Free Florida legal information for every Floridian, regardless of income
BROWARD
HomeCounty Guides › Broward County
17th Judicial Circuit • Fort Lauderdale

Broward County Court Guide

Complete guide to filing legal documents in Broward County — court locations, current filing fees, clerk contact information, e-filing procedures, and family law self-help resources for all Broward residents.

Clerk: Brenda D. Forman Circuit: 17th Judicial Circuit Phone: (954) 831-6565 Website: browardclerk.org
1.97M population — 2nd largest FL county
17th Judicial Circuit
~$409 divorce filing fee
$8,000 small claims limit
E-filing available for most case types

Courthouse Locations

Broward County Courthouses

Broward County has one central courthouse in Fort Lauderdale plus two regional courthouses in Deerfield Beach and Hollywood. Family law matters are handled at the Central Courthouse.

Main — All Divisions

Broward County Courthouse

201 S.E. 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(954) 831-6565

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

North Regional

North Regional Courthouse

1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Room 160
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

(954) 831-6565

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

South Regional

South Regional Courthouse

3550 Hollywood Blvd., Room 100
Hollywood, FL 33021

(954) 831-6565

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Family Law Division

Family Division — Central Courthouse

201 S.E. 6th Street, West Building
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(954) 831-6565

Divorce, custody, name change, adoption, injunctions

Filing Fees

Broward County Filing Fees

Fees are set by Florida Statutes and are consistent across Broward County. Indigency waivers are available for those who qualify. Always confirm current fees at browardclerk.org before filing.

Case TypeFee (Petitioner)
Dissolution of Marriage (with minor children)~$409
Dissolution of Marriage (no minor children)~$409
Paternity~$300
Child Support (non-divorce)~$300
Child Custody (non-divorce)~$300
Name Change (Adult)~$400
Domestic Violence InjunctionNo fee
Small Claims (up to $8,000)$55–$120 (by amount)
Eviction (Residential)~$185–$235
Modification of Final Judgment~$50 reopen fee + applicable
Summons$10 per summons
Certified Copy$1/page + $2/certification

Indigency waiver: If you receive Food Stamps, Medicaid, SSI, or have income below 200% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for a full or partial fee waiver. Ask the clerk for the Civil Indigent Status Application. Processing takes approximately 5–10 business days.

E-Filing

How to E-File in Broward County

  • 1
    Register at the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal

    Visit myflcourtaccess.com and create a free account. Self-represented litigants may file electronically but are not required to do so.

  • 2
    Include Florida Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases

    All initial family pleadings require Form 12.928. Failure to include this form will cause a processing delay in Broward County.

  • 3
    Note the venue rule for County Civil cases

    Per Administrative Order AO-2025-40-CO, County Civil cases (small claims, evictions) must be filed at the courthouse location serving your venue. Check the Broward Clerk website to confirm which location applies to your address before filing.

  • 4
    Pay filing fees electronically

    Fees are paid during the e-filing submission. Credit cards accepted online (Visa, MasterCard). Cash, personal check, cashier’s check, or money order accepted in person. Note: American Express not accepted for online transactions.

ⓘ Court fees and procedures in Broward County change periodically. Always verify current fees and requirements at browardclerk.org the week you plan to file. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm.