Sunrise Florida Family Court Records Guide
Sunrise family court records are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The city sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. All divorce, custody, and family law cases for Sunrise residents go through the county court system. The clerk maintains files for divorce, custody, support, and other family cases. Records are open to the public with some limits. The city has over 97,000 residents and shares the same county court system as other Broward County communities for all family legal matters.
Sunrise Quick Facts
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Sunrise is located in Broward County, and all family court records for city residents are maintained at the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The main courthouse sits in Fort Lauderdale at 201 SE 6th Street, where you can access records and file new cases. Brenda D. Forman serves as the Broward County Clerk of Courts, and her office handles records for all of Broward County including Sunrise and over 30 other cities.
| 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 to Sunrise Family Court Records
You can search Sunrise family court records online through the Broward County Clerk's case search system. The state portal at MyFloridaCourtAccess also provides access to cases filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Both systems allow you to look up cases by party name or case number from any computer or mobile device. The online search displays basic case details including who filed the case, the filing date, and current case status. Some records allow you to view documents directly through the portal, though you will pay fees for document access. Certified copies still require a visit to the clerk's office for authentication.
Go to browardclerk.org and click on the case search link. Enter a name or case number to begin your search. The search itself is free, and you only pay if you want to view or download documents. This makes it easy to check case status without any upfront costs.
To search Sunrise family court records, you need:
- Full name of at least one party
- Case number if you have it
- Year range for the case
- Payment method for documents
Types of Sunrise Family Court Records
Broward County keeps many types of family court records, and Sunrise residents can get copies of most records upon request. Some files are sealed by court order and require special permission to access. Divorce records are the most common request, containing the petition, answer, and final judgment along with any property settlement agreements reached by the parties.
Child custody records include parenting plans that show time-sharing schedules and decision-making rights. Child support records contain orders, payment logs, and wage garnishment papers. Paternity records establish legal father status. Domestic violence records include injunctions for protection. Guardianship records name caregivers for minors or adults who cannot care for themselves. Adoption records are sealed and cannot be obtained without a court order. Name change records are public and show the court order establishing a new legal name.
City of Sunrise vs. Broward County Records
The City of Sunrise maintains a City Clerk's office at 10770 West Oakland Park Boulevard, reachable at (954) 746-3270. It is essential to understand that city clerks do not keep or process court records of any kind. They handle city business, council minutes, and municipal ordinances only. All family court papers must be filed at the county level through the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
Many residents confuse the city clerk with the county clerk. The city clerk manages local government records for Sunrise. The county clerk handles all court cases including divorce, custody, and family law matters. If you need family court records, you must contact the Broward County Clerk of Courts, not the City of Sunrise clerk's office.
How to Request Sunrise Family Court Records
You have several options for obtaining copies of family court records. You can visit the clerk's office in Fort Lauderdale for same-day service on most requests. The online system allows you to view and print some documents from home. Mail requests work well if you plan ahead and are not in a hurry.
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. The certification proves the copy is a true and accurate reproduction of the original record, and many legal uses require certified copies. To mail a request, write to the Broward County Clerk with the case number, party names, and a list of documents you want. Include payment for the fees, and call (954) 831-6565 to confirm the fee amount before mailing.
Old records may be stored in archives. Cases from before 1990 can take longer to retrieve, so call ahead to ask about these files. The clerk can tell you whether the records are immediately available or stored off-site.
Broward County Family Court Records
Sunrise is part of Broward County, and all family court records are maintained at the county clerk's office. The county serves over 30 cities with the same centralized court system. For more information about the county court system, visit the Broward County family court records page.