What are Fort Lauderdale Public Records?
Fort Lauderdale public records are documents created or obtained during the operation of any agency’s official business or duty. They include documents, letters, books, or maps. They may also be software for data processing, tapes, sound recordings, films, or images. Details and information about agency management, investigation, personnel; sensitive information; protection and fire safety; information violating the privacy of an individual; other types of personal information are exceptions to the above law. Access to such documents can also be withheld if there is a law exempting the public from the disclosure of the records.
Fort Lauderdale Crime Statistics
The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department provides the public with reports and statistics about citywide crimes. In 2019, it reported that there were a total number of 8,163 crimes in the city. This comprised of 821 violent crimes and 7,342 property crimes. The violent crimes include 18 homicides, 84 rapes, 341 robberies, and 378 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 2,844 burglaries, 3,791 larcenies, 700 motor vehicle thefts, and seven arsons.
A breakdown of crime statistics for Fort Lauderdale in 2017 shows that there were 14 murders, 54 rapes, 350 robberies, and 378 aggravated assaults. There were also 3,778 burglaries, 3,820 larcenies, 761 motor vehicle thefts, and 12 arsons. Comparing the 2019 figures with the 2017 figures show that there was an increase in murder (29%) and rape (56%). The rate of aggravated assault remained the same for both years. However, robbery (3%), burglary (25%), larceny (8%), motor vehicle theft (8%), and arson (42%) rates declined.
Are Fort Lauderdale Criminal Records Public?
Fort Lauderdale criminal records are mostly open to the public, as defined under section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes. They provide information on the history of arrests, convictions, charges, and case dispositions. Where it has been sealed or expunged, a criminal record is not open to the public. Access to sealed criminal records is limited to only certain agencies. Expunged criminal records are physically erased and are excluded from digital databases. Fort Lauderdale criminal records are in the custody of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Interested individuals may file requests from this state agency for city, county, or state criminal records.
How to Obtain Fort Lauderdale Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records Unit of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department maintains and issues copies of Fort Lauderdale arrest records, police reports, and accident reports. These records and reports may be obtained by mail or in person. All mail requests should include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Before sending the request by mail, the requester should call the Records Unit to confirm that the report has been received and ask for the cost of the report. The mail request should provide as much information as possible, like the case number, date, location of incident and type of incident.
To request an accident report within the first 60 days of its occurrence, fill out the Crash Report Affidavit with the reason why the requester is entitled to the report. If it is a mail request, sign and notarize the form. For accident reports of over 60 days of occurrence, the affidavit is not needed. It costs 15 cents per single-sided copy and 20 cents per double-sided copy. A certified page costs $1 per certified page.
Below is the location and contact information of the Records Unit:
Records Unit
Fort Lauderdale Police Department
1300 West Broward Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 828-5465
publicrecords@fortlauderdale.gov
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Fort Lauderdale?
ln Florida, the FDLE provides online access to sex offender information via an online registry. With the registry’s search tool, residents of Fort Lauderdale can search for sex offenders and predators residing in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale City. They can also make searches by name of the sex offender and check for sex offenders living around them, near schools and college campuses. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office provides an online database with sex offender records.
How to Find Fort Lauderdale Inmate Records?
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office keeps the records of all inmates incarcerated in the jail facilities of the county. To locate an inmate or obtain information about inmates, use the arrest search tool on the website of the Sheriff’s Office.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Fort Lauderdale Jail?
Persons apprehended by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department are kept in the jail facilities of Broward County. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office runs the daily operations of the four jail facilities within the county. Below are their locations and contact information:
The Joseph V. Conte Facility
1351 North West 27th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
(954) 831-5900
North Broward Bureau
1550 North West 30th Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
(954) 831-5900
Paul Rein Detention Facility
2421 North West 16 Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
(954) 831-5900
Main Jail Bureau
555 South East 1st Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 831-5900
Inmates are allowed to receive visitors for two hours of visitation every week. Visitation is done through off-site video visitation.
Court Records
Broward County is the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. It comprises one Circuit Court and four County Courts. The County Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, civil cases under $15,000, and traffic cases. At the same time, the Circuit Court has jurisdiction over cases like felonies, family, juvenile, probate, mental health, and all civil matters over $15,000. It also exercises jurisdiction over matters that are not under the jurisdiction of the County Court. The court keeps records of all the cases it handles and provides the public with access to them, pursuant to the provisions of Florida Law. These court records include dockets, affidavits, case files, indexes, transcripts of trials, and submitted evidence.
Location of Courts in Fort Lauderdale
Broward County Circuit Court
Broward County Circuit Court
Broward County Judicial Complex
201 South East 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Broward County County Courts
County Court of Broward County
Broward County Judicial Complex
201 South East 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
County Court of Broward County - North
North Regional Courthouse
1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Phone: (954) 831-6565
County Court of Broward County - South
South Regional Courthouse
3550 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 831-6565
County Court of Broward County - West
West Regional Courthouse
100 North Pine Island Road
Plantation, FL 33324
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Are Fort Lauderdale Court Records Public?
By virtue of the Florida Court Rules on Public Access to Judicial Records, Fort Lauderdale court records are open and accessible to the public. It however also provides that certain records and information are confidential and exempted from the general provision. The rules provide the list of records considered confidential and exempt, as well as the procedure for determining confidentiality.
Access to Fort Lauderdale court records is provided by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk of Courts maintains records for all the courts in the county.
Can you look up a Fort Lauderdale Court Case Online?
The Broward County Clerk of Courts provides electronic viewing of court records through the Public Case Search portal. Interested persons can search Fort Lauderdale court records by party name, business name, case number, or citation number. This public portal does not include documents for cases relating to family, juvenile, and probate matters. This service costs $8 per electronic certified court document. The accepted payment methods include American Express, Master Card, and Visa.
How to Obtain Fort Lauderdale Civil Court Case Records?
The public can request Fort Lauderdale civil court case records in person or by mail, email, or fax. To make an in-person request, visit the Archives Division Office from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The office address and contact information is below:
Archives Division
Central Courthouse Judicial Complex East Building
201 South East 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
3rd Floor
Room 03340
(954) 831-6565 (option 3)
To submit mail, email, or fax requests, fill out the Court Records Request Form. Send the filled-out form by email to redactarchives@browardclerk.org, or fax it to (954) 831-5550. Or mail it to:
Archives Division
Room 03340
201 South East 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Fax: (954) 831-5550
The cost of obtaining a copy is $1 per court document page. There is also a certification fee of $2 per court document and a search fee of $2 to search cases per year. The accepted means of payment are cash (in-person requests only), personal checks, cashier’s or attorney’s check, money order, American Express, Master Card, and Visa.
How to Obtain Fort Lauderdale Criminal Court Records?
Fort Lauderdale criminal court records are available to interested persons. They can make requests by walk-in or by mail, email, or fax. To make a walk-in request, visit the Archives Division Office on any day between Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m at:
Archives Division
Central Courthouse Judicial Complex East Building
201 South East 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
3rd Floor
Room 03340
(954) 831-6565 (option 3)
To make mail, email, or fax requests, complete the Court Records Request Form. Send the completed form by email to: redactarchives@browardclerk.org, or fax it to (954) 831-5550. Or mail it to:
Archives Division
Room 03340
201 South East 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
Fax: (954) 831-5550
The cost of getting a copy is $1 per court document page. The Clerk of Court charges $2 per court document for certification and a search fee of $2 to search cases per year. The accepted means of payment are cash (in-person requests only), personal checks, cashier’s or attorney’s check, money order, American Express, Master Card, and Visa.
What are Fort Lauderdale Vital Records?
Fort Lauderdale vital records are official documents that serve as proof that vital events have taken place within the city’s jurisdiction. These vital documents include records of divorce, marriage, birth, and death. The Fort Lauderdale vital records are held by different departments or officials of the state and county. The Broward County Circuit Court Clerk manages Fort Lauderdale divorce and marriage records. The Florida State Health Department’s Bureau of Vital Statistics and the Broward County Health Department provides qualified persons with access to birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Not all vital records are available to the public. The person interested must be able to prove eligibility to obtain the record.
Where and How to Obtain Fort Lauderdale Divorce Records?
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains the records of divorces, including Fort Lauderdale divorce records, handled by the county’s Circuit Court. To request a Fort Lauderdale divorce record, contact or visit the office of the Clerk of Courts at:
Broward County Clerk of Courts
Room 03340
201 SE 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and the Broward County Health Department keeps divorce records from 6 June 1927 to date. Interested persons can request Fort Lauderdale divorce records from these departments by submitting in person or mail requests. The first copy of a divorce record costs $5 and each additional copy requested in the same order costs $4. To make a request, complete the Application for Dissolution of Marriage Report. Include payment and a valid ID and present or send these documents in person or by mail to:
Physical address:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Monday to Friday; between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(904) 359-6900, extension 9000
Email: vitalstats@flhealth.gov
Or
Broward County Health Department
780 SouthWest 24 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 467-4700
Where and How to Get Public Fort Lauderdale Marriage Records?
Fort Lauderdale marriage records are maintained by the Broward County Clerk of the Courts. Individuals interested in obtaining marriage records can submit in person or mail requests for these marriage records. It costs $5 for the first copy requested and $3 for each additional copy requested at the same time. To make mail request for a Fort Lauderdale marriage certificate, prepare a written request with the following information:
- The names of married parties at the time of the application
- The date of the marriage
Mail the written request, with a self-addressed stamped business envelope and payment, to:
Marriage Division
540 SouthEast 3rd Avenue
Room 02460
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
The accepted means of payment for mail requests include:
- Checks (Attorney Firm, Business, Cashiers, Personal, or Travelers) made payable to the Clerk of Courts
- Money orders to the Clerk of Courts
Each mail request takes an average processing time of two weeks. For more information, call the Marriage Division at (954) 831-7283.
To make an in-person request for a Fort Lauderdale marriage record, visit any of the locations below:
Marriage Central
Central Courthouse
Midrise Building
540 SE 3rd Avenue
2nd Floor, Room 02460
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Marriage North
North Regional Courthouse
1600 West Hillsboro Boulevard
Room: 160
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Marriage South
South Regional Courthouse
3550 Hollywood Boulevard
Room 160
Hollywood, FL 33021
Marriage West
West Regional Courthouse
100 North Pine Island Road
Room 180
Plantation, FL 33324
As an alternative, interested individuals can also request Fort Lauderdale marriage records from 6 June 1927 to date from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics and the Broward County Health Department. These departments provide certified copies of marriage records at $5 for the first copy. Where additional copies are requested at the same time a fee of $4 each is paid. To get copies of Fort Lauderdale marriage records, fill out the Application for Marriage Certificate. The filled-out form, as well as a valid ID and payment, should be submitted in person or by mail to:
Physical address:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Monday to Friday; between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(904) 359-6900, extension 9000
Email: vitalstats@flhealth.gov
Or
Broward County Health Department
780 SouthWest 24 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 467-4700
Where and How to Find Fort Lauderdale Birth Records?
Fort Lauderdale birth records are in the custody of the Broward County Health Department and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. It should be noted that birth records in Florida are not made public until 100 years after birth. Also, access to Fort Lauderdale birth certificates is restricted to certain qualified persons. These persons include:
- The record owner
- Parents or legal guardians
- Direct descendants
- The legal representatives of qualified persons
- Individuals with a court order (with proof of claim)
To obtain a Fort Lauderdale birth record, fill out the Application for a Florida Birth Record (Spanish). A requester should provide a notarized Affidavit to Release a Birth Certificate. Then, include a valid ID and the appropriate fees. Submit these documents in person or by mail to:
Physical address:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Monday to Friday; between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(904) 359-6900, extension 9000
Email: vitalstats@flhealth.gov
Or
Broward County Health Department
780 SouthWest 24 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 467-4700
Where and How to Find Fort Lauderdale Death Records?
The Florida Department of Health’s Vital Statistics Department in Broward County and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains Fort Lauderdale death records. In Florida, death records are considered semi-public records. This is because only certain qualified individuals can request a Fort Lauderdale death record that is not up to 50 years old. These qualified individuals include:
- The parents of the decedent
- Spouse
- Sibling
- Direct descendants
- Legal representatives of qualified persons
- Individuals with a court order
- Persons with claims to the decedent’s estate
To request a Fort Lauderdale death record, a requester should fill out the Application for Death Record (Spanish). Also ensure to provide notarized Affidavit to Release Cause of Death Information. Attach a valid ID and payment to these documents. Send or submit the documents in person or by mail to:
Physical address:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Monday to Friday; between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(904) 359-6900, extension 9000
Email: vitalstats@flhealth.gov
Or
Broward County Health Department
780 SouthWest 24 Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 467-4700
