Fort Lauderdale Family Court Records Search Guide
Fort Lauderdale family court records are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The city sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. All divorce, custody, and family law cases go through the county court system. The county clerk keeps these records and gives public access to them. You can search online or visit the courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. The city has over 190,000 residents and serves as a major hub for family court services in Broward County.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Where to Find Fort Lauderdale Family Court Records
Fort Lauderdale serves as the county seat of Broward County, which means all family court records for the city are maintained at the Broward County Clerk of Courts office. The main courthouse is located at 201 SE 6th Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, serving as the central hub for all family law matters in the county. You can visit the clerk's office to get copies of records, file new cases, or request certified documents. The current Broward County Clerk of Courts is Brenda D. Forman, and her office serves all of Broward County including Fort Lauderdale and over 30 other municipalities.
| Office | Broward County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Brenda D. Forman |
| Address | 201 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
The City of Fort Lauderdale maintains its own City Clerk office at 100 N. Andrews Avenue, reachable at (954) 828-5002. It is important to understand that city clerks do not keep or maintain court records of any kind. All family court papers, divorce filings, custody orders, and related documents are filed and stored at the county level through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The city clerk handles city council minutes, local ordinances, and municipal business only.
Online Search for Fort Lauderdale Family Court Records
You can search Fort Lauderdale family court records online through the Broward County Clerk's web-based case search system. The state portal at MyFloridaCourtAccess also provides access to cases filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Both systems are open to the public and allow you to search by party name or case number from any computer with internet access. The online system displays comprehensive case information including party names, filing dates, case status, and scheduled hearings. Some documents are viewable directly through the portal, though you may need to pay fees to access full document images. Certified copies still require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.
To search online, go to browardclerk.org and look for the case search link. You can search by name or case number without creating an account. The system is free to search, and you only pay if you want to view or download documents. This makes it easy to check case status or find basic information without visiting the courthouse.
What you need to search:
- First and last name of a party
- Case number if known
- Approximate year of filing
Filing Family Cases in Fort Lauderdale
New family law cases in Fort Lauderdale are filed at the Broward County Courthouse through the county clerk's office. The 17th Judicial Circuit handles divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence cases for all Broward County residents. The filing fee for a new divorce case is $408 as set by Florida law, and you may also pay additional service fees. These service costs cover the delivery of papers to the other party in the case, which is required by law and can be done by the sheriff's office or a private process server.
Broward County uses electronic filing for most cases, allowing attorneys and self-represented parties to submit documents online. You can file papers through the Florida e-filing portal by uploading PDF files and paying fees by credit card. The 17th Judicial Circuit has dedicated family court divisions with judges who specialize in family law matters, helping cases move through the system more efficiently. The court also operates a family case manager program that helps parties reach agreements without going to trial, potentially saving time and reducing conflict.
Types of Fort Lauderdale Family Court Records
The Broward County Clerk maintains many types of family court records, with each case type organized in its own filing system. You can request copies of most records, though some files are sealed and require a court order to access. Divorce records are the most frequently requested type, containing the petition for divorce, final judgment, and any settlement agreements reached by the parties. Child custody records include parenting plans that outline time-sharing schedules and decision-making responsibilities for each parent.
Child support records contain payment orders, wage garnishment papers, and payment history documentation. Paternity records establish legal fatherhood and may include DNA test results. Domestic violence records include injunctions and protective orders that help keep victims safe. Guardianship records document cases where someone has been appointed to care for a minor child or incapacitated adult. Adoption records are sealed in Florida and cannot be viewed without a court order protecting the privacy of the parties involved.
Name change records are public documents showing the old and new names approved by the court. Most Fort Lauderdale family court records are public under Florida's open records laws, though certain sensitive information is protected from disclosure.
Getting Copies of Fort Lauderdale Family Court Records
You can obtain copies of family court records through several convenient methods. Visiting the clerk's office provides same-day service for most requests. The online system allows you to view and print some records from home. Mail requests work well if you are not in a rush and cannot visit the courthouse in person.
Plain copies cost $1 per page at the clerk's office. Certified copies cost $7 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, with the certification seal proving that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original court record. Many legal purposes require certified copies, including name changes and remarriage. To order by mail, write to the Broward County Clerk with case details and document names, enclosing a check for the estimated fees. Call (954) 831-6565 to confirm the fee amount before mailing your request, and allow approximately two weeks for processing.
Some older cases from before 1990 may be stored in archives. These records can take longer to retrieve, so call ahead to ask about older files. The clerk can tell you whether the records are readily available at the courthouse or stored in an off-site facility.
Legal Help for Fort Lauderdale Family Court Cases
Many people in Fort Lauderdale need legal help navigating family court matters. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can match you with a qualified family law attorney who handles cases similar to yours. Call 1-800-561-2808 to request a referral to an experienced attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Free legal aid is available for people who meet income eligibility requirements. Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida serves Broward County residents and provides assistance with divorce, custody, domestic violence, and other family law matters. Call (954) 736-2400 to apply for services and learn about qualification requirements.
Broward County operates a self-help program at the courthouse where staff can help you find the right forms and explain court rules and procedures. They cannot provide legal advice about your specific situation, but they make self-representation easier by guiding you through the process. The Florida Courts website at flcourts.org offers free family law forms with detailed instructions for each document, plus videos that explain the court process step by step.
Broward County Family Court Records
Fort Lauderdale is located in Broward County, and all family court records for the city are maintained at the Broward County Clerk's office. The county serves many cities throughout South Florida with the same centralized court system. For more comprehensive information about the county court system, filing procedures, and available services, visit the Broward County family court records page.