What are the filing fees for the Circuit Civil Division?

What if I have a Case Number?

Circuit Civil case file numbers are identified by a CACE designation. Circuit Civil Family case file numbers are identified by a FMCE designation. Effective January 1, 2005, Domestic Violence cases are identified by a DV designation. Circuit Civil files for years 1982 through 2004, active or inactive, and Circuit Civil Family Case Files 1994 and 2004, active or inactive, are stored at an off-site location. To review these files, they may be ordered by calling 954-831-6253. The message will assist you in ordering your file. These files take from three (3) to (5) working days to transfer to the Central Courthouse.

What if I don't know my Case Number?

Perform a case party search. If you still cannot find the case, contact eclerk@browardclerk.org.

How do I file a Civil Action (over $15,000)?

The types of cases filed in the Circuit Civil Division are:

1. Professional Malpractice, Products Liability, Auto Negligence, Negligence Action, Condominium Action, Contract Indebtedness, Real Property Mortgage Foreclosure, Eminent Domain, Appeal (County Court)

How do I withdraw from the Court Registry?

To get your car out of a repair shop, you must post a bond in cash in the amount of the final bill plus $13.00 fee to transfer lien plus fees for the Clerk based on the amount of the final bill (3% of the first $500.00 and 1.5% of each remaining $100.00). This procedure is under Section 559.917 Florida Statutes. The same procedure can be applied to all other personal property under Section 713.76 Florida Statutes.

To deposit or to withdraw funds from the Court Registry, you must provide the Court Registry Clerk with a certified copy of an Order directing the clerk to deposit the funds into the Registry of the Court or to release the funds in Court Registry.

To transfer a Claim or Lien or a Mechanic's Lien to cash or surety bond, you must contact the Recording Office at the Governmental Center, Suite 11, Phone number (954) 357-7270.

To transfer a Judgment Lien to a cash bond or to satisfy a Judgment, you must provide us with a legible recorded copy of the Judgment so that we can determine the amount of the bond or the amount of the Satisfaction. If the case is in one of the Satellite Courts, you must contact the Satellite Court; if the case is in the County Court, Central Courthouse, you contact the County Court; if the case is in the Circuit Court, then you contact the Court Registry Clerk at (954) 831-5659.

To Interplead funds, you need an Order of the Court.

When are foreclosures held and what are the terms of foreclosure?

Circuit Civil foreclosure sales are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11 AM. County Civil foreclosure sales are held every Friday at 10 AM.

With the exception of Courthouse Holidays, all foreclosure sales are held in room 385 on the 3rd floor of the Central Courthouse. Click here for courthouse locations.

The terms of the sale are 5% of the total bid down at the time of the sale and the balance due by 2:00 p.m. the same day. The balance includes the Clerk’s fee of $70.00, documentary stamps at the rate of $0.70 per one hundred dollars, a court registry fee of 3% of first $500, plus 1.5% of each subsequent $100, and the balance of the total bid less the deposit. Acceptable payment includes; attorney firm checks, cashiers checks, money orders and trust account checks. No personal checks will be accepted.

You are responsible for all research pertaining to the property. The Clerk’s office is not responsible for any encumbrances remaining against the property.

You may obtain an information sheet that answers all questions on foreclosure procedures with a visit to the Central Courthouse. You may also request the information by writing to our Correspondence Department. Please submit a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Howard C. Forman, Clerk
201 S.E. 6th Street
Room 230
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Attention: Foreclosure Department

What is the proper case number format for Internet searches?

Civil Case Numbers

Case numbers must be entered in a specific format for Internet searches. In order for a case number to be valid and return the proper case, the case number must be at least thirteen letters or numbers. Special characters (such as "-", "$", "#", "%") will not be accepted.

If your case number does not equal at least 12 characters, a dash "-" may exist in the middle of the case number. Replace the dash with zeros until your case number equals 12 characters. For example: