Search Hollywood Civil Court Records

Hollywood civil court records are filed and stored by the Broward County Clerk of Court. All civil cases in Hollywood go through the 17th Judicial Circuit, with the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

Broward County Clerk of Court

Hollywood does not have its own civil court clerk. Like all cities in Broward County, civil court records for Hollywood are managed by the Broward County Clerk of Court. The main office is at the central courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. However, Hollywood residents can also use the South Regional Courthouse at 3550 Hollywood Boulevard, which is right in the city.

The Broward County Clerk website has online tools for looking up civil court cases filed in Hollywood and across the county. You can search by name or case number at no cost. The clerk also offers eTrack, a case tracking service that sends alerts when new filings hit a case you are watching.

The Hollywood city government website has local resource links, but all civil court records for Hollywood go through the county clerk's office.

The South Regional Courthouse serves Hollywood and nearby areas. It is open weekdays for civil court filings and record requests.

How to Search Hollywood Civil Court Records

You can search Hollywood civil court records online for free. The Broward County case search gives public access to non-confidential civil cases. There are three ways to use it. The public search is open to anyone. Attorney of Record access lets Florida Bar members view their own cases. Registered users get extra details on family and probate files.

To find Hollywood civil court records, go to the case search page. Type in a last name and first name, or use a case number if you have one. The system covers civil cases from across Broward County, including all Hollywood filings. Results show case type, filing date, parties, and case status.

The Broward County Clerk also offers an advanced search. This option lets you look by party name, party ID, hearing dates, filing details, and case disposition. It is useful when you need to dig deeper into Hollywood civil court records.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also connects to Hollywood civil court records. This statewide tool links to all 67 county clerks. You can file new civil cases and view existing ones. It is free to set up an account.

For in-person searches, you can visit the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood or the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Staff at both locations can look up civil court records and make copies. Bring your ID. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certification costs $2.00 per document. Search fees run $2.00 per year searched.

Civil Court Structure for Hollywood Cases

Hollywood is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers all of Broward County. Civil cases in Hollywood go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount at stake.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. This includes contract disputes, injury lawsuits, and property actions. Family law and probate cases also go to Circuit Court. County Court covers civil claims up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 are also in County Court. Eviction cases in Hollywood fall under County Court too.

If you are not sure which level of court handles your Hollywood civil case, call the clerk's office. They can tell you where to file. You must file in the correct court for the case to move forward.

Filing Fees for Hollywood Civil Court Cases

Filing fees for civil court cases in Hollywood follow the Broward County fee schedule. County civil case fees depend on the claim amount. Here is what you can expect to pay:

• Claims up to $100: $55.00
• Claims $100 to $500: $80.00
• Claims $500 to $2,500: $175.00
• Claims $2,500 to $15,000: $300.00
• Claims $15,000 to $30,000: $400.00
• Removal of tenant actions: $185.00

Circuit civil cases (over $30,000) have a similar fee structure with extra costs for cross-claims and counterclaims. A foreclosure sale fee is $70.00. Sealing a court file costs $42.00. Each summons is $10.00 per defendant.

The clerk accepts cash, cashier's checks, money orders, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). Personal checks are not accepted for Hollywood civil court filings. Attorney trust account checks must have "Trust Account" or "IOLTA" printed on them.

Getting Copies of Hollywood Civil Court Records

There are several ways to get copies of civil court records for Hollywood cases. The fastest method is the online certified document service. Electronic certified court documents cost $8.00 each. They are available right after payment. You pay with a credit card. Documents over 100 pages are not available online, though. You would need to request those in person.

At the courthouse, copies cost $1.00 per page. Add $2.00 for certification. You can visit the South Regional Courthouse in Hollywood or the central courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Mail requests take up to two weeks. The same fees apply. Send a cashier's check, personal check, or money order with your request.

The Florida Courts self-help page has guides on how to request court records and what forms you may need for civil cases in Hollywood.

Confidential Information in Hollywood Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records is kept private. Social security numbers and bank account numbers must not show up in public court files. This applies to all Hollywood civil court records. If you spot these numbers in a public document, you can ask the clerk to redact them at no cost.

Parties who file civil court papers in Hollywood must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form tells the clerk which parts of a filing contain private data. The clerk then keeps that data out of the public version. Adoption records and sealed files are not available through the public search at all.

Public Records Law and Hollywood Civil Court Records

Florida has some of the strongest public records laws in the nation. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and city records are open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Hollywood. You do not need to be a party in the case. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file.

The clerk must respond within a reasonable time. Some items are exempt from disclosure, like social security numbers and records sealed by court order. But the vast majority of Hollywood civil court records are open to the public. You can view them online or ask for copies at the courthouse.

Self-Help for Civil Cases in Hollywood

If you plan to handle a civil case on your own in Hollywood, free tools can help. DIY Florida is built into the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through questions and fills out court forms. More than 20 form types are available for small claims, evictions, and other civil matters. You can file the completed forms straight to the Broward County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.

The clerk's office cannot give legal advice. Staff can tell you which forms to use for your Hollywood civil case but cannot help you fill them out. For legal help, consider the Legal Aid Service of Broward County or the Broward County Bar Association lawyer referral service.

Broward County Civil Court Records

Hollywood is one of several large cities in Broward County. All civil court records for the county are managed by the same clerk's office. For more details on court procedures, fees, and search tools that cover Hollywood and the rest of Broward County, see our full county guide.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Hollywood and also have civil court records pages on this site. Broward County cities all share the same clerk's office. Miami-Dade cities to the south use a different clerk.