Find a court case, docket, or judgment
Broward County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk maintains official court files, dockets, calendars, and certified judgments.
Where To Start In Broward County
Pick the office that typically maintains the record you’re after, then use precise inputs like case numbers, parcel IDs, or document numbers to refine your search.
Look up a deed, mortgage, or lien
County Recorder/Clerk – Official Records
Real property documents are recorded and indexed by the Recorder/Clerk.
Check property ownership, parcel ID, or value
County Property Appraiser/Assessor
This office maintains ownership rolls, parcel maps, and assessed values.
See inmate status or recent arrests
Broward Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff manages jail custody, booking, and many arrest/incident records.
Order birth, death, marriage, or divorce records
County Health Department/State Vital Records and the Clerk of Courts
Vital certificates come from health/vital statistics; court divorce decrees and marriage license copies come from the Clerk.
Broward County Record Sources
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward County Clerk of Courts | Court cases (criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic), dockets, judgments, filings | Case number, party name, date of birth, filing date, citation/ticket number | Online case index, in-person records counter, mail records request | Certified copies are issued by the Clerk; some older or sealed cases require in-person or written requests. |
| County Recorder/Clerk – Official Records | Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, assignments, plats, HOA/condo docs | Grantor/grantee name, document type, book/page, instrument number, legal description, recording date range | Online official records search, public index in office, mail copy order | Printable images may be unofficial; certified copies must be ordered from the Recorder/Clerk. |
| County Property Appraiser/Assessor | Parcel ownership, assessed value, land/building characteristics, maps | Address, parcel ID/folio/property control number, owner name | Online property search and GIS map, office assistance | Assessment data is not proof of title; for liens and deed history use Official Records. |
| Broward Sheriff’s Office | Inmate lookup, recent bookings, some arrest/incident report requests | Name, date of birth, booking/inmate number, arrest date | Online inmate locator, records/unit request, in-person | Active investigations, juvenile, or sealed matters are restricted; warrant information may be limited. |
| County Tax Collector/Treasurer | Property tax bills, payment status, tax certificates, delinquencies | Parcel ID, address, owner name, tax year | Online tax search, office counter, mail inquiry | Ownership updates may lag; for lien releases and deeds, see Official Records. |
| County Health Department / State Vital Records | Birth and death certificates; marriage/divorce certificate abstracts | Full name, event date/place, parents’ or spouse’s names, your relationship and ID | Mail or in-person request; some offices use approved online vendors | Eligibility and identification often required; for divorce decrees and marriage license copies, contact the Clerk of Courts. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name (first, middle, last) and known aliases
- Date of birth or an age range to narrow common names
- Case number, citation, or ticket number if available
- Business or DBA name for official records and court filings
- Street address with unit/apartment and ZIP code
- Parcel ID/folio/property control number
- Document/instrument number or book and page
- Recording or filing date range
- Booking or inmate number for jail searches
Route By Record Type
Court Records
Criminal, civil, family, probate, small claims, and traffic cases including dockets, filings, and judgments.
- Where To Start
- Broward County Clerk of Courts case search or records counter.
- Best Search Input
- Case number; if unknown, party name plus date of birth and filing year.
- Official Copy Note
- Order certified copies of judgments or filings from the Clerk; some case types have access limits.
Property & Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, assignments, plats, and other recorded land documents.
- Where To Start
- County Recorder/Clerk – Official Records index.
- Best Search Input
- Grantor/grantee name, document type, book/page or instrument number, legal description.
- Official Copy Note
- Only the Recorder/Clerk can issue certified copies of recorded documents.
Property Assessment & Taxes
Current owner, parcel maps, assessed values, tax bills, and payment status.
- Where To Start
- County Property Appraiser/Assessor for parcel data; Tax Collector/Treasurer for tax bills.
- Best Search Input
- Street address or parcel ID; owner name to cross-check.
- Official Copy Note
- Assessment notices are informational; they are not proof of ownership or lien status.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates; marriage and divorce certificate abstracts.
- Where To Start
- County Health Department/State Vital Records; for divorce decrees and marriage license copies, the Clerk of Courts.
- Best Search Input
- Full name, event date/place, parents’ or spouse’s names, and your relationship/ID.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified vital certificates have eligibility/ID requirements and are issued by health/vital statistics offices.
Inmates & Arrests
Current custody status, booking details, and limited arrest/incident information.
- Where To Start
- Broward Sheriff’s Office inmate lookup or records unit.
- Best Search Input
- Name with date of birth, booking/inmate number if known.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified criminal histories are typically handled at the state level; local incident reports may require a records request.
Official Records vs Background Services
Official county and state sources hold the authoritative records needed for certified copies, court filings, land records, and agency documents. Background check services can be useful for broad, name-based searches across many locations, but they often rely on aggregated data and may miss recent filings or sealed matters. Use background tools to explore, then confirm details and order any certified copies directly from the appropriate office.
How To Request Official Copies
- Identify the correct holder: Clerk of Courts for case files and judgments; Recorder/Clerk for deeds; Property Appraiser/Assessor for parcel data; Health/Vital Records for certificates.
- Collect specifics before you request: case number, party names, document/instrument number, book/page, parcel ID, addresses, and event dates.
- Decide on copy type: regular vs certified; check eligibility and ID rules (especially for birth/death records).
- Choose a request method: online form/portal if offered, mail with completed form, or in-person at the counter.
- Submit payment as instructed and select delivery (pickup, mail, or electronic if available).
- Track status and allow processing time; archival or restricted files may require additional steps.
Limits and Accuracy Notes
- Names with hyphenations, suffixes, or aliases may index differently—try multiple variations.
- Some records are confidential, sealed, expunged, or juvenile and will not appear in public searches.
- Online indexes and images can lag behind recording or filing dates; check back or contact the office.
- Addresses must match local formatting (directionals and unit numbers matter).
- County systems do not guarantee statewide coverage; verify with state agencies for broader searches.
- Screen prints are informational only; certified copies must be ordered from the official holder.
Broward County FAQs
How do I find a Broward County court case if I only know a name?
Use the Clerk of Courts case search by party name, then narrow with date of birth, filing year, and case type to locate the correct case number.
Where can I get a certified copy of my deed?
Request it from the County Recorder/Clerk’s Official Records. Provide the book/page or instrument number, or search by grantor/grantee name to locate the document first.
Are arrest records and jail bookings public in Broward County?
Basic booking and inmate information is generally available through the Sheriff’s Office. Certain details—like juvenile cases or active investigations—may be restricted.
Who issues birth or death certificates for Broward County events?
Order certified copies through the County Health Department or the state’s vital records office. Eligibility, identification, and proof of relationship are often required.
How far back do online records go?
Coverage varies by office. Court dockets and official records have different start dates, and some older files may be archived and require an in-person or written request.
What’s the difference between a divorce decree and a divorce certificate?
A divorce decree is the court’s final judgment available from the Clerk of Courts. A divorce certificate is a vital record summary available from the health/vital records office.