Plantation Background Check Records
Background check records for Plantation are managed through the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale. With just over 100,000 residents, Plantation is a mid-size city in western Broward County that falls under the 17th Judicial Circuit. The clerk handles all criminal and civil case records for the city. Statewide checks go through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which pulls data from every county in the state. Searching both the county clerk and FDLE gives you the most thorough picture of someone's record in Plantation.
Plantation Quick Facts
Broward County Court Records for Plantation
All court records for Plantation go through Broward County. The clerk of courts office in Fort Lauderdale is the place to look for criminal cases, civil suits, traffic cases, and family court filings. Plantation does not have its own court system. Every case from the city gets filed at the county level and stored in the Broward clerk database.
| Office | Broward County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 SE Sixth St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | browardclerk.org |
The Broward County Clerk has a free online case search tool. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Results include case type, filing date, charges, and current status. Criminal cases show arrest info and dispositions once a case closes. This works for anyone with records in Plantation or any other Broward County city. The system covers more than 30 municipalities in the county.
Note: The online system may take a few business days to show newly filed cases from Plantation.
Plantation City Government and Records
The City of Plantation website has information about local services, code enforcement, and police records that may be part of a background check.
Visit the City of Plantation website for local government services and contact information. The city itself does not keep court records or criminal history files. Those are held at the county and state level. However, the Plantation Police Department can provide local incident reports and arrest data for events that took place within city limits. For a full criminal history, you still need to go through the Broward County Clerk or FDLE.
FDLE Criminal History for Plantation
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state criminal history database. A search through FDLE covers all 67 Florida counties. That means records from Plantation show up along with data from every other part of the state. This is the most complete single source for a statewide background check.
FDLE offers two types of checks. A name-based search costs $24 and uses the person's name and date of birth. You submit it online at CCHInet and results come by email, usually within one business day. A fingerprint-based check is more detailed. It searches the FDLE state database and the FBI national database at the same time. You have to visit an approved LiveScan provider to get printed. There are several providers in the Plantation and western Broward County area.
The FDLE criminal history records page has full details on how to request a check, what forms you need, and how long results take. If you want to review your own record, FDLE offers a personal review option so you can see what shows up under your name in the state system.
How to Search Records in Plantation
Running a background check in Plantation starts with the county clerk. Go to the Broward County Clerk website and use the free case search. Type in the person's name and the system returns all matching court cases. You can filter by case type to see just criminal records or just civil matters. Each record shows filing dates, charges, and outcomes.
For official records like liens, judgments, and recorded documents, use the MyFloridaCounty portal. This site covers all 67 counties and lets you search Broward County official records from home. These records can show financial issues, property disputes, and other filings tied to a person in Plantation.
If you need a broader search, the FDLE name-based check is the next step. It pulls from the entire state. And if you want national coverage, a fingerprint-based Level 2 check through a LiveScan provider near Plantation is the way to go. The total cost for a fingerprint check runs between $50 and $80 depending on the provider.
Note: County court records and FDLE records may not overlap completely. The clerk has case-level detail that FDLE may summarize differently, so checking both gives you more information.
Background Check Costs
Searching court records online through the Broward Clerk is free. You can look up as many names as you want at no charge. If you need copies, the clerk charges 15 cents per page for plain copies and $1.00 per page for certified copies. These fees apply whether you request them in person at the Fort Lauderdale office or by mail.
- Broward Clerk online case search: free
- FDLE name-based check: $24
- Plain copies: $0.15 per page
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page
- Fingerprint-based check: varies by provider
LiveScan providers near Plantation set their own fees on top of the FDLE processing charge. Call ahead to get the exact total before you go. Some providers take walk-ins and others need appointments.
Public Records Law in Florida
Florida has strong open records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most government records available to anyone. You do not need to live in Plantation or even in Florida to request records. You also do not have to say why you want them. The law covers arrest records, court filings, official documents, and more.
Some records are exempt. Sealed and expunged records will not show up in a standard background check. Chapter 943 of the Florida Statutes covers the seal and expunge process. If a court has ordered a record sealed, only certain agencies can view it. The FDLE handles seal and expunge petitions for the state.
The Attorney General's Open Government page has guides on how to make a public records request. If an agency in Broward County or Plantation denies your request, the AG's office can help you understand your options.
Types of Background Checks Available
Different situations call for different levels of checking. The Broward County court search is the most basic option. It covers local cases only. FDLE name-based checks expand to all of Florida. Level 2 fingerprint checks go national through the FBI. Federal court records for Plantation fall under the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Florida Clerks website can help you find the right clerk for any county in the state.
Broward County Background Check Records
Plantation is part of Broward County, and all local court records flow through the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The county covers more than 30 cities and towns across south Florida. For a full look at county-level resources, fee schedules, and search tools, see the Broward County background check page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Plantation and share Broward County resources or are in neighboring counties: