information. Broward County enforces these rules, applying specific limits to safeguard individuals and organizations.

The following access limits and privacy rules apply to public records in Broward County:

• Redaction: Certain records, or portions of records, are exempt from public disclosure. As a result, specific private information, such as Social Security numbers, trade secrets, and medical records, may not be accessible through public record searches in Broward County. These records are typically removed from documents before the remaining information is made public.

• Sealing: Some records are inaccessible because they are sealed by law or court order. These include sealed criminal records, juvenile court proceedings, and mental health cases. Consequently, such records will not appear in Broward County case lookups. Similarly, arrest records that have been sealed following the dismissal of charges are not open to public access.

• Florida-Specific Access Rules: Under Florida law, certain records are classified as exempt or confidential. This means that such records cannot be disclosed in a public records request. For example, active criminal intelligence and investigative reports and security system plans are exempt from public record documents. These exemptions protect ongoing investigations, public safety, and sensitive information that could be misused.

Helpful Local Contacts in Broward County

Determining which local agency is responsible for maintaining specific records is a critical step in conducting a public records search in Broward County. Each agency oversees particular types of documents, and directing your request to the correct office ensures efficiency and accuracy:

• Broward County Circuit Court: For Broward County case lookup, criminal/civil filings, court dates, and jury duty information.

  • Address: 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

  • Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/

• Broward County Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division: Deals with public record searches involving property deeds, taxes, fictitious business names, and grantor/grantee indexes.

  • Address: 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 114, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

  • Website: https://www.broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/FAQs/Pages/OfficialRecordsPublicSearch.aspx

• Broward County Property Appraiser: Oversees Broward County public record searches for parcel maps, property value assessments, and exemptions.

  • Address: 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 111, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

  • Website: https://web.bcpa.net/bcpaclient/index.html

• Broward County Sheriff’s Office: Handles warrant administration and serves as the custodian for inmate custody information and booking records.

  • Address: 2601 West Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

  • Website: https://www.sheriff.org/

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