Search Florida Dissolution Of Marriage Records through county clerks, state agencies, and online portals. These records show when a marriage legally ended in Florida.
People search these files for many reasons. Some need proof for a new marriage. Others check names for legal matters. Some want to verify family history. This page explains every step to find, view, and request these records in Florida.
Where Florida Dissolution of Marriage Records Are Kept
Florida keeps dissolution of marriage records in two main places. The county Clerk of Court holds the full case file. The Florida Department of Health keeps a shorter state record. Each source has a different role in the search process.
County Clerk of Court Records
Every Florida county has a Clerk of Court office. This office stores the full court file for each dissolution case. The file includes the petition, court orders, and the final judgment. People can visit the clerk office in person or search the county website. Most counties now offer online search tools. These tools let you look up case numbers, party names, and filing dates from home.
County clerks serve as the main record holder for dissolution cases. The clerk indexes cases by party name, case number, and filing year. This makes name searches simple. You only need one spouse’s full legal name and an approximate filing year to begin.
Florida Department of Health Certificates
The Florida Department of Health also keeps dissolution records. These records are shorter than the full court file. They serve as proof that a dissolution was finalized. The state agency stores these records after the county clerk sends the final report. People use these state records for name changes, remarriage, and other legal needs.
The Bureau of Vital Statistics within the Department of Health handles these requests. State records show the basic facts of the dissolution. They list the names of both spouses, the county of filing, and the date the court finalized the case. They do not include property terms, custody orders, or other case details.
Florida Courts Self-Help Resources
The Florida Courts website offers self-help pages for family law. These pages help people find forms, learn procedures, and locate local court offices. Self-help resources explain the difference between a dissolution and a divorce in Florida. The site also lists local clerk offices and contact details for each county.
Self-help pages also offer family law forms. These forms are used during the filing process. They are not the same as a public record search, but they help users understand the system. The self-help site also has links to local family court resources in each judicial circuit.
How to Find Florida Divorce Records by Name
Searching by name is the most common way to find Florida divorce records. The state has 67 counties, and each one stores records for cases filed within its borders. A name search works best when you know the county of filing. If you do not know the county, you can check by year or use statewide tools.
Step 1: Identify the Filing County
The first step in a name search is to find the right county. Dissolution cases are filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse lived. If you do not know the county, check old documents, court mail, or legal notices. These often list the county name. You can also call the Florida Court Clerks Association for help.
If you only know the city name, you can match the city to its county. Florida cities sit inside county borders. For example, Miami is in Miami-Dade County. Tampa is in Hillsborough County. Jacksonville is in Duval County. Once you match the city to the county, you can begin your search in the right place.
Step 2: Use the County Clerk Portal
Once you know the county, go to that county Clerk of Court website. Most counties have an online search tool on the main page. Look for links like “Court Records,” “Case Search,” or “Public Records.” These tools let you search by name, case number, or filing date. They are free to use and open to the public.
After you find the right tool, enter the full legal name of one spouse. Add an approximate filing year if you know it. The search will show matching cases. Each result shows the case number, filing date, and case status. You can click on the case number to see more details.
Step 3: Match Results and Request Copies
The search results may show more than one case. Match the names, dates, and county to find the right one. Once you find the right case, you can view the docket online or request a copy. Most counties charge a small fee for printed or certified copies. The fee covers the cost of copying and certifying the document.
County clerks offer two types of copies. A plain copy shows the document content without a clerk stamp. A certified copy has a clerk stamp and a raised seal. Most legal matters need a certified copy. A plain copy works for personal review or family history research. Check the rules of the agency that needs the record before you order.
How to Find Florida Divorce Records by County
Some searchers already know the county but need help with the local search process. Each large county in Florida runs its own clerk system. The tools, fees, and search rules can differ by county. Below are details for the most searched counties in the state.
Broward County Divorce Records
Broward County Clerk of Courts runs an online search tool on its website. The tool covers family court cases, including dissolution of marriage. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number. The site shows the case status, hearing dates, and final judgment date. You can request certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the clerk office in Fort Lauderdale.
The Broward County family court handles cases filed after 1978. Older cases may need a manual search by clerk staff. You can contact the clerk records department for help with older files. The clerk also offers an online docket viewer for free public access to case events and orders.
Miami-Dade County Divorce Records
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts offers an online case search system. Users can search family court cases by name, case number, or party type. The search covers dissolution, annulment, and other family matters. The system is free to use and shows case status, party names, and filing dates.
For certified copies, the Miami-Dade clerk offers online ordering, mail requests, and in-person service. The main clerk office is in downtown Miami. A second branch office serves the northern part of the county. Each office can pull case files, print documents, and issue certified copies on the same day in most cases.
Orange County Dissolution Records
Orange County Clerk of Courts runs the Orange County Record Search online tool. The tool covers family and civil cases filed in Orange County. Users can search by name, case number, or business name. Results show case events, orders, and final judgments for dissolution of marriage cases.
Orange County includes the city of Orlando. The county clerk office is in downtown Orlando. It also runs a satellite office in the Ocoee area. Certified copy requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. The clerk charges a standard fee for each certified page.
Hillsborough County Divorce Records
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court offers an online search tool called Hillsborough Online Records. The tool covers family, civil, and criminal cases. Users can search dissolution of marriage cases by name, case number, or filing date. The site shows case events, hearings, and final judgments.
Tampa sits inside Hillsborough County. The clerk main office is in downtown Tampa. The clerk also operates a branch office in the Brandon area. Certified copies are available online, by mail, or at the clerk counter. Older dissolution cases from before 1990 may require a manual search by clerk staff.
Palm Beach County Divorce Records
Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller runs an online search tool for court records. The system covers family, civil, and probate cases. Users can search by name, case number, or party type. Dissolution of marriage results show the case number, party names, filing date, and final judgment date.
The Palm Beach County main clerk office is in West Palm Beach. The county also has branch offices in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Belle Glade. Each office can search the county database. Certified copy requests can be placed online, by mail, or in person at any branch location.
Florida Dissolution Records Online Access
Florida offers several online tools for dissolution records. Some are run by county clerks. Others are run by the state. These tools save time and let people search from home. The table below lists the main online portals and their purpose.
| Portal | Purpose | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Florida e-Filing Portal | Submit and view case documents | Statewide, registered users |
| MyFloridaCounty Official Records | Search recorded documents and judgments | Statewide, all counties |
| VitalChek Online Ordering | Order state divorce certificates | Statewide, all Florida filings |
| Florida DOH Divorce Certificates | Request state-issued divorce certificate | Statewide, since 1927 |
Florida e-Filing Portal
The Florida e-Filing Portal allows lawyers, clerks, and registered users to submit and view case documents. The portal covers most circuit and county court case types, including family law. Users can search for a case, view the docket, and download filed documents. Access to some sealed or confidential records requires a court order or login.
Public users can register for a free account to view basic case data. Lawyer users pay a small fee to submit filings. The portal keeps a record of every document filed in the case. This makes it a useful tool for people who want to track the full case history without visiting the clerk office.
MyFloridaCounty Official Records
MyFloridaCounty is a shared search tool for county official records. It covers recorded documents such as deeds, liens, and judgments. Dissolution judgments are sometimes recorded in the official records system. A search here can find a recorded final judgment for a dissolution case.
The MyFloridaCounty search tool is free to use. Users can search by name, document type, or recording date. The tool links to the county recorder where the document was filed. Some counties charge a fee to view the full document image.
VitalChek Online Ordering
VitalChek is the official vendor for Florida state-issued certificates. The Florida Department of Health uses VitalChek for online and phone orders. Users can order a state divorce certificate through the VitalChek portal. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the state fee. The state fee is set by Florida law. The total cost depends on the type of certificate and the shipping method. VitalChek offers standard and rush processing. Orders can be mailed or shipped by courier.
How to Get a Certified Divorce Decree Copy
A certified divorce decree copy is a clerk-stamped copy of the final judgment. It includes a raised seal and a clerk signature. A certified copy is the legal proof that a dissolution was finalized. Most agencies and courts require a certified copy for any legal use of the record.
Required Information for Request
To get a certified copy, you must give the clerk the right details. The clerk needs the full legal names of both spouses. They also need the county of filing and the approximate filing year. If you know the case number, include it. A valid photo ID is also required for in-person requests.
Mail requests must include a signed request form, a copy of a photo ID, and a check or money order for the fee. The clerk will mail the certified copy to the address on the ID. Some counties accept online orders through their own portal or a third-party vendor.
Certified vs Plain Copy Differences
A certified copy has a clerk stamp, raised seal, and signature. It is the legal proof accepted by courts, agencies, and employers. A plain copy shows the same content but has no seal. A plain copy works for personal review, family history, or attorney review. Always check which type the requesting agency needs before you order.
Certified copies cost more than plain copies. The extra fee covers the clerk’s certification, the seal, and the staff time. The fee is set by Florida law. The clerk may charge an extra fee for search time if the case file is old or stored off-site.
Processing Times and Fees
Standard processing takes five to ten business days for mail and online orders. In-person requests are often filled the same day. Rush service is available in many counties for an extra fee. Rush service can take one to three business days. The exact timeline depends on the county and the request volume.
Standard state certificate fees are set by Florida Statute 382.023. The fee is the same whether you order from the state or a county clerk. Additional service fees may apply for online orders, rush processing, or courier shipping. Always check the current fee schedule before you place your order.
Florida Dissolution Records Laws and Statutes
Florida law controls how dissolution records are filed, stored, and shared. Several key statutes apply to these records. The most important are Florida Statute 61.052, Florida Statute 382.023, and Florida Statute 61.021. These laws set the rules for filing, indexing, and accessing dissolution records.
Florida Statute 61.052
Florida Statute 61.052 sets the basic rules for dissolution of marriage. It lists the grounds for filing, the residency rule, and the required contents of the petition. The statute also explains the waiting period after filing. Most dissolution cases in Florida use this statute as the legal basis for the filing.
This statute also covers the time frame for a final judgment. A simple dissolution can be finalized in as little as 20 days. A regular contested dissolution takes longer due to the discovery and hearing process. The statute applies to all dissolution cases filed in Florida circuit courts.
Florida Statute 382.023
Florida Statute 382.023 sets the rules for vital records, including dissolution certificates. It sets the state fee for each certificate, the rules for state indexing, and the transfer period from county to state. The statute also lists who can request a certificate and what data the certificate must show.
Under this statute, the county clerk must send a report to the state after the court finalizes the case. The state then indexes the case in the vital records system. The transfer period may cause a short delay before the state record becomes available. The state fee is the same for all Florida counties.
Florida Statute 61.021 Residency Rules
Florida Statute 61.021 sets the residency rule for dissolution filings. At least one spouse must live in Florida for six months before the filing. The filing spouse must also be a resident of the county where the case is filed. The court can dismiss a case if the residency rule is not met.
The residency rule applies to the filing date, not the final judgment date. A spouse who moves out of state after filing may still complete the case in Florida. The court can transfer the case to the new county if both spouses agree and the new county has proper jurisdiction.
What Florida Divorce Records Show
A Florida divorce record shows the key facts of the case. The exact details depend on the source. A county court file shows more data than a state certificate. A state certificate shows only the basic vital facts. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right record type.
Case Number and Filing Date
The case number is a unique ID assigned by the court. It starts with the year of filing, the county code, and a sequence number. The case number is used in every court order, hearing notice, and document filed in the case. The filing date shows when the petition was first filed with the court.
The case number is the most reliable way to track a case through the court system. The county clerk uses the case number to pull the file and pull documents. The case number is also used to set up a hearing, file a motion, or request a copy of any document in the file.
Final Judgment Details
The final judgment is the court order that ends the marriage. It lists the names of both spouses, the case number, the county, and the date. It may also include terms for property, alimony, custody, and child support. The final judgment is signed by the judge and entered by the clerk.
A certified copy of the final judgment is the legal proof of the dissolution. A plain copy of the final judgment is useful for review. The state certificate is a separate record that proves only that the dissolution was finalized. It does not include any case terms.
Spouse Names and Property Terms
The court file lists the full legal names of both spouses as they appear in the petition. It also lists any prior name changes, legal aliases, and the date of marriage. The final judgment may include terms for property division, debt division, and spousal support.
Some case files are sealed by court order. A sealed file is not open to the public. The clerk cannot share a sealed file without a court order. Sealed files are common in high-profile cases, cases with minor children, and cases with sensitive financial data.
Florida Annulment and Marriage Termination Records
Florida also keeps records for marriage annulments and other marriage termination cases. An annulment is a court order that says the marriage was never valid. It is different from a dissolution, which ends a valid marriage. The clerk stores both types in the family court file system.
Marriage termination records can also include cases where the court ended a marriage due to a void or voidable status. These cases follow a different legal path. The court file shows the grounds, the hearing dates, and the final order. The state agency also keeps a short certificate for these cases.
Searchers looking for any type of marriage termination can use the same county clerk tools used for dissolution cases. The case type can be filtered in most search systems. The state certificate is also available through the Florida Department of Health and VitalChek.
Common Issues When Searching Florida Divorce Records
Some searchers run into problems when looking for Florida divorce records. Common issues include old cases with manual files, sealed cases, and name spelling differences. Below are the most common issues and how to solve them.
Old Cases and Manual Files
Cases filed before 1990 are often stored in manual paper files. The county clerk may need extra time to pull these files. Some older cases were filed in a different court system. The clerk records staff can help locate these files. The search fee may be higher for older cases due to the extra staff time.
If the case is more than 50 years old, it may be stored at the Florida State Archives. The archives hold historical court files for the state. Searchers can contact the archives for help with very old cases. The archives charge a small search fee for each case.
Sealed or Confidential Cases
Sealed cases are not open to the public. The clerk cannot share the case file or the final judgment without a court order. Only the parties, their lawyers, and the court can see a sealed file. Confidential cases may have a public case number but a sealed file. The clerk can confirm if a case is sealed or confidential.
To open a sealed file, a party must file a motion with the court. The court will review the motion and decide if the file should be opened. The court may open the file in whole or in part. The party must show a good reason for the request.
Name Spelling and Date Differences
Name spelling can cause search problems. A name can be spelled in many ways. Old records may have spelling differences, name changes, or legal alias issues. If the search shows no results, try a name spelling variation. Use a wildcard search if the clerk system supports it.
Date differences can also cause issues. The petition filing date, the final judgment date, and the state index date are all different. The state record may show a different date than the court record due to the transfer period. Always check both dates when matching records.
Official Florida Divorce Records Contact Details
Below is the contact data for the main state and county offices that handle dissolution of marriage records. Use these to confirm current fees, request certified copies, or ask about case status. Always call before you visit to confirm current office hours and accepted payment methods.
Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
Address: 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: 904-359-6900
Website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
Address: 3544 Maclay Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32312
Phone: 850-921-0808
Website: https://www.flclerks.com/
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time
VitalChek Customer Service
Phone: 1-877-817-7364
Website: https://www.vitalchek.com
Service Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
FAQ About Florida Dissolution of Marriage Records
Below are answers to common questions about Florida dissolution of marriage records. These answers cover the most searched topics, including the time it takes, the cost, and the rules for sealed cases. The answers are based on Florida law and current state and county office rules.
How long does a dissolution take in Florida?
A simple dissolution can be finalized in about 20 to 30 days. A regular contested case takes 6 to 12 months on average. Complex cases with high-value property or custody fights can take 18 to 24 months. The exact time depends on the county docket, the case facts, and the level of agreement between the spouses. A case cannot be finalized until the court signs the final judgment and the clerk enters it into the record. After that, the county clerk sends a report to the state, and the state indexes the case in the vital records system.
Are Florida divorce records public?
Yes, most Florida divorce records are public. The clerk indexes cases by name, and anyone can search the clerk database. The case file, including the petition, motions, and final judgment, is open to the public unless the court seals the file. Sealed files are not open to the public. The state certificate is also a public record. Anyone can order a state certificate through the Florida Department of Health or VitalChek. Some data, such as Social Security numbers and bank account numbers, is redacted from public records.
Can I find a divorce record for free in Florida?
Yes, you can search the county clerk database for free. Most county clerk websites offer a free case search tool. You can view the case number, party names, filing date, and final judgment date. A free search also shows the case docket. To get a copy of the document, you must pay a fee. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. The state certificate costs a set fee set by Florida law. Free search tools do not include the full document image.
What is the difference between a divorce certificate and a divorce decree?
A divorce certificate is a state-issued record that proves the dissolution was finalized. It shows the names of both spouses, the county of filing, and the final judgment date. A divorce decree is the full court order that ends the marriage. It includes all the case terms, such as property, custody, and support. A decree copy is the full legal document. A certificate is a short summary record. Most legal needs require a certified copy of the decree, not a certificate.
Can I search Florida divorce records by case number?
Yes, county clerk search tools support case number searches. A case number search is the fastest way to find a specific case. The case number is shown on every court order, hearing notice, and filing in the case. If you do not know the case number, you can search by name. The search tool will show the case number, filing date, and case status. You can then use the case number to pull the full docket and order copies.
How do I get a Florida divorce record if I was married in another state?
If the dissolution was filed in Florida, you can get the record from the Florida county clerk or the Florida Department of Health. If the dissolution was filed in another state, you must contact that state. Florida only keeps records for cases filed within Florida. A Florida clerk cannot pull a case file from another state. The Florida Department of Health also cannot issue a certificate for a case filed in another state. You must contact the state where the case was filed.
Can I remove a divorce record from public search in Florida?
It is hard to remove a divorce record from public search in Florida. The court can seal a case file, but the case number may still appear in the clerk search. The state certificate is a public vital record and cannot be removed. A party can ask the court to seal the case, but the court only grants this in narrow cases. Common reasons include safety concerns, sealed financial data, or minor child data. The court reviews each request on a case-by-case basis.