Cooper City Public Records

Public records in Cooper City, Florida are open to any person under state law and cover court case filings, property documents, police reports, city permits, and other government records held by Broward County agencies and Cooper City departments in the 17th Judicial Circuit. This page covers where to find each type of record and how to submit a request.

Florida Public Records Law in Cooper City

Florida's public records law is one of the strongest in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets the default rule: any record made or received by a government agency is open to the public. That includes all Cooper City government offices, Broward County agencies, and state offices that hold records tied to Cooper City residents and properties.

You do not need to give a reason. No name is required. Agencies can't make you explain why you want a record before they respond. They must act promptly. When a record is ready right away, it goes out with no delay. For bigger requests, agencies must give a time estimate when you ask.

Exemptions under Section 119.071 are specific and limited. Active investigations, certain health data, sealed court files, and a few other categories are restricted. Everything outside those categories is public. Court records, property deeds, permits, code enforcement files, and meeting minutes are all fair game.

Broward County Clerk Court Records

Court records for Cooper City go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts, since Cooper City is in Broward County and falls under the 17th Judicial Circuit. The clerk's office is located at 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, and can be reached at (954) 831-6565. Brenda D. Forman serves as the clerk. Online record searches are available through the clerk's website.

Civil court cases, small claims, and circuit civil matters are searchable by name or case number. Criminal records include misdemeanor and felony charges. Family court holds divorce decrees, custody orders, and domestic injunctions. Probate cases cover estates, guardianship filings, and wills. All of these run through the Broward Clerk.

Standard copy fees for court records are $0.15 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more. You can get records online through the clerk's portal, in person at the Fort Lauderdale courthouse, or by submitting a written request. Bring a case number when you go in person. It cuts down the wait.

Sealed records and juvenile files are not available to the public. For everything else, the Broward Clerk system is updated regularly and handles a high volume of searches daily. Many requests can be done entirely online.

Cooper City Government Records

Cooper City operates its own municipal government. City Hall records include building permits, code enforcement files, city commission meeting minutes, contracts, and budget documents. Florida law makes these records public. Many are posted on the city's website, while others require a formal request to the city clerk.

Building permits are a common target for records requests in Cooper City. Any construction or renovation done in the city has a permit on file. These records show what was approved, who did the work, and whether inspections passed. Real estate buyers and lenders use them often before closing on a property.

The Cooper City Police Department holds incident reports and arrest logs within city limits. Many of these are open public records. Files tied to active investigations may have a temporary hold. Contact the department's records unit directly. Some agencies accept email requests. Check the city's website for the current submission process.

Note: Cooper City uses the Broward County Clerk system for all court filings. The city itself holds permits, commission records, and police reports separately from the county.

Florida Attorney General Public Records Resources

The screenshot below is from the Florida Attorney General's Open Government page, which covers public records rights and mediation services available to anyone in Florida, including Cooper City residents.

The Attorney General's mediation program helps resolve disputes when an agency denies access to public records. It's free and available to all Florida residents.

Property Records in Broward County

Property records for Cooper City are held by the Broward County Property Appraiser. You can search by address or parcel number to get ownership history, assessed values, and lot data. This search is free online.

Recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens are filed with the Broward County Clerk. Every time a Cooper City property changes hands, a deed is recorded. Title researchers, real estate agents, and lenders rely on these documents. The clerk's official records system goes back many decades.

Tax records are with the Broward County Tax Collector. You can look up current tax bills and payment history online. Most lookups don't require a visit or phone call.

Chapter 119 Florida Statutes

The image below shows Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes as it appears on the Florida Legislature's official website, the governing law for all public records requests in Cooper City and throughout the state.

Section 119.01 states directly that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. That principle covers every public office in Cooper City and Broward County.

How to Request Records

You can ask for records in person, by phone, email, or mail. No specific form is required. Describe what you need clearly enough for staff to find it. Include record type, relevant dates, and names or addresses tied to the request.

Copy fees are $0.15 per one-sided page, up to 14 inches by 8.5 inches. The first 30 minutes of staff time is free. After that, agencies may charge based on the pay rate of the lowest-qualified employee who can do the work. Certified copies cost more.

If access is denied without a valid basis, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program can help. It's free. Call (850) 245-0140 or visit myfloridalegal.com. Most disputes resolve faster through mediation than through court.

Note: Email addresses submitted as part of a public records request become public records themselves under Florida law.

Vital Records and Other State Sources

Birth and death records from Cooper City events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics through the Florida Department of Health. Local county health offices can assist with the process.

Marriage licenses come from the Broward County Clerk. Divorce records are part of circuit court files and searchable through the Broward Clerk's online system. Certified copies of either require a request and a fee.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles statewide criminal history records. These are separate from court records held by the county clerk. FDLE requests go through their Office of Open Government.

Find a Clerk Directory

The image below is from the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Find a Clerk directory, a statewide resource for locating any county clerk's contact information, including Broward County.

The directory links to each clerk's website and provides contacts for records searches, public records policies, and in-person access across all 67 Florida counties.

Nearby Cities

Other Broward County cities near Cooper City have public records available through the same county clerk system and their own city offices.

Broward County Records

Court records and official records for Cooper City are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Court in the 17th Judicial Circuit.