Plantation Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Plantation, Florida government websites.

About Plantation

Plantation, Florida is a vibrant city located in the heart of Broward County, just 10 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale. With a population of 93,130, this community is known for its tree-lined streets, lush parks, and thriving business district. Incorporated in 1953, Plantation has grown from a small agricultural town into a diverse and prosperous city, home to a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and industrial areas. Residents here enjoy a high quality of life, with easy access to the region's beaches, cultural attractions, and world-class healthcare facilities.

Police Department & Arrest Records

In addition to the Plantation, Broward County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within the county, including the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Hollywood Police Department, and Pembroke Pines Police Department. Each city department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective jurisdiction, handling local crimes and community policing. These agencies often collaborate with the BSO on major investigations and regional initiatives to address crime trends and public safety concerns.

Jail & Inmate Records

The main detention facility in Broward County is the Broward County Main Jail, located in Fort Lauderdale. This facility handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are fingerprinted, photographed, and their personal information is recorded. Inmate lookup is available online through the Broward Sheriff's Office website, allowing the public to search for current inmates. Visitation rules at the Main Jail require appointments, and visitors must adhere to strict guidelines regarding dress code and behavior.

Court Records

Plantation residents in need of court-related public records can access a range of resources through the Florida Courts system. This includes case information, docket records, and other documents pertaining to civil, criminal, and appellate proceedings in the local jurisdiction. The Broward County Clerk of Courts office also maintains comprehensive records of all court activities, which can be searched online or requested directly.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Broward County encompasses various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains court records related to criminal cases, while the Sheriff's Office holds arrest and booking records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which provides statewide criminal history information.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Broward County are maintained by the Broward County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly or through their online portal. Under the Florida Sunshine Law, arrest records are considered public records, and the information typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and bond information. Requests for these records may require a formal application and, in some cases, a fee.

Public Records Access

Plantation residents and property owners can access a wealth of public records through the Florida Department of Revenue's online portal. This includes property assessment information, tax rolls, and detailed ownership histories. The Broward County Property Appraiser's office also maintains comprehensive real estate records for the area, allowing users to search by address, owner name, or parcel number.
Those researching the history of a particular property can further consult the Florida Department of State's archives and genealogy resources, which house historic land surveys, deeds, and other relevant documents.

Economy & Demographics

Plantation, Florida is home to a diverse and thriving economy, with a mix of industries and major employers contributing to the city's prosperity. Key economic sectors include healthcare, finance, technology, and retail, with top companies such as Marriott International, AutoNation, and Citrix Systems maintaining significant operations in the area. The community also benefits from a highly educated workforce, with many residents employed in professional and managerial roles.
Economic development initiatives spearheaded by the city government and local business groups have further bolstered Plantation's reputation as an attractive destination for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Law Enforcement & Arrest Records

Public safety is a top priority in Plantation, as evidenced by the robust records maintained by the Plantation Police Department. This includes incident reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement data that can be requested by the public, subject to applicable privacy and disclosure laws. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also provides a statewide criminal history repository, allowing users to search for information on arrests, convictions, and inmate records. Additionally, the Florida Department of Corrections offers an online search tool for locating individuals currently incarcerated within the state's prison system.

Vital Records

Vital records for Plantation, such as birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses, are managed by the Florida Department of Health. Residents can order certified copies of these documents through the department's online portal or by submitting a request by mail. The state also maintains a comprehensive database of all registered Florida births, deaths, and marriages, which can be searched by the public.
For those researching their family history, the Department of State's archives division offers a wide range of genealogical resources, including census data, church records, and other historical documents.

Business & Licensing Records

The City of Plantation's municipal offices handle a variety of business-related public records, including commercial permits, zoning information, and business licenses. Entrepreneurs and local companies can apply for the necessary permits and registrations through the city clerk's office, which maintains detailed records of all licensed commercial activities within the Plantation community. These records can be accessed by the public through online portals or by submitting a records request.

Elections & Voter Records

Plantation voters are served by the Broward County Supervisor of Elections, located at 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 102, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (phone: 954-357-7050, website: https://www.browardsoe.org). This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Plantation residents, including voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots, polling place management, and election results certification. The Supervisor of Elections maintains comprehensive online services for Broward County voters at https://www.browardsoe.org.

Plantation residents can register to vote online through the Florida Division of Elections at https://registertovoter.gov.state.fl.us. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and provide a Florida driver's license number or Florida ID card number. The voter registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Voters can check their registration status, update their address, and view sample ballots at https://www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/My-Voter-Information.

Plantation holds municipal elections for Mayor and five City Council members. The City of Plantation operates under a council-manager form of government. City elections are nonpartisan and are held in March of odd-numbered years. The next municipal election for Plantation is scheduled for March 2025, with council seats up for election. Information about local candidates, campaign finance reports, and ballot measures specific to Plantation can be found through the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website and the City of Plantation's website at https://www.plantation.org.

Plantation voters can find their assigned polling place by visiting https://www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/Precinct-Finder and entering their address. The county operates numerous polling locations throughout Plantation for Election Day voting, typically from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Early voting is available at multiple locations in Broward County, including sites in Plantation, typically beginning 10 days before Election Day and running through the Sunday before the election, with extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Under Florida's public records laws, voter registration lists are public records available from the Supervisor of Elections, though certain information such as Social Security numbers and signatures are exempt. Campaign finance reports for local and countywide candidates are public and searchable through the Supervisor of Elections website and the Florida Division of Elections at https://dos.fl.gov/elections/candidates-committees/campaign-finance. Election results by precinct, including results for Plantation's voting precincts, are published online after each election at https://www.browardsoe.org/Election-Information/Election-Results.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Broward County reported approximately 67% voter turnout with over 1.1 million registered voters and approximately 740,000 ballots cast countywide. Broward County tends to lean Democratic in most elections, and Plantation generally reflects similar voting patterns while being somewhat more competitive than the county overall.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Plantation and Broward County voters will decide several significant races. Florida will elect a Governor in 2026, as gubernatorial terms are four years and the last election was in 2022, meaning the next will be in 2026. One U.S. Senate seat (Class III) will be on the ballot in 2026. All of Florida's 28 U.S. House seats will be up for election, including the district representing Plantation (currently the 25th Congressional District). The entire Florida House of Representatives (120 seats) and half of the Florida Senate (20 of 40 seats) will be elected. Broward County will elect various countywide offices including County Commission seats, School Board members, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Supervisor of Elections, depending on the election cycle schedule. Plantation voters should monitor the Broward Supervisor of Elections website beginning in early 2026 for specific candidate filings and local ballot issues.

Florida voters can request mail-in ballots (previously called absentee ballots) online at https://www.browardsoe.org/Vote-By-Mail or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections office by phone or in writing. Vote-by-mail ballot requests are valid for all elections through the end of the second general election following the request (typically two years). Voters can track their mail-in ballot status online to confirm when the ballot was mailed and when it was received and counted by the elections office.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: ✅ Free Online Statewide Portal | Property: ✅ Free Online Assessor+Recorder | Arrest Logs: ✅ Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ State Office Required | Business: ✅ Free State Database | Elections: ✅ Online Registration & Results | Overall: 8.5/10 — Broward County and Florida provide excellent online access to court records, property data, arrest information, business filings, and election services, with only vital records requiring state-level requests with fees, making public records highly accessible to Plantation residents and the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the process for someone who is arrested in Plantation, Broward County, Florida to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the City of Plantation, Florida, you will be transported to the County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the County Court. Under Florida law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.dc.state.fl.us/offenderSearch/ where you can look up current detainees.
The school district for Plantation, Broward County, Florida is the Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). According to the Florida Department of Education, the district's overall performance grade for the 2019-2020 school year was a B. The district's graduation rate was 87.2%, and the district's average SAT score was 1090.
According to the Broward County Sheriff's Office, the total number of reported crimes in Plantation, Broward County, Florida in 2019 was 4,845. Of those, there were 1,845 violent crimes and 3,000 property crimes.
The Plantation Public Library in County, Florida provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Florida government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, F.S.), which governs access to government documents in Florida. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the Plantation Florida Archives and Genealogy at https://dos.myflorida.com/library-archives/genealogy/. Contact the Plantation Public Library reference desk at (754) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
The Plantation, Broward County, Florida Library is located at 501 N Fig Tree Ln, Plantation, FL 33317.
Fingerprinting services for Plantation, Florida residents are provided at the Plantation Police Department, which serves County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the Plantation Police Department at (754) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records.
In order to obtain vital records from Plantation, Broward County, Florida, you must contact the Broward County Vital Statistics Office.

The office can provide certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. You must provide proof of identity and a valid photo ID. You must also provide the full name of the person whose record you are requesting, the date of the event, and the place of the event.
Police reports from Plantation, Florida can be obtained from the Plantation Police Department, located in County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, F.S.), most police reports are public records in Florida, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the Plantation Police Department Records Division at (754) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records.
A background check in Plantation, County, Florida typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Florida. Criminal background checks are processed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Florida residents. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) provides official criminal history checks at https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records. Under the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, F.S.), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.