Fort Lauderdale Residents Directory
Fort Lauderdale residents directory records are open to the public and can be searched by anyone under Florida law. The city sits in Broward County and has close to 180,000 people. You can look up Fort Lauderdale residents through voter rolls, property files, court case data, and professional license records. The City Clerk's Office serves as the main point for city-level public records, while Broward County handles court and property data. Most of the key Fort Lauderdale residents directory tools are free to use online, though some may charge small copy fees. This page walks you through the best ways to search for people in Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale Quick Facts
Fort Lauderdale Public Records Portal
The City of Fort Lauderdale runs its own public records request system through a JustFOIA portal. The City Clerk's Office is the official custodian of all city records. That means any document the city creates or gets in the course of business is a public record under Florida law. You can ask for records from any city department, and the clerk's office will route your request to the right place. The Fort Lauderdale residents directory benefits from this setup because it puts all city data in one spot.
The Fort Lauderdale public records request portal lets you submit and track requests for city records online.
You can also check the status of a past request through this same portal by using your request number.
To get records from the Fort Lauderdale City Clerk, you can visit in person at 100 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, or call 954-828-5002. The JustFOIA portal is the fastest way to submit a request, but phone and mail work too. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, you do not need to give your name or say why you want the records. The city will charge for copies based on state law. Duplication and labor fees apply for large requests that take staff time to fill. If a request takes less than 15 minutes of staff work, there is usually no labor charge for Fort Lauderdale residents directory searches.
Note: If you send an email to request Fort Lauderdale records, your email address becomes a public record under Florida law.
Fort Lauderdale Voter and Property Data
Voter registration is one of the best tools in the Fort Lauderdale residents directory. Every registered voter in the city has a public file that shows their name, home address, date of birth, and party. Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers are kept out of the public file. The Florida Division of Elections confirms that voter data is public record under state law. You can get voter lists from the Broward County Supervisor of Elections or from the state office in Tallahassee. Fort Lauderdale has a large voter base, so these lists cover a big share of city residents.
Property records add more depth to any Fort Lauderdale residents directory search. The Broward County Property Appraiser runs a free online search tool. You can look up any property by owner name or street address. The results show the owner's name, mailing address, assessed value, and exemption status. If a Fort Lauderdale resident has a Homestead exemption on file, that is almost always their main home address. The property appraiser also offers an Owner Alert service that tells you about changes to property records in Fort Lauderdale. This helps you track when someone buys or sells a home in the area.
Court Records for Fort Lauderdale Residents
Court records are part of the public file in Florida, and they are a key piece of the Fort Lauderdale residents directory. The Comprehensive Case Information System lets you search court records from all 67 Florida counties in one place. You can look up a Fort Lauderdale resident by name to find civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in Broward County or any other county in the state. Basic searches are free, but you may need to sign up for more advanced tools. CCIS pulls data from every clerk of court, so it gives you a wide view of a person's court history across Florida.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts handles all local court filings for Fort Lauderdale. You can search the Broward County Clerk records portal for case data, official records, and document images. The clerk's office keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and other official records that help confirm where a Fort Lauderdale resident lives and what they own. Certified copies of court documents cost more than plain copies. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules for what can be released and what must stay sealed. Active criminal investigations and certain personal data like Social Security numbers are always kept out of public view in Fort Lauderdale court records.
Note: Not all court document images are available online due to privacy rules set by Florida law.
Fort Lauderdale Police Records Search
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department keeps its own set of public records. The Records Unit handles offense reports, arrest reports, accident reports, and supplemental reports. You can find the Records Unit at 1300 W. Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. The phone number is 954-828-5465. Police records can be requested through the city's central JustFOIA portal, which routes requests to the right department. These records are useful in a Fort Lauderdale residents directory search when you need to check if someone has a local record on file.
Active criminal investigations and intelligence records are exempt from public disclosure under Florida law. The same goes for certain victim information. Crash reports are available through the police department or the state crash report system. If you need a wider check beyond Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a statewide offender search. FDLE tracks registered offenders across all of Florida, and you can search by name, address, or zip code. The database updates daily as offenders check in with law enforcement.
License Search in Fort Lauderdale
Professional licenses make up another part of the Fort Lauderdale residents directory. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation manages licenses for over a million professionals and businesses in the state. You can search for any licensed Fort Lauderdale resident by name, license number, city, or county. Results show the person's name, license status, address of record, expiration date, and any disciplinary history. The DBPR database covers real estate agents, contractors, cosmetologists, and dozens of other trades in Fort Lauderdale.
This is a good way to check whether someone in Fort Lauderdale holds a valid license. Always make sure the status says Active before you hire any contractor or service provider. The DBPR also has a downloadable files section for bulk license data that researchers can use. Combining a license search with voter and property data gives you a well-rounded view of a Fort Lauderdale resident through public records.
Fort Lauderdale Records Under Ch. 119
All Fort Lauderdale city records fall under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. This law says that any material made or received by a government agency in the course of official business is a public record. It covers documents, papers, maps, tapes, photos, and digital files. Any person can inspect and copy these records. The law applies to the city, the county, and every state agency that holds data on Fort Lauderdale residents.
There are some limits. Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and Florida ID numbers are always exempt. Home addresses and photos of current and former law enforcement are also kept from public view. Agencies can charge up to 15 cents per one-sided page copy and no more than 5 cents extra for a two-sided copy. If a request takes more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can add a labor charge based on the pay rate of the lowest-paid person who can do the work. Fees must be paid before the Fort Lauderdale records go out.
Note: The Florida Sunshine Law is the common name for these public records and open meetings rules that apply at every level of government.
Broward County Residents Directory
Fort Lauderdale is the county seat of Broward County. All court filings, property records, and official documents for Fort Lauderdale go through Broward County offices. The county has nearly two million residents across more than 30 cities. For more on the county records system, clerk contact info, and related public records tools, visit the Broward County residents directory page.
Nearby Fort Lauderdale Cities
Several cities near Fort Lauderdale are also in Broward County and share the same county clerk and court system. You can search residents directory records for these nearby cities through the same Broward County resources.