Tamarac City Court Records are public files held by the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tamarac does not run its own courthouse.
Every case file, court order, and docket entry from the city goes through one main office about 14 miles away. Anyone can search these records online or visit the clerk in person. Florida law makes most court files open to the public. Sealed records and certain confidential files stay hidden from view.
Where Tamarac Court Records Are Kept
Tamarac sits in the northwest part of Broward County. The city covers about 12 square miles. With a population near 75,000, it ranks as one of the mid-size cities in the region. All Tamarac court cases are handled by the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The circuit covers only Broward County.
Court records for Tamarac stay in one place. The Broward County Clerk of Courts keeps them at 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. This office stores civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims files. Records go back many years. Older files sit on microfilm. Newer files are digital and viewable through the online portal.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts
The clerk’s office is the main hub for court records in Broward County. The office runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for general questions is (954) 831-7283. The website at browardclerk.org has search tools, forms, and contact lists for each division.
Florida Statute Chapter 119 makes court records public. The clerk must follow this law. Records stay open unless a judge orders them sealed. Social security numbers and bank account details get removed before files post online. This happens automatically. You do not need to give a reason to look at a public case file.
Search Records Online With Web2
The Broward County Web2 portal is the main search tool for Tamarac court records. The portal works 24 hours a day. You do not need an account for basic searches. The free version shows case status, party names, filing dates, and docket entries. You can search by name, case number, or date range.
Registered users see more. A free account lets you view document images. You can sign up for case alerts. Alerts send you an email when a new filing hits a case. The portal covers all court divisions in Broward County. Tamarac cases mix in with records from other cities in the county.
Search results pull from one shared database. If you get too many matches, narrow the date range. Add middle names or full business names for better hits. Wildcard searches work. Use an asterisk to find name variations. The system supports exact match searches with quotation marks.
Civil Court Records in Tamarac
Civil court cases from Tamarac feature contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosure actions, and property lawsuits. The circuit court hears civil cases where the amount in dispute is more than $50,000. The county court handles smaller civil claims. Small claims cases stay at the county level for amounts up to $8,000.
Civil case files show the names of plaintiffs and defendants. They list the cause of action. They show the dates of every court event. They also show the final judgment. Older civil files may be on microfilm. Newer files are digital and viewable in Web2.
To search civil records, go to the Web2 portal. Type in the party name or case number. Filter by case type if needed. Civil case types are “CC” for county civil and “CA” for circuit civil. Each result shows the division code and judge assigned to the case.
Criminal Court Records in Tamarac
Criminal cases in Tamarac fall into two groups. Felonies go to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Misdemeanors stay at the Broward County Court. Both file types are searchable through the clerk’s office. Felony case numbers start with “CF.” Misdemeanor case numbers start with “MM.”
Criminal records show the charges, arrest dates, and court hearings. They list the defense attorney and the prosecutor. They also show the sentence or final disposition. Probation terms show up in the file. Bond amounts and payment history are part of the record too.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 controls public access to criminal records. Most case files stay open. A judge can order a file sealed in special cases. Juvenile criminal records are not public. Sealed or expunged records drop out of search results.
Arrest records are not part of the court file. The Broward Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest logs. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide criminal history check. That tool costs money and needs the subject’s consent in some cases.
Family Court Records
Family cases from Tamarac go through the Broward County Family Division. This division handles divorce, child custody, paternity, and adoption. It also handles domestic violence cases. Some family files are sealed. Adoption records stay confidential. Child abuse and dependency cases do not appear in public searches.
Family court files show petition details, hearing dates, and final orders. They show the names of the parties. They may also show the names of minor children unless a judge orders them redacted. Financial documents in divorce cases are part of the public file. Settlement agreements file with the court too.
To search family cases, use the Web2 portal. Family case numbers start with “FM” for family or “DR” for dissolution of marriage. Domestic violence cases start with “DV.” Each file has a case type code in the system.
Probate Court Records
Probate cases deal with wills, estates, and guardianships. Tamarac probate records are part of the Broward County Probate Division. The division handles petitions to open an estate, name an executor, and distribute property. Guardianship cases for minors and adults also go through probate court.
Probate files show the decedent’s name, date of death, and the personal representative. They show the will, if one exists. They list the heirs and beneficiaries. Inventory documents list the estate property. Final accountings show how the assets got distributed.
Search probate records in Web2 by name or case number. Probate case numbers start with “PR” or “GA” for guardianship. Some probate files get sealed for privacy reasons. Mental health hearings are part of the probate division. Those files stay confidential.
Traffic and Small Claims Court Records
Traffic cases from Tamarac are part of the county court system. The clerk handles traffic infractions, driving under suspension, and other motor vehicle cases. Traffic case numbers start with “TR.” The file shows the citation, the plea, and the final judgment. Points on a license and fine amounts are in the record too.
Small claims cases cover disputes up to $8,000. These are simple civil cases. The party filing is the plaintiff. The other side is the defendant. Most small claims cases are decided by a county judge. The file shows the complaint, the response, and the judgment. Small claims case numbers start with “SC.”
Both traffic and small claims records are searchable through Web2. Traffic school completions and payment records show up in the file. Failure to pay can lead to a suspended license or a bench warrant. Those orders are part of the public court record.
Appellate Court Records
Appeals from Tamarac cases go to the Fourth District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach. The appellate court reviews decisions from the circuit and county courts. Appellate records are separate from the trial court files. They feature the briefs, the record on appeal, and the court’s ruling.
Appellate case files show the lower court case number. They show the appellant and the appellee. They list the issues on appeal and the court’s final decision. Mandate dates show when the ruling took effect.
Search appellate records through the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal website. Trial court records stay with the Broward Clerk. You may need to check both systems to see the full history of a case that went on appeal.
Ordering Certified Copies
Certified copies of Tamarac court records cost $1 per page. Plain copies may cost less. The clerk charges a small search fee if you do not know the case number. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the courthouse.
Online orders go through the Broward Clerk records request page. You pay by credit card. A small service fee applies. The clerk mails the certified copies to you. You can also pick them up in person at the records counter on the first floor of the courthouse.
Mail orders need a written request. Include the case number, the document name, and your contact details. Send a check or money order for the correct fee. Allow 5 to 10 business days for mail processing. The clerk cannot process mail requests by phone.
Filing Fees and Payment Options
Court filing fees in Broward County depend on the case type. A new civil case costs around $400 to file. A small claims case costs less. Family cases have their own fee schedule. Probate filings vary based on the type of petition.
Pay filing fees online, by mail, or in person. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal accepts credit card payments. A 3.5% service fee applies to card payments. You can also pay by check or money order. Cash payments need an in-person visit to the clerk’s office.
MyFloridaCounty.com lets you pay fines and fees online. The site gives you an instant receipt. You can pay traffic fines, criminal court costs, and child support payments. The site covers all 67 Florida counties.
Sealed and Expunged Records
A judge can order a court file sealed. Sealed records drop out of public search results. You cannot see a sealed file unless a court order gives you access. Common reasons for sealing cover witness protection, juvenile cases, and certain family law matters.
Florida law lets some people expunge their criminal records. Expungement removes the file from public view. The clerk destroys the physical file in some cases. To expunge a record, you must file a petition with the court. You need to qualify under Florida Statute 943.0585.
Sealed and expunged records do not show up in Web2 searches. The clerk’s office staff cannot give you access to these files without a court order. Background checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also miss sealed files.
What Records Stay Private
Some court records stay private by law. These cover juvenile criminal files, adoption records, and mental health commitment hearings. Files that involve trade secrets or ongoing investigations may also stay sealed. The clerk follows each court order to keep these files off the public system.
Social security numbers and bank account details get removed before records go online. Driver’s license numbers and credit card data also get redacted. This happens automatically under Florida Statute 119.0714. You cannot opt out of the redaction.
Victim identity information stays private in certain criminal cases. The clerk redacts the victim’s name from public files. The same rule applies to the names of witnesses in some juvenile cases. Police reports and criminal investigative files stay with the law enforcement agency, not the court.
How to Request Records by Mail
Mail requests for Tamarac court records go to the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The mailing address is 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Add a check or money order for the search and copy fees.
Your mail request must feature the full name of the party. Add the case number if you have it. List the specific documents you want. State the year the case was filed. The clerk needs enough details to find the right file in the system.
Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days to process. The clerk may contact you for more details. If the file is sealed, the clerk will deny the request and explain your options. You can appeal the denial through the court system.
In-Person Visits to the Courthouse
The Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office closes on state holidays. Public computers at the courthouse let you search Web2 for free. The clerk’s staff can help you find a case file at the records counter.
You need a photo ID to access some records. Adopt a valid ID. Bring the case number if you have it. The clerk can search by name. A self-service copy center is on-site. Copies cost 25 cents per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page.
Parking is available near the courthouse. The address is 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Public transit serves the area. The courthouse is a few blocks from the Broward Central Terminal.
Common Search Tips
Start with a broad search. Then narrow your results. Use the date range filter to cut down the list. If you have a common name, add a middle initial. Business name searches need the full legal name. Some companies file under a name that is different from the public name.
Check the spelling. A simple typo can hide the case. Try alternate spellings if the first search comes back empty. The system supports wildcard searches. Use an asterisk to replace missing letters. Use quotation marks for exact phrase matches.
Look at the case type code. Each code shows what kind of case it is. The code appears next to the case number. A “CA” code means circuit civil. A “CF” code means felony criminal. A “DR” code means divorce. The case type code helps you sort results.
E-Filing Court Documents
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal lets you file court papers online. The portal is free to use. You do need to pay the court filing fees. E-filing works for most civil, family, and probate cases. Some criminal filings still need a paper submission.
Create a free account on the portal. Add your contact details and your law firm info. Each court has its own filing rules. The Broward County courts accept electronic signatures in most cases. The system stamps your filing with the date and time of receipt.
Help with e-filing is available from the Florida Courts Help center. The center offers free help documents and templates. You can also call the e-filing help line. Court staff cannot give you legal advice. They can only help with the filing process itself.
Nearby Cities and Their Court Records
Tamarac borders several other cities in Broward County. Court records for each of these cities also go through the same Broward County Clerk’s office. The cities cover Coral Springs, Lauderhill, Sunrise, Margate, Coconut Creek, and Pompano Beach. The court system covers all of them.
Cases from these cities mix in with Tamarac cases in the Web2 database. You search the same portal for all Broward County records. The case file shows the city where the case was filed. Court hearings take place at the main Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
If a case was filed in another Florida county, you need to check that county’s clerk. The 17th Judicial Circuit covers only Broward. Other counties have their own circuits. The Florida Court Clerks website lists all 67 county clerks with their contact details.
Contact Details for Tamarac Court Records
Broward County Clerk of Courts
540 SE 3rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-7283
Website: browardclerk.org
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Website: myflcourtaccess.com
Help: help.flcourts.gov
Broward County Official Records Search
Website: broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/Records/pages/publicrecordssearch.aspx
Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
Website: flclerks.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Tamarac City Court Records raise many questions for residents, researchers, and legal professionals. The rules for accessing these files change based on the case type and the year the case was filed. This FAQ section covers the most common questions about searching, requesting, and paying for Tamarac court records. Each answer below gives you the exact steps and the official contact details you need.
How do I search Tamarac court records for free?
The Broward County Web2 portal offers free searches for Tamarac court records. The portal works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need an account to run a basic search. Visit browardclerk.org and click on the Web2 link. Type in the party name, the case number, or the citation number. You can also search by date range. The free search shows case status, party names, filing dates, judge assignments, and docket entries. You see the case type code and the division where the case was heard. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, small claims, and appellate cases from Tamarac and all other Broward County cities. You do not need to register an account to see basic case data. A free registered account gives you more features. You can view document images. You can sign up for case alerts. The alerts send you an email when a new filing hits a case you are watching. The system also supports wildcard searches. Use an asterisk to find name variations. Use quotation marks for exact match searches. Narrow the date range if your first search brings back too many matches. The portal pulls data from one shared database. Results show cases from all Broward County cities mixed together. Look at the case filing location to confirm the case is from Tamarac.
Can I see sealed Tamarac court records?
No. Sealed Tamarac court records stay hidden from public search results. A judge must sign a court order to seal a record. The clerk’s office follows the order and removes the file from the public system. You cannot see a sealed file without a separate court order giving you access. Common reasons for sealing cover witness protection, juvenile cases, and certain family law matters. Adoption files also stay sealed. Mental health commitment hearings are not part of the public record. Expunged records drop out of search results. Expungement is a separate legal process. The court may destroy the physical file after the order takes effect. To expunge a criminal record, you must file a petition with the court. You need to qualify under Florida Statute 943.0585. The clerk’s office staff cannot give you access to sealed or expunged files. They cannot confirm or deny the existence of a sealed file. Background checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement also miss sealed records. The only way to access a sealed file is through a court order. You can petition the court for access. You will need a legal reason. The court reviews each request on a case by case basis.
How much does a certified copy of a Tamarac court record cost?
Certified copies of Tamarac court records cost $1 per page. The clerk also charges a $2 search fee if you do not know the case number. Plain copies cost 25 cents per page. The fees are set by Florida state law. The clerk cannot waive these fees. You can pay the fees several ways. Online orders go through the Broward Clerk records request page. You pay by credit card. A small service fee applies to online payments. The service fee covers the credit card processing cost. Mail orders need a check or money order. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mailing. The clerk cannot process mail requests over the phone. In-person orders accept cash, check, credit card, or money order. The records counter is on the first floor of the Broward County Courthouse. The clerk mails certified copies within 5 to 10 business days. You can also pick up certified copies in person at the records counter. Bring a photo ID for the pickup. The clerk stamps each certified page with the court seal. The seal confirms the copy is a true copy of the original court document. Courts, government agencies, and most employers accept certified copies.
Can I search Tamarac traffic ticket records online?
Yes. Traffic ticket records from Tamarac are part of the Web2 search portal. Traffic case numbers start with “TR” in the Broward County system. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. The file shows the original citation. It shows the plea entered by the defendant. It shows the final judgment from the court. The record also shows the fine amount, the court costs, and any points added to the driver’s license. The file lists each court hearing date. It shows the outcome of each hearing. You can pay traffic fines online through MyFloridaCounty.com. The site accepts credit card payments. It gives you an instant receipt after payment. The receipt shows the case number, the amount paid, and the date of payment. Failure to pay a traffic fine can lead to a driver’s license suspension. The suspension order is part of the public court record. Traffic school completions also show up in the file. The court sends the completion to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The system updates the driver’s record within a few business days. Out-of-state drivers can also use the online search tool. The system pulls traffic records from all Broward County cities including Tamarac.
What is the difference between a circuit court and a county court in Tamarac?
The circuit court hears felonies, civil cases over $50,000, family law cases, juvenile cases, and probate cases in Tamarac. The county court handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and civil cases under $50,000. Both courts sit in the same Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Both file records through the same clerk’s office. The case number shows which court handles the case. Circuit civil case numbers start with “CA.” Circuit criminal case numbers start with “CF.” Family case numbers start with “FM” or “DR.” Probate case numbers start with “PR.” County civil case numbers start with “CC.” Misdemeanor case numbers start with “MM.” Traffic case numbers start with “TR.” Small claims case numbers start with “SC.” Each case file shows the division code. The code appears in the search results. The 17th Judicial Circuit covers only Broward County. The circuit is one of 20 judicial circuits in Florida. The chief judge of the circuit supervises all judges in the county. You can search both circuit and county cases through the same Web2 portal. The portal mixes results from both courts. Look at the case type code and the division to identify which court heard the case.
How do I expunge a Tamarac criminal record?
To expunge a Tamarac criminal record, you must file a petition with the Broward County Clerk of Courts. The petition must show that you meet the legal requirements under Florida Statute 943.0585. Most people who qualify have no prior convictions. They must have completed their sentence. The waiting period depends on the type of offense. The clerk’s office cannot give you legal advice on whether you qualify. You may need to hire an attorney for the expungement process. The attorney can review your criminal history. The attorney can file the petition on your behalf. The court may also require a hearing before granting the expungement. The state attorney must also sign off on the petition in most cases. The filing fee for an expungement petition is set by state law. The fee covers the clerk’s processing costs. The court will deny the petition if you do not meet the legal requirements. You can appeal a denial through the court system. After the court grants the expungement, the clerk seals the physical file. The record drops out of public search results. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also updates its database. The expunged record no longer shows up in most background checks.
Can I get a copy of a Tamarac court record from another state?
Yes. The Broward Clerk accepts mail requests from out of state. Send a written request to 540 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Include the case number, the document name, and your contact details. Add a check or money order for the search and copy fees. The fee is $1 per page for certified copies. Add a $2 search fee if you do not know the case number. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return mailing. The clerk cannot process mail requests by phone. You can also order certified copies online through the clerk’s records request page. The online system accepts credit card payments. The clerk ships certified copies anywhere in the United States. International requests need additional postage. You should contact the clerk’s office first for international shipping rates. Allow 5 to 10 business days for mail processing after the clerk receives your request. The clerk may contact you for more details about the file. If the file is sealed, the clerk will deny the request. The clerk will explain your options for appealing the denial. You can also visit the courthouse in person to request copies. The records counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.