Fort Lauderdale Background Checks
Background check records for Fort Lauderdale are managed by the Broward County Clerk of Court and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County, so the main clerk's office and courthouse are right in the city. All criminal cases, civil filings, and court records for Fort Lauderdale pass through this office. Broward County is one of the most populated counties in the state, with over 1.9 million residents spread across more than 30 cities. The clerk processes a large volume of records daily, which means their online tools are well developed and widely used. Whether you need court case data, arrest records, or copies of filed documents, the Broward Clerk is where you start for Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Which County Handles Fort Lauderdale Records
Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County. It is also the county seat. The Broward County Clerk of Court handles all court records for Fort Lauderdale and the rest of the county. The main courthouse is in downtown Fort Lauderdale, so residents have easy access to the clerk's office for in-person visits. Criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family court filings, and probate cases all go through this office. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department handles arrests in the city, but once charges are filed, the case moves to the Broward County court system.
The Broward Clerk website has an online case search that covers all cases filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit. You can look up records for free. For the full county overview, visit the Broward County background check page.
| Clerk Office | Broward County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 SE 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
Note: The Broward Clerk also has branch locations in other parts of the county, but the main office in Fort Lauderdale handles the largest share of record requests.
How to Search Background Check Records in Fort Lauderdale
The Broward County Clerk website at browardclerk.org has an online case search. Type a first and last name. The system shows all matching cases filed in Broward County. Each result lists the case type, charges, filing date, and current status. This search is free to use and covers Fort Lauderdale and all other cities in Broward County. You can search by name or by case number if you have one.
For a statewide search, use FDLE's CCHInet system. The fee is $24 for a name-based check. Results come by email. This covers records from all 67 counties, so it picks up any charges filed in Fort Lauderdale along with records from elsewhere in the state. It is a good option when you do not know the person's full history of where they lived.
The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records like liens, judgments, and property filings from Broward County. These are different from court case records but can be useful as part of a broader background check. The search is free, and copies cost a small per-page fee.
- Broward Clerk online case search: free
- FDLE name-based check: $24
- MyFloridaCounty official records: free to search
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page
- Plain copies: $0.15 per page
FDLE Criminal History Checks
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the statewide criminal history database. This includes records from Fort Lauderdale and every other city and county in Florida. FDLE has two check levels. Level 1 is a name-based search. It costs $24 and you can submit it online at fdle.state.fl.us. Level 2 is a fingerprint-based check. It searches both the state database and the FBI national database.
For Level 2 checks in Fort Lauderdale, you need to go to a LiveScan provider for fingerprinting. The Florida Health Source directory lists all approved providers. Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding Broward County area have multiple locations to choose from. Level 2 checks are more thorough since they include national records on top of what Florida has on file.
FDLE records include arrests, charges, and dispositions reported by the Fort Lauderdale Police, the Broward Sheriff's Office, and the state attorney. A check through FDLE gives you a more complete picture than searching the clerk's website alone. It captures records that might not appear in the local court case search, such as charges filed in other counties or records from state-level agencies.
Fort Lauderdale City Government
The City of Fort Lauderdale maintains a government website with department contacts and public services. Visit fortlauderdale.gov for city-level resources.
The city site covers local services and provides contact information for various departments in Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale's police department maintains its own records for arrests and incidents within city limits. You can request police reports from FLPD directly. Once a case goes to court, though, the records move to the Broward County Clerk. So for a full background check, you may want to check both the city police records and the county court records. The Broward Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas and some contract cities, but Fort Lauderdale has its own police force.
Public Records Access in Fort Lauderdale
Florida's public records laws are among the broadest in the nation. Under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, most government records are open to the public. You do not have to be a Fort Lauderdale resident. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The agency holding the records must provide them unless a specific exemption applies.
Sealed and expunged records are not available. Juvenile cases have restrictions. Active criminal investigations may be withheld temporarily. But beyond those exceptions, court case files, arrest reports, booking records, and official documents in Fort Lauderdale are all accessible to anyone. This covers records held by the Broward Clerk, the Fort Lauderdale Police, and other local agencies.
If you hit a wall trying to get records, the Attorney General's Open Government office handles complaints about access issues. Under Chapter 943, FDLE governs how criminal history data is collected and shared statewide.
Getting Copies of Fort Lauderdale Records
You can get copies of court records from the Broward County Clerk at 201 SE 6th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Go to the clerk's office and request the record by name or case number. Plain copies cost 15 cents per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. You can pay at the counter with cash, check, or credit card in most cases.
Mail requests are also an option. Send a letter with the person's name, case type, and date range to the clerk's address. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. Call (954) 831-6565 first to confirm costs. For FDLE criminal history results, submit a request online at CCHInet for $24. You can also use the Florida Clerks directory to find clerk offices in other counties if you need records from beyond Broward.
Broward County Background Check Records
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County, and all court filings and criminal records go through the Broward County Clerk of Court. Broward is one of the largest counties in Florida, covering more than 30 municipalities. For the full county page with more resources and search options, visit the Broward County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Fort Lauderdale where you can search background check records: