Broward County Florida residents directory gives you free public access to names, addresses, phone numbers, property records, court cases, voter data, and professional licenses for people who live in this South Florida area. The county has about 1.9 million people, making it the second largest county in Florida.
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat. Florida law keeps most of these records open to anyone who asks. You do not need to give your name or explain why you want the records.
What the Broward County Residents Directory Covers
The Broward County residents directory pulls data from several public offices that track people living in the county. These offices include the Clerk of Courts, the Property Appraiser, the Supervisor of Elections, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Each office keeps its own set of records. Together, they form a complete residents directory that covers most adults in the county.
Public Records Under Florida Law
Florida’s public records law is one of the strongest in the United States. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says that any record made by a public office is open for inspection and copying. The law covers records held by the state, counties, cities, and school boards. People have the right to see these records without giving a reason. Agencies must respond to requests within a reasonable time.
This law is the reason the Broward County residents directory is so complete. Property records, court files, marriage licenses, and voter lists all fall under Chapter 119. The clerk office in Fort Lauderdale handles most of these record requests.
Types of Records Available
The Broward County residents directory includes several kinds of public records. Each type tells you something different about a person living in the county.
- Court records from the 17th Judicial Circuit
- Property ownership and value records
- Voter registration and voting history
- Marriage licenses and divorce filings
- Professional license status
- Registered sex offender data
- Business filings and corporate records
How to Search Broward County Court Records
Court records in Broward County go back many years and cover every case type. You can search criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, traffic tickets, small claims, and probate cases. Most of these records are free to view online through the clerk’s office website. Copies of full case files cost a small fee per page.
Using the Clerk of Courts Online Portal
The Broward County Clerk of Courts runs an online portal called E-Services. This portal lets you search for court cases by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. You can view case summaries, hearing dates, and docket entries. Plain copies of documents cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page. You can pay online with a credit card.
The portal is open 24 hours a day. You do not need an account to search. You only need to create an account if you want to save searches or pay for certified copies online. The site works on phones, tablets, and computers.
Using CCIS for Statewide Case Lookups
The Comprehensive Case Information System, called CCIS, pulls case data from every clerk of court in Florida. This includes the Broward County clerk. CCIS lets you search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases by name. You can see case status, charges, and final judgments. CCIS is free to use.
CCIS works well when you want to check if someone has cases in other Florida counties, not just Broward. If the same person has cases in Miami-Dade or Palm Beach, CCIS will show those too. This makes CCIS a useful tool for background checks.
In-Person Requests at the Fort Lauderdale Courthouse
You can also visit the Broward County courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The address is 201 Southeast Sixth Street. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can ask for records at the public counter or use the public computers to search on your own.
Appointments are needed for some services. Call 954-831-6565 before you go if you need help from a clerk worker. Same-day service is common for simple document requests. Complex requests may take a few business days.
Broward County Property Records Search
Property records tell you who owns land, houses, condos, and business buildings in Broward County. The Property Appraiser, Marty Kiar, runs the search tool that covers every parcel. You can look up records by owner name, street address, or parcel ID number. The site is free to use.
Property Appraiser Search Tool
The Broward County Property Appraiser website lets you search by owner name, address, or parcel number. The results show the owner’s full name, mailing address, property address, lot size, year built, assessed value, and sale history. If the owner has a Homestead exemption, the property is almost always their main home.
The search tool also shows tax exemptions, property features, and sales comps. You can see maps, photos, and sketches for most parcels. The site updates daily with new sales and ownership changes.
Homestead and Other Property Exemptions
Florida offers several property tax exemptions. The Homestead exemption lowers the taxable value of a primary home by $50,000. You can apply for Homestead by March 1st of each year. Other exemptions include Senior, Veteran, Disability, and Widow/Widower. Each has its own rules and deadlines.
The Property Appraiser site shows which exemptions apply to a property. This helps confirm that an address is a primary residence. If someone claims Homestead in Broward County, that is strong proof they live there full time.
Owner Alert Service for Property Records
The Owner Alert service is a free fraud protection tool. When you sign up, the Property Appraiser sends you an email any time a document is recorded in your name. This includes deeds, liens, and mortgage changes. The alert lets you catch fraud early. You can sign up on the Property Appraiser website.
This service helps Broward County homeowners protect themselves against deed fraud and identity theft. It is one of the most useful free tools on the Property Appraiser site.
Voter and License Records in Broward County
Voter records and professional license data add two more layers to the residents directory. Both are public in Florida. You can search them by name, address, or city. Voter records show party affiliation and voting history. License records show professional status and any discipline.
Broward County Voter File Access
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections maintains the voter file. It includes each registered voter’s name, home address, date of birth, party affiliation, and voting history. Phone numbers and emails are also public unless the voter filed a privacy request. You can buy voter lists in bulk or look up individual voters online.
Florida uses voter data for jury selection. This means the voter file overlaps with court records. Many jury pools come straight from the Broward County voter rolls. The voter file is one of the largest data sets in the state residents directory.
Florida DBPR Professional License Search
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation tracks licenses for many fields. These include real estate agents, contractors, cosmetologists, barbers, and many more. You can search by name, city, or county on the DBPR website. Results show the license holder’s address of record, license number, status, and any disciplinary action.
If you want to hire someone in Broward County, the DBPR search lets you verify their license in seconds. Active licenses mean the person passed the required tests and paid their fees. Disciplinary actions stay on the record for years.
FDLE Offender Search for Broward County
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a sex offender registry. You can search by name, address, or city. The registry covers all of Florida, including Broward County. Results show the offender’s address, photo, and offense. You can also sign up for email alerts when an offender moves near your home.
The FDLE registry updates within hours of an address change. This makes it one of the most current public record sources for Broward County.
Phone and People Search Options in Florida
Phone and people search tools add another layer to the Broward County residents directory. These tools cover landlines, cell phones, and unpublished numbers. They pull data from phone carriers, public records, and social media. Most basic lookups are free. Detailed reports cost a fee.
Florida White Pages Reverse Phone Lookup
Reverse phone lookup lets you type in a phone number and see who it belongs to. This works for landlines and many cell phones. Florida white pages reverse phone lookup is free for landline numbers. Cell phone lookups often require a paid service or a court order under Florida law.
If someone calls you from a Florida number, you can often trace it with a free reverse lookup. This helps block spam calls and verify unknown numbers. Broward County area codes include 754 and 954.
Florida Business Phone Directory
The Florida business phone directory lists every registered business in the state. You can search by business name, owner name, or address. Each listing shows the business phone number, mailing address, and registration date. The Sunbiz site, run by the Florida Division of Corporations, is the main source.
You can also search by agent name or FEIN number. The site is free and includes LLCs, corporations, and partnerships. Many Broward County businesses are listed there.
Florida Landline and Household Directories
Florida landline phone directories list every household with a wired phone line. These directories show names, addresses, and phone numbers. They are the original white pages and have been public for decades. Florida household directory searches work well for older adults and homeowners who keep landline service.
Cell phone numbers are not in the traditional white pages. Cell phone carriers keep those numbers private under federal law. To find a cell number, you usually need a paid people search service or a court order.
Fees, Rules, and Request Process in Florida
Florida law sets the fees for public records. These fees are the same across most counties, including Broward. Knowing the fee rules helps you avoid overpaying or waiting too long for records.
Standard Copy Fees Under Florida Law
Plain copies cost no more than 15 cents per one-sided page. Two-sided copies add no more than 5 cents extra. Certified copies cost more. In Broward County, certified copies from the clerk office cost $2.00 per page. These fees cover the cost of paper, toner, and staff time for basic requests.
Some records are free to view online. Court case summaries, property records, and voter data can all be searched without paying anything. You only pay when you want paper copies or certified records.
Labor Fees and Special Service Charges
If a request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can charge a labor fee. The fee is based on the hourly pay of the lowest paid worker who can fill the request. The agency must give you an estimate before doing the work. You pay before the records are released.
Special service charges also apply for large data requests. For example, a full voter file for Broward County costs more than a single record lookup. The agency can also charge for computer runs, programming time, and electronic copies on disk or USB drive.
Request Methods and Response Times
You can make a public records request in person, by mail, by phone, or online. Each method has different response times. Online requests are usually fastest. Mail requests take the longest. The agency must respond within a reasonable time under Florida law.
For most Broward County records, expect same-day service for simple requests. Complex requests can take a few days. Very large requests can take weeks. The clerk office will give you a timeline when you submit the request.
Cities and Nearby Counties
Broward County covers about 1,320 square miles. It includes more than 30 cities and towns. All of them file records through the same Broward County offices. Knowing the right city helps you narrow your search.
Major Cities in Broward County
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat and the largest city. Other major cities include Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, and Davie. Each city has its own police department and city hall. But property records, court records, and voter data all go through the county offices.
You can search any resident in these cities using the Broward County residents directory. The records do not change based on which city the person lives in. The county office handles the entire area.
Nearby Counties with Public Records
Broward County borders two other Florida counties. To the south is Miami-Dade County. To the north is Palm Beach County. Each county runs its own clerk, property appraiser, and elections office. If you are not sure which county has the records you need, check the address first.
The Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach offices all use similar systems. You can search all three with the same steps. The records will overlap when people own property in more than one county.
Contact Details for Broward County Offices
The main Broward County offices are located in Fort Lauderdale. The clerk of courts is at 201 Southeast Sixth Street. The property appraiser is at 115 South Andrews Avenue. The supervisor of elections is at 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 102. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The main clerk phone number is 954-831-6565. The property appraiser phone number is 954-357-6830.
Website: https://www.browardclerk.org
Property Appraiser: https://bcpa.net
Phone: 954-831-6565
Address: 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common things people want to know about the Broward County residents directory. Each answer gives you the steps, fees, and rules you need. Use these to save time and avoid mistakes when you search for records in Broward County, Florida.
How do I find someone in Broward County for free?
Start with the Broward County Property Appraiser site at bcpa.net. Type in the person’s name to see if they own property. The site shows the property address, mailing address, and tax exemptions. If the person rents, try the voter file through the Supervisor of Elections. You can also search court records through the clerk’s E-Services portal. All three sites are free.
Can I look up a phone number in Broward County?
Yes, you can look up landline numbers using free Florida white pages reverse phone lookup. Just type the phone number into a search engine or a white pages site. Cell phone numbers are harder to find. You usually need a paid people search service or a court order. The Broward County area codes are 754 and 954.
Are Broward County court records free to view?
Yes, case summaries are free to view through the clerk’s E-Services portal and the CCIS statewide system. You can see party names, case numbers, hearing dates, and final judgments. Copies of full documents cost $1.00 per page for plain copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies. Fees are set by Florida law.
How long does a public records request take?
Simple requests take the same day. Most people get basic records within 24 hours. Complex requests take longer. If the request needs more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can charge a labor fee. They will give you an estimate before starting. You pay the fee before the records are released. Mail requests take longer than online or in-person requests.
Can I remove my info from the residents directory?
You cannot remove your info from official public records. Property records, court cases, and professional licenses stay public. You can request address confidentiality if you are a victim of domestic violence, a law enforcement officer, or a judge. Voter file exemptions are available for some people. Most residents in Broward County stay in the public directory.
What is the difference between landline and cell lookup?
Landline numbers are in the public white pages. You can search them for free. Cell phone numbers are not in the traditional white pages. Cell carriers keep cell numbers private under federal law. To find a cell number, you usually need a paid service. Reverse cell phone lookup Florida services charge a fee for these reports. The reports often include the owner’s name, address, and phone carrier.
Do I need to give my name when requesting records?
No. Under Florida law, you do not have to give your name or explain why you want public records. The agency must provide them within a reasonable time. This applies to every public office in Broward County. You can stay anonymous when you request records. This rule is set by Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.