Fort Lauderdale City probate court records are public files that show what happens to a dead person’s money, property, and debts. These records sit at the Broward County Courthouse on SE 6th Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Anyone can look at most of these records. You can search online, visit the clerk’s office in person, or send a mail request. This page covers where the records live, how to get them, what they cost, and how death certificates fit into the probate process in Broward County.
Where Fort Lauderdale Probate Records Are Filed
All Fort Lauderdale probate records are kept by one office: the Broward County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County, so the courthouse sits right inside the city. You do not need to travel to another town to file or read these files. The same clerk’s office handles every probate case for the whole county, from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano Beach to Hollywood.
Broward County Clerk of Court
The Broward County Clerk of Court runs the records system. This office takes in new filings, collects fees, stores case files, and lets the public review open records. The current clerk is Brenda Forman. Her office takes care of every stage of a probate case, from the first petition to the final discharge. The clerk’s office also runs the online portal that lets you search records from your home computer.
The 17th Judicial Circuit
Broward County sits inside Florida’s 17th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers only Broward County, unlike many Florida circuits that span several counties. Circuit judges hear all probate cases in the county. The 17th Circuit is one of the busiest court systems in the state. Each year, it handles a large number of probate filings from Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County.
How to Search Fort Lauderdale Probate Records
You have three main ways to search Fort Lauderdale probate records: online through the clerk’s website, in person at the courthouse, or by mail. Each method works well for different needs. Online search is the fastest way to find a case. In-person visits let you pull full files. Mail requests help when you cannot visit the courthouse yourself.
Online Search Through the Broward Clerk
The Broward County Clerk runs a public case search at browardclerk.org. You can search by the dead person’s name, the personal representative’s name, or the case number. Most case dockets and documents show up as PDF files you can read for free. The portal tracks the status of open cases. You can see what has been filed, when it was filed, and what the judge has ordered. No login or account is needed for basic searches.
In-Person Records Access
Go to 201 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale to read files in person. The clerk’s probate counter can pull case files for you to look at on-site. Bring the dead person’s full name and the approximate date of death. Staff can usually find the file within a few minutes. If you need printed copies, the staff will make them before you leave and collect the fee at that time.
Mail and Phone Requests
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Write to the clerk’s office with the case name or case number. Describe which documents you need. Include a check or money order for the copy costs. The clerk will mail the documents back to you. Call (954) 831-6565 to confirm the current copy rate before you send your payment. Phone calls can also help you check if a file exists before you make a trip to the courthouse.
Public and Confidential Records
Most probate records are public, but some are sealed by Florida law. Inventories of estate property and accountings of money spent are confidential. These protected documents stay sealed even after a case closes. The case docket, petitions, court orders, and final judgment are open to public review. If you are not sure which documents in a file are open, the clerk’s staff can tell you.
Types of Probate Cases in Broward County
Florida law sets three paths to handle a dead person’s estate. The right path depends on how much the estate is worth and how long the person has been dead. Formal administration handles larger or recent estates. Summary administration handles smaller or older estates. Disposition without administration covers the smallest cases with no real property.
Formal Administration
Formal administration is the standard path for estates worth more than $75,000. A judge appoints a personal representative to manage the estate. The personal representative notifies creditors by publishing a notice in a local newspaper. Creditors then have 90 days to file claims. After paying valid claims, the personal representative gives the rest of the estate to the heirs. An attorney is required for most formal administration cases. The process takes at least six months and often longer when disputes arise.
Summary Administration
Summary administration works for estates worth $75,000 or less. It also works for any estate when the dead person passed away more than two years ago. No personal representative gets appointed. The court signs an order that tells who gets which assets. This path is faster and cheaper than formal administration. Many Fort Lauderdale attorneys handle summary cases for a flat fee.
Disposition Without Administration
Disposition without administration handles very small estates with no real property. The only assets are funds to pay funeral costs and final medical bills, and the total must be under $6,000. A judge does not get involved. The clerk’s office processes the paperwork. This is the fastest and cheapest path for the smallest estates.
Filing Fees and Copy Costs in Broward County
Florida sets base probate filing fees by state law. Local court costs get added on top. Copy fees apply whether you visit in person, search online, or send a mail request. Knowing the costs ahead of time helps you plan your budget.
Court Filing Fees
Formal administration costs about $400 to file. Estates worth more than $1 million pay higher fees on a sliding scale set by Florida law. Summary administration costs roughly $200 to $300 to file in most cases. Disposition without administration is the cheapest option, usually under $100. Call the clerk’s office to confirm the exact current fee before you file.
Certified Copy Costs
Copy fees are the same across Florida. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. A full estate file can run to many pages, so the total copy cost adds up fast. If you need only certain documents, ask for those instead of the whole file.
| Service Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Formal administration filing fee | About $400 base |
| Summary administration filing fee | About $200 to $300 |
| Disposition without administration | Under $100 |
| Plain copy per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy per page | $2.00 |
| Certification fee | $2.00 |
Additional Probate Costs
Beyond filing and copy fees, formal administration often involves other costs. The personal representative may need to publish a creditor notice in a local newspaper. Court-ordered bonds carry a premium. Attorney fees add to the total, set by Florida law based on estate value. Ask any attorney you hire to explain how they charge before you sign a fee agreement.
Florida Death Certificate Requirements for Probate
A certified Florida death certificate is one of the key documents you need to open a probate case. The personal representative must file a certified copy with the court. You can get a death certificate from the Florida Department of Health or the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Who Can Request a Death Certificate
Florida law limits who can order a certified death certificate. Authorized requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings of the dead person. Legal representatives, heirs, and government agencies also qualify. Funeral directors usually order the first certified copies right after the death. Anyone else needs to show a legal or personal relationship to the dead person.
How to Get a Death Certificate in Florida
You can order a death certificate online, by mail, or in person at a Florida county health department. The Florida Department of Health runs the statewide system. The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps the long-term archive. Online orders through approved vendors are the fastest option. Mail requests take longer but work for people who do not need the certificate right away.
Death Certificate Fees and Processing Times
A standard certified death certificate costs $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Rush orders cost more. Online orders through vendors add a service fee. Mail requests take about 2 to 3 weeks. In-person requests at a county health department often finish the same day. Expedited processing is available for an extra fee when you need the certificate fast.
Florida Death Certificate Apostille
You may need an apostille if you plan to use the death certificate in another country. An apostille is a state seal that proves the document is real for use abroad. The Florida Department of State issues apostilles. You must send the original certified death certificate to the state office with the apostille request. The process takes several weeks.
Florida Death Records for Genealogy and Research
Older Florida death records are useful for family history research. The Florida statewide death index covers deaths from 1917 to the present. These records are open to the public, no proof of relationship needed for older deaths.
Florida Statewide Death Index
The Florida Statewide Death Index is a searchable database. It lists the dead person’s name, date of death, county of death, and certificate number. The index covers 1917 to the past 50 years. Records less than 50 years old have access limits for privacy. You can search the index through the Florida Department of Health website and through genealogy sites like FamilySearch and Ancestry.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Archive
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps death records from 1917 forward. The archive holds paper files for older deaths and electronic files for newer ones. You can order certified copies of older death certificates through the Bureau. The Bureau also processes corrections to death records when information was recorded wrong.
Free Florida Death Records Search
You can search some Florida death records for free. The FamilySearch website has a free Florida death index. Local libraries in Broward County offer free access to genealogy databases. The Broward County Library System has genealogy collections and free use of paid sites like Ancestry Library Edition inside the library.
Death Record Correction and Amendments
Sometimes a death certificate has wrong information. Common errors include misspellings, wrong dates, or wrong parents’ names. Florida law allows corrections through the Florida Department of Health.
How to Correct a Death Record
To correct a death certificate, file a correction request with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. You must show proof of the correct information. Acceptable proof includes court orders, hospital records, and other official documents. The Bureau reviews the request and issues a corrected certificate. There is a fee for the corrected copy.
Court-Ordered Death Record Changes
Some changes require a court order. These include changes to the cause of death, the dead person’s name, or the parents’ names when no other proof exists. A probate judge in Broward County can hear these petitions. The petition must show clear evidence of the correct information.
Probate Court Location and Contact Details
The Broward County Courthouse is the main location for Fort Lauderdale probate records. The clerk’s office handles all records requests, filings, and certified copies. The Florida Department of Health and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics handle death certificate orders. Use the contact details below to reach the right office for your needs.
Broward County Clerk of Court
Address: 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: (954) 831-6565. Website: www.browardclerk.org. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk’s office closes on weekends and state holidays.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
Address: P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231. Phone: (904) 359-6900. Website: www.floridahealth.gov. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The Bureau handles statewide death certificate orders and corrections.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common issues people face when dealing with Fort Lauderdale probate records and Florida death certificates. Each answer points to the right office, the right form, or the right next step. The answers below reflect Florida law as of 2026 and current clerk’s office procedures in Broward County.
How Long Does Probate Take in Broward County?
Formal administration in Broward County takes at least six months from the date of filing. Most cases finish within 9 to 18 months when there are no disputes. Cases with creditor claims, will contests, or real property issues often run longer. Summary administration finishes much faster, often within 2 to 3 months, because the court does not appoint a personal representative. Disposition without administration can close in a few weeks. The 17th Circuit Court tracks each case through the clerk’s online portal, so you can check the status at any time.
Can I Look at Probate Records for Free?
Yes, you can view most probate records for free through the Broward Clerk’s online portal. The portal shows case dockets, petitions, and orders as PDF files. There is no charge to read the documents online. You pay only when you need printed copies or certified copies. In-person review at the courthouse is also free; you pay only for copies you take with you.
Who Can Get a Florida Death Certificate?
Florida law limits certified death certificate requests to authorized requesters. This group includes the surviving spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, legal representatives, heirs, and government agencies. Funeral directors order the first copies right after the death. People doing genealogy or family history can search the death index for free but cannot order certified copies of recent deaths without proof of relationship.
How Much Does a Florida Death Certificate Cost?
The Florida Department of Health charges $5.00 for the first certified copy and $4.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Online orders through approved vendors charge a service fee on top of the state fee. Mail requests cost the state fee plus postage. Rush and expedited orders cost more. Florida residents and non-residents pay the same fee.
What Is a Florida Death Certificate Apostille?
An apostille is a state certification that proves a Florida death certificate is real for use in another country. The Florida Department of State in Tallahassee issues apostilles. You must send the original certified death certificate along with the apostille request form and a small fee. Processing takes several weeks. Apostilles are not needed for documents used only inside the United States.
Can I Correct a Wrong Death Certificate in Florida?
Yes, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics accepts correction requests for death certificates. You must file proof of the correct information. Small errors like misspellings can be corrected with documents showing the right spelling. Major changes like the cause of death or the dead person’s name require a court order from a Florida probate judge. There is a fee for the corrected certificate.
Do I Need a Death Certificate to Open a Probate Case?
Yes, a certified Florida death certificate is one of the key documents you must file when opening a probate case in Broward County. The personal representative must attach a certified copy to the first petition. You can order the certified copy from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, a county health department, or an online vendor. Plan to order the certificate early because mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks.