Find Public Records in Weston

Public records in Weston, Florida are open to any person under state law and are held by Broward County agencies and Weston city departments. Court cases, property documents, city permits, police reports, and other government records are all covered by Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Weston is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit, and court filings go through the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale.

Broward County Clerk of Courts

Court records for Weston are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The main clerk's office is at 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Clerk Brenda D. Forman serves as clerk for the 17th Judicial Circuit, which covers all of Broward County including Weston. Broward County is one of Florida's largest and most active court jurisdictions, with extensive online records access through the clerk's website at browardclerk.org.

Civil records cover small claims, circuit civil cases, landlord-tenant disputes, contract actions, and civil injunctions. Criminal records include misdemeanor county court cases and felony circuit court cases. Family court holds divorce decrees, parenting plans, custody orders, and domestic violence injunctions. Probate covers estate cases, will contests, and guardianship filings. All of these are searchable through the Broward Clerk's online system by party name or case number.

Standard copy fees are $0.15 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more. Many records are available to view online at no cost. Sealed records, juvenile case files, and confidential court documents are restricted by law. The Broward County Clerk operates one of the more comprehensive online records systems in the state, and many searches can be completed without an office visit.

Because Weston is in western Broward County, residents may find it convenient to visit the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale or check whether branch clerk locations are closer to Weston for in-person filings and requests.

City of Weston Records

Weston has its own city government that maintains municipal records. City Hall is the contact for building permits, city commission minutes, zoning decisions, code enforcement files, and city contracts. All are public records that any person can request and inspect under Florida law.

Building permits are among the most commonly requested city records. Every construction or renovation project in Weston creates a permit file that shows what was approved, who did the work, and what inspections were completed. Real estate buyers, lenders, and contractors regularly request permit histories when researching a property. The city's Building Department holds these records.

City commission meeting agendas and minutes are typically posted on the city's website. Budget documents and approved contracts are also available on request. For documents not online, contact the City Clerk's office by phone, email, in person, or by mail. No form is required under Florida law. Describe what you need, and staff must respond promptly.

The Weston Police Department handles incident records within city limits. Incident reports and public arrest logs are available to any person who requests them. Active investigation files may be temporarily withheld. Contact the police records unit for current request procedures. Weston's police department operates with a community policing model, and department contacts are listed on the city's website.

Open Records Rights in Florida

Florida's Chapter 119 is one of the strongest open records laws in the country. It gives every person the right to inspect and copy government records, with specific exemptions as the only limit. The law covers Weston city records, Broward County records, and state agency records tied to Weston.

You do not have to give your name. You don't need to explain your purpose. Agencies cannot require identification before responding. The law says agencies must act promptly. Records that are ready immediately must be provided without delay. For large requests, the agency must give you a time estimate. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is free.

If a request is denied, the agency must cite the specific Florida statute that creates the exemption. Common exemptions include active law enforcement investigation files, personal health data, sealed court documents, and certain financial account information. If the exemption cited seems wrong or is vague, you can challenge it. Contact the Florida Attorney General's free mediation program at myfloridalegal.com/open-government or call (850) 245-0140.

Florida Attorney General Open Government

The screenshot below is from the Florida Attorney General's Open Government page, a resource for Weston residents and Broward County property owners seeking help understanding their public records rights or resolving a dispute with an agency that has denied access.

The Attorney General's office provides FAQs on public records law, a free mediation program, and access to the annual Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual. Mediation is available at no charge and has a strong record of resolving public access disputes without litigation.

Property Records in Broward County

Property records for Weston are held by the Broward County Property Appraiser. You can search free online using a property address, owner name, or parcel number. Results show current ownership, assessed values, lot dimensions, exemptions, and property history. No account is needed for basic searches.

Recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other official instruments for Weston properties are filed with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The official records search covers documents going back many decades. Each time a Weston property changes ownership or has a lien placed on it, a document gets recorded here. Title researchers, real estate agents, and lenders use this system often. The online search is free and accessible at browardclerk.org.

Tax bills, payment histories, and current tax balances are handled by the Broward County Tax Collector. All are searchable online at no cost. For most Weston property record needs, everything is available online without any office visit.

Vital Records and Additional Sources

Birth and death records for events in Weston are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics under the Department of Health. Certified copies require a request to the state office by mail, in person, or online. The Broward County Health Department may assist with local questions about vital records.

Marriage licenses for Broward County, including Weston residents, are issued by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Divorce records are part of the circuit court file and searchable through the clerk's online system. Certified copies cost more than plain copies and require a formal request to the clerk.

FDLE maintains criminal history records for Florida that are separate from court records held by the county clerk. If you need a formal criminal history record rather than a specific court case document, submit your request to FDLE's public records office. Their contact number is (850) 410-7676.

How to Request Weston Records

City records requests can be submitted in person at Weston City Hall, by phone, by email, or by mail. Describe the record clearly: document type, date range, and relevant names or addresses. No form is required under Florida law. City staff must respond promptly.

For Broward County Clerk records, use the online portal at browardclerk.org as your first stop. Most court and official records searches are free to view online. Printed copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies carry a higher per-page fee and are needed for legal proceedings that require authenticated documents.

After the first 30 free minutes of staff time, agencies can charge for extensive requests based on staff pay rates. If a denial is received and seems improper, contact the Attorney General's mediation program. It is free, and disputes are typically resolved faster through mediation than through the courts. You can also email the AG office at PublicRecordsRequest@myfloridalegal.com.

Nearby Cities

These Broward County cities near Weston have public records through the same county clerk and their own city departments.

Broward County Records

Court records and official records for Weston are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts, the primary custodian for all public records filed in Broward County.