Tamarac Public Records Lookup

Tamarac public records are maintained by the City of Tamarac for municipal documents and by the Broward County Clerk of Courts for court case files and officially recorded instruments. Florida's Chapter 119 requires government agencies to make public records available to any person who requests them, with no requirement to state a reason and no need to provide identification. Both the city and the county Clerk serve as record custodians for different categories of documents.

City of Tamarac Records

The City of Tamarac maintains records for all municipal government functions. City commission meeting agendas and minutes, city ordinances, contracts, building permits, code enforcement records, and departmental reports are among the records held by the city. The city's offices are at 7525 NW 88th Ave, Tamarac, FL 33321. The general phone number is (954) 597-3400. The city's website at tamarac.gov includes information on contacting city departments and requesting public records.

Many city documents, particularly commission meeting minutes and ordinances, are posted on the city's website and can be viewed without a formal request. For records not posted online, a direct request to the city's records office is the right approach.

Florida FDLE Public Records

The image below shows the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's public records page. FDLE handles statewide criminal history records and is a useful resource when researching criminal matters beyond individual court case files at the county level.

For Tamarac residents looking into criminal history information, FDLE at fdle.state.fl.us/ogc/public-records provides access to state-level records that complement what you find at the Broward County Clerk level.

Broward County Clerk of Courts

Court records for Tamarac are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk's website is at browardclerk.org. Civil case filings, criminal court records, family law documents, and probate files are all searchable through the Clerk's online portal. The official records series, which includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other recorded instruments, is also maintained by the Broward Clerk and searchable online.

Tamarac sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit, which serves all of Broward County. The circuit court handles major civil actions, felony criminal matters, family law, and probate. County court handles misdemeanor cases and smaller civil claims. The Broward Clerk manages records for both court levels. Their online case search is free to use, and basic case information can be viewed without paying a fee. Copies and certified documents carry standard charges.

How to Request Tamarac Public Records

For city records, contact Tamarac City Hall. For court records and official recorded documents, contact the Broward County Clerk. Florida law does not require a specific request form. You describe the record you want in enough detail for the agency to find it. Requests can go in by phone, mail, email, or in person. For court records, the Clerk's online portal is often the most direct route.

Fees are set by state law at $0.15 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more because of the additional certification. For requests that take more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency may charge an hourly rate at the level of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. The first 30 minutes are free. Giving a case number, document type, or specific date range helps reduce both processing time and any potential labor cost.

When a request is denied, the agency must give a written explanation identifying the exemption that applies. Florida's exemptions are listed under Section 119.071 and include things like active criminal investigation records, certain medical and personnel files, and portions of records that contain Social Security numbers. If you believe a denial is not justified, the Florida Attorney General's free mediation program at (850) 245-0140 is a practical first step before considering legal action.

Property Records and Recorded Instruments

Real property records for Tamarac are in the Broward County official records series at the Clerk's office. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and satisfactions affecting property in Tamarac are filed and indexed there. The official records index is searchable online by name or document type and covers many years of recorded documents. You can view document images online at no cost. Copies and certified versions carry the standard per-page fee.

The Broward County Property Appraiser holds separate ownership and assessed value data for Tamarac properties. If you need current ownership information or assessed value for a specific address, the Property Appraiser's database is the right tool. The Florida Association of Court Clerks also maintains a statewide Clerk directory at flclerks.com for finding clerk offices in any Florida county.

Types of Records Available for Tamarac

Tamarac public records span city and county agencies. Court case files, both civil and criminal, are at the Broward Clerk. Building permits and inspection records are city documents held at Tamarac City Hall. Code enforcement records are also city-held. Police incident reports are at the Tamarac Police Department, with some portions subject to exemption during active investigations. Marriage and dissolution records are part of the circuit court family law files at the Broward Clerk. Tax and assessment records are at the Broward County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser.

Florida Public Records Law

Chapter 119 applies to all government agencies in Florida, including all Tamarac and Broward County offices. Records in any format are covered, from paper files to email and digital databases. The full text of the law is at the Florida Legislature's statutes page. The Florida Attorney General's open government page at myfloridalegal.com/open-government provides further guidance, including information on enforcement and mediation. The First Amendment Foundation at floridafaf.org offers practical help for Florida residents dealing with access issues.

Nearby Cities

These nearby Broward County cities also have public records pages with local court and records access details.

Broward County Records

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