Search Plantation Public Records

Plantation public records are held by two separate offices depending on what type of document you need. The City of Plantation keeps records generated by its own departments, including permits, city commission files, and code enforcement records, while the Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains court filings, official property instruments, and civil and criminal records for the 17th Judicial Circuit. Florida's open records law makes all of these available to any person without requiring ID or a reason for the request.

Broward County Clerk of Courts

Court records for Plantation are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Plantation is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers all of Broward County. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed by or involving Plantation residents go through the Clerk's system. You can search those records online at browardclerk.org. The search is free. You can look up cases by party name or case number and see case summaries, scheduled hearings, and document lists without visiting the courthouse.

The Broward Clerk also holds the county's official records index. Deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and other recorded instruments that affect real property in Plantation are all part of this system. Searching the official records index is free online. Copies carry the standard per-page fee of $0.15. If you need a certified copy of a recorded document for a legal transaction, you can order it from the Clerk's office in person or by mail. The main courthouse is at 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

The Sunshine Manual page below explains the statewide public records framework that applies to Plantation and all Florida cities.

The Sunshine Manual is published by the Florida Attorney General's office and covers your rights to request public records from any Florida government agency, including the City of Plantation and Broward County.

City of Plantation Records

The City of Plantation maintains public records for documents created by city departments. This covers building permits, code enforcement records, city council meeting minutes, contracts, and other city government files. City hall is at 400 NW 73rd Ave, Plantation, FL 33317. You can call (954) 797-2200. The city website is at plantation.org.

Records requests to the city can be submitted in person, by phone, or by mail. You do not need to fill out any special form. A clear description of the record is all that is required. The city must acknowledge your request promptly and either provide the records or explain when they will be available. For large or complex requests, the city may provide an estimate of the time and cost involved before proceeding.

The Plantation Police Department also generates public records. Incident reports and records from completed investigations may be available under Chapter 119. Contact the Police Department directly for those requests. Records tied to active investigations may carry temporary exemptions, but completed cases are generally part of the public record.

Property Records for Plantation

Property records for Plantation are held by Broward County. The Broward Clerk of Courts holds the official records index, which covers deeds, mortgages, liens, and satisfactions. The Broward County Property Appraiser holds ownership and assessment data. Both are public and searchable online at no cost. You pay only for copies of specific documents.

If you are researching a Plantation property, start with whichever source matches what you need. To trace ownership history or check for recorded liens, use the Clerk's official records system. To see the current assessed value and property description, use the Property Appraiser's records. Both systems are available online without requiring a visit to a county office.

Court Cases and the 17th Judicial Circuit

Cases from Plantation are filed in the 17th Judicial Circuit, with the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. The Clerk's online system covers all case types: civil, criminal, family, small claims, and probate. You can search by party name or case number. Most case summaries and docket entries are free to view. If you need physical copies of case documents, the Clerk's office provides them at the standard per-page rate.

Small claims cases, which cover civil disputes up to the state limit, are part of the Broward Clerk's system. Landlord-tenant matters and other routine civil disputes from Plantation go through the same portal. If you are unsure where a case was filed or which division handles it, the Clerk's office can direct you to the right location or provide that information over the phone.

Exemptions and Your Rights

Not every record is open. Florida law under Chapter 119 and Section 119.071 contain many specific exemptions. Common ones include active criminal investigative records, certain personal data like Social Security numbers, medical records, and some law enforcement materials. If an agency denies your request, they must tell you in writing what exemption they are using. A denial without a reason is not lawful.

If you believe a denial is wrong, the Florida Attorney General's free mediation service can help. Call (850) 245-0140. The AG's office at myfloridalegal.com also has written guidance on the exemption process and your rights under state law. The Florida Association of Court Clerks has a statewide directory at flclerks.com to help you find the right clerk office if you need records from other counties.

Vital Records and Other Sources

Birth and death records are held by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics at the state level, not by the city or county. Marriage and dissolution records are civil court matters and are filed with the Broward Clerk, making them part of the local public records system. For statewide criminal history information, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us handles those requests at the state level.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near Plantation have public records available through their Broward County clerk office.

Broward County Records

Court records and official records for Plantation are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and online search tools.