Sunrise City family court records are public court files for divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law cases filed by people who live in Sunrise, Florida. These records sit at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale because Sunrise is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can look up these records online through the Broward County Clerk of Courts or visit the clerk’s office in person to request copies. The records show case history, party names, court orders, and final judgments for family matters.
Where Sunrise Family Court Records Are Kept
Sunrise sits in Broward County, so all family court records for Sunrise residents live at the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for the 17th Judicial Circuit. Brenda D. Forman is the current Clerk of Courts. The main office sits in the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, about 12 miles from Sunrise.
Broward County Courthouse Main Address
The Broward County Courthouse stands at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The clerk’s office occupies the main building. The phone number for general clerk questions is (954) 831-6565. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The courthouse closes on weekends and all federal holidays.
Online Case Search Portal
The Broward County Clerk runs a free online case search at case-search.browardcountyfl.org. This portal lets users look up family court cases by name, case number, or filing date. The system pulls data from the official court database and shows case status, hearing dates, and basic party information. Users can view some documents online for a small fee. Certified copies still require a trip to the clerk’s office or a mail request.
Sunrise City Clerk Is Not the Court Clerk
The City of Sunrise has a city clerk at 10770 West Oakland Park Boulevard, reachable at (954) 746-3270. This office handles city business like council minutes, local ordinances, and city contracts. The city clerk does not keep court records. Family court records for Sunrise residents always sit at the county level with the Broward County Clerk of Courts.
Types of Family Court Records Available
The Broward County Clerk keeps many types of family court records. Most files stay open to the public, but a few are sealed by court order. Each type of case has its own set of documents, filings, and final orders. Knowing what kind of record you need helps you ask the clerk for the right file.
Divorce Records
Divorce records make up the largest group of family court files. These records include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the response, financial affidavits, and the final judgment of divorce. They may also contain property settlement agreements, parenting plans, and child support orders. Divorce files stay public unless a judge seals a specific document.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Child custody records show who has the right to make decisions for a child and how much time the child spends with each parent. These files include parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, and any custody modification orders. They may also contain evaluations from child psychologists or guardian ad litem reports. Some parts of custody files may be sealed to protect the child.
Child Support Records
Child support records contain the support order, payment history, income withholding orders, and any enforcement actions. These files show how much one parent must pay the other for the care of their child. The Florida Department of Revenue keeps the master payment record, but the court file at the Broward County Clerk shows the orders and any contempt actions.
Paternity Records
Paternity records establish who the legal father of a child is. These files include the petition to establish paternity, DNA test results, and the final order. Paternity cases often lead to child support and custody orders. The records stay public unless sealed by the court for a specific reason.
Domestic Violence Injunction Records
Domestic violence records include petitions for injunctions for protection, hearing transcripts, and final orders. The clerk keeps both granted and denied petitions. Some injunction files have personal information that may be redacted before public release. These records help people check whether an injunction exists against them or someone they know.
Adoption Records
Adoption records stay sealed by Florida law. Birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children can only access these files with a court order. The clerk cannot release adoption records without a valid court order. Adult adopted children may petition the court for access to their original birth records after they turn 18.
Name Change Records
Name change records show court orders that legally change a person’s name. These files are public and include the petition and final judgment. People often need certified copies of name change orders to update their Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport.
Family Court Divisions in the 17th Circuit
The 17th Judicial Circuit divides family court cases among several judges. Each judge runs a specific division and handles cases from all Broward County cities, including Sunrise. Knowing which division handles a case helps you contact the right office for questions about hearing dates or case status.
Unified Family Division Contact Numbers
The 17th Circuit family court has multiple divisions with different judges and contact numbers. Division 33 is at (954) 831-1648. Division 36 is at (954) 831-7704. Division 37 is at (954) 831-5895. Division 45 is at (954) 831-7700. All divisions sit in the same Broward County Courthouse building. Call the specific division to ask about a case that is already filed.
What Each Division Handles
Each unified family division handles the same types of cases. These include divorce, custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and name changes. A case is assigned to a division when it is first filed. The division stays the same throughout the life of the case unless the case is transferred for a specific legal reason.
How to Search Sunrise Family Court Records Online
Searching for Sunrise family court records online takes only a few minutes. The Broward County Clerk runs a free case search portal that works on any computer or phone. Users do not need an account to look up basic case data. Payment is only required to view or download documents.
Step One: Open the Search Portal
Go to case-search.browardcountyfl.org from any web browser. The search page loads with fields for party name, case number, and date range. You can search for free without creating an account or paying any fee at this stage.
Step Two: Enter Search Details
Type the full name of at least one party in the name field. If you know the case number, type it in the case number field. You can also narrow your search by selecting a date range. A wider date range gives more results but takes longer to sort through.
Step Three: Review the Search Results
The search results show a list of cases that match your search. Each result shows the case number, party names, filing date, case type, and current status. Click on a case to see more details like hearing dates, assigned judge, and document list.
Step Four: View or Buy Documents
Some documents are free to view online. Other documents require a small fee per page. Payment is made through the portal with a credit or debit card. After payment, you can download or print the documents right away from your computer.
How to Request Records by Mail or In Person
Some people prefer to request records in person at the courthouse. Others send a written request through the mail. Both methods work well. In-person requests are faster. Mail requests take about 5 to 10 business days to process and return.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk’s Office
Visit the Broward County Courthouse at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The clerk’s office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait. Plain copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies cost $7 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
Mail Requests for Family Court Records
Write a letter to the Broward County Clerk of Courts that includes the case number, full names of both parties, and a list of the documents you want. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail the request to 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Call (954) 831-6565 first to confirm the current fee amount.
Requesting Records by Phone
You cannot order certified copies by phone, but you can call (954) 831-6565 to ask about case status, hearing dates, and whether a file is sealed. Staff can also tell you if a record is stored on-site or in long-term archives. Records from before 1990 may be in off-site storage and take longer to retrieve.
Florida E-Filing Portal for Family Court Cases
Florida runs a statewide e-filing portal for court cases, including family law matters. The portal is called MyFloridaCourtAccess and lives at myflcourtaccess.com. Lawyers and self-represented parties can use it to file new family court cases, submit documents, and serve papers on the other party.
Who Can Use the E-Filing Portal
The e-filing portal is open to licensed attorneys and people who represent themselves in family court. Self-represented parties must create a free account and follow the step-by-step instructions. The portal accepts petitions, motions, responses, financial affidavits, and supporting documents.
Why the Portal Is Not a Public Search Tool
The e-filing portal is for filing new documents, not for searching public case data. People who want to look up existing family court records should use the Broward County case search at case-search.browardcountyfl.org. The two systems serve different purposes but work together for the same court system.
Costs and Fees for Family Court Records
The fees for family court records in Sunrise and Broward County follow a set price list. Costs depend on the type of copy and how it is delivered. Knowing the fees ahead of time helps you bring the right payment method to the clerk’s office.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy, first page | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy, first page | $7.00 |
| Certified copy, each extra page | $1.00 per page |
| Online document view | Small fee per page |
| Mail request processing | Copy fees plus postage |
Payment Methods Accepted
The clerk’s office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards for in-person payments. Online payments through the portal accept major credit and debit cards. Mail requests must include a check or money order made out to the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The clerk does not accept cash through the mail.
Records That Are Sealed or Restricted
Some family court records are not open to the public. Florida law protects certain documents to keep sensitive personal data private. Sealed records require a special court order before the clerk can release them to anyone.
Adoption Files Stay Sealed
All adoption records in Florida stay sealed. Birth parents, adoptive parents, and adult adopted children must petition the court for access. The court may grant access in specific situations, but the clerk cannot release adoption files without a valid order. This rule protects the privacy of all parties in an adoption.
Juvenile Dependency Records
Records for cases involving abused, abandoned, or neglected children are sealed. These dependency cases involve the Florida Department of Children and Families. Only people with a direct legal interest can view the file, and they must get permission from the judge first.
Sensitive Personal Information
Even in public family court files, the clerk may redact Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and the names of minor children. Some judges also seal financial affidavits in divorce cases to protect private financial data. The redacted version of the record is still available to the public.
How to Get Help with Family Court Records
People who do not have a lawyer can get help with family court records through several programs. The 17th Judicial Circuit offers free clinics, self-help packets, and online forms for people who represent themselves. These resources help people find and understand their court records.
Self-Help Programs at the Courthouse
The 17th Judicial Circuit runs a Family Court Self Help Program. The program offers free legal clinics over Zoom and in person at the Broward County Courthouse. A Florida Bar licensed attorney leads each clinic. Topics include how to file for divorce, how to modify custody, and how to read court orders. The clerk’s office also has printed self-help packets for common family court forms.
SOFIA Online Form System
SOFIA stands for State of Florida Interactive Access. It is a free online tool at myflcourtaccess.com that helps people fill out family court forms through a simple interview process. SOFIA asks plain language questions and creates the right court form based on the answers. People can then print the form or file it through the e-filing portal.
Legal Aid and Pro Bono Help
People with low income may qualify for free legal help through Legal Aid Service of Broward County. Volunteer lawyers also help self-represented parties through the Broward County Bar Association’s pro bono program. These services can help people understand their family court records and take the next legal step.
Tips for First-Time Record Searchers
Looking up family court records for the first time can feel confusing. A few simple tips make the process faster. Knowing what to bring, what to type, and what to expect helps you get the records you need without delays.
Have the Right Information Ready
Before you start your search, gather the full legal name of the person whose records you want. The case number helps if you have it. The year of the case also helps narrow down results. The more details you have, the faster you find the right file.
Try Different Name Spellings
Names can appear in court records with slight differences. Try searching with and without middle names, nicknames, or maiden names. A broader search returns more results but takes longer to scan. A narrower search is faster but may miss a record due to a spelling difference.
Allow Time for Older Records
Records from before 1990 may sit in long-term archives. These files take longer to pull and copy. Call the clerk’s office ahead of time if you need an old record. The clerk can tell you whether the file is on-site or in storage and how long it will take to retrieve.
Sunrise Family Court Records Contact Summary
Here is a quick list of the main contact details for Sunrise family court records. Keep this list handy when you need to reach the clerk or a specific family court division.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| Broward County Clerk of Courts | 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
| Main Clerk Phone | (954) 831-6565 |
| Clerk Office Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Online Case Search | case-search.browardcountyfl.org |
| Clerk Main Website | browardclerk.org |
| Florida E-Filing Portal | myflcourtaccess.com |
| 17th Circuit Main Site | 17th.flcourts.org |
| Division 33 Phone | (954) 831-1648 |
| Division 36 Phone | (954) 831-7704 |
| Division 37 Phone | (954) 831-5895 |
| Division 45 Phone | (954) 831-7700 |
| City of Sunrise Clerk | 10770 West Oakland Park Boulevard, (954) 746-3270 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrise Family Court Records
Below are answers to common questions people ask about Sunrise family court records. These cover the most searched topics about Broward County family court files, online search access, fees, and how to get certified copies. The answers reflect current rules from the Broward County Clerk of Courts as of 2026.
Can I look up Sunrise divorce records for free?
Yes. The Broward County Clerk of Courts offers a free online case search at case-search.browardcountyfl.org. You can search by name or case number and view basic case details without paying anything. Fees only apply when you want to view or download the full documents. Certified copies require a $7 fee for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
Are Sunrise family court records open to the public?
Most family court records are open to the public, including divorce files, custody orders, child support orders, paternity orders, and name change orders. Adoption records and juvenile dependency records stay sealed by Florida law. Some documents in public files may be redacted to remove Social Security numbers, bank details, and minor children’s names.
How do I find a family court case number in Broward County?
You can find a case number by searching the Broward County case search portal with the full name of at least one party. The results will show the case number, filing date, case type, and current status. If you cannot find the case online, call the clerk’s office at (954) 831-6565 and staff can help you locate the case number.
Can I get family court records from another state through Broward County?
No. The Broward County Clerk only keeps records for cases filed in Broward County. If you need records from another state, you must contact that state’s court system. The Florida Department of Health also keeps vital records like birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses for events that happened in Florida.
What if a family court record is sealed?
Sealed records require a court order before the clerk can release them. You must file a motion with the court that originally handled the case and explain why you need access. The judge will review your motion and decide whether to grant access. Adoption and juvenile dependency records have very strict rules about who can request access and for what reason.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a family court record?
In-person requests are usually filled the same day. Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days. Online document requests are available right after payment. Records stored in off-site archives may take longer. The clerk can tell you the expected timeline when you place your order.
Do I need a lawyer to get family court records?
No. You do not need a lawyer to look up or request family court records. The public search portal is open to everyone. Self-represented parties can also request certified copies by mail or in person. A lawyer is only needed for complex legal actions like filing a motion to unseal a record or challenging a court order.