Pembroke Pines City family court records cover all divorce, custody, support, paternity, and adoption files for residents of Pembroke Pines. These records are kept by the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Pembroke Pines is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit, so no family court files are held at any city office in Pembroke Pines itself. Anyone can look up a case by name, case number, or filing date using the county clerk’s online search portal or by visiting the main clerk’s office during business hours.
Where Pembroke Pines Family Court Records Are Kept
All family court records for Pembroke Pines residents sit at the Broward County Clerk of Courts office. Pembroke Pines is one of more than 30 cities in Broward County, and the county clerk acts as the single record keeper for the entire 17th Judicial Circuit. The main office sits in downtown Fort Lauderdale and handles filings, searches, copies, and certified records for every family case type.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts Office
The Broward County Clerk of Courts is led by Brenda D. Forman, who serves as the elected clerk. The main office is located at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk also runs a west regional office in Plantation that handles some services for residents on the western side of the county. The clerk’s website at browardclerk.org is the central hub for online searches, e-filing, and fee payments.
You can reach the clerk’s main phone line at (954) 831-6565 for questions about case status, document copies, or filing procedures. Staff can confirm whether a specific file is open to the public or sealed by court order. They can also tell you if an older case has been moved to off-site archives.
Why the City Clerk Does Not Handle Court Files
The City of Pembroke Pines has its own city clerk’s office at 10100 Pines Boulevard, reachable at (954) 450-1046. The city clerk only handles city business, council minutes, municipal ordinances, and local permits. The city clerk does not keep divorce records, custody orders, child support files, or any other family court papers. All family court matters for Pembroke Pines residents must go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale.
How to Search Pembroke Pines Family Court Records Online
The Broward County Clerk of Courts offers a free online search tool that anyone can use from a computer or mobile device. The search portal pulls case data from the county’s main court system and updates it daily. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or date range. The system covers all family case types filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit, including cases from Pembroke Pines.
The Broward County Online Case Search Portal
Go to browardclerk.org and click the case search link on the homepage. Enter the full name of at least one party, or a case number if you have one. Select the case type from the drop-down menu, then click search. Results show the case number, filing date, party names, judge assigned, and current case status. Clicking on a specific case shows hearing dates, document list, and a payment screen for any paid copies.
The MyFloridaCourtAccess portal at flcourts.gov also covers Broward County family cases. The state portal works the same way as the county tool and is a backup option when the county site is down. Both portals show basic case details at no cost. You only pay when you want to view or print a specific document.
Certified copies cannot be downloaded. You must request a certified copy through the clerk’s office for any document you plan to use in court, immigration, or government filings. The online portal only gives you viewable PDF copies for personal review.
What You Need Before You Start Your Search
Before you open the search portal, gather the key facts about the case you want to look up. The more details you have, the faster you can find the right file. Searches with just a name and no date range can return many unrelated results.
- Full legal name of at least one party to the case
- Case number if you have it from a prior court paper or notice
- Year or date range when the case was filed
- Credit card or debit card if you plan to view or download documents
Types of Family Cases Filed in Pembroke Pines
The 17th Judicial Circuit hears all family law matters for Broward County, which includes Pembroke Pines. Each case type has its own records, forms, and filing rules. Some case types are public, while others are sealed by law or by court order.
Divorce and Property Settlement Records
Divorce records are the most common family court file. A divorce file contains the petition, the response, financial affidavits, and the final judgment of divorce. Property settlement agreements, parenting plans for shared children, and any support orders are also in the file. Most divorce records are public once the final judgment is signed. Financial affidavits may be sealed in some high-asset cases.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Child custody files include petitions, responses, parenting plans, and time-sharing schedules. A parenting plan shows which parent has the child on which days, who makes major decisions, and how the parents will handle holidays and vacations. Custody records also include any orders about relocation, supervised visitation, or changes to the parenting plan. Most custody files are public, but some details about minors may be redacted in online views.
Child Support and Paternity Records
Child support files contain the petition, financial information, support order, and payment history. The clerk’s office keeps the payment log, which shows amounts paid, dates, and any wage withholding orders sent to employers. Paternity files include the petition to establish father status, DNA test results, and the final paternity order. Paternity files become public once the case is closed, unless a judge seals the file.
Adoption and Name Change Records
Adoption records are sealed by law in Florida. You cannot view an adoption file without a court order. The clerk’s office can confirm the existence of an adoption case but will not release any documents without judicial approval. Name change records are public. A name change file shows the petition and the court order that granted the new legal name.
Filing Fees and Court Costs for Family Cases
The clerk’s office charges a base filing fee for most family case types. Broward County follows the Florida state fee schedule. You may also pay extra costs for service of process, certified copies, or mediation. Below is a list of the most common fees for Pembroke Pines residents filing family cases in Broward County.
| Service or Case Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce filing fee (with or without children) | $408.00 |
| Simplified dissolution of marriage | $408.00 |
| Petition for support or paternity | $300.00 to $408.00 |
| Petition to modify custody or support | $300.00 to $408.00 |
| Petition for adoption | Varies by case type |
| Name change petition | $401.00 |
| Service of process by sheriff | $10.00 per attempt |
| Certified copy of a court document | $7.00 first page, $1.00 each extra page |
| Plain copy of a court document | $1.00 per page |
You can pay filing fees in person at the clerk’s office, by mail with a check, or online through the e-filing portal. The court does not waive fees without a sworn application based on income. Fee waiver forms are available on the clerk’s website and at the self-help center.
How to Get Certified Copies of Family Court Records
You can request certified copies of family court records three ways: in person, by mail, or online for plain copies. Certified copies carry the clerk’s seal and are accepted by courts, government agencies, and employers. Plain copies only show the document text and have no legal weight.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk’s Office
Visit the main office at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Bring a valid photo ID, the case number, and the names of the parties. The clerk will pull the file, copy the documents you request, and stamp them with the official seal. Most in-person requests are completed the same day if the file is at the main office.
Costs for in-person service are the standard certified copy fees: $7 for the first page and $1 for each extra page. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or card. The clerk will give you a receipt for every payment.
Mail-In Requests for Older or Archived Records
You can mail a written request to the clerk’s office for cases that are not urgent. Include the case number, full names of the parties, the year of filing, and a list of the documents you need. Send a check or money order for the total fee, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mailing. Mail requests can take 7 to 14 business days, depending on the clerk’s workload and whether the file is at the main office or in off-site storage.
Cases filed before 1990 may be stored in archives and can take longer to retrieve. Call the clerk at (954) 831-6565 to check on the location of an older file before sending a mail request. The clerk can tell you if there are any extra retrieval fees for archive pulls.
Legal Help and Self-Help Resources
Family court cases can be hard to handle without legal training. Pembroke Pines residents can get legal help from attorneys, legal aid groups, and the court’s self-help center. Some services are free for people who meet income rules, while others charge standard attorney fees.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid in Broward County
Coast to Coast Legal Aid serves Broward County and handles divorce, custody, and domestic violence cases for people with low income. Call (954) 736-2400 to apply and learn about eligibility. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a family law attorney in your area. Call 1-800-561-2808 for a referral. Referrals usually cost a small fee for the first 30-minute consultation.
Legal Aid Service of Broward County also provides help with family law matters for victims of domestic violence. They can help file injunctions for protection, custody papers, and divorce petitions. Many legal aid offices offer evening clinics and remote appointments for people who cannot travel to Fort Lauderdale during the day.
The Broward County Self-Help Center
The self-help center at the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale has staff who can help you fill out forms, understand court rules, and find the right paperwork. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and explain court procedures. The self-help center is free to use and open during regular court hours.
The Florida Courts website at flcourts.org offers free forms, step-by-step instructions, and short videos that explain common family court procedures. Many of the most-used family law forms are available in both English and Spanish. The website also has a self-help chat tool that can answer basic questions about filing fees, hearing dates, and required paperwork.
Contact and Location Details
The Broward County Clerk of Courts main office is the central point for all family court record requests for Pembroke Pines residents. Plan to visit between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on state and federal holidays. Bring a photo ID and any case numbers you have to speed up your visit.
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Website: https://www.browardclerk.org/
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
This section covers common questions about Pembroke Pines family court records, including search methods, fees, sealed files, and record retrieval timelines. Each answer below gives you direct, fact-based details so you know exactly what to do before you contact the clerk’s office or start an online search.
Can I view Pembroke Pines family court records for free?
Yes, you can search and view basic case details for free on the Broward County Clerk’s online portal. The search itself costs nothing. You only pay when you want to view or download the actual document images stored in the system. Certified copies for legal use are not free and require a payment at the clerk’s office or through the online system. The free online view shows case number, party names, judge, hearing dates, and case status. For the full document, you must pay the standard copy fee.
Are Pembroke Pines divorce records public?
Most divorce records are public once the judge signs the final judgment. The petition, financial affidavits, settlement agreement, and final judgment are all part of the public file. In some cases with sensitive financial details, a judge may seal part of the file. Sealed portions require a court order to view. You can check the public status of a divorce file by searching the case number on the clerk’s website or by calling the clerk’s office directly.
How do I find a Pembroke Pines child custody case number?
You can find a child custody case number by searching the party name on the Broward County Clerk’s online portal. The search will return the case number along with the filing date and current status. If you cannot find the case online, visit the clerk’s office in Fort Lauderdale with the full legal names of both parents and the approximate year of filing. The clerk can pull the case number from the paper index if the online search does not return results.
Can adoption records in Pembroke Pines be opened?
Florida law seals adoption records by default. You cannot view an adoption file without a court order. Adult adoptees can request a court order to open their own adoption file. Birth parents and adoptive parents may also petition the court for access under specific conditions. The clerk’s office will confirm the existence of an adoption case but will not release any documents without a signed court order.
What if my family court record is from before 1990?
Older family court files may be stored off-site at the clerk’s archive facility. These records can take longer to retrieve, and there may be an extra fee for archive pulls. Call the clerk’s main number at (954) 831-6565 before visiting or mailing a request for a pre-1990 file. The clerk can tell you the exact timeline and fee for retrieving archived files. Some very old paper files may have been digitized, but many still exist only in physical form.
Can I file a new family court case from Pembroke Pines online?
Yes, most new family court cases can be filed online through the Florida e-filing portal. You must create an account, upload your court papers as PDF files, and pay the filing fee with a credit or debit card. E-filed cases go to the same judges and follow the same rules as paper filings. You can also file in person at the clerk’s office if you prefer paper copies or need help with the forms.
Is there a way to get help with family court forms in Pembroke Pines?
Yes, the Broward County Self-Help Center at the main courthouse offers free help with family court forms. Staff can show you which forms to use, how to fill them out, and where to file them. The Florida Courts website also offers free family law forms with step-by-step instructions. For legal advice on your specific case, you need to hire an attorney or apply for help from a legal aid organization like Coast to Coast Legal Aid.