Search Broward County Family Court Records
Broward County family court records are accessible through the Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale. Brenda D. Forman serves as the current clerk. The county is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit. It is one of Florida's most populous counties. The clerk handles a high volume of family cases. Records include divorce, custody, and support matters. The office provides robust online search tools. These help users find case information efficiently.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Office
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains family court records at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale, where Brenda D. Forman leads an office serving thousands of customers monthly. Staff process record requests quickly while maintaining both paper and electronic files to ensure accessibility and compliance with Florida public records laws. Contact the office at (954) 831-6565 for general inquiries and search guidance, though the phone line can be busy during peak hours. Call during off-peak times for shorter waits, or use the clerk's website which offers extensive self-service options allowing many tasks to be completed online without visiting the office.
The downtown Fort Lauderdale location is accessible via public transportation with parking available nearby. The building has security screening and requires photo identification for record access. The office accepts multiple payment forms including cash, check, and cards for most transactions.
| Clerk Name | Brenda D. Forman |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
| Circuit | 17th Judicial Circuit |
Broward County Online Case Search
Broward County offers a comprehensive online case search system through the Web2 portal, providing multiple search options that make finding family court records efficient and user-friendly. Users can search by party name, business name, case number, or citation number depending on the information available, with party name searches requiring both last and first names for accurate results. The system limits results to the first two hundred matches, so narrowing your search with filing date ranges and court type selections improves accuracy and helps you find the specific case you need without scrolling through excessive results.
The online system displays detailed case information including full party names, case status, scheduled hearings, and document availability indicators. Some records link directly to document images while others require in-person viewing at the clerk's office. Results clearly mark family court matters including dissolution of marriage cases, custody proceedings, and support enforcement cases, making it easy to identify the correct case number for your needs.
Note: Online searches are limited to 200 results, so adding date ranges and court types will improve your search accuracy significantly.
Family Court Records Available in Broward County
Broward County maintains extensive family court records covering the full spectrum of family law matters that affect residents in this large South Florida county. Dissolution of marriage files are numerous, including both simplified and regular divorces with petitions starting proceedings, financial affidavits disclosing assets, settlement agreements resolving disputes, and final judgments terminating marriages. Child custody records are comprehensive with parenting plans allocating time-sharing, assigning decision-making authority, specifying holiday schedules to prevent conflicts, and establishing child support orders with medical, dental, and sometimes college expense arrangements. Modifications update prior orders as circumstances change.
Domestic violence cases have dedicated files beginning with petitions for injunction, temporary orders providing immediate protection, final injunctions lasting longer, and violations documented and prosecuted. These records serve protective functions with access limited for safety. Other family matters include paternity actions establishing parental rights and duties, name changes for adults and minors, and some guardianship matters. Each record type has specific contents that the clerk organizes professionally to ensure accessibility while maintaining required confidentiality.
Tips for Searching Broward County Records
Effective searches in Broward County use specific strategies that help you locate the correct records quickly among the high volume of cases filed each year. Start with complete legal names including all known variations, recognizing that women may have changed names and businesses may be listed as parties requiring the business search option. Date ranges improve results by limiting searches to relevant years, reducing result counts and making review easier. Case numbers are the best search tool, obtainable from any court document or attorney.
The system shows two hundred results maximum, so narrow searches that return too many by adding more specific criteria, using exact spelling when known, trying different date ranges, or selecting specific court divisions. These steps help you find the right case without frustration.
Broward County Clerk Website Resources
The Broward County Clerk homepage offers extensive online services through an intuitive interface.
The site provides links to case search tools and public records information.
The case search system allows detailed record lookups with multiple search options.
Users can search by name, case number, or business name to find family court records.
E-filing is available for court documents through the Florida portal.
The electronic filing system accepts documents for family court cases.
17th Judicial Circuit Court
Broward County is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit, one of Florida's busiest circuits where multiple judges handle a large caseload through specialized family law divisions. The circuit provides comprehensive services including family mediation to help resolve disputes, mandatory parenting courses for divorcing parents, and coordinated support enforcement working with state agencies. Court hearings occur at the main Fort Lauderdale courthouse for most family matters, with some proceedings in other facilities as specified in court notices. Arrive early for security and bring required identification and documents.
Getting Copies of Broward County Records
Copies of family court records are available from the Broward clerk with different options depending on your legal needs. Standard copies cost a per-page fee while certified copies are more expensive but verify document authenticity. Many legal purposes require certified copies, so specify your needs when requesting. Payment options include cash, check, and credit or debit cards with online payments available for some services. Fee schedules are posted online with current rates available on the website.
Same-day service is standard for most requests, though large orders or archived records may take longer. Rush services are limited, so plan ahead for deadlines.