Background Checks

Background checks are sometimes required for employment, housing, adoption, immigration and other personal reasons.  Background checks include arrest records only and do not include traffic violations or other incidents which did not result in an arrest.  According to Florida public record statutes, anyone may request a background check on another person, subject to certain privacy and restricted information laws.

The Broward Sheriff's Office only provides records for BSO's jurisdictions within Broward County.  For information from other municipalities or counties, contact the appropriate agency.  For a statewide record check, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at 850-410-8109 or visit www.fdle.state.fl.us.

For more details visit the BSO Records/Warrants Division or call 954-831-8700.

Fingerprinting Services

Fingerprinting services are offered to Weston residents during normal operations; however, the service has been temporarily discontinued due to COVID-19. When services resume, the following is required: a driver’s license or state identification card and any billing statement that also has your address on it, such as a utility bill.  

Fingerprinting services are offered at the:

Weston Police Services Center
17300 Royal Palm Boulevard
Weston, FL  33326

Hours of Operation: 
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Please call to confirm prior to your visit:  954-389-2010.

Children’s fingerprinting is occasionally offered during BSO special events and programs.

Police Report Requests

Copies of Police Reports are obtained from the:

Broward Sheriff’s Office
Main Public Safety Building
2601 W. Broward Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33131

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Phone:  954-831-8700

Accident and event reports are available from BSO for incidents in which reports were taken by a BSO deputy. *Online requests are received, tracked, and fulfilled electronically.

Visit the BSO Records/Warrants Division for details.

Restraining Order Requests

Restraining orders are issued by a judge and are intended to protect those who fear for their own safety.  Essentially, a restraining order prohibits an individual from an action that is likely to cause harm; usually, a restraining order prevents any contact or communication between two or more people.  Restraining order requests must be made at the Broward County Courthouse.  The process takes approximately three hours to complete, so it is suggested to arrive early.

Broward County Courthouse
201 S.E. 6 Street, Room 248
Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33301  

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

or

West Regional Courthouse,
(closer to Weston) can be done online now.

To obtain a Restraining Order, you may file your pleadings utilizing the Portal filing system at browardclerk.org or appear in person at one of the following Domestic Violence Service Locations, excluding Courthouse Holidays:

Browardclerk.org Domestic Violence / Restraining Orders Information

There is no charge or fee to obtain a restraining order.

If you find yourself in a life-threatening domestic violence situation after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays or during the weekend and holidays, have no safe shelter, and wish to apply for an emergency domestic violence restraining order immediately, call 954-463-0911 for assistance.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office offers more information on restraining orders.

Arrest Search

For information on someone that has been arrested by the Broward Sheriff's Office, please visit Sheriff.org for more information.

How to Request a Record*

From now on you may submit your public requests online. Online requests are received, tracked, and fulfilled electronically. Your request will be entered in the Public Records Unit queue and processed on a first served basis. As a requestor, you can communicate with the technician handling your request and receive updates via email.

The Public Records Unit ONLINE PORTAL is the place to submit ALL of your request for records maintained by the Broward Sheriff's Office including, but not limited to:

• Incident reports
• Accident reports
• Local Records Checks

To access our online portal and request your records CLICK HERE.

Local Records Checks

Local records checks (Broward County information only) are sometimes required for employment, housing, adoption, immigration, and other personal reasons. Local records checks may be requested via the Public Records Online Portal.

Local records checks performed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office are NOT a complete criminal history check. They are a local search of the records submitted to the Broward Sheriff’s Office by law enforcement agencies within Broward County, Florida. They are limited to arrest records only and do not include involvement which did not result in an arrest. THIS SEARCH WILL NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION OCCURING OUTSIDE BROWARD COUNTY, FL.

To obtain a statewide records check, contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Their contact information is available on their web site at: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/

Frequently Asked Questions

Fees: There are sometimes fees associated with records requests. Fees are based on Florida statute and correspond with the type of record requested and the amount of time it takes to fulfill it. Estimates will be given prior to any work being done on requests that require payment.

Payment Types: We accept cash, check, or money order. We cannot process credit card or debit card payments.

Contact Us: The Public Records Unit is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can reach us at 954-831-8700 during normal operating hours.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office, and its contracted vendors, are working to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Accessibility Policy

 
If for some reason you are unable to use the above online portal due to accessibility issues, please submit your request via email to PublicRecordsUnit@sheriff.org.