Court records in Broward County, Florida can be searched through several channels. BrowardCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the Broward County Clerk of Courts case search portal, visit the clerk's office in person, or use public access terminals at the courthouse. Official court resources and the clerk's website provide additional tools for locating docket information, hearing dates, and case documents.
Broward Court System & Jurisdictions
Broward County falls within Florida's Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. Two levels of state trial court operate here — the circuit court and the county court — each handling distinct case types. Federal matters go through separate courts.
Circuit Court
The circuit court is the general jurisdiction trial court. It handles:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil disputes involving amounts over $50,000
- Family law matters, including dissolution of marriage (divorce), paternity, child custody, and domestic violence injunctions
- Probate and guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases
- Appeals from county court decisions
County Court
County court covers cases with more limited scope:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil disputes involving amounts of $50,000 or less (including small claims up to $8,000)
- Traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses
- County and municipal ordinance violations
Federal Courts
Broward County is within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, with a Fort Lauderdale division. Federal civil and criminal cases are filed there. Bankruptcy matters are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. Federal court records are accessible through PACER.
Broward Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find scheduled hearings in Broward County, start with the Clerk of Courts online case search system. Here is how to look up court dates:
- Go to the Broward County Clerk of Courts public case search.
- Select the court type (circuit criminal, county criminal, family, civil, traffic, etc.).
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney name.
- Open the case record to view scheduled hearing dates, courtroom assignments, and judge information.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Search results are limited to the first 200 matches. Narrow your search by selecting a specific court type or entering more detailed criteria.
- Not all case dockets have complete electronic records — older or certain in-progress cases may only be available at the courthouse.
- Court calendars can change on short notice. Confirm hearing dates by contacting the assigned division or checking the case record close to the scheduled date.
- For same-day or next-day hearings, the online case search reflects the most recently updated information, but calling the clerk's office is recommended for time-sensitive matters.
How to Get a Copy of a Broward Court Document
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains court records for both circuit and county court cases. You can obtain copies several ways:
Online
- View and print: Many recently filed electronic documents can be viewed through the public case search at no charge for on-screen viewing.
- Certified electronic copies: The clerk offers electronic certified documents for certain record types, which can be ordered and delivered digitally.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Broward County Courthouse to request copies. You will need the case number or enough identifying information (party names, approximate filing date) for staff to locate the record.
By Mail
Submit a written records request to the clerk's office at the address above. Include the case number, document description, and your return mailing address. Enclose payment for applicable copy and certification fees.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions of the document — suitable for personal reference.
- Certified copies bear the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming the document is a true copy of the court record. These are typically required for legal proceedings, government filings, and official transactions.
Some records are restricted from public access under Florida law, including sealed or expunged cases, certain juvenile records, and cases involving victims of specific offenses. Ask the clerk whether the document you need is publicly available before submitting a request.
Broward Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies and services are set by Florida statute (primarily Chapter 28, Florida Statutes). The table below summarizes common fees charged by the Broward County Clerk of Courts:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Search fee (per name, per year searched) | $2.00 |
| Duplicate certified copy of a recorded document (first page) | $1.00 |
| Duplicate certified copy (each additional page) | $1.00 |
| Electronic certified document | Varies — check the clerk's electronic documents page |
Payment methods: The clerk's office generally accepts cash, money orders, and credit/debit cards for in-person transactions. Online orders typically require a credit or debit card. Personal checks may not be accepted for all transaction types — confirm with the clerk before mailing a check.
Fee amounts are based on Florida Statutes Chapter 28 and applicable administrative orders. Fees may be updated by the legislature, so verify current amounts with the Broward County Clerk of Courts before submitting payment.