Fort Lauderdale Public Records
Fort Lauderdale public records are maintained by both the City of Fort Lauderdale and the Broward County Clerk of Courts, covering city commission minutes, permits, court filings, and official property records under the 17th Judicial Circuit. Florida's open records law at Chapter 119 gives anyone the right to access these documents without providing a reason.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Fort Lauderdale City Records
The City of Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County and produces a wide range of public records through city government operations. Records available from the city include city commission meeting minutes and agendas, city ordinances and resolutions, city contracts, building permits and code enforcement files, and records from city departments including the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department and city utilities. City hall is at 100 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. You can call (954) 828-5000 to reach city hall and get directed to the department that holds the record you need. The city's official website also lists current department contacts and posted records.
The image below is from the Florida Attorney General's open government page, which provides guidance on accessing public records from any Florida government agency, including Fort Lauderdale city offices.
The AG's open government resources at myfloridalegal.com explain your rights under Chapter 119 and what steps to take if a records request is denied.
Fort Lauderdale Court Records
Court records for Fort Lauderdale go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts, which serves the 17th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk maintains civil case files, criminal court records, family law matters, probate filings, and traffic cases. The Clerk's online search tools are available at browardclerk.org. Case index information is generally free to search. Physical copies of documents carry the standard state fee of $0.15 per page, and certified copies run $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee per document.
The Broward Clerk also handles recording of official documents for all of Broward County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and similar instruments affecting Fort Lauderdale real estate are part of the county official records series. If you need to look up a property's ownership history, check for open liens, or verify that a mortgage has been satisfied, the Clerk's official records index is the right place to start. The online index goes back many years and is searchable by grantor, grantee, document type, and recording date.
How to Get Fort Lauderdale Public Records
No form is needed to request public records in Fort Lauderdale. Florida law does not require one. You just need to describe the record you want. Requests can be submitted by phone, by mail, by email, or in person. You do not have to give your name, and you do not have to explain your purpose.
The agency must respond in a reasonable time. Most simple requests are handled fast. Requests for large volumes of records or records that require searching through many files may take a bit longer. If the work takes more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can bill you for additional time at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. That first 30 minutes is always free, and many requests never exceed it.
If you think a denial is improper, the Florida Attorney General's mediation program at (850) 245-0140 is a free way to resolve the dispute. Mediation is faster than going to court and costs nothing to initiate.
Fort Lauderdale Property Records
Property records for Fort Lauderdale are part of the Broward County official records series. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and releases are searchable online through the Broward Clerk's official records system. The Broward County Property Appraiser maintains a separate database of ownership and assessed value information. Both are public records, and both are searchable online. For a comprehensive view of a property's legal history, it helps to check both: the Clerk for recorded instruments and the Property Appraiser for current ownership and tax data. Most online searches are free. Copies carry the standard per-page fee.
Fort Lauderdale Records Contact Information
| City Hall | 100 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 |
|---|---|
| City Phone | (954) 828-5000 |
| County Clerk | Broward County Clerk of Courts |
| Clerk Online | browardclerk.org |
| Judicial Circuit | 17th Circuit |
| Governing Law | Florida Chapter 119, F.S. |
| AG Mediation | (850) 245-0140 |
Nearby Cities
Many cities in Broward County also have public records accessible under Florida's open records law.
Broward County Records
Public records for Fort Lauderdale are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and search resources.