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Circuit Civil

Overview


The Circuit Civil Division processes non-criminal cases where there is a dispute involving sums of money that exceed $50,000.

Below are some case types filed in the Circuit Civil Division:

  • Professional Malpractice
  • Bond Estreature
  • Fraud
  • Products Liability
  • Auto Negligence
  • Negligence Action
  • Condominium Action
  • Contract Indebtedness
  • Real Property Commercial Foreclosure
  • Real Property Mortgage Foreclosure
  • Eminent Domain

Court Registry


The Court Registry is a depository of funds for which the Clerk of the County and Circuit Court is custodian, pending withdrawal of funds, pursuant to the proper authority. All deposits placed into and disbursed from the Court Registry are authorized through Florida Statutes, Rules of Procedure or by case related court orders. Deposits into the Court Registry can be in the form of Cash, Cashier’s Check, Bank Official Check, Money Order, or Attorney Trust Account Check. No personal checks are accepted. Court Registry also accepts Cash and Surety Bonds. Please contact the Court Registry Division to determine the applicable deposit type.

The processing of court registry transactions consist of:

  • Intake and issuance of all applicable documents.
  • Intake, monitoring, and disbursements of all deposits.
  • Intake of applicable Clerk’s Fees.
  • Disbursement of earned interest.
Auto Repair Shop

Florida Statute 559.917 allows a bond to be posted with the Clerk of the Court to obtain the release of a motor vehicle, being held by a repair shop, for non-payment of services rendered. Before an auto can be removed from an auto repair shop the following must occur; post a cash bond in the amount of the final bill, pay $13.00 to transfer the lien, and pay Clerk fees based on the amount of the final bill (3% of the first $500.00 and 1.5% of each remaining $100.00).

The same procedure can be applied to all other personal property under Section 713.76 Florida Statutes.

Transfer Claim, Lien, or Mechanic's Lien to Cash or Surety Bond

To transfer a Claim, Lien, or Mechanic's Lien to cash or surety bond, you must contact:

  • Broward County Records Division
    Governmental Center, Room 114
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
    (954) 357-7270

Satisfaction of Judgment

Per Florida Statute 55.10 - Transferring a Judgment Lien to a Cash or Surety Bond & Florida Statute 55.141 – Satisfaction of Judgment; a legible recorded copy of the Judgment indicating the Bond or Satisfaction amount must be filed in the Clerk division in which the case is filed. If the case is filed in the Circuit Civil division, you may contact the Court Registry Clerk at:

  • (954) 831-5659
An Order of the Court is needed to interplead funds.

Foreclosure Sales


Online Registration

To participate in the sale, bidders must register at www.broward.realforeclose.com to get a Username, Password, and bidder number and place a valid deposit to be considered. All bidders must be registered prior to the sale. Bidders are responsible for conducting their own research about the property.

Deposit

Prior to participating in the sale, the bidder will be required to place a deposit equal to 5% of the estimated highest bid for each property they anticipate winning at the sale. Deposit funds must be received no later than 3:00pm EST the previous business day of the auction. Deposits can be made via wire transfer, or in-person, in the form of case, cashier's check, or money order at at the courthouse address listed under the Contact Informaton section on this page.

For wire transfers, please instruct your bank to include the Bidder Number on the wire information. Wiring instructions are available on the Real Auction website.

Payment Information

Section 7 of Senate Bill 2506 has amended Florida Statute 45.035 (3). The $70.00 service fee for conducting an electronic sale shall be assessed as costs and paid when filing for an electronic sale date. Each time the sale is scheduled or re-scheduled, the Plaintiff is required to pay the $70.00 service fee. The payment can be made via the e-Portal. If you are the successful bidder for a property foreclosure sale, the balance of the final bid amount, plus the court registry fees (3% of the first $500 and each subsequent $100 at 1.5%), must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 12:00 pm EST the next business day following the sale, or by the deadline stated in the judgment.

Accepted forms of payment are wire transfer, cash, cashier’s checks or money order. You will also owe Documentary “doc” stamps on the amount of your final bid. This fee is pursuant to Florida Statute 201.01 and is owed to the Broward County Board of County Commissioner. Doc Stamps on Titles and other instruments related to real property (rounded to the nearest $100.00) are calculated at $.70 per $100.00. You will receive an email regarding the requirements for payment of Documentary Stamps.

If the successful bidder does not make the final payment by the prescribed time, then their deposit will be forfeited. The Clerk’s Office will assess a non-refundable registry fee and other costs (e.g., re-publication cost) from the forfeited deposit. Any remaining funds shall be applied toward the final judgment, as stated in FS 45.31.

Pursuant to Chapter 28 and Chapter 45, Florida Statutes, the Clerk shall receive certain service charges related to the judicial sales procedure. A refund of the service fees is not generally permitted under Florida Law. The remaining funds may be requested as a refund. Any request to the Court for a refund of the service charges must be served upon the Clerk’s Office as an interested party at GeneralCounsel@browardclerk.org

Objections

Any objections to the sale must be filed within 10 days after the filing of the certificate of sale.

Please refer to www.broward.realforeclose.com for further information regarding the foreclosure process.

Live Sales

If you are a plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney in a foreclosure case that requires a live sale, that language must be listed in your final judgment. If your final judgment has already been entered, you will need to provide the Clerk’s Office with a court order directing the Clerk to conduct a live sale for that case. The sale will be conducted in the courthouse lobby located at the Broward County Central Courthouse address location listed on the right side of this page.

Forms and Self Help


The Clerk’s Office is unable to provide legal advice or assistance. As a pro-se litigant, or self-represented party, it is helpful to educate yourself on the court rules, proper legal filings, and service requirements.

To assist you, below you will find forms and legal resources. For further assistance, please visit the Self Help Equal Access Center - Law Library, where Law Librarians are available to assist you in locating forms and legal resources.

SELF HELP EQUAL ACCESS CENTER - Law Library
  • Self Help Equal Access Center - Law Library
    Central Courthouse
    Judicial Complex, North Wing

  • 1st Floor, Room: 1800
    201 S.E. 6th Street
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
     Directions to this Location

  •  954-831-6226

  • Monday - Friday
    7:30 am - 3:30 pm
    Excluding Courthouse Holidays

Visit our Law Library located on the first floor of the North Wing of the Courthouse to find:

  • Additional forms including Family, Landlord/Tenant, Criminal, Probate and Guardianship, Traffic, and much more
  • Photocopy machines, computers, and Wi-Fi
  • Print materials, online databases and resources, self-help publications, Westlaw and Lexis
  • Comfortable, quiet work areas
  • Law Librarians available to direct you to resources related to your legal information needs

Fees and Costs


VALID FORMS OF PAYMENT — Cash, Cashier’s Check, Money Order, Attorney's Check, or American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit cards. (Proper identification is required when paying in person by credit card.)

NO PERSONAL CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED.

ATTENTION ATTORNEYS — Attorney’s trust account checks must be imprinted with the words “Trust Account” or “IOLTA”.

Pursuant to F.S. 57.082 - Determination of civil indigent status. If you qualify for civil indigence, the filing, and summons fees are waived; other cost and fees may not be waived. If you are determined not to be indigent, fees are due at the time of filing.


Circuit Civil Filing Fees

Circuit and Family New Case (Other than an action for real property or an action under Florida statutes Ch. 39,61, 742, and 753) Actions over $50,000.00 $401.00
Re-Open Fee (fee charged for each pleading filed in a “closed case” which requires Judicial action) $50.00
For the filing of any cross-claim, counterclaim or third party complaint (excluding real property) $395.00
For the filing of any cross-claim, counterclaim or third party complaint in an action for real property: For a claim where the value is $50,000.00 or less $395.00
For the filing of any cross-claim, counterclaim or third party complaint in an action for real property: For a claim where the value is more than $50,000.00 but less than $250,000.00 $900.00
For the filing of any cross-claim, counterclaim or third party complaint in an action for real property: For a claim where the value is $250,000.00 or more $1900.00
For a new civil action in circuit court relating to real property or mortgage foreclosure, the following filing fees shall apply: For a claim where the value is $50,000.00 or less $401.00
For a new civil action in circuit court relating to real property or mortgage foreclosure, the following filing fees shall apply: For a claim where the value is more than $50,000.00 but less than $250,000.00 $906.00
For a new civil action in circuit court relating to real property or mortgage foreclosure, the following filing fees shall apply: For a claim where the value is $250,000 or more $1906.00
For a new civil action in circuit court relating to Contraband Forfeiture, the following filing fee shall apply: $1002.00
Issuance of a summons, per summons $10.00
For each timeshare estate joined in a consolidated foreclosure action, the regular filing fee plus, per estate $10.00
Extension of Time (Medical Malpractice) $43.00
Foreign Judgment Writ Fee $42.00
Writ Fee (Garnishment, Attachment, Replevin, and Distress) $85.00
For all cases in excess of 5 defendants, the regular filing fee plus, per defendant $2.50
Service Charge for Parties granted Severance $18.00

Circuit Civil Miscellaneous Charges

Oath, administering, attesting and sealing not otherwise provided for in F.S. 28.24 $3.50
Sealing of Court File or expunging of any record $42.00
Eminent Domain Actions, regular filing fee plus per deposit $170.00
Search of Records Fee, per year $2.00
Subpoena Fee (Sign and seal) $2.00
Attorney appearing Pro Hac Vice $100.00
Bond Approval Fee $8.50
Exemplified Certificates, sign, and seal $7.00
Foreclosure Sale Fee $70.00

Circuit Civil Photocopying Fees

Photocopies of public records, per page $1.00
Certification of copies of public or official document filed in the Clerk’s Office $2.00
Verifying any document presented for certification and prepared by someone other than the Clerk $3.50
Preparing any document other than specifically mentioned in F.S. 28.24 $7.00

Contact Information

  • Central Courthouse
    Judicial Complex, West Building
    (Circuit Civil)

  • 201 S.E. 6th Street
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
     Directions To This Location

  • 4th Floor, Room: 04130

  •  954-831-6565 - (option 2)
  •  954-831-5600 - Attorneys
  •  954-831-6572 - (Fax)

  • Monday - Friday
    8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

    Excluding Holidays