Broward County, Florida Warrant Search

In Broward County, a warrant search involves checking official government-maintained sources and databases to determine whether an individual has an active or outstanding warrant. These warrants may be connected to Broward County court case records (where warrant or capias activity may appear in the docket) or, in instances where law enforcement agencies publish wanted-person information.

In practice, requesters may perform Broward County warrant searches using theBroward County Clerk of Court’s Public Case Search. They may also conduct warrant-related searches via the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Public Access System, which contains Florida warrant information reported to the FDLE by law enforcement agencies across the state. Although the Broward Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest-related records, the agency’s public guidance advises individuals seeking warrant searches to visit the Broward County Clerk of Court’s public site for such activities.

Searches on the county-specific Clerk of Court’s case may be performed using a party name, case number, citation number, and filtering by court type, returning case identifiers and basic case information.

Why Conduct a Warrant Search in Broward County?

• To confirm whether a Broward court case shows warrant-related activity. Since warrants are often associated with court cases, interested parties may begin their search on the Broward Clerk of Courts Case Search (Public). Using a party name, case number, or citation number, they may review the case record to determine the current status and events.
• To make sure the matter is actually in Broward County. According to information from the Broward Clerk of Court’s Office, the office only maintains court records and information for Broward County cases. This means a warrant search may help an inquirer determine whether the matter is within Broward’s court system or in another county or jurisdiction.
• To compare court-record information with statewide “wanted/warrant” reporting. Using the FLDE database, which contains warrant information reported to FLDE by local and state law enforcement agencies in Florida, requesters may search for a reported wanted or warrant entry that may be visible in a single county case search.
• To understand what is public versus what requires an official copy. A warrant search on the Broward Clerk website typically provides general information. Therefore, inquirers may wish to perform an online search first before requesting official copies of court records from the Clerk’s Office division where the case was filed, if needed.

How to Perform a Broward County Warrant Search Online

In Broward County, several resources are available to individuals seeking to perform an online warrant search. The official channels available to the public are as follows:

Broward Clerk of Courts — Case Search (Public)

Requesters may search for warrants online using the Broward Clerk’s Case Search portal, as they are usually associated with a court case. The platform allows searches by party name (last name and first name, preferably), business name, citation number, or case number.

To conduct a search, visit the Clerk’s Case (Public) page. Search by name, case number, citation number, or business number, if available. Once the search returns results, click on the matching case record(s) to review the case details or events displayed on the platform. Interested parties may view and purchase records, including electronic certified documents, from the Clerk’s site.

Requesters are advised to independently verify information obtained from the Clerk’s Case page with official court records, as the Clerk’s Office cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or real-time status of information provided.

Broward County Records Request Options

Individuals wishing to obtain the underlying documents from an online search may use the Records Request page on the Clerk’s site. The site describes ways to purchase or view electronic records and access older paper documents. For electronically certified copies, interested parties are generally expected to search the case, open the case details, and choose the option to buy certified copies.

Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) — Arrest Search

The Broward Sheriff’s Office offers an Arrest Search tool (on its official site) for arrest or custody context, not a comprehensive “warrant list.” This tool permits name-based searches (i.e., last name or first name).

FDLE’s Public Access System (PAS) Wanted Persons

At the state level, requesters may use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Public Access System (PAS) to search for warrant information reported to the FDLE by law enforcement agencies across the state. Interested parties may visit the FDLE PAS’ Wanted Persons' search interface to search and review any matching wanted entries displayed.

It is worth noting that PAS displays records available for public access by agencies; other records may be inaccessible through the portal.

How to Check for Outstanding Warrants in Broward County by Phone or In Person

In Broward County, the standard routes for checking warrant status offline often include contacting the Clerk of Courts for case-file status and calling or visiting the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for verification and records.

Broward County Clerk of Courts

Individuals wishing to call or visit the Broward County Clerk of Court regarding case context (case status, docket/capias activity, and obtain official copies) may use the following contact details:

The Broward Clerk's “Hours and Locations” page lists the Clerk’s main phone number as (954) 831-6565. Inquirers with a case number (if available) may call to request assistance from the staff in locating the correct case record.

Alternatively, requesters may visit a Clerk location (listed on the “Hours and Locations” page) to look up the case or request copies at the Clerk’s counter.

Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO)

Individuals may contact the Broward Sheriff’s Office for information on warrant inquiry procedures and to verify information in their system through the Office’s listed phone numbers: Sheriff’s Office (954-831-8901) and non-emergency line (954-764-4357).

Those seeking copies of records maintained by the BSO are required to follow the formal “Request a Record” process. Such requests are queued and processed on a first-come, first-served basis through the BSO’s Public Records Unit system.

Note: For offline checks, agencies often request that requesters provide identifiers (e.g., full name, case number, citation number, or basic case details such as date and court type) to expedite the search and easily locate the relevant document.

Broward County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Search Process

In Broward County, the Sheriff’s Office may provide citizens with “warrant-related” information via its public-facing arrest lookup tools and its official public request system for copies of the agency’s records.

Requesters wishing to make warrant-related inquiries may contact the BSO through its non-emergency line at 954-764-4357 (HELP). During the call, the inquirer is expected to provide identifying details (e.g., name and other required information). They may also find out if an in-person visitation to check the BSO’s system is possible.

The BSO typically focuses on law enforcement, custody, and other records maintained by the agency. The agency often directs requesters seeking information on a case or court status to the Clerk of Courts because warrants originate from court case activity.

Individuals seeking copies of BSO-maintained records are expected to direct their requests to the Sheriff’s Office Public Records Unit ONLINE PORTAL. All requests for records maintained by the BSO must be submitted through this portal.

Accessing Public Records Related to Warrants in Broward County

In Broward County, individuals seeking information about warrants or public records may access them through public files, including court case records and dockets, as well as law enforcement records related to arrests, bookings, or incidents.

Court case records

Requesters may access warrant-related public records via the docket or case history, which includes related case details, maintained by the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Users may access these records by searching the Broward Clerk’s Case Search with a party name, case number, or citation number.

For electronically available cases or documents, requesters may purchase Electronic Certified Court Documents online. In instances where cases or documents are unavailable online, interested parties may submit a Court Records Request or contact the Clerk’s Office to view or obtain records in person.

Inquirers should note that Florida law restricts access to some cases, documents, or information. Likewise, some court progress dockets may not have electronic case records available for viewing online.

Arrest and booking information

In Broward County, jail/arrest/booking-related information may provide details useful for custody purposes, but it is not the same as a complete warrant list. Such records may be accessed through the Broward Sheriff’s Office Arrest (BSO) Search or the BSO booking register report.

Sheriff’s Office records tied to enforcement activity

Records such as specific law enforcement documents related to incidents, arrests, or related actions, maintained by the BSO, may also yield warrant-related information. Inquirers may submit their requests for records to the Public Records Unit ONLINE PORTAL of the BSO.

Note: Access to some of the Broward Clerk’s case documents may be restricted, and not all electronic records are viewable online under Florida law. In such instances, the Clerk advises requesters to submit a records request or obtain records in person.

Types of Warrants Issued in Broward County

In Broward County, most warrant types are created and governed primarily by Florida statutes and the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure. The following section outlines the different types of warrants available in the county.

Arrest warrants

This is a legal order issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement to arrest someone based on a criminal allegation. This document is issued after a judge examines the complaint and evidence and determines there is probable cause that the suspect committed the crime. Under Florida’s criminal rules, an arrest warrant must be in writing, identify the person to be arrested, and instruct law enforcement to bring the individual before the relevant court.

Capias/Bench warrants

This is a court order for arrest, commonly used by Florida courts, when someone fails to appear in court or does not comply with court requirements (e.g., skipping probation, community control, or other court-ordered supervision). Under the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, the court may also issue a capias in criminal proceedings after an indictment or information when the person is not already in custody or on bail.

Probation (or community control) violation warrants

This is an arrest warrant specifically tied to the violation of probation or community control. Florida law (§ 948.06(1)) authorizes the issuance of a violation warrant and specifies who may serve or execute it (e.g., probation officers and other authorized officers).

Search warrants

A search warrant is an official document authorizing law enforcement to search a specific place, person, or thing for evidence in connection with a criminal investigation. While arrest and bench warrants involve taking someone into custody, search warrants focus on finding evidence at a specific location or on a piece of property.

It is important for individuals seeking Broward County warrants to understand the differences between these documents, as they may affect where to look for them. For example, a “wanted person” list is usually provided by a law enforcement agency and may include only certain individuals, whereas court systems, such as the Clerk of Court’s Case Search (Public), may contain case activity, including capias or bench warrant entries.

It is worth noting that search warrants related to investigations are typically inaccessible to the public and are often available through limited channels.

How Long Warrants Remain Active in Broward County

In Broward County, the duration of a warrant's activity depends primarily on whether it has been executed or whether the issuing court subsequently recalls or quashes it.

In Florida, including Broward County, arrest and bench warrants typically do not have expiration dates. They remain live until the court recalls, quashes, or serves them. However, search warrants are anticipated to be returned and nullified within 10 days of their issuance.

Factors that may influence the active status duration of a warrant include execution by arrest (once executed, a warrant is no longer outstanding), court action (whether it is recalled, quashed, or withdrawn under a court order), and whether the warrant remains in an active status in the appropriate agency or court system (which may differ from what some websites display).

It is worth noting that even when a warrant’s legal status changes (i.e., due to execution or court recall), public-facing tools may not immediately reflect such changes. This is why the Broward Sheriff’s Office informs the public that inmate details change quickly, and the posted information may not reflect real-time information. Likewise, the Broward County Clerk of Courts warns visitors to independently verify online information against official court records stored in the court file, as there may be a lag or a limit on what is visible to the public.

What To Do if You Find an Outstanding Warrant in Broward County

When someone has an outstanding warrant, it may be helpful to verify the information through official sources. This is because online summaries or background reports may be incomplete or fail to reflect recent updates.

Consequently, individuals with outstanding warrants against them may take steps that include the following actions:

• Contact the Broward Clerk of Courts to verify that the information obtained online matches the official court record maintained in the case file. If the search result is connected to a specific case, inquirers may use the Clerk’s system to locate the case number and the court division/type, which often provides the context for what they discovered.
• Use the right channel depending on the information sought. Individuals seeking Broward Sheriff’s Office-maintained records are expected to submit their requests via the Office’s Public Records Unit ONLINE PORTAL. Those wishing to obtain court documents or certified copies, including electronic certified public documents, are expected to review the options for obtaining court documents on the Broward Clerk’s website.
• Bear in mind that some information may be restricted or unavailable online. The Clerk warns that, under certain Florida laws, some cases, documents, or dockets may be inaccessible online. This is why different record request options are often helpful.
• People who have difficulty interpreting official records may wish to seek professional legal aid. A criminal defense attorney may help clarify the process and what comes next, depending on the specific circumstances.