Broward County family court records are public files that show the full history of family law cases in this South Florida county. These files cover divorces, child custody disputes, child support matters, paternity cases, adoptions, and domestic violence actions handled by the local family courts.
People search these records for many reasons, from lawyers building cases to family members checking on old orders. The Clerk of Courts keeps every file and lets the public see most of them through an online portal or at the main office in Fort Lauderdale.
What Are Broward County Family Court Records
Family court records in Broward County are official court files that list every action taken in a family law case from start to finish. Each file has a case number, the names of the people involved, a list of papers filed, court dates, and final orders. These records come from the 17th Judicial Circuit Family Division, which is the local court system for all of Broward County. Most files are open to the public under Florida law, but some are sealed to protect children or victims of abuse.
Types of Family Cases Filed
The family court handles seven main case types that each create their own set of files. Dissolution of marriage covers simple and regular divorces that end a marriage. Paternity cases decide who is the legal father of a child born to unmarried parents. Child support actions set or change monthly payment amounts based on each parent’s income. Custody and time-sharing cases decide where children live and how parents share time and decisions. Adoption cases add a new legal parent to a family. Domestic violence cases lead to protective injunctions. Name change cases let adults or minors take a new legal name.
- Dissolution of marriage (simple and regular divorces)
- Paternity actions to name a legal father
- Child support petitions and orders
- Custody and time-sharing cases
- Adoption final orders
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Legal name changes
Who Maintains These Records
The Broward County Clerk of Courts, led by Brenda D. Forman, maintains all family court records for the county. Her office stores paper files and electronic files at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk’s office processes new filings, dockets every court order, and answers public requests for copies. The clerk also runs the online search system that lets people check case status from home. Court judges make the orders, but the clerk keeps the files and makes them open to view.
Why These Records Are Public
Florida law says court records are open to the public unless a judge seals them by court order. The state wants court actions to be transparent so people can see how judges apply the law. Family court records help parents track custody orders, help attorneys prepare for hearings, and help the public check on people they plan to marry or do business with. Some files, like those involving minor children or abuse victims, get sealed by court order to protect privacy. Most other files stay open for anyone to see at the counter or through the Web2 portal.
How the 17th Judicial Circuit Handles Family Cases
The 17th Judicial Circuit covers Broward County and ranks as one of the largest court systems in the state of Florida. The family division sits inside this circuit and hears all family law cases that arise in the county. Judges in this division must have special training in family law and child development. They handle thousands of new cases each year across multiple courtrooms in the main Fort Lauderdale courthouse and satellite locations.
Circuit Structure and Divisions
The 17th Judicial Circuit has several divisions, each with a separate focus. The family division handles divorces, custody, support, paternity, and adoption. The civil division handles lawsuits between people and businesses. The criminal division handles felony charges brought by the state. The probate division handles wills, estates, and guardianship for adults. The family division itself has its own sub-sections, including a dedicated domestic violence section and a juvenile dependency section for cases where the state removes a child from a home.
Family Division Judges
Family division judges rotate through different courtrooms based on case type and caseload numbers. Each judge has a judicial assistant who manages the docket and schedules hearings. Family law judges must complete extra training on Florida family law and child development. They hear motions, conduct trials, and sign final judgments. The chief judge of the circuit assigns new cases to specific judges based on the type of filing and any conflicts between the parties.
Required Programs and Services
Parents going through a custody or divorce case in Broward must take a parenting class before the court signs a final order. The court offers a list of approved course providers on its website. Many cases go through mediation before trial, where a neutral third party helps parents reach an agreement. The court also works with the Florida Department of Revenue on child support cases and offers self-help centers for people who file without an attorney.
Broward County Clerk of Courts Office Details
The clerk’s office is the main hub for all family court records in Broward County. People visit the office to view files, get certified copies, file new papers, and ask questions about case status. The office has public terminals where visitors can run case searches for free. Staff at the front desk help people who do not know how to use the online tools or who need older files that are not yet scanned into the digital system.
Office Location and Hours
The main clerk’s office sits at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. The building is in downtown Fort Lauderdale near the federal courthouse. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for court holidays. Visitors need a photo ID to enter the building because of security screening at the door. Parking is available in nearby garages for a fee, and public buses stop within walking distance of the building.
Contact Methods
People can reach the clerk’s office by phone at (954) 831-6565 for general questions about cases and records. The main website at browardclerk.org has search tools, fee schedules, and form downloads. The online Web2 portal at browardclerk.org/web2 lets users run case searches at any time of day. Email contact works for some questions through the website’s contact form. People can also visit the office in person during business hours for hands-on help with records.
Payment Options
The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards at the counter. Online payments are available for many services through the clerk’s payment portal. Card payments add a small processing fee based on the total amount. Certified copy fees are set by Florida statute and change from time to time, so people should check the current fee schedule on the website before visiting. Some services, like basic case searches on the public terminals, are free of charge.
| Office Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Brenda D. Forman |
| Street Address | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Main Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Website | https://www.browardclerk.org/ |
| Online Portal | https://www.browardclerk.org/web2 |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Circuit | 17th Judicial Circuit |
How to Search Family Court Records Online
The fastest way to locate Broward County family court records is through the online Web2 portal. The portal lets anyone with a computer or phone run a case search without creating an account. Users pick the type of search, enter what they know, and see results on screen. Most case files filed since the year 2000 are fully searchable online. Older files may need a visit to the clerk’s office or a formal record request to view.
Using the Web2 Portal
Go to browardclerk.org/web2 to open the case search page. Pick a search type from the drop-down menu. The portal offers name search, case number search, business name search, and citation number search. After picking a type, type in the details and hit the search button. Results show on the next page with the case number, names, filing date, and court division. Click a case number to see the full docket and available documents that match the file.
Search by Name
Name searches need both the last name and first name of at least one party in the case. Add a middle name or initial to narrow the results when the name is common. The system works best when the user knows the full legal name as it appears on the court papers. If the person changed names due to marriage or divorce, the user should try both old and new names. The portal shows up to 200 results at once, so picking a date range helps when the name is shared by many people.
Search by Case Number
A case number search is the most exact method the portal offers. Case numbers follow a format like FMCE-2000012345 for family cases filed in the 2000s. The letters show the court type and the year, and the numbers show the order in which the case was filed. Anyone with the case number from a paper, attorney, or court notice can pull up the full file in seconds. People who do not know the case number should start with a name search and click the result that matches their case.
Search by Date Range
Date range searches cut down the number of results by limiting the search to a specific window of time. The user picks a starting date and ending date on the search form before running the query. This tool helps when searching for a person with a common name like John Smith or Maria Garcia. Date range searches also help people looking for a divorce from a specific year or a support order from a known time period in the past.
Search Limits and Tips
The Web2 portal limits each search to 200 results. Users who get too many results should add more details, like a date range or court type, before running the search again. Misspelled names lead to zero results, so double-check the spelling before hitting search. The system updates overnight, so files filed the same day might not show up until the next morning. Some older files from before 2000 are not fully indexed and need a clerk’s office visit to view.
Types of Family Court Records You Can View
Broward County family court covers a wide range of family law cases, and each type creates a different set of records. Most open files are open to the public under Florida law. Knowing what each file type contains helps people locate the exact paper they need. The clerk’s office sorts each case type into its own court division code, which makes searching the online system easier and faster for the user.
Divorce Records
Broward County divorce court records cover all papers filed to end a marriage between two people. The file starts with the petition that one spouse files to start the divorce. The file then has the response from the other spouse, financial affidavits that list income and assets, and any settlement agreement between the parties. Final judgments that end the marriage and divide property are in the same file. People search divorce files for remarriage checks, background checks, and to see past property splits.
Child Custody Records
Broward County child custody court records cover parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, and decision-making orders. These files show how parents split time with their children, who makes choices about school and health care, and how holiday visits work each year. Modification orders that change a prior custody setup are in the same file. Custody files often include parenting class certificates and mediation reports from the neutral third party who helped the parents reach an agreement.
Child Support Records
Broward County child support court records show payment amounts, due dates, and collection actions against parents who fall behind. The file starts with the petition that asks for support, followed by financial papers from each parent that show income and deductions. The court’s support order sets the monthly amount based on Florida’s child support guidelines and the child’s needs. The file also shows any arrearages, collection efforts, and modification hearings that change the amount over time.
Paternity Records
Broward County paternity court records show the legal steps to name a child’s father. The file starts with a petition from the mother, the state, or the alleged father. DNA test results show the scientific proof of the relationship between father and child. The court’s final order names the legal father and sets up custody, time-sharing, and child support at the same time. Paternity files are open, but some details about minor children may be redacted to protect their privacy.
Adoption Records
Broward County adoption court records are mostly sealed under Florida state law. The file shows the petition to adopt, the home study, the consent of the birth parents, and the final adoption order that creates the new legal family. Most people cannot view the full file unless a court order gives them access for a specific legal reason. Adult adoptees can request a copy of their own original birth certificate and sometimes other papers through the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Domestic Violence Records
Broward County domestic violence records cover petitions for protective injunctions filed by people who fear for their safety. The file has the petition, the temporary injunction issued right away, the final injunction after a full hearing, and any violation reports filed later. These files may have restricted access to protect the victim from further harm. The names of victims and minor children are often redacted in public view. People named in these files can check the orders to make sure they follow all rules set by the court.
Name Change Records
Broward County name change records cover petitions to legally change a person’s name through the court. The file shows the petition, the reason for the change, and the final order signed by a judge. Name changes for minors need parental consent and sometimes a guardian ad litem report. These files are open to the public, and the order is needed to update Social Security cards, driver’s licenses, passports, and other official papers that show a person’s legal name.
How to Get Certified Copies of Records
Certified copies of Broward County family court records are official copies that carry the clerk’s seal and signature. Banks, government agencies, and other courts need certified copies for legal use. Plain photocopies work for personal reference but cannot be used for legal filings or court actions. The clerk’s office issues certified copies for a fee and can mail them or hand them out at the office during regular business hours.
Fees and Costs
Certified copy fees are set by Florida state law and may change from year to year. As of the latest fee schedule, the cost is $1.00 per page for a regular certified copy and $2.00 per page for an exemplified copy, which has an extra court seal for use in other states. Search fees apply if the clerk has to look for a file in the paper archives. Payment can be cash, check, money order, or card at the counter. Mailing adds postage costs based on the weight of the package.
Request Methods
People can request certified copies in person, by mail, or online through the clerk’s website. In-person requests are the fastest and let the visitor get copies the same day at the public counter. Mail requests need a written letter, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the correct payment. Online requests work through the clerk’s certified copy portal and accept major credit cards. Each request needs the case number, names of the parties, and a clear list of the specific papers needed by the requester.
Processing Times
In-person requests for paper files are usually ready the same day when the file is already at the counter. Online certified copy orders take 3 to 5 business days plus mailing time to the requester. Mail requests take 7 to 10 business days from the date the clerk receives the letter. Old files stored off-site at the records center may take longer if the clerk has to pull them from a different location. The clerk’s office can rush some requests for an extra fee, but standard times work for most needs.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some Broward County family court records are sealed by a judge’s written order. A sealed file is closed to the public, and only people named in the case or their lawyers can see it. Confidential records are a smaller class of files that are never public, like adoption files and juvenile dependency files. Florida law lists the exact reasons a judge can seal a file, and the request must go through a formal court motion that the other side can oppose.
What Gets Sealed
Judges in Broward may seal records that involve minor children, sensitive financial data, or trade secrets. Domestic violence files often have parts sealed to protect victims from further harm. Custody files may have parts sealed to protect a child’s identity, school, or medical details. Each sealing order names the specific papers that are closed to the public. Other parts of the same file may stay open. Full file sealing is rare and only happens in narrow cases where privacy outweighs the public’s right to know.
How to Request Access
To view a sealed file, a person must file a written motion with the court that shows a good legal reason. The motion explains who the person is, why they need the file, and what they plan to do with the details they see. A judge reviews the motion at a hearing and decides if access is granted in full or in part. There is a small filing fee for the motion. People who cannot afford the fee can ask for a fee waiver based on income by filling out a separate form.
Adoption Record Restrictions
Florida adoption files are sealed by state law and stay closed to the public forever. The court order that finalized the adoption is sealed along with the home study and the birth parents’ papers. Adult adoptees born in Florida can ask the state Office of Vital Statistics for a copy of their original birth certificate after they turn 18 years old. Birth parents and adult children can register with the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry to find each other through a confidential matching system run by the state.
Filing Family Court Documents
People who need to start a new family case or file a paper in an open case must follow the clerk’s filing rules. The clerk accepts filings in person, by mail, and through the Florida e-filing portal that runs statewide. Most new cases start with a petition that tells the court what the filer wants the judge to order. Each filing has a fee unless the filer gets a fee waiver based on income or public benefits.
E-Filing System
The Florida Courts e-filing portal lets attorneys and self-represented people file papers online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system is part of the state court system and works for family cases in Broward County. New users must create an account and add a payment method before the first filing. The portal accepts most common file types, including PDFs and Word documents. Filers get an email when the clerk accepts or rejects the filing along with the reason for any rejection.
Required Forms
Most family cases in Broward need specific Florida Supreme Court approved forms that the court system has put together. The forms cover petitions, financial affidavits, custody statements, and support worksheets. The clerk’s website has a free form library that lists every form with its current revision date and a link to download. Self-represented filers should use the most current forms to avoid rejection at the counter. Lawyers usually handle forms for paying clients as part of their legal service.
Filing Fees
Filing fees for family cases vary by case type and are set by Florida law. As of the latest fee schedule, a simple dissolution of marriage costs less than a regular divorce with minor children. A petition for support, custody, or paternity has its own fee based on what the filer asks the court to do. Fee waivers are available for low-income filers who fill out a separate form and show proof of public benefits or low income. The clerk’s office can answer fee questions before filing to avoid surprises at the counter.
Contact and Visit the Clerk’s Office
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of all family court records in the county. Anyone can visit the office, call, or go online to search files, request copies, or ask questions. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on court holidays. Public terminals at the office let visitors run free case searches with help from staff at the front desk when needed.
Office: Broward County Clerk of Courts
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/
Online Portal: https://www.browardclerk.org/web2
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Clerk: Brenda D. Forman
Circuit: 17th Judicial Circuit
Common Questions About Family Court Records
Below are answers to questions that people often ask when they look for Broward County family court records. These cover the most common search scenarios, fees, and rules. Each answer points to the right office, form, or tool so people can finish their task without extra trips. The answers reflect current Florida law and local court practice as of 2026.
How do I locate a divorce record in Broward County?
Go to the Web2 portal at browardclerk.org/web2 and pick a name search from the menu. Type the full legal name of either spouse as it appears on the petition that started the case. Add a date range to narrow the results if the name is common in the system. Look for cases that start with the letters FMCE, which is the standard code for family dissolution cases filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Click the case number to see the full docket, which lists the petition, response, financial papers, and final judgment that ended the marriage. Most files since the year 2000 are fully indexed and show paper images you can view from home on a computer or phone. For older files from before 2000, the docket shows the case number but the paper images are not online, so a visit to the clerk’s office may be needed to view them in person. Certified copies of the final judgment are available from the clerk for a small per-page fee, and many legal purposes like remarriage or property sales require a certified copy rather than a plain printout. The clerk’s office can also mail a certified copy if you send a written request with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Are child custody records public in Broward?
Most child custody records are public, but some details are redacted to protect children from harm. The parenting plan, time-sharing schedule, and final custody order are usually open to view. Documents that list the child’s address, school, or medical details may be sealed by the court for safety reasons. Anyone can search for a custody case through the Web2 portal by name or case number. The public version of the file shows who has custody and the basic schedule, but private details stay out of public view to keep children safe at home and school. Parents named in a custody case can always see the full file through their attorney or by visiting the clerk’s office. Other people, like new partners or grandparents, may need to ask the court for permission to view sealed parts of the file by filing a written motion. The court weighs the reason for the request against the child’s right to privacy before granting access to sealed papers.
Can I view adoption records in Broward County?
Florida adoption files are sealed by state law and are not open to the public at any time. The court file is closed to everyone except the adoptive parents, the adult adoptee, and people who get a court order for a specific legal reason. Adult adoptees born in Florida can ask the state Office of Vital Statistics for a copy of their original birth certificate after they turn 18 years old. The original certificate lists the birth parents’ names at the time of birth. Birth parents and adult children can sign up for the Florida Adoption Reunion Registry to try to contact each other through a confidential matching system run by the state. The registry does not share contact details unless both sides agree to the match. Researchers and genealogists cannot view adoption files without a special court order, and the court grants those orders only in narrow cases under Florida law.
How much does a certified copy cost in Broward?
The clerk charges a per-page fee for certified copies based on Florida law, and the rates may change from year to year. The current rate is $1.00 per page for a regular certified copy and $2.00 per page for an exemplified copy, which has an extra court seal for use in other states or federal court. The total cost depends on how many pages the order has when printed on standard paper. Mailing adds postage based on the weight of the package and the shipping method. People can pay by cash, check, money order, or card at the counter, and by card online through the clerk’s payment portal. The clerk’s fee schedule on the website has the most current rates before any visit or mailed request. There is also a small search fee if the clerk has to look for a file in the paper archives before making the copy for the requester. Most in-person requests for files already at the counter are filled the same day without extra waiting.
How long does Broward keep old family court files?
Broward keeps family court files permanently for most case types under state record retention rules. Divorce, custody, support, and paternity files stay in the clerk’s system forever, even after the parties die or close out the case. Paper files older than a certain date may be stored at the records center instead of the main office, and getting them may take a few extra days while staff pull the file from storage. Electronic files stay in the system for the same period and can be searched through the Web2 portal at any time of day. Adoption files are sealed but kept on file permanently by court order, and the clerk can produce them only to people with the right to view the records. Old files that have been scanned and uploaded to the system show up in online searches just like newer files, so users do not need to know the file date before searching the portal.
Can I locate a family court case by year only?
Yes, the Web2 portal lets users run a date range search when they do not know the case number. Pick a starting date and ending date that cover the year of the case on the search form. Type the name of one of the parties in the case and run the search. The results will only show cases filed in that date window, which cuts down the list of results to a manageable size. This tool works well when the person has a common name and the user knows roughly when the case started. Users can sort the results by date on the result page to find the right case faster. If the name is very common and the date range is wide, the search may still return up to 200 results, so users can narrow the date range further or add a middle initial to the name search field.
What if I cannot locate the case online?
Some older files are not yet in the online system because they were filed before the digital indexing project began. Visit the clerk’s office at 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale and ask a clerk to search the paper records in person. Bring as many details as possible, like full legal names, year of filing, and case type, to make the search faster. The clerk can search by name or date in the paper indexes kept at the office. There may be a small search fee for paper records, and the fee is set by Florida law. The clerk can also pull files from the records center for an extra fee if the file is stored off-site at a different location. Most paper searches take less than 30 minutes when the requester has good details, and the clerk can make copies on the spot for an additional per-page fee.