Plantation Family Court Records Search Guide
Plantation 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. Plantation has over 92,000 residents and shares the same county court system as other Broward County communities.
Plantation Quick Facts
Where to Find Plantation Family Court Records
Plantation has no courthouse of its own. All family cases go to Broward County. The main courthouse sits in Fort Lauderdale, a short drive east from Plantation. The 17th Judicial Circuit runs these courts. Judges hear divorce matters, custody disputes, support, and alimony cases. The county clerk manages all files. Brenda D. Forman serves as clerk. Her office has several locations. The main office is downtown in Fort Lauderdale at 201 SE 6th Street.
| 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 |
Online Access for Plantation Family Court Records
The web brings records close. Broward County has a search portal where you look up cases by name or case number. The tool shows hearing dates and case status. Some documents view for free. Others need payment. Florida has a state portal too that links all sixty-seven counties. You can search past Broward for multi-county cases. The portal shows basic facts. Full records stay at the county. Use both tools together. Start with the state site, then check Broward direct for the full picture.
Visit 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. 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
Types of Plantation Family Court Records
Family courts see many disputes. Divorce tops the list. Spouses end their marriages. The court splits what they own and sets support amounts. Child custody follows next. Parents fight for their kids. Judges look at homes, school records, and hear both parents out. The child's best interest rules. All orders go in the file.
Other cases include paternity where men prove or deny fatherhood to set support duties. Adoption cases file here too. Step-parents adopt their spouses' children. Relatives adopt family members. The court must approve each. Some records seal for privacy. Domestic violence matters come up. Victims seek safety orders that tie to custody fights. The records track every step.
Most Plantation family court records are public under Florida's open records laws, though certain sensitive information is protected from disclosure. Adoption records are sealed and require a court order to view.
City Clerk vs County Clerk for Plantation
The City of Plantation has a clerk. Their office sits at 400 Northwest 73rd Avenue, zip code 33317. Call them at (954) 797-2200. They handle city permits and codes. They do not keep court records. For those, contact Broward County. The city clerk can point you to the county if you need directions.
It is important to understand the difference. City clerks handle city council minutes, local ordinances, and municipal business only. 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. Do not visit the city clerk expecting to find court records.
How to Request Plantation Family Court Records
Searching records takes planning. The clerk offers online tools. You can also visit in person. Phone help works too. Pick what fits your need. Online search suits quick checks. You see case status and dates. Some papers download free. Others need payment. In-person visits give full access. You view the whole case file. Staff help you find items. They make copies on site.
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. Enclose a check for the estimated fees. Call (954) 831-6565 to confirm the fee amount before mailing your request. 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.
Broward County Family Court Records
Plantation 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.