Hollywood FL Background Check Records
Background check records in Hollywood, Florida come from the Broward County Clerk of Courts and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Hollywood has about 159,000 people and sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami along the coast. The Broward Clerk stores all court filings from Hollywood, including criminal cases, civil suits, and traffic violations. FDLE provides statewide criminal history reports that cover arrests and charges from every county. Together these two sources form the core of any background check for someone in Hollywood.
Hollywood Quick Facts
Broward County Records for Hollywood
Hollywood is part of Broward County. Court records for the city go to the Broward County Clerk of Courts, run by Brenda D. Forman. The clerk keeps criminal case files, civil records, and family court filings. These records are public and form a key part of background checks in Hollywood. The main office is in Fort Lauderdale, a short drive from Hollywood along I-95 or US-1.
| Office | Broward County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Brenda D. Forman |
| Address | 201 SE Sixth St, Ste 18150 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
The Broward Clerk website has a free case search tool. You type in a name or case number and get results for any court case in the county. This includes Hollywood cases. The search shows case type, filing date, charges, and status. It is the fastest way to check county court records for a background check without leaving home.
Getting Background Check Records in Hollywood
Hollywood residents have several ways to access background check data. The city falls under the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers all of Broward County.
The City of Hollywood website provides general city services, but it does not maintain criminal records or court files. For that you need the county clerk or FDLE. The Hollywood Police Department can provide local arrest reports and incident records. These are separate from the formal background check process but can add detail to a records search.
How to Search Hollywood Background Check Records
Start with the Broward County Clerk. The online case search is free to use. Type the person's first and last name. You can narrow results by case type if you want just criminal records. The system pulls up all cases filed in Broward County courts, which covers every case from Hollywood.
Next, run a statewide search through FDLE. Go to CCHInet to submit a name-based criminal history check. You need the person's full name and date of birth. The fee is $24. Results come back the same day in most cases. This search picks up arrests from all 67 Florida counties, not just Broward.
For a more thorough background check in Hollywood, you can get a fingerprint-based search. This connects to the FBI database and checks records across the whole country. You need to visit a LiveScan provider to have prints taken. There are several locations in and around Hollywood that offer this service. The total cost runs between $50 and $80 depending on the provider.
Note: The Broward Clerk online search is free, but certified copies of documents have a per-page charge.
FDLE Background Checks for Hollywood
FDLE is the state agency that manages criminal history in Florida. All arrests in Hollywood get reported to FDLE. Their database holds records from every law enforcement agency in the state. When you run a background check through FDLE, you get a report that shows arrests, charges, and case outcomes.
The FDLE criminal history records page explains how the system works. Name searches cost $24. Fingerprint checks cost more but give broader results. FDLE also maintains the sex offender registry, which is free to search on their website. Hollywood residents can check this registry at any time with no fee.
Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes gives FDLE the power to collect and share criminal history data. It also covers who can get sealed or expunged records. If someone in Hollywood has had their record sealed, a standard background check will not show it. Only certain agencies and specific requests can access sealed files.
Public Records Law in Florida
Florida's public records law is strong. Chapter 119 says most government records are open for anyone to see. You do not have to explain why you want them. This applies to court records, arrest records, police reports, and most other government documents in Hollywood.
Some records have exemptions. Juvenile records are usually sealed. Certain victim information may be withheld. Active investigation files can be held back until the case is closed. But the default rule in Florida is open access. The Attorney General's open government page gives more detail on exemptions and how to appeal if a request is denied.
The MyFloridaCounty portal is another useful tool. It lets you search official records across Florida counties, including Broward. You can find liens, judgments, recorded documents, and other public records tied to people or properties in Hollywood.
Note: Public records requests in Florida must be filled promptly, though the law does not set an exact deadline.
Background Check Costs in Hollywood
Here is what you can expect to pay:
- FDLE name-based search: $24
- Fingerprint-based state and FBI check: $50 to $80
- Broward County online case search: free
- Certified copies from clerk: varies by page
The FDLE fee is set by the state and does not change based on where you live. The fingerprint check cost varies because LiveScan providers set their own service fees on top of the state processing fee. The Broward Clerk does not charge to search cases online, but you will pay for copies if you need official documents for a background check in Hollywood.
Types of Checks Available
Chapter 435 of the Florida Statutes defines levels of background screening used in the state. Level 1 checks are name-based and cover state records. Level 2 checks use fingerprints and include FBI records. Hollywood residents who need to comply with state rules should check Chapter 435 to see which level applies to their situation.
The Florida Clerks directory can point you to the right clerk office in any county. For Hollywood, that is the Broward County Clerk. But if the person you are checking has lived in other Florida counties, you may want to search those clerks as well. Each county clerk maintains its own case records.
Broward County Background Check Records
Hollywood sits in Broward County. All local court filings go through the Broward Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale. The county page has full details on search tools, fees, office hours, and related resources for background checks across the county.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Hollywood that use Broward County or neighboring county resources: