Deerfield Beach Records Search

Public records in Deerfield Beach are open to any person by default under Florida law, covering court cases, city permits, property documents, arrest logs, and government files maintained by the City of Deerfield Beach and the Broward County Clerk of Courts.

Florida Open Records Law

Florida makes government records available to everyone. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this standard. Any record created or received by a public agency is presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. That covers the City of Deerfield Beach, Broward County, and every state agency connected to either.

You don't need to explain why you want the records. You don't need to give your name. Just ask. The agency has to respond promptly. If the record is ready right away, it should go out. If the request is large or complex, the agency must give you an estimate of how long it will take and what it will cost.

Exemptions exist but are narrow. Section 119.071 covers the most common ones, including active criminal investigation files, certain personal health records, and some law enforcement intelligence data. Outside those categories, the default is open access. Most people asking about court records, property files, or city documents run into no problems.

Deerfield Beach Court Records Through Broward Clerk

Deerfield Beach sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers all of Broward County. The Broward County Clerk of Courts is the keeper of all circuit court records. The clerk's online portal is free to search by name, case number, or date. You can find civil, criminal, family, and probate cases all through the same system.

Civil court records cover small claims, contract cases, and civil circuit matters. Criminal records include misdemeanor and felony charges. Family court files hold divorce cases, child custody orders, and restraining orders. Probate records deal with wills, estate administrations, and guardianship filings.

For documents you can't find online, visit the clerk's office. The main courthouse is at 201 SE 6th St in Fort Lauderdale. Bring the case number if you have it. Copies cost $0.15 per page for standard documents. Certified copies carry an additional fee per page plus a certification charge. The clerk's staff can help you find the right division if you're not sure where a case was filed.

Some records involving juveniles or sealed by court order are not accessible to the public. For everything else, the Broward Clerk system is a solid place to start and often finishes the search without a trip to the courthouse.

City of Deerfield Beach Public Records

City Hall is at 150 NE 2nd Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. The main phone is (954) 480-4200. The screenshot below is from the City of Deerfield Beach official website, the main hub for city services, records requests, and department contact details.

The site offers links to permit lookups, commission agendas, and contact forms for submitting public records requests to city departments.

Building permits are one of the top records requests in Deerfield Beach. If a home or commercial property had work done, the permit file shows what was approved, who did it, and whether inspections were passed. These records matter for real estate buyers, contractors, and lenders. The city's development services department holds them.

City commission meeting minutes, budget documents, and city contracts are all public records. Zoning decisions and variance records are part of the public file too. Many are posted on the city website. Others require a written request to the city clerk's office to access.

Deerfield Beach Police Records

The Deerfield Beach Police Department handles police records within city limits. Incident reports and many arrest logs are open records. Cases under active investigation may have temporary exemptions that delay release of certain details.

You can contact the department's records unit to make a request. Check the city website for current submission instructions. Most routine police reports become available once a case is no longer active. For criminal court records tied to any arrest made in Deerfield Beach, those filings move to the Broward County Clerk of Courts and are searchable through the court system.

Property Records for Deerfield Beach

Property records for Deerfield Beach are kept by two county offices. The Broward County Property Appraiser maintains ownership data, assessed values, and land information. Search by address or parcel number online for free.

Recorded deeds, mortgages, and liens are filed with Broward County's official records series maintained by the Clerk. When a Deerfield Beach property changes hands, the deed goes into the county record. Title researchers and real estate buyers rely on these filings. They go back many decades and are part of the permanent public record.

Tax payment history and current balances are available through the Broward County Tax Collector's website. Most lookups don't require an office visit. If you need certified copies of recorded documents, contact the Broward Clerk directly.

How to Make a Records Request

You can ask for records by email, phone, in person, or mail. No set form is required. Just describe what you need in enough detail for staff to locate it. Include the type of record, dates, names, or addresses involved.

Copies cost $0.15 per page. The first 30 minutes of staff time for locating records is free. After that, agencies can charge for extra time based on the pay of the lowest-qualified employee who can do the work. Certified copies carry a higher per-page fee than plain copies.

If a request gets denied without a valid reason, the Florida Attorney General's Government Records Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140 can help. The AG's open government page describes how it works. Mediation is free and usually faster than a legal challenge.

Note: The Florida Court Clerks statewide directory at flclerks.com can help you locate any clerk's office in Florida if your research involves records across multiple counties.

Vital Records

Birth and death records for Deerfield Beach events are held by the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Order them through the Florida Department of Health.

Marriage licenses come from the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Divorce filings are in the circuit court record and searchable through the Broward Clerk's online portal. Certified copies of either type require a request and a fee. The Clerk's office can walk you through the process if you call ahead.

Nearby Cities

Several cities near Deerfield Beach share Broward County resources and have their own public records pages.

Broward County Records

Court records and official records for Deerfield Beach are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Court.