Sunrise Background Check
Background check records in Sunrise are held at the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Sunrise sits in the northwest part of Broward County with about 100,000 residents. The city is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit, and all court records from Sunrise flow through the Broward clerk system in Fort Lauderdale. Criminal cases, civil filings, and traffic records from Sunrise are all stored in the same county database. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles statewide checks that pull data from every county, giving you a fuller picture beyond just Broward.
Sunrise Quick Facts
Broward County Court Records for Sunrise
Every court case filed in Sunrise goes through Broward County. The clerk of courts office is in Fort Lauderdale, about 12 miles southeast of Sunrise. Criminal cases, civil suits, family court matters, and traffic tickets from the city all end up in the Broward clerk system. Sunrise does not have its own court. The county handles everything.
| 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 provides free online case searches. Type in a name or case number and the system returns matching records from across the county. Since Broward has more than 30 cities, the search covers a large area. Results include case type, filing dates, charges, and disposition. For criminal cases, you can see arrest information and sentencing details once the case is closed.
Note: The clerk's online system is updated regularly, but newly filed cases from Sunrise may take a few days to appear.
Sunrise City Government
The City of Sunrise runs its own local government with city services that may connect to background check research.
The City of Sunrise website covers city services, code enforcement, and local government contacts. The city does not maintain its own court records or criminal history database. Those are held by the county clerk and FDLE. The Sunrise Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits and can provide local incident reports and arrest data. Arrest records from Sunrise PD eventually get filed with the Broward County Clerk and appear in the county court system.
Statewide Checks Through FDLE
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state criminal history system. A search through FDLE pulls records from all 67 Florida counties, including Broward. That means arrests and court results from Sunrise show up alongside records from the rest of the state.
There are two main types of FDLE checks. A name-based search costs $24 and uses the person's name and date of birth. You can submit it at CCHInet and get results by email within a business day or so. A fingerprint-based check is more detailed because it searches the FBI national database along with FDLE. You need to visit an approved LiveScan provider to get your fingerprints taken. There are providers in the Sunrise area and throughout Broward County.
The FDLE criminal history records page explains how each check works. You can also check your own record through the personal review option to see what the state database has under your name.
How to Search Records in Sunrise
Start with the Broward County Clerk online case search. It is free and gives you results right away. You can search by name, case number, or date range. Filter by case type to see only criminal records, only civil cases, or all filings. Each result shows the charges, filing date, and case status.
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 anywhere. These are different from court case records. They cover property filings, financial documents, and other recorded items that may show up in a broader background check.
If you want statewide coverage, add an FDLE name-based check for $24. For national coverage, get a fingerprint-based check at a LiveScan provider near Sunrise. The fingerprint check costs more because the provider adds their own fee to the FDLE processing charge. Total is usually between $50 and $80.
Note: Federal court records for Sunrise fall under the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Fort Lauderdale.
Costs for Background Check Records
The Broward Clerk online search is free. You can look up names and view case details without paying anything. Copies cost money. Plain copies are 15 cents per page. Certified copies run $1.00 per page. You can get copies at the clerk's office in Fort Lauderdale or request them by mail.
- Broward Clerk online search: free
- FDLE name-based check: $24
- Plain copies: $0.15 per page
- Certified copies: $1.00 per page
- LiveScan fingerprint check: varies by provider
Florida Public Records Law
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most government records open to the public. Anyone can request records. You do not need to live in Sunrise or give a reason for your request. Court filings, arrest records, and official documents are all available unless they are exempt under a specific law.
Sealed and expunged records do not show up in standard searches. Chapter 943 covers how records get sealed or expunged in Florida. FDLE processes all seal and expunge petitions. The Attorney General's Open Government page has more information about public records rights in the state. If you have trouble getting records from Broward County, the AG's office can help.
Other Record Sources for Sunrise
The Florida Clerks website has a directory of every clerk of court in the state. This is useful if you need to search records beyond Broward County. Some people who lived in Sunrise may have records in other Florida counties from before they moved.
The Broward County Sheriff's Office also keeps arrest data and inmate records. Their system is separate from the clerk's court records, so checking both can turn up different information. For federal cases, the U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale handles matters from the Sunrise area.
Broward County Background Check Records
Sunrise is part of Broward County. All court records for the city go through the county clerk in Fort Lauderdale. For a complete look at Broward County background check tools, search options, and fee details, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Sunrise and share Broward County resources or are close by: